Most helpful Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts you should know
What Is a Keyboard Shortcut?
One of the more powerful, and probably least used, set of keyboard shortcuts involves the Windows Logo key, which is common on most keyboards packaged with a Windows-based personal computer these days.
| Press this key | To do this |
|---|---|
Windows logo key  |
Open or close Start |
| Windows logo key + A |
Open Action center |
| Windows logo key + B |
Set focus in the notification area |
| Windows logo key + C |
Open Cortana in listening mode |
| Windows logo key + Shift + C |
Open the charms menu |
| Windows logo key + D |
Display and hide the desktop |
| Windows logo key + Alt + D |
Display and hide the date and time on the desktop |
| Windows logo key + E |
Open File Explorer |
| Windows logo key + F |
Open Feedback Hub and take a screenshot |
| Windows logo key + G |
Open Game bar when a game is open |
| Windows logo key + H |
Start dictation |
| Windows logo key + I |
Open Settings |
| Windows logo key + J |
Set attention to a windows tip when one is available. |
| Windows logo key + K |
Open the Connect quick action |
| Windows logo key + L |
Lock your PC or switch accounts |
| Windows logo key + M |
Minimize all windows |
| Windows logo key + O |
Lock device orientation |
| Windows logo key + P |
Choose a presentation display mode |
| Windows logo key + R |
Open the Run dialog box |
| Windows logo key + S |
Open search |
| Windows logo key + T |
Cycle through apps on the task bar |
| Windows logo key + U |
Open Ease of Access Center |
| Windows logo key + V |
Cycle through notifications |
| Windows logo key + Shift + V |
Cycle through notifications in reverse order |
| Windows logo key + X |
Open the Quick Link menu |
| Windows logo key + Y |
Switch input between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop |
| Windows logo key + Z |
Show the commands available in an app in full-screen mode |
| Windows logo key + period (.) or semicolon (;) |
Open emoji panel |
| Windows logo key + comma (,) |
Temporarily peek at the desktop |
| Windows logo key + Pause |
Display the System Properties dialog box |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + F |
Search for PCs (if you’re on a network) |
| Windows logo key + Shift + M |
Restore minimized windows on the desktop |
| Windows logo key + number |
Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the task bar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app. |
| Windows logo key + Shift + number |
Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the task bar in the position indicated by the number |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + number |
Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the task bar in the position indicated by the number |
| Windows logo key + Alt + number |
Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the task bar in the position indicated by the number |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + number |
Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the task bar as an administrator |
| Windows logo key + Tab |
Open Task view |
| Windows logo key + Up arrow |
Maximize the window |
| Windows logo key + Down arrow |
Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window |
| Windows logo key + Left arrow |
Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen |
| Windows logo key + Right arrow |
Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen |
| Windows logo key + Home |
Minimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke) |
| Windows logo key + Shift + Up arrow |
Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen |
| Windows logo key + Shift + Down arrow |
Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width |
| Windows logo key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow |
Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another |
| Windows logo key + Spacebar |
Switch input language and keyboard layout |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + Spacebar |
Change to a previously selected input |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter |
Open Narrator |
| Windows logo key + Plus (+) |
Open Magnifier |
| Windows logo key + forward slash (/) |
Begin IME re-conversion |
| Windows logo key + Ctrl + V |
Open shoulder taps |
Also read: Most helpful Windows Command Prompt keyboard shortcuts
