Nothing makes working on a PC easier than keyboard shortcuts. Clicked - and there is no need to scour the menu, opening tab after tab in search of the desired action.
As functionality increases, so does the number of tasks available to manage hotkeys.
In Windows 10, the same keyboard shortcuts work as in the “seven” and “eight”, plus new ones have appeared. Let's get to know them better and figure out how to customize them “for yourself.”
New in Windows 10
Virtual desktops
One of the tens' new products is virtual desktops where you can place open documents and running programs.
This additional space helps the user to unload the work area by “scattering” the open windows across several screens.
Virtual desktops are created and controlled using the mouse and keyboard shortcuts.
Hotkeys for switching, creating and closing desktops in Windows 10:
- Windows (key with the same icon) + Ctrl + D - create a new table;
- Windows + Ctrl + right or left arrow key - switch between adjacent tables;
- Windows + Ctrl + F4 - closes the active desktop.
- Windows + Ctrl + Tab - view all windows on open desktops.
Placing open windows next to each other
Another improvement of the "tens" is the Snap function - placing two open windows on adjacent halves of the screen, which is convenient when comparing documents and copying files from one directory to another.
In Windows 7 and 8 this was done only with the mouse, and in Windows 10 - with both the mouse and hotkeys.
These are the combinations:
- Windows + right arrow - moves the active window to the right;
- Windows + left arrow - moves the active window to the left;
- Windows + up arrow - moves the active window up;
- Windows + down arrow - moves the active window down.
Command line
Explorer, search and programs
Here are the keyboard shortcuts that control search functions, opening utilities, the game bar, etc. These are things that first appeared or changed in Windows 10.
- Windows + G - Opens the Game Bar of the Xbox app to record screen video and take screenshots.
- Windows + Q - opens the search module window, the same as clicking on the “magnifying glass” icon in the taskbar.
- Windows + S - launches the virtual assistant Cortana, which does not work in the Russian version of Windows. Pressing this combination opens the search.
- Windows + I - open the Settings application - new tens.
- Windows + A - expand the notification center, which can also be opened by clicking on the tray icon.
- Windows + Alt + G - enable background screen recording.
- Windows + Alt + R - stop background screen recording.
- Windows + plus on the number pad of the keyboard - magnifying the image using a screen magnifier.
- Windows + minus on the number pad of the keyboard - zoom out the image using a screen magnifier.
Setting up hot keys
"Ten", unfortunately, does not allow you to reassign keyboard shortcuts at your discretion, with the exception of the language bar.
For those of you who are looking for where and how to change hotkeys in the Windows 10 registry, we advise you to better use third-party software for this. For example, the free utility MKey.
This program was created to assign actions to additional keys on multimedia keyboards, but it also supports regular ones.
MKey is able to provide new functions to both single keys and combinations with Shift, Alt, Ctrl and Windows.
Using MKey, you can assign the following actions to keys:
- control multimedia functions: turn on playback, change volume, etc.;
- opening folders;
- launching applications;
- turning off and restarting the computer, going into sleep mode and hibernation, ending the user session;
- changing the size and location of working windows, minimizing windows to the taskbar, expanding and closing windows;
- opening, closing, saving and printing documents;
- connecting to and disconnecting from networks;
- changing desktop wallpaper;
- copy, paste, PC lock, PrintScreen, end tasks and more.
And this is a small part of what the program can do.
The procedure for setting up Windows 10 hotkeys in MKey:
- click the “Add” button in the lower left corner of the window;
- press 1-2 keys to which you are going to assign an action;
- give the new combination a name;
- Expand the Actions tab and select the task that the combination will perform.
To remove hotkeys or change their settings, right-click on their name and select “Delete” or “Customize”.
All MKey assignments take effect immediately.
Windows 10 Hotkeys
Hotkeys for Windows 10 - list, settings and purpose
The Windows operating system is quite complex, but at the same time very functional. Many things can be done quite easily with the mouse. But it can be even faster to get to frequently used elements using keyboard shortcuts, bypassing all the menus and many clicks. Below you will learn about the 10 most useful hotkeys for Windows 10, which will definitely come in handy to speed up your daily work on your computer.
