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Time-saving tips from:

Dawn Bjork, MCT, MOSM, CSP
TheSoftwarePro.com

Windows Key Shortcuts

The Windows key gives you quick access to Windows functionality. Look for the Windows
key to the left of the s (usually between the C and A keys); sometimes also to
the right of the spacebar. (On smaller laptop keyboards, the Windows key may in
a different location such as the upper-right corner).
Pressing the Windows key alone (shown below as ⊞ ) or in combination with other keys
enables you to move around and work with Windows without using the mouse or other
pointing device.

Select this To do this

Windows key ⊞ Open and close the Start Menu.
or C + E
⊞+E Open the File Explorer window (previously called Windows Explorer).
⊞+D Minimize all open windows and Show Desktop (repeat to restore).
⊞+M Minimize all open windows.
⊞+V+M Restore after minimizing all windows.
⊞+F Open Task view to see all open windows.
⊞ + 1, ⊞ + 2, etc. Switch to the desktop and launch the nth application in the taskbar. For instance,
⊞ + 1 launches the application that is first in the list, numbered from left to right.
⊞+T Move or cycle through applications on the taskbar.
⊞+R Open the Run command.
⊞+P Open the System Properties portion of the Control Panel.
⊞+U Open the Ease of Access Center window.
⊞+X Open the advanced menu in the lower-left corner of the screen.
⊞+L Switch between users or lock desktop while unattended.
⊞+I Open the Settings app.
⊞ + , (comma) Peek at the desktop. Hold to keep peek open.
⊞ + ; (semi-colon) or Enable emoji keyboard.
⊞ + . (period)

Find more Windows Tips & Tricks at:

TheSoftwarePro.com/Windows

© Dawn Bjork, The Software Pro® • (303) 699-6868 • TheSoftwarePro.com • Certified Speaking Professional
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) • Certified Microsoft Office Specialist Master (MOSM) • Certified Virtual Presenter
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Keyboard shortcuts to work with an active open window

Select this To do this
⊞+t Maximize the active window vertically and horizontally.
⊞+b Restore or minimize the active window.
⊞+l Dock the active window to the left half of the monitor.
⊞+r Dock the active window to the right half of the monitor.

⊞+V+t Maximize the active window vertically, maintaining the current width.
⊞+V+b Restore or minimize the active window vertically, maintaining the current width.
⊞+V+l With multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the left.
⊞+V+r With multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the right.
⊞+h Minimize or restore all other windows except for the active/current window.
⊞+p Take a picture of the screen and place it in the Computer > Pictures >
Screenshots folder.
⊞++ Zoom in. Launches the magnifier to zoom in the current window.
⊞+- Zoom out in the current window when magnifier is enabled.
⊞+E Close the magnifier.
⊞+P Open the Project menu (when connected to external display or projector).

© Dawn Bjork, The Software Pro® • (303) 699-6868 • TheSoftwarePro.com • Certified Speaking Professional
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) • Certified Microsoft Office Specialist Master (MOSM) • Certified Virtual Presenter
 Page 3 of 3

Other Handy Windows Shortcuts

Try these other useful keyboard shortcuts for common Windows actions:

Select this To do this

C+C Copy
C+X Cut
C+V Paste
C+Z Undo
C+E Open and close the Start Menu.
D Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin (applies to items on your
local hard drive).
V+D Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.
C+A Select All.
C+V+N Makes a new empty folder.
A+D In File Explorer, highlights the Explorer address bar.
4 In File Explorer, highlights the Explorer address bar and pops open the list of
previous addresses.
A+F Switch between open windows without touching your mouse.
C+F Cycle through an application’s window (or through a web browser’s tabs).
A+E Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened.
C+V+E Open the Windows Task Manager.
A+4 Close the active item, or quit the active program.
A+l In File Explorer, opens the previously viewed windows as though you’ve clicked
the Back button in a browser.
A+r Once you’ve pressed A + l, you can use this shortcut to move forward
through your recently opened windows in File Explorer.
C+4 Close the active document window.
1 Display Help and Support.
2 Rename selected item.
3 Search for a file or folder.
5 Refresh the active window.
6 or F Cycle the focus through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
! Enters or exits full-screen mode in which the current window fills the entire screen;
even the taskbar is hidden. Helpful with some web browser windows.
V+0 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
E Cancel the current task.
A + J or Display properties for the selected item.
A + double-click an icon
A+s Open the shortcut menu for the active window.

© Dawn Bjork, The Software Pro® • (303) 699-6868 • TheSoftwarePro.com • Certified Speaking Professional
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) • Certified Microsoft Office Specialist Master (MOSM) • Certified Virtual Presenter