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Keyboard shortcuts in Windows

Applies to: Windows 10Windows 8.1Windows 7

Select Product Version

Windows 10

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do
something that you’d typically do with a mouse.
Additional keyboard shortcuts

 Keyboard shortcuts in apps

 Windows keyboard shortcuts for accessibility

 Microsoft Surface Hub keyboard shortcuts

 Keyboard shortcuts in Continuum for phones

Copy, paste, and other general keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this

Ctrl + X Cut the selected item
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected item
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z Undo an action
Alt + Tab Switch between open apps
Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active app
Windows logo key + L Lock your PC
Windows logo key + D Display and hide the desktop
F2 Rename the selected item
F3 Search for a file or folder in File Explorer
F4 Display the address bar list in File Explorer
F5 Refresh the active window
F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F10 Activate the Menu bar in the active app
Alt + F8 Show your password on the sign-in screen
Alt + Esc Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
Alt + underlined letter Perform the command for that letter
Alt + Enter Display properties for the selected item
Alt + Spacebar Open the shortcut menu for the active window
Alt + Left arrow Go back
Alt + Right arrow Go forward
Alt + Page Up Move up one screen
Alt + Page Down Move down one screen
Close the active document (in apps that are full-screen and let you have
Ctrl + F4
multiple documents open at the same time)
Ctrl + A Select all items in a document or window
Ctrl + D (or Delete) Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Ctrl + R (or F5) Refresh the active window
Ctrl + Y Redo an action
Ctrl + Right arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl + Left arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl + Down arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl + Up arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl + Alt + Tab Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps
When a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction
Alt + Shift + arrow keys
specified
When a tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it into another tile to
Ctrl + Shift + arrow keys
create a folder
Ctrl + arrow keys Resize the Start menu when it's open
Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an
Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
item) + Spacebar
Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key Select a block of text
Ctrl + Esc Open Start
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open Task Manager
Ctrl + Shift Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available
Ctrl + Spacebar Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off
Shift + F10 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in
Shift with any arrow key
a document
Shift + Delete Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
Right arrow Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
Left arrow Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
Esc Stop or leave the current task
Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this

Windows logo key Open or close Start
Windows logo key + A Open Action center
Windows logo key + B Set focus in the notification area
Open Cortana in listening mode

Notes

 This shortcut is turned off by default. To turn it on,

select Start > Settings > Cortana, and turn on the toggle under Let
Windows logo key + C Cortana listen for my commands when I press the Windows logo key +
C.

 Cortana is available only in certain countries/regions, and some Cortana

features might not be available everywhere. If Cortana isn't available or is
turned off, you can still use search.

Windows logo key +

Open the charms menu
Shift + C
Windows logo key + D Display and hide the desktop
Windows logo key +
Display and hide the date and time on the desktop
Alt + D
Windows logo key + E Open File Explorer
Windows logo key + F Open Feedback Hub and take a screenshot
Windows logo key + G Open Game bar when a game is open
Windows logo key + H Start dictation
Windows logo key + I Open Settings
Set focus to a Windows tip when one is available.
Windows logo key + J
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.
Windows logo key + K Open the Connect quick action
Windows logo key + L Lock your PC or switch accounts
Windows logo key + M Minimize all windows
Windows logo key + O Lock device orientation
Windows logo key + P Choose a presentation display mode
Windows logo key + R Open the Run dialog box
Windows logo key + S Open search
Windows logo key + T Cycle through apps on the taskbar
Windows logo key + U Open Ease of Access Center
Windows logo key + V Cycle through notifications
Windows logo key +
Cycle through notifications in reverse order
Shift + V
Windows logo key + X Open the Quick Link menu
Windows logo key + Y Switch input between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop
Windows logo key + Z Show the commands available in an app in full-screen mode
Windows logo key +
period (.) or semicolon Open emoji panel
(;)
Windows logo key +
Temporarily peek at the desktop
comma (,)
Windows logo key +
Display the System Properties dialog box
Pause
Windows logo key +
Search for PCs (if you're on a network)
Ctrl + F
Windows logo key +
Restore minimized windows on the desktop
Shift + M
Windows logo key + Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by
number the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.
Windows logo key + Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the
Shift + number position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the
Ctrl + number taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the
Alt + number position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position
Ctrl + Shift + number on the taskbar as an administrator
Windows logo key +
Open Task view
Tab
Windows logo key +
Maximize the window
Up arrow
Windows logo key +
Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window
Down arrow
Windows logo key +
Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen
Left arrow
Windows logo key +
Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen
Right arrow
Windows logo key + Minimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on second
Home stroke)
Windows logo key +
Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
Shift + Up arrow
Windows logo key +
Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width
Shift + Down arrow
Windows logo key +
Shift + Left arrow or Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another
Right arrow
Windows logo key +
Switch input language and keyboard layout
Spacebar
Windows logo key +
Change to a previously selected input
Ctrl + Spacebar
Windows logo key +
Open Narrator
Ctrl + Enter
Windows logo key +
Open Magnifier
Plus (+)
Windows logo key +
Begin IME reconversion
forward slash (/)
Windows logo key +
Open shoulder taps
Ctrl + V

Command Prompt keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this

Ctrl + C (or Ctrl +
Copy the selected text
Insert)
Ctrl + V (or Shift +
Paste the selected text
Insert)
Ctrl + M Enter Mark mode
Alt + selection key Begin selection in block mode
Arrow keys Move the cursor in the direction specified
Page up Move the cursor by one page up
Page down Move the cursor by one page down
Ctrl + Home (Mark
Move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer
mode)
Ctrl + End (Mark
Move the cursor to the end of the buffer
mode)
Ctrl + Up arrow Move up one line in the output history
Ctrl + Down arrow Move down one line in the output history
Ctrl + Home (History If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the top of the buffer. Otherwise,
navigation) delete all the characters to the left of the cursor in the command line.
Ctrl + End (History If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the command line. Otherwise,
navigation) delete all the characters to the right of the cursor in the command line.

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this

F4 Display the items in the active list
Ctrl + Tab Move forward through tabs
Ctrl + Shift + Tab Move back through tabs
Ctrl + number (number 1–
Move to nth tab
9)
Tab Move forward through options
Shift + Tab Move back through options
Alt + underlined letter Perform the command (or select the option) that is used with that letter
Spacebar Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog
Backspace
box
Arrow keys Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
File Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this

Alt + D Select the address bar
Ctrl + E Select the search box
Ctrl + F Select the search box
Ctrl + N Open a new window
Ctrl + W Close the active window
Ctrl + mouse scroll
Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
wheel
Ctrl + Shift + E Display all folders above the selected folder
Ctrl + Shift + N Create a new folder
Num Lock + asterisk (*) Display all subfolders under the selected folder
Num Lock + plus (+) Display the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock + minus (-) Collapse the selected folder
Alt + P Display the preview panel
Alt + Enter Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
Alt + Right arrow View the next folder
Alt + Up arrow View the folder that the folder was in
Alt + Left arrow View the previous folder
Backspace View the previous folder
Right arrow Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder
Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the folder that the folder
Left arrow
was in
End Display the bottom of the active window
Home Display the top of the active window
F11 Maximize or minimize the active window

Virtual desktops keyboard shortcuts

 Press this key To do this
Windows logo key + Tab Open Task view
Windows logo key + Ctrl + D Add a virtual desktop
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Right arrow Switch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the right
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Left arrow Switch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the left
Windows logo key + Ctrl + F4 Close the virtual desktop you're using

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this

Shift + click a taskbar button Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app
Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar button Open an app as an administrator
Shift + right-click a taskbar button Show the window menu for the app
Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar button Show the window menu for the group
Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar button Cycle through the windows of the group

Settings keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this

Windows logo key + I Open settings
Backspace Go back to the settings home page
Type on any page with search box Search settings

Windows 8.1 & Windows 8.1 RT

Top keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains common keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8.1 and Windows RT
8.1.
 Press this key To do this
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected item
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z Undo an action
Alt + Tab Switch between open apps
Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active app
Windows logo key + L Lock your PC or switch accounts
Windows logo key + D Display and hide the desktop

New keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains new keyboard shortcuts that you can use in Windows.

Press this key To do this

Windows logo key + start
Search your PC
typing
Ctrl + plus (+) or Ctrl + minus Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start
(-) screen
Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start
Ctrl + scroll wheel
screen
Open the charms
Windows logo key + C
In an app, open the commands for the app
Windows logo key + F Open the Search charm to search files
Windows logo key + H Open the Share charm
Windows logo key + I Open the Settings charm
Windows logo key + K Open the Devices charm
Windows logo key + O Lock the screen orientation (portrait or landscape)
Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within an open app (if the
Windows logo key + Q
app supports app search)
Windows logo key + S Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web
Windows logo key + W Open the Search charm to search settings
 Show the commands available in the app

Note
Windows logo key + Z You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is
open.

