Windows Keyboard Shortcuts to Save You Time

We all want to save ourselves time, and that is what Windows keyboard shortcuts will do.

Keyboard shortcuts will speed up almost everything you do on your computer. However, long lists of shortcuts can quickly become overwhelming if you’re just getting started with them.
 
With this in mind, we have created a useful guide with some of the most commonly used Windows shortcuts to save you time with everyday tasks on your PC. If you haven’t used keyboard shortcuts previously, these will show you just how useful they can be.
 
Some of the shortcuts may not work with your version of Windows or will depend on the program you are using (such as Internet Explorer or Word).
 

Commonly used desktop shortcuts

Alt + Tab Toggle between programs
Windows key  Windows Key  + D Go to the desktop
Windows key  Windows Key  + Tab Show all active windows in taskbar – or cycle through Modern UI apps with Windows 8
PrtScn Save screen capture to clipboard; “paste” the image into an image editing program to save it as a file
Windows key  Windows Key Opens applications menu – or Start screen with Windows 10
Windows key  Windows Key  + L Lock your computer or switch user

 

Commonly used shortcuts in most applications

Ctrl + Z Undo last operation
Ctrl + Y Redo last operation
Ctrl + O Open file
Ctrl + S Save file
Ctrl + W Close active window or file
Ctrl + Q Exit application

 

Browser shortcuts

Ctrl + T Open a new tab
Ctrl + Shift + T Reopens the tab you last closed
F5 Reload page
Backspace Go to previous page
Ctrl + Tab Cycle between tabs

 

Copy-and-paste

Ctrl + A Select all in active window; i.e. select all text on page
Ctrl + X Cut to clipboard
Ctrl + C Copy
Ctrl + V Paste

 

Navigating a body of text

Ctrl + F Find; helpful if you’re searching for a particular word on a website or document
Ctrl + Shift + down arrow Select until end of line
Ctrl + Shift + up arrow Select until beginning of line
Ctrl + Home Move cursor to top/start of document
Ctrl + End Move cursor to bottom/end of document

 
A full list of keyboard shortcuts for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 can be found here.
 
For more useful PC tips or to find out more about the services we provide, please contact Vantage IT.