While you might like doing things the long way around out of habit, Windows 10 shortcuts can not only make your life a lot easier but also far more productive. Windows 10 is a clever piece of software. The designers wanted to ensure that it would be the operating system of choice for the entire world, and so they built in the capability of doing tasks while expending minimal efforts. People who learn how to use Windows 10 shortcuts get a better experience from their PCs and do far more in a short space of time.
Most Windows 10 shortcuts are performed through the use of a keyboard, so if you’re using a touch screen version of Windows, then, sorry, this guide probably isn’t for you. With that said, let’s get into the meat of the matter and take a look at how you can elevate your Windows experience.
Guide To Windows 10 Shortcuts
Although Windows 10 has a variety of shortcuts for specific situations, it’s a good idea to know the basics first, as these will come in handy all over the place.
- Windows Key. While not strictly a shortcut, this is great for people who want to bring up the Start Menu quickly.
- Windows Key+E. Immediately open File Explorer.
- Windows Key+ L. Lock your desktop behind your login password.
- Alt+PRT SC. Copy your entire screenshot to clipboard.
- Windows + LEFT/RIGHT. Snap your current window from one side of the screen to the other.
- Windows+A. Open the Windows Action Center.
- Windows+C. Fire up Cortana.
- Windows+I. Open your Windows settings
- Windows+M. Maximize all current windows.
- Windows+S. Start search.
- ALT+TAB. Switch between windows or open programmes.
- CTRL+ALT+TAB. View your currently open windows in a viewer.
- CTRL+C. Copy currently selected items to the clipboard.
- CTRL+Z. Undo an action.
Shortcuts For The Command Prompt
The command prompt is a relic from earlier iterations of Windows, and Microsoft’s first OS, DOS. Interfaces have moved on considerably since then, but the command prompt can sometimes still be helpful, especially when you’re trying to troubleshoot specific issues.
Sometimes you’ll need to manipulate text in the command prompt.
- CTRL+SHIFT+HOME/END. Sometimes you want to select all of the material in the command prompt before or after the position of the cursor. This shortcut allows you to do this, whether you select HOME (which selects all text back to the beginning) or END (which selects all text to the end).
- CTRL+SHIFT+LEFT/RIGHT. Want to select one word at a time but don’t want to go to the hassle of using the mouse. That’s precisely what this command does. Using LEFT, you’ll select one additional word to the left every time you use the shortcut, and selecting right, one additional word to the right.
- CTRL+A. This command is situation-specific: either it’ll select all text in that particular line of the command prompt, or all text in the command prompt is there’s no text in the line.
Shortcuts For Virtual Desktop Users
Virtual Desktops are a helpful feature in Windows 10 that allows you to switch between different desktop environments.
- Windows+CTRL+D. This shortcut sets up a new Windows desktop.
- Windows+CTRL+LEFT/RIGHT. This command allows you to switch desktop by scrolling between them, either left or right.
- Window+CTRL+F4. Close the current virtual desktop.
Task Management Shortcuts
If you’re anything like most people, you work in a cluttered desktop environment. You have multiple tabs on the go, meaning that it’s sometimes hard to keep track of everything and manage your workflow. Windows 10 provides a bunch of task management shortcuts which Microsoft claims helps make life easier.
Windows+TAB. It can be a hassle switching between tabs using the mouse. This short cut immediately displays all currently open windows in miniature in the Task Viewer, as well as documents or files that you’ve recently opened along the bottom. The Task Viewer can be used in conjunction with Windows virtual desktop functionality.
Browser Shortcuts
You spend a lot of time in browser environments, so knowing a few helpful browser shortcuts can make life a lot easier.
- CTRL+L. Like the look of the current URL? Then use this shortcut to highlight it for copying.
- CTRL+TAB. Allows you to rotate through your current tabs without using the mouse.
- CTRL+D. Set page as bookmarked.
- CTRL+T. Opens a new tab.
- CTRL+ENTER. A quick way of adding “.com” to the end of whatever you’ve typed.
