20 essential Windows keyboard shortcuts that will make you forget your mouse

Unlock Windows' Hidden Power: 20 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Think you know Windows keyboard shortcuts? Think again! This nearly 40-year-old operating system boasts a wealth of time-saving hotkeys, some surprisingly useful and others subtly altered in the Windows 11 update. Mastering these shortcuts isn't just about efficiency; it's about reclaiming significant time over the long run. Here are 20 indispensable keyboard commands for modern Windows PCs.

Essential Shortcuts for Every App:

• Ctrl Z: Undo – A universal lifesaver, instantly reversing your last action across virtually all programs.
• Ctrl W: Close – Quickly close the current window, tab, or file without hunting for the close button.
• Ctrl A: Select All – Highlight all text in a document or select all files in a folder, eliminating tedious mouse work.
• Alt Tab: Switch Apps – Seamlessly cycle through open applications for efficient multitasking.
• Alt F4: Close App – Shut down the active application, prompting you to save unsaved work.

Navigating Windows with Ease:

• Win D: Show/Hide Desktop – Instantly minimize all windows to reveal your desktop.
• Win Left/Right Arrow: Snap Windows – Organize your screen by snapping windows to the left or right side.
• Win Tab: Open Task View – A modern app switcher displaying thumbnails of all open programs.
• Tab/Shift Tab: Navigate Options – Move forward or backward through dialog box options, saving clicks. Use Ctrl Tab/Ctrl Shift Tab to switch between dialog tabs.
• Ctrl Esc/Windows Key: Open Start Menu – Access the Start menu using either shortcut. Navigate with arrow keys and Tab.

Advanced Windows Shortcut Tricks:

• F2: Rename – Rename selected files or edit cell contents in programs like Excel.
• F5: Refresh – Refresh File Explorer or web browser pages for the latest content.
• Win L: Lock Computer – Secure your computer instantly when stepping away.
• Win I: Open Settings (Win A for Quick Settings in Win 11, Action Center in Win 10) – Quickly access Windows settings.
• Win S: Search Windows – Access the Windows search bar for apps, files, and more.

Power User Shortcuts:

• Win PrtScn: Save Screenshot – Capture and save a full-screen screenshot as a PNG. Alt PrtScn captures the active window (clipboard only).
• Ctrl Shift Esc: Open Task Manager – Access the Task Manager to manage running processes.
• Win C: Open Microsoft Teams Chat (Win 11) / Cortana (Win 10) – Access Teams chat (Win 11) or activate Cortana (Win 10, requires enabling in Cortana settings).
• Win Ctrl D: Add Virtual Desktop – Create additional desktops for improved workspace organization. Use Win Ctrl Arrow to switch desktops and Win Ctrl F4 to close a desktop.
• Win X: Open Quick Link Menu – Access a hidden menu with system tools like Device Manager and PowerShell.

This article has been updated from its original 2017 version.

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