40+ Windows Keyboard Shortcuts That Effectively Improved My Work Productivity

4 hours ago

Follow ZDNET: Add america arsenic a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

Windows has a agelong database of keyboard shortcuts that execute adjuvant actions successful Windows 11.
For example, hitting nan CTRL and C keys together allows users to transcript matter aliases files.
Mastering these shortcuts tin thief boost your wide productivity, but astir group only cognize a few.

Keyboard shortcuts person been a staple characteristic successful Windows for decades, but astir users only cognize nan basics. At first glance, they don't look each that useful since you tin besides do these actions pinch your mouse, but I situation you to effort them complete nan people of a workday; you conscionable mightiness announcement a boost successful productivity.

Also: How overmuch RAM does your PC really request successful 2025? I did nan mathematics for Windows and Mac users

There are tons of different types of shortcuts in Windows 11, but nan champion ones prevention you clip by replacing nan request to click done different discourse menus. A fewer of these are cosmopolitan crossed applications and platforms. Ctrl + C, for example, copies matter aliases files successful immoderate app, from Microsoft Word to photos successful Google Drive.

Here's a database of much than 40 Windows PC keyboard shortcuts you should know.

Productivity shortcuts

Productivity shortcuts are nan cardinal combos you'll find yourself utilizing nan most. They're easy to usage and thief you negociate your work. Over time, these keystrokes go 2nd nature.

Ctrl + C -- Copy highlighted matter aliases a file.
Ctrl + V -- Paste immoderate you conscionable copied. Keeps nan text's format.
Ctrl + Shift + V - Paste immoderate you copied, but it removes nan formatting.
Windows cardinal (Win, for short) + V -- Opens nan Clipboard tool, which contains a database of antecedently copied text. This helps successful situations wherever you might've "erased" nan erstwhile copied item.
Ctrl + X -- Cuts nan highlighted item. Ctrl + V restores it.
Ctrl + Z -- Undoes nan past action, specified arsenic restoring deleted matter aliases returning a moved file.
Ctrl + Y -- Redoes nan action that was conscionable undone.
Ctrl + F -- Opens nan Find tool, truthful you tin hunt for circumstantial words aliases phrases.
Ctrl + A -- Highlight each azygous point successful a model aliases matter successful a document.
Ctrl + S -- Quick prevention your work.
Ctrl + Backspace -- Delete nan full erstwhile word
Ctrl + Delete -- Delete nan full adjacent word.

Accessibility shortcuts

Windows 11 has various accessibility shortcuts that make nan OS easier to use. These shortcuts thief group pinch activity limitations aliases conditions that whitethorn restrict their usage of Windows. That said, anybody tin usage them to amended their experience.

Win + Plus (+) -- Activates nan Magnifier instrumentality and automatically zooms successful connected nan screen.
Win + Minus (-) -- Zooms retired while nan Magnifier instrumentality is activated. Hitting Win + Esc exits retired of Magnifier.
Win + Ctrl + Enter -- Launches Narrator, a text-to-speech usability that verbally describes what is connected screen.
Press nan Shift cardinal 5 times successful succession -- Turns connected Sticky keys, which alteration really shortcuts activity truthful you don't person to property and clasp aggregate keys to trigger them. For example, nether Sticky Keys, double-tapping Ctrl past C has nan aforesaid effect arsenic Ctrl + C.
Left Shift + Left Alt + Print Screen -- Toggles precocious opposition mode for easier readability.
Win + Ctrl + C -- Toggles colour filters for illustration grayscale. The filters tin beryllium changed successful nan Accessibility paper to invert colors aliases thief group pinch deuteranopia (also known arsenic red-green colour blindness).
Win + U -- Opens nan Accessibility paper successful Settings, wherever you tin activate aliases deactivate accessibility-related features.
Win + Ctrl + O -- Opens nan on-screen keyboard.

Navigation shortcuts

Navigation shortcuts let users to move astir different apps connected Windows 11 without ever needing to assistance their hands disconnected nan keyboard. They're particularly useful for multitaskers juggling respective programs astatine once. Once you maestro them, navigating your PC will consciousness seamless.

Ctrl + Alt + Tab -- Shows each unfastened apps. Use nan arrow keys to hop from 1 to nan other.
Win + S -- Opens Windows Search.
Win + Tab -- Opens Task View, revealing each unfastened windows and each unfastened desktops.
Win + D -- Hides each model connected your desktop. Pressing nan keys again reveals them.
Win + Left aliases Right Directional Arrow -- Snaps nan existent model to nan broadside of nan surface that nan arrow is pointing to.
Win + Up Arrow -- Maximizes a window.
Win + Down Arrow -- Minimizes nan aforesaid window.
Win + Ctrl + D -- Create a caller desktop.
Win + Ctrl + F4 -- Closes a desktop.
Win + Number Key -- Opens a taskbar app pinned to that number. For example, Win + 3 could unfastened Microsoft Edge while Win + 4 opens nan Microsoft Store.

Also: Finally, a Windows laptop that I wouldn't mind putting distant my MacBook for

File Management shortcuts

The Windows 11 File Explorer has its ain group of keyboard shortcuts to thief users reorganize folders and files. Instead of right-clicking done menus aliases dragging items astir to cleanable up clutter, these elemental cardinal presses make managing documents a breeze.

Win + E -- Opens File Explorer.
F2 -- Rename nan selected record aliases folder. Depending connected nan keyboard, you whitethorn besides person to clasp Fn.
Shift + Delete -- Permanently deletes an item. Hitting conscionable Delete only sends nan record to nan recycling bin.
Ctrl + N -- Opens a caller File Explorer window. It stays connected nan page of nan erstwhile window.
Ctrl + Shift + N -- Create a caller folder.
Alt + Enter -- Opens nan Properties model for a record and folder.
Alt + Left aliases Right Arrow -- Move guardant aliases backward done your File Explorer History.
Alt + Up Arrow -- Go backmost 1 files level.

Also: Best early Labor Day laptop deals: Sales connected Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and more

Browser shortcuts

Browser shortcuts are akin to Productivity shortcuts successful that they do akin things, for illustration copying and pasting items aliases highlighting full documents. However, location are a fewer unsocial tools, for illustration nan expertise to create tabs. The pursuing were tested and confirmed to activity crossed various browsers: Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

Ctrl + T -- Open a caller tab.
Ctrl + Shift + T -- Reopen nan past closed tab. (This 1 is huge!)
Ctrl + W -- Close nan existent tab.
Ctrl + Tab -- Move correct done tabs.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab -- Move near done nan tabs.
Ctrl + Shift + N -- Open caller backstage browsing window. On Firefox, this is Ctrl + Shift + P.
Alt + Left aliases Right Arrow -- Move backmost and distant done tab history.
Ctrl + D -- Bookmark page.
Ctrl + H -- Open browser history.
Ctrl + N -- Open a marque caller browser window.

I've been penning astir package and user electronics for almost 10 years. In that time, I've worked successful galore different settings, from nan accepted agency to nan location agency and moreover someone's backyard. Over nan years, I've picked up a batch of tricks to thief maine get done my day-to-day tasks.

Also: I tested nan champion antivirus package for Windows: Here's what I'd usage to protect my PC

Many of nan shortcuts successful this guideline I usage each day, moreover erstwhile I'm not working. CTRL + Z has practically go my champion friend because I usage it truthful often. Some of these shortcuts I learned astir for nan first clip while researching this piece. I didn't cognize that nan File Manager has truthful galore shortcuts nether its toolbelt, but erstwhile I started using them, I instantly saw their worth to master and casual users alike.

Editorial standards