The Windows Operating System has always had shortcuts that make life easier for the end user.  The latest Microsoft Operating System – Windows 10 – is no different from its predecessors in keeping up with its share of shortcuts and hotkeys to make using Windows that much faster for you.  From simple hotkeys, like “Ctrl” + “c” keys to copy, to more obscure shortcuts like windows tabbing, there is a lot Windows 10 has to offer.  Here are some shortcuts and hotkeys to save on production time that you can start using with your Windows 10 computer today.

Common Hot Keys for Windows 10

Windows 10 includes many quick-to-use hot keys that can be used in combination with applications like Word, Excel, your Internet browsers, etc.  There are also several universal hot keys that can be used without any particular application as well.  Here are just some of the most common hot keys to enhance your Windows 10 usage.

  • Ctrl + X – Cut the selected item
  • Ctrl + C – Copy the selected item
  • Ctrl + A - Select all content
  • Ctrl + V - Paste content from clipboard.
  • Ctrl + Z - Undo an action, including undelete files (limited).
  • Ctrl + Y - Redo an action.
  • Ctrl + Shift + N - Create new folder on desktop or File Explorer.
  • Alt + F4 - Close active window. (If no active window present, then shutdown box appears.)
  • F2 - Rename selected item.
  • Alt + Tab - Switch between open apps.
  • PrtScn - Take screenshot and store in on Clipboard.
  • Windows key + E - Open File Explorer.
  • Windows key + A - Open Action center.
  • Windows key + D - Display and hide the desktop.
  • Windows key + L - Lock device.
  • Windows key + V - Open Clipboard bin.
  • Windows key + Period (.) - Open emoji panel.
  • Windows key + Shift + S - Capture part of the screen with Snip & Sketch.
  • Windows key + Left arrow key - Snap app or window left.
  • Windows key + Right arrow key - Snap app or window right.
  • Windows key – Open Start menu.
  • area in the taskbar.
  • Windows key + C - Launch Cortