Productivity Reference

Keyboard Shortcuts

A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keys that performs a specific action. The shortcuts typically involve one or more modifier keys such as Ctrl, Alt, or Command combined with another key usually a letter, number, or punctuation symbol. By using keyboard shortcuts, you can bypass navigating through menus and dialog boxes in software applications. Tasks that would normally require multiple clicks with a mouse can be accomplished swiftly using shortcuts, and you will be less relying on mouse movements. Professionals who use keyboard shortcuts efficiently perform repetitive actions more quickly. Most software allows customization of keyboard shortcuts. Users can assign their preferred shortcuts for specific functions. Additionally, each application often has its own unique set of shortcuts. We have crafted shortcuts for most commonly used applications across multiple platforms.

Practical Notes

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Keyboard shortcuts are easiest to adopt when you focus on repeated actions instead of trying to memorize an entire application at once.

Start with frequent tasks

Learn the commands you use every hour: search, save, switch tabs, copy, paste, undo, and open command menus.

Mind the platform

The same action may use Ctrl on Windows or Linux and Command on macOS.

Practice in context

Shortcuts stick faster when you use them during real work instead of reading a list once.

Shortcut	Application	Action
`Win`+`→`	Windows 11	Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen.
`Win`+`↑`	Windows 11	Maximize the window.
`Win`+`Home`	Windows 11	Minimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke).
`Win`+`M`	Windows 11	Minimize all windows.
`Win`+`Shift`+`←`or`→`	Windows 11	Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another.
`Shift`+`Tab`	Windows 11	Move back through options.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Tab`	Windows 11	Move back through tabs.
`Ctrl`+`↓`	Windows 11	Move down one line in the output history.
`Alt`+`PgDn`	Windows 11	Move down one screen.
`Tab`	Windows 11	Move forward through options.
`Ctrl`+`Tab`	Windows 11	Move forward through tabs.
`Backspace`	Windows 11	Move the cursor by one page down.
`PgUp`	Windows 11	Move the cursor by one page up.
`Arrow Keys`	Windows 11	Move the cursor in the direction specified.
`Ctrl`+`Mark mode`	Windows 11	Move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer.
`Ctrl`+`↓`	Windows 11	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.
`Ctrl`+`→`	Windows 11	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word.
`Ctrl`+`↑`	Windows 11	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
`Ctrl`+`←`	Windows 11	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.
`Ctrl`+`Mark mode`	Windows 11	Move the cursor to the end of the buffer.
`Ctrl`+`1`then`2`then`3`then`...`	Windows 11	Move to that tab number.
`Ctrl`+`Tab`	Windows 11	Move to the next tab.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Tab`	Windows 11	Move to the previous tab.
`Ctrl`+`↑`	Windows 11	Move up one line in the output history.
`Alt`+`PgUp`	Windows 11	Move up one screen.
`Backspace`	Windows 11	Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.
`Ctrl`+`T`	Windows 11	Open a new tab and switch to it.
`Ctrl`+`N`	Windows 11	Open a new window.
`Win`+`U`	Windows 11	Open Accessibility Settings.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+click a taskbar button	Windows 11	Open an app as an administrator.
`Shift`+click a taskbar button	Windows 11	Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app.
`Win`+`K`	Windows 11	Open Cast from Quick Settings. Updated in Windows 11.
`Win`+`.`or`;`	Windows 11	Open emoji panel.
`Win`+`F`	Windows 11	Open Feedback Hub and take a screenshot.
`Win`+`E`	Windows 11	Open File Explorer.
`Win`+`+`	Windows 11	Open Magnifier and zoom in.
`Win`+`N`	Windows 11	Open notification center and calendar. Updated in Windows 11.
`Win`	Windows 11	Open or close Start.
`Win`+`Ctrl`+`Q`	Windows 11	Open Quick Assist.
`Win`+`A`	Windows 11	Open Quick Settings. Updated in Windows 11.
`Ctrl`+`E`	Windows 11	Open Search (in most apps).
`Win`+`S`	Windows 11	Open search.
`Win`+`I`	Windows 11	Open settings.
`Ctrl`+`Esc`	Windows 11	Open Start.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Esc`	Windows 11	Open Task Manager.
`Win`+`Tab`	Windows 11	Open Task view.
`Win`+`Alt`+`on taskbar item focus`	Windows 11	Open taskbar settings.
`Win`+`Shift`+`C`	Windows 11	Open the charms menu.
`Win`+`V`	Windows 11	Open the clipboard history. Note: Clipboard history isn't turned on by default. If you'd like to turn it on, use this keyboard shortcut and then select the prompt to turn on history. Or you can select Start > Settings > System > Clipboard , and set Clipboard history to On.
`Win`+`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`number`	Windows 11	Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator.

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Start with frequent tasks

Mind the platform

Practice in context

Related References