Win– a button on the keyboard with the Windows logo. By clicking it, the “Start” menu opens, from where you can launch programs, system settings, or manage the computer’s power (reboot, turn off, activate sleep mode).
You can also use it to find files, folders and programs on your computer if, immediately after clicking, you start writing the name of the file, application or folder.
Win+D– a combination that will minimize all open windows and show the desktop. A very useful combination if you often have a large number of applications open and from time to time you need to find something on your desktop, some documents.
Consistently minimizing all open windows or reaching to the lower right corner is not the fastest option. But pressing Win + D is very simple. Pressing it again returns all minimized windows back to the way they were positioned before.
Win+L- The easiest way to lock your computer is by going to the lock screen. If you urgently need to go somewhere, then simply click on this combination and a splash screen will appear on the screen, after which you will need to enter a password to log into your account.
Doing similar actions through the Start menu is far from the fastest way, but pressing the Win + L key combination is easier than ever.
Win+E– opens “Explorer”. I already wrote in the article ““ that I refused to use third-party file managers, because the functionality of the standard “Explorer” was more than enough to solve my problems.
So, to quickly launch Explorer from the keyboard, simply press Win + E.
Win+R– a combination that opens the Run window, where you can enter commands or program names to run. With its help it is very convenient to launch some rare applications or commands to perform some specific tasks.
For example, after pressing Win + R, entering regedit and pressing Enter, the Windows Registry Editor opens (by the way, if you use the Reg Organizer program, you can open it by entering three Latin letters P in this line - rrr).
Win+Tab– a combination to open an interface that allows you to switch between virtual desktops, if you are using them.
After clicking, a special screen opens that shows all your desktops and the applications that are running on them.
Win+I– opens a new Windows 10 settings window, which is designed to replace the old Control Panel, although this has not yet 100% happened. In fact, there are now two control panels in Windows 10 - new and old.
Someday this problem will probably be solved... But nevertheless, you can launch new settings in one click.
Ctrl + Win + ←/→– a combination for switching between desktops. If you use multiple desktops and want to switch between them with one touch, then this combination is for you. By the way, switching between desktops itself is done with very cool animation.
Depending on which desktop you want to switch to, you need to press the left or right arrows, along with the Ctrl and Win keys held down.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc- a combination that launches the Windows 10 task manager, which has changed significantly compared to Windows 7.
Now it is a very powerful tool for controlling running applications, programs launched at system startup, as well as monitoring computer resources. Very cool, visual and convenient!
Win + →/←//↓– another great combination that allows you to change the position of the active window on the screen with one click. This way you can arrange the windows of various programs on your desktop so that you can see their contents. This is a real lifesaver if you work with several applications at once or with several windows of one application.
If you press Win + Left, the active window will be located on the left half of the screen. If you then press Win + Up, the active window will be moved to the upper left corner (quarter) of the screen.
Using Windows 10 hotkeys, you can quickly call up the necessary menus and perform many actions without using the mouse, which is much easier and faster. The “ten” has implemented a lot of new keyboard shortcuts for accessing new functions of the operating system. By gradually memorizing the most used ones, you can significantly simplify and speed up your work at the computer.
The combinations in the review are divided into categories for ease of study, because first of all it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the new sequences, which provide access to previously missing functionality in a number of Windows operating systems.
New keyboard shortcuts
Before you begin to familiarize yourself with the combination of keyboard buttons with the actions associated with them, it should be noted that under the key 
or Windows means a button located in the lower left part of the keyboard with a window icon, which is the emblem of Microsoft operating systems. Usually it is located between Ctrl and Alt, but in laptops there is also an Fn key, which can be located on either side of .
Win + X - will call up the menu of the same name, which will provide quick access to the most popular functions and tools of the operating system (analogous to the Start context menu).
Win + A - will open the Windows 10 Action Center, provided that it is not deactivated.
Win + I is a quick way to visit Settings.
Win + S - open the search bar.
Win + Q - call a search using Cortana for countries where the assistant is supported, otherwise - an analogue of the previous combination.