Windows logo key + spacebar Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows logo key + Ctrl +
Change to a previously selected input
spacebar
Windows logo key + Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key + Ctrl +
Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Tab
Windows logo key + Shift +
Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
Tab
Windows logo key + Shift +
Snaps an app to the left
period (.)
Windows logo key + period
Cycle through open apps
(.)
Esc Stop or exit the current task

General keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains general keyboard shortcuts in Windows.

Press this key To do this

F1 Display Help
F2 Rename the selected item
F3 Search for a file or folder
F4 Display the address bar list in File Explorer
F5 Refresh the active window
F6 Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F10 Activate the Menu bar in the active app
Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active app
Alt + Esc Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
Alt + underlined letter Perform the command for that letter
Alt + Enter Display properties for the selected item
Alt + Spacebar Open the shortcut menu for the active window
Alt + Left arrow Back
Alt + Right arrow Forward
Alt + Page Up Move up one screen
Alt + Page Down Move down one screen
Alt + Tab Switch between open apps (except desktop apps)
Close the active document (in apps that are full-screen and allow you to
Ctrl + F4
have multiple documents open simultaneously)
Ctrl + A Select all items in a document or window
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected item
Ctrl + D (or Delete) Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Ctrl + R (or F5) Refresh the active window
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected item
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item
Ctrl + Y Redo an action
Ctrl + Z Undo an action
Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start
Ctrl + plus (+) or Ctrl + minus (-)
screen
Change the size of desktop icons or zoom in or out of a large number of
Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel
items, like apps pinned to the Start screen
Ctrl + Right arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl + Left arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl + Down arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl + Up arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl + Alt + Tab Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps
Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an
Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
item) + Spacebar
Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key Select a block of text
Ctrl + Esc Open Start
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open Task Manager
Ctrl + Shift Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available
Ctrl + Spacebar Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off
Shift + F10 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text
Shift with any arrow key
within a document
Shift + Delete Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
Right arrow Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
Left arrow Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
Esc Stop or leave the current task

Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows logo key .

Press this key To do this

Windows logo key + F1 Open Windows Help and Support
Windows logo key Display or hide the Start screen
Windows logo key + B Set focus in the notification area
Open the Charms
Windows logo key + C

Windows logo key + D Display and hide the desktop

Windows logo key + E Open File Explorer
Windows logo key + F Open the Search charm and search for files
Windows logo key + H Open the Share charm
Windows logo key + I Open the Settings charm
Windows logo key + K Open the Devices charm
Windows logo key + L Lock your PC or switch people
Windows logo key + M Minimize all windows
Windows logo key + O Lock device orientation
Windows logo key + P Choose a presentation display mode
 Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within the open app (if the
Windows logo key + Q
app supports app search)
Windows logo key + R Open the Run dialog box
Windows logo key + S Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web
Windows logo key + T Cycle through apps on the taskbar
Windows logo key + U Open Ease of Access Center
Windows logo key + V Cycle through notifications
Windows logo key + Shift +
Cycle through notifications in reverse order
V
Windows logo key + X Open the Quick Link menu
Show the commands available in an app
Note
You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is
Windows logo key + Z open.

Windows logo key + , Temporarily peek at the desktop

Windows logo key + Pause Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows logo key + Ctrl + F Search for PCs (if you're on a network)
Windows logo key + Shift +
Restore minimized windows on the desktop
M
Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position
Windows logo key + number
indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.
Windows logo key + Shift + Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in
number the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to
number the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Alt + Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in
number the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key + Ctrl + Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given
Shift + number position on the taskbar as an administrator
Windows logo key + Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key + Ctrl +
Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Tab
Windows logo key + Shift +
Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
Tab
Windows logo key + Ctrl + B Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area
Windows logo key + Up
Maximize the window
arrow
Windows logo key + Down
Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window
arrow
Windows logo key + Left
Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen
arrow
Windows logo key + Right
Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen
arrow
Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second
Windows logo key + Home
stroke)
Windows logo key + Shift +
Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
Up arrow
Windows logo key + Shift +
Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width
Down arrow
Windows logo key + Shift +
Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another
Left arrow or Right arrow
Windows logo key +
Switch input language and keyboard layout
Spacebar
Windows logo key + Ctrl +
Change to a previously selected input
Spacebar
Windows logo key + Enter Open Narrator
Windows logo key + Shift +
Cycle through open apps
period (.)
Windows logo key + period
Cycle through open apps
(.)
Windows logo key + / Initiate IME reconversion
Windows logo key + Alt +
Open WindowsMedia Center
Enter
Windows logo key + plus (+)
Zoom in or out using Magnifier
or minus (-)
Windows logo key + Esc Exit Magnifier

