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`+`Alt`+`number`	Windows 11	Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
`Win`+`Shift`+`number`	Windows 11	Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
`Win`+`number`	Windows 11	Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.
`Win`+`Ctrl`+`number`	Windows 11	Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
`←`	Windows 11	Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.
`→`	Windows 11	Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
`Alt`+`Enter`	Windows 11	Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item.
`Win`+`X`	Windows 11	Open the Quick Link menu.
`Win`+`R`	Windows 11	Open the Run dialog box.
`Alt`+`Space`	Windows 11	Open the shortcut menu for the active window.
`Win`+`Z`	Windows 11	Open the snap layouts. Updated in Windows 11.
`Win`+`W`	Windows 11	Open Widgets. Updated in Windows 11.
`Win`+`C`	Windows 11	Open Windows Copilot. Updated in Windows 11.
`Win`+`G`	Windows 11	Open Xbox Game Bar when a game is open.
`Win`+`Pause`	Windows 11	Opens Start > Settings > System > About .
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`V`	Windows 11	Paste as plain text
`Ctrl`+V (or Shift+`Insert)`	Windows 11	Paste the selected item.
`Ctrl`+V (or Shift+`Insert)`	Windows 11	Paste the selected text.
`Alt`+underlined letter	Windows 11	Perform the command (or select the option) that is used with that letter.
`Alt`+`underline`	Windows 11	Perform the command for that letter.
`Win`+`Alt`+`R`	Windows 11	Record video of game window in focus (using Xbox Game Bar). Note: Applies to the Xbox Game Bar app version 5.721.7292.0 or newer. To update your Xbox Game Bar, go to the Microsoft Store app and check for updates.
`Ctrl`+`Y`	Windows 11	Redo an action.
`F5`	Windows 11	Refresh the active window.
`Ctrl`+`or F5`	Windows 11	Refresh the active window.
`Win`+`↓`	Windows 11	Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window.
`F2`	Windows 11	Rename the selected item.
`Ctrl`+`Arrow Keys`	Windows 11	Resize the Start menu when it's open.
`Win`+`Shift`+`M`	Windows 11	Restore minimized windows on the desktop.
`Win`+`Shift`+`↓`	Windows 11	Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width.
`Win`+`PrtScn`	Windows 11	Save full screen screenshot to file.
`Win`+`Alt`+`PrtScn`	Windows 11	Save screenshot of game window in focus to file (using Xbox Game Bar). Note: Applies to the Xbox Game Bar app version 5.721.7292.0 or newer. To update your Xbox Game Bar, go to the Microsoft Store app and check for updates.
`F3`	Windows 11	Search for a file or folder in File Explorer.
`Win`+`Ctrl`+`F`	Windows 11	Search for PCs (if you're on a network).
Type on any page with search box	Windows 11	Search settings.
`Ctrl`+Shift with an arrow key	Windows 11	Select a block of text.
`Arrow Keys`	Windows 11	Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.
`Ctrl`+`A`	Windows 11	Select all items in a document or window.
Shift with any arrow key	Windows 11	Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document.
`Ctrl`+`to move to an item`+`Space`	Windows 11	Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop.
`Space`	Windows 11	Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
`Alt`+`D`	Windows 11	Select the address bar.
`Ctrl`+`E`	Windows 11	Select the search box.
`Ctrl`+`F`	Windows 11	Select the search box.
`Win`+`Shift`+`V`	Windows 11	Set focus to a notification.
`Win`+`J`	Windows 11	Set focus to a Windows tip when one is available. When a Windows tip appears, bring focus to the Tip. Pressing the keyboard shortcuts again to bring focus to the element on the screen to which the Windows tip is anchored.
`Alt`+`A`	Windows 11	Set focus to the first icon in the Suggested actions menu.
`Win`+`B`	Windows 11	Set focus to the first icon in the Taskbar corner.
`Shift`+right-click a taskbar button	Windows 11	Show the window menu for the app.
`Shift`+right-click a grouped taskbar button	Windows 11	Show the window menu for the group.
`Alt`+`F8`	Windows 11	Show your password on the sign-in screen.

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Start with frequent tasks

Mind the platform

Practice in context

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