Of the most used pairs of buttons that appeared in the top ten, this is all. Next, we’ll look at hotkeys for performing actions related to Explorer.
Conductor
To work with files and windows of the built-in file manager, the top ten has actually nothing new.
Win + E - opens Explorer in the My Computer window.
Ctrl + wheel up/down - change the size of icons in the window, switch the type of their visualization.
Ctrl + N - opens a duplicate of the current Explorer window.
Alt + left/right - move through the history of directory visits one level back and forward, respectively.
Alt + up - move up a level in the folder hierarchy.
Ctrl + C, duplicated Ctrl + Insert - copying selected objects.
Ctrl + X - cut selected files/folders to the buffer.
Ctrl + V, duplicated Shift + Insert - inserts the contents of the buffer into the selected directory.
Ctrl + A - selects the entire contents of the window; the combination works in virtually all editors and file managers, and not just in the operating system environment.
Ctrl + F - call the search bar or search dialog (applicable to the command line and most applications).
Shift + left/right when viewing elements as a table or grid - move along the columns.
Shift + up/down - select files.
Shift + left/right when visualizing explorer elements as icons - highlighting the next folder/directory.
Ctrl + arrow (depending on the way icons are visualized, similar to the previous case) - move through files/directories without selecting, Space - select the object under the cursor.
Shift + PgDown/PgUp or PageDown/PageUp - moves the cursor to the end of the page and selects all elements after it.
"Ten" is distinguished by the presence of window binding relative to the boundaries of the work area. This function appeared in “Seven”, but has undergone changes and improvements. Options have become available for placing windows on top of each other and securing them in the corners of the screen using a 2x2 grid.
+ left/right - stick the window to the corresponding side with a size of 50% in width with full height, the second part of the monitor will be occupied by the task list, as in the case of switching by Alt + Tab.
+ up - expands the current window to full screen, attaching it to the top border.
+ down - minimizes the window to 1/4 full size.
Command line
Combinations starting from the sixth in the previous section are also supported for the command line. Such sequences are especially relevant for her.
- Ctrl + up/down - scroll one line higher/lower.
- Ctrl + M - display, highlighting the cursor.
- Ctrl + Home - scroll to the beginning of the first page.
- Ctrl + right/left - select a character.
- Ctrl + Shift + left/right - will highlight the whole word.
Activation of the function to support the above and other keyboard shortcuts is activated through the “Properties” of the command line, called up by right-clicking on its title. In the “Edit” section in the first tab, activate all the options and apply the new settings.
Windows environment
To work in the “top ten” there are still many keyboard shortcuts available for quickly performing popular actions.
Ctrl + Alt + Del - opens the lock window.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc - launch Task Manager.
Win + R - open the command interpreter "Run".
Shift + Del - permanently erases selected objects.
Win + Space - visually switch the keyboard layout.
Alt + Enter - opens the object properties dialog.
Win + L - PC lock.
Win+ Tab, Alt + Tab - switch between current tasks, with the first combination switching virtual desktops if available.
Win + Ctrl + D - creating a virtual desktop.
Win + Ctrl + left/right, Windows + Ctrl + left/right - scrolling between desktops.
Win + Ctrl + F4 - closes the current desktop.
Win + 1-9 - launch a utility pinned to the taskbar under the corresponding number.
Win + T - switch between taskbar icons, Enter - launch the selected program.
Win + D - minimizes all windows.
Win + Shift + M - maximize minimized windows.
Win + Home - minimize everything except the active window.
Alt + F4 - closes the active program/window.
Win + W - calls the Windows in WorkSpace environment.
Multimedia
Windows 10 also has a few surprises for gamers.
- Win + PrtScr - create a screenshot and save it to a directory with pictures.
- PrtScr - creating a screenshot and copying it to the clipboard.
- Win + G - call the game panel.
- Win + Alt + R - start/stop video capture.
Select frequently used functions and remember the keys to call/use.
So that you can work faster and more conveniently on a computer running Windows systems, experts from Microsoft have introduced many keyboard shortcuts into the system, by pressing which you can perform a certain task much faster than using a mouse. In this article, I tried to collect the most commonly used Windows 10 hotkeys, but most of them will work in previous versions of Windows.
