Windows give us multiple ways to perform popular tasks. Say you want to print something. You could go to the File menu and select the Print command, or you can press the Ctrl button and the letter P. Ctrl+P is just one example of a keyboard shortcut. Shortcuts combine two or more keys to do something special that neither key does alone.
Get to know the basics
There are certain shortcuts we use all day, every day.
- Copy a selected item: Ctrl+C
- Cut a selected item: Ctrl+X
- Paste a selected item: Ctrl+V
- Undo an action: Ctrl+Z
- Redo that thing I just undid: Ctrl+Y
- Select everything: Ctrl+A
- Print: Ctrl+P
Manage open windows
Chances are, you use your PC to do a lot of things at once. Shortcuts go a long way towards cutting the clutter. Go ahead and try these out as you read about them.
- Switch between open windows
Alt+Tab
If you have lots of open windows and you're not sure exactly which one you need, press Alt+Tab, and get a quick thumbnail view of all open windows. Then, while holding down the Alt key, press the Tab key multiple times until you get to the window you want.
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Press Alt+Tab to switch between open windows.
- Clear away everything and show the desktop
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Windows logo key Picture of the Windows logo key+D
Use this shortcut when you want to minimize a lot of open windows at once to check something on your desktop. Clutter-to-clean with two fingers.
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Windows logo key Picture of the Windows logo key+Down Arrow.
Minimizing a window is a surefire way to see what's underneath it. And it's fast to use the shortcut. If the window is maximized already (covering the entire screen) it'll go to “normal” size. And if it's normal size, it'll minimize entirely.
Maximize the window
Windows logo key Picture of the Windows logo key+Up Arrow
Maximizing windows works the same way.
Search for files and folders
Windows logo key Picture of the Windows logo key+F
In the past, finding a file could be like an archaeology expedition. But nowadays, search is really fast and thorough. Use this shortcut to get a search window, type in a few keywords, and presto, you’ll get your file.
Open a new instance of a program
Windows logo key Picture of the Windows logo key+Shift+Click a taskbar icon
I like Internet Explorer tabs—but sometimes I want a whole new browser window. To get one, I click the Internet Explorer icon while holding down Shift.
And when you need it …get help
Windows logo key Picture of the Windows logo key+F1
It's the simplest shortcut out there. When all else fails, and you're just not sure what to do, press F1.