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that you can use in dialog boxes.

Press this key To do this

F1 Display Help
F4 Display the items in the active list
Ctrl + Tab Move forward through tabs
Ctrl + Shift + Tab Move back through tabs
Ctrl + number (number 1–
Move to nth tab
9)
Tab Move forward through options
Shift + Tab Move back through options
Alt + underlined letter Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
Spacebar Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog
Backspace
box
Arrow keys Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons

File Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this

Alt + D Select the address bar
Ctrl + E Select the search box
Ctrl + F Select the search box
Ctrl + N Open a new window
Ctrl + W Close the current window
Ctrl + mouse scroll
Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
wheel
Ctrl + Shift + E Display all folders above the selected folder
Ctrl + Shift + N Create a new folder
Num Lock + asterisk (*) Display all subfolders under the selected folder
Num Lock + plus (+) Display the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock + minus (-) Collapse the selected folder
Alt + P Display the preview pane
Alt + Enter Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
Alt + Right arrow View the next folder
Alt + Up arrow View the folder that the folder was in
Alt + Left arrow View the previous folder
Backspace View the previous folder
Right arrow Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder
Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the folder that the folder
Left arrow
was in
End Display the bottom of the active window
Home Display the top of the active window
F11 Maximize or minimize the active window

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with items on the desktop taskbar.

Press this key To do this

Shift + click a taskbar button Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app
Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar button Open an app as an administrator
Shift + right-click a taskbar button Show the window menu for the app
Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar button Show the window menu for the group
Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar button Cycle through the windows of the group

Remote Desktop Connection on the desktop keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this

Alt + Page Up Move between apps from left to right
Alt + Page Down Move between apps from right to left
Alt + Insert Cycle through apps in the order that they were started
Alt + Home Display the Start screen
Ctrl + Alt + Break Switch between a window and full screen
Ctrl + Alt + End Display the Windows Security dialog box
Ctrl + Alt + Home In full-screen mode, activate the connection bar
Alt + Delete Display the system menu
Place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server
Ctrl + Alt + minus (-)
clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Alt+Print Screen on a local
on the numeric keypad
PC)
Ctrl + Alt + plus (+) Place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard
on the numeric keypad (provides the same functionality as pressing Print Screen on a local PC)
“Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a
Ctrl + Alt + Right
button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in
arrow
another (host) app.
“Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a
Ctrl + Alt + Left arrow button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in
another (host) app.

Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with the Help viewer.

Press this key To do this

F3 Move the cursor to the search box
F10 Display the Options menu
Home Move to the beginning of a topic
End Move to the end of a topic
Alt + Left arrow Move back to the previously viewed topic
Alt + Right arrow Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic
Alt + Home Display the Help and Support home page
Alt + A Display the customer support page
Alt + C Display the Table of Contents
Alt + N Display the Connection Settings menu
Ctrl + F Search the current topic
Ctrl + P Print a topic

App rearranging shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for rearranging modern apps.

Note
Keep the Windows logo key pressed down continuously while you're rearranging apps, from the moment you enter
rearrange mode and through all the various rearrange commands. When you're done rearranging, release your finger
from the Windows logo key to select the current arrangement.

Press this key To do this

Windows logo key + . (period) Enter rearrange mode and select apps or dividers across monitors
Windows logo key + left arrow Move app divider left
Windows logo key + right arrow Move app divider right
Windows logo key + up arrow Maximize app
Windows logo key + down arrow Close app
Windows logo key + Esc Exit rearrange mode
Additional keyboard shortcuts

 Keyboard shortcuts in apps

 Windows keyboard shortcuts for accessibility

 Microsoft Surface Hub keyboard shortcuts

 Keyboard shortcuts in Continuum for phones