For example, copying part of the text with the mouse and then pasting it takes quite a lot of time when compared with the key combinations ctrl+c for copying text, and ctrl+v for pasting. These are fairly well-known keyboard shortcuts used by almost everyone. At the same time, there are many more hot keys on the keyboard of a computer and laptop. In our article we will present all these combinations, including combinations with a special windows key
To begin with, I want to draw your attention to those 10 hotkeys that I use almost every day.
| Keyboard shortcut | What is he doing |
|---|---|
| ctrl+c | Copy selected text, file, folder, etc. |
| ctrl+x | Cut selected text, file, folder, etc. |
| ctrl+v | Paste selected text, file, folder, etc. |
| ctrl+f | Search on the page. Convenient to use in text editors, browsers, etc. |
| ctrl+z | Undo previous action. For example, deleting part of the text in a text editor, the last action in a graphics editor, etc. |
| ctrl+p | Send a document to print from the keyboard |
| ctrl+a | Select all. For example, all the text on a Word editor page or an entire table in Excel, all elements in a graphical editor or all objects on the desktop |
| Win key + L | Lock your computer and screen |
| Win key + TAB | Opens the task view in Windows 10. A very convenient thing for viewing currently open windows and the history of working on the computer |
| Win key + D | Collapse and maximize working windows. A very convenient combination when you need to quickly see your desktop |
| Ctrl+Alt+Delete | Opens Windows Task Manager |
| Ctrl+Shift+N | Create a new folder in Explorer |
Basic combinations
Keyboard shortcuts for basic actions: copying, pasting, etc.
| Keyboard shortcut | What is he doing |
|---|---|
| CTRL+X | Cut out the selected object |
| CTRL+C or CTRL+INSERT | Copy the selected object |
| CTRL+V or SHIFT+INSERT | Insert the selected object |
| CTRL+Z | Undo previous action |
| ALT+TAB | Switch to the previous open application |
| ALT+F4 | Exiting an active application |
| Windows key +L | Block device |
| Windows key +D | Collapse all windows and maximize all windows |
| F2 | Rename selected object |
| F3 | Find a file or folder in Explorer |
| F4 | Switch to the address bar in Explorer |
| F5 or CTRL+R | Refresh active window |
| F6 | Selecting the next item on screen in a window or desktop |
| F10 | Go to the menu in the active application |
| ALT+F8 | Enables password display during login |
| ALT+ESC | Switch between items in the order they were opened |
| ALT+underlined letter | The command that matches the underlined letter is executed |
| ALT+ENTER | Shows properties of the selected object |
| ALT+SPACEBAR | Opens the menu of the selected window |
| ALT+LEFT ARROW | Back command |
| ALT+RIGHT ARROW | Team "Forward" |
| ALT+PAGE UP | Moves up a page |
| ALT+PAGE DOWN | Moves one page down |
| CTRL+F4 | Closes the active document (in applications where several documents are opened in one working window) |
| CTRL+A | Select all, or Select all |
| CTRL+D or DELETE | Removes the selected item or moves it to the Trash |
| CTRL+Y | Repeat action |
| CTRL+RIGHT ARROW | Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next word |
| CTRL+LEFT ARROW | Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous word |
| CTRL+DOWN ARROW | Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph |
| CTRL+UP ARROW | Moves the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph |
| CTRL+ALT+TAB | With this key combination, you can move between open applications using the keyboard arrows, selecting an application with the Enter key |
| CTRL+SHIFT+arrow key | Selecting a piece of text |
| CTRL+ESC | Open Start menu |
| CTRL+SHIFT+ESC | Launch Windows Task Manager |
| CTRL+SHIFT | Switching input language |
| SHIFT+F10 | Open menu for selected object |
| SHIFT+any arrow key | We select elements in a window, on the desktop, as well as text in any document |
| SHIFT+DELETE | Deleting a selected object past the trash can |
| ESC | Stop the current task or exit it altogether |
Windows key
First, let's answer the question: where is the win key on the keyboard?
It's simple - the win key is the key with the logo, most often it is in the last row, the second from the left for computer keyboards, and the third for laptop keyboards.
