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`+`↓`	Windows 11	Snap window in focus to bottom half of screen. New with Windows 11.
`Win`+`Alt`+`↑`	Windows 11	Snap window in focus to top half of screen. New with Windows 11.
`Esc`	Windows 11	Stop or leave the current task.
`Win`+`Shift`+`↑`	Windows 11	Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
`Alt`+`Tab`	Windows 11	Switch between open apps.
`Win`+`Ctrl`+`←`	Windows 11	Switch between virtual desktops you've created on the left.
`Win`+`Ctrl`+`→`	Windows 11	Switch between virtual desktops you've created on the right.
`Win`+`Y`	Windows 11	Switch input between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop.
`Win`+`Space`	Windows 11	Switch input language and keyboard layout.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`	Windows 11	Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available.
`Win`+`Shift`+`S`	Windows 11	Take a screenshot of part of your screen.
`PrtScn`	Windows 11	Take a screenshot of your whole screen and copy it to the clipboard.
`Win`+`,`	Windows 11	Temporarily peek at the desktop.
`Win`+`Alt`+`K`	Windows 11	Toggle microphone mute in apps that support Call Mute. Available starting in Windows 11, version 22H2. 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.
`Win`+`Alt`+`B`	Windows 11	Turn HDR on or off 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. 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.
`Win`+`Ctrl`+`A`	Windows 11	Turn on color filters (enable this shortcut first in Color Filter settings).
`Win`+`Ctrl`+`Enter`	Windows 11	Turn on Narrator.
`Ctrl`+`Space`	Windows 11	Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off.
`Ctrl`+`Z`	Windows 11	Undo an action.
`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`Tab`	Windows 11	Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps.
`Alt`+`↑`	Windows 11	View the folder that the folder was in.
`Alt`+`→`	Windows 11	View the next folder.
`Alt`+`←`	Windows 11	View the previous folder.
`Backspace`	Windows 11	View the previous folder.
`Win`+`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`B`	Windows 11	Wake PC from blank or black screen.
`Alt`+`Shift`+`Arrow Keys`	Windows 11	When a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction specified.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Arrow Keys`	Windows 11	When a tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it into another tile to create a folder.
`Win`+Minus (-	Windows 11	Zoom out in Magnifier.
Type a site name+`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Enter`	Google Chrome	Add www. and .com to a site name, and open it in a new window
Type a site name+`Ctrl`+`Enter`	Google Chrome	Add www. and .com to a site name, and open it in the current tab
`Shift`+`Tab`	Google Chrome	Browse clickable items moving backward
`Tab`	Google Chrome	Browse clickable items moving forward
`Ctrl`+`W`or`Ctrl`+`F4`	Google Chrome	Close the current tab
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`W`or`Alt`+`F4`	Google Chrome	Close the current window
`Ctrl`+`Backspace`	Google Chrome	Delete the previous word in a text field
`Ctrl`+`U`	Google Chrome	Display non-editable HTML source code for the current page
Right-click Back Arrow Leftorclick & hold Back Arrow Left	Google Chrome	Display your browsing history
Right-click Next Arrow Rightorclick & hold Next Arrow Right	Google Chrome	Display your browsing history
`Alt`+Click a link	Google Chrome	Download the target of a link
`Alt`+`Shift`+`A`	Google Chrome	Focus on inactive dialogs
`End`	Google Chrome	Go to the bottom of the page
`Home`	Google Chrome	Go to the top of the page
`Ctrl`+1 through Ctrl+`8`	Google Chrome	Jump to a specific tab
`Ctrl`+`L`or`Alt`+`D`or`F6`	Google Chrome	Jump to the address bar
`Ctrl`+`G`	Google Chrome	Jump to the next match to your Find Bar search
`Ctrl`+`Tab`or`Ctrl`+`PgDn`	Google Chrome	Jump to the next open tab
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`G`	Google Chrome	Jump to the previous match to your Find Bar search
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Tab`or`Ctrl`+`PgUp`	Google Chrome	Jump to the previous open tab
`Ctrl`+`9`	Google Chrome	Jump to the rightmost tab
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`M`	Google Chrome	Log in a different user or browse as a Guest

Shortcut Learning Strategy

Start with frequent tasks

Mind the platform

Practice in context

Related References