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Keyboard shortcuts are a very useful tool when using a computer. Most people hardly use any of these helpful shortcuts. Some don't even know that they exist. I will be providing some common Windows shortcut keys along with many others.

Most Commonly Used

Keyboard Shortcut	Action
CTRL+C	Copy
CTRL+X	Cut
CTRL+V	Paste
CTRL+A	Select all
CTRL+Z	Undo
SHIFT+Arrow key	Select Text
CTRL+PrntScr	Copy screenshot to clipboard

More Shortcut Keys

Keyboard Shortcut	Action
DELETE	Delete
SHIFT+DELETE	Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin
CTRL while dragging an item	Copy selected item.
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item	Create shortcut to selected item
F2	Rename selected item
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word
CTRL+LEFT ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word
CTRL+DOWN ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph
CTRL+UP ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph
CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys	Highlight a block of text
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys	Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
F3	Search for a file or folder
ALT+ENTER	View properties for the selected item
ALT+F4	Close the active item, or quit the active program
ALT+Enter	Displays the properties of the selected object
ALT+SPACEBAR	Opens the shortcut menu for the active window
CTRL+F4	Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously
ALT+TAB	Switch between open items
ALT+ESC	Cycle through items in the order they were opened
F6	Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4	Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer
SHIFT+F10	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
ALT+SPACEBAR	Display the System menu for the active window
CTRL+ESC	Display the Start menu
ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name	Display the corresponding menu
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu	Carry out the corresponding command
F10	Activate the menu bar in the active program
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
F5	Refresh the active window
BACKSPACE	View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer
ESC	Cancel the current task
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive	Prevent the CD from automatically playing

Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcut	Action
Windows key	Open or close Start Menu
Windows key + A	Open Action center
Windows key + C	Open Cortana in listening mode
Windows key + D	Display and hide the desktop
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer
Windows key + G	Open Game bar when a game is open
Windows key + H	Open the Share charm
Windows key + I	Open Settings
Windows key + K	Open the Connect quick action.
Windows key + L	Lock your PC or switch accounts
Windows key + M	Minimize all windows
Windows key + R	Open Run dialog box
Windows key + S	Open Search
Windows key + U	Open Ease of Access Center
Windows key + X	Open Quick Link menu
Windows key + Number	Open the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows key + Left arrow key	Snap app windows left
Windows key + Right arrow key	Snap app windows right
Windows key + Up arrow key	Maximize app windows
Windows key + Down arrow key	Minimize app windows
Windows key + Comma	Temporarily peek at the desktop
Windows key + Ctrl +D	Add a virtual desktop
Windows key + Ctrl + Left or Right arrow	Switch between virtual desktops
Windows key + Ctrl + F4	Close current virtual desktop
Windows key + Enter	Open Narrator
Windows key + Home	Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)
Windows key + PrtScn	Capture a screenshot and save in Screenshots folder
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow	Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
Windows key + Tab Open	Task view
Windows key + "+" key	Zoom in using the magnifier
Windows key + "-" key	Zoom out using the magnifier
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Open Task Manager

Dialog Box Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcut	Action
CTRL+TAB	Move forward through tabs
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB	Move backward through tabs
TAB	Move forward through options
SHIFT+TAB	Move backward through options
ALT+Underlined letter	Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option
ENTER	Carry out the command for the active option or button
SPACEBAR	Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Arrow keys	Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
F1	Display Help
F4	Display the items in the active list
BACKSPACE	Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box

Accessibility Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcut	Action
Right SHIFT for eight seconds	Switch FilterKeys on and off
Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN	Switch High Contrast on and off
Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK	Switch MouseKeys on and off
SHIFT five times	Switch StickyKeys on and off
NUM LOCK for five seconds	Switch ToggleKeys on and off
Windows Key+U	Open Utility Manager

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Sources

• https://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/keys_general.mspx?mfr=true
• http://www.windowscentral.com/best-windows-10-keyboard-shortcuts

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