Look at the photos of its location:
Windows key shortcut table
| Keyboard shortcut | What is he doing |
|---|---|
| Windows key | Open and close the Start menu |
| Windows key +A | Opens the Help Center |
| Windows key + B | Focuses the notification area |
| Windows key +C | Opens the voice assistant Cortana. Note:
|
| Windows key +Shift+C | Calling up the charms menu |
| Windows key +D | Collapse and maximize all windows |
| Windows key +Alt+D | Open/close dialog box with date and time |
| Windows key + E | Open File Explorer |
| Windows key + F | Takes a screenshot and opens the Feedback Center |
| Windows key + G | Opens the menu of the running game |
| Windows key + H | Start dictation |
| Windows key + I | Opens the "Options" section |
| Windows key + J | Focus on the Windows tooltip if available |
| Windows key +K | Triggers the "Connect" quick action |
| Windows key +L | Block your computer or change your account |
| Windows key +M | Collapse all windows |
| Windows key +O | We fix the orientation of the device in space |
| Windows key +P | Switch between presentation display modes |
| Windows key +R | Opens the Run window |
| Windows key +S | Open search on the device |
| Windows key +T | Switching between open applications |
| Windows key +U | Opens the "Ease of Access Center" |
| Windows key +V | Switching between notifications |
| Windows key + SHIFT + V | Switching between notifications in the other direction |
| Windows key + X | Opens a menu with quick links |
| Windows key + Y | Switching between input in Windows Mixed Reality and the Desktop |
| Windows key + Z | Displays commands available to the application in full screen mode |
| Windows key + period (.) or semicolon (;) | Opens a panel with emojis (smileys) |
| Windows key + comma (,) | Temporarily shows the desktop (Make active windows transparent) |
| Windows key +PAUSE | Displays a window with system properties |
| Windows key +CTRL+F | Search for computers on the network (With an active connection) |
| Windows key +SHIFT+M | Restores minimized windows (Only active on the desktop) |
| Windows key + number | Launches the application assigned to the specified number on the taskbar (under the serial number). If the application is already running, switches to this application |
| Windows key +SHIFT+number | Launches a new instance of the application assigned to the specified number on the taskbar (under the serial number) |
| Windows key + CTRL + number | Switching to the last active application assigned to the specified number on the taskbar (under the serial number) |
| Windows key +ALT+number | Opens the jump list for the application assigned to the specified number on the taskbar (under the serial number) |
| Windows key + CTRL + SHIFT + number | Launches the application assigned to the specified number on the taskbar (under the serial number), as an administrator |
| Windows key + TAB | Shows thumbnails of currently open applications, as well as the history of open applications for the month. |
| Windows Key + UP ARROW | Maximize window |
| Windows Key + DOWN ARROW | Minimize a window |
| Windows Key + LEFT ARROW | Maximize the desktop window or application to the left edge of the screen |
| Windows Key + RIGHT ARROW | Maximize the desktop window or application to the right edge of the screen |
| Windows key + HOME | Minimize all windows except the active window; when clicked again, the windows are maximized |
| Windows Key + SHIFT + UP ARROW | Extends the active application window to the top and bottom edges of the screen |
| Windows key + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW | Restores or minimizes all active desktop windows vertically while maintaining the width |
| Windows key + SHIFT + LEFT ARROW or RIGHT ARROW | Moves a desktop window or application from one monitor to another |
| Windows key + SPACEBAR | Switches the language of the keyboard layout and its input (a dialog box appears with a choice of language using the SPACEBAR key) |
| Windows key + CTRL + SPACEBAR | Return previous input language |
| Windows key + CTRL + ENTER | Launches Narrator |
| Windows key + plus sign (+) | Launches Magnifier |
| Windows key + forward slash (/) | Starts IME reconversion |
| Windows Key + CTRL + V | Shows direct connections |
Perhaps someone is looking for a key combination to lock the keyboard on a computer, but such a combination does not exist. You can block the touchpad on a laptop; this is usually done by a specialist. key Fn+ F1-F12, in which case the second key will be one of F1-F12. It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer; you can find it in the manual for your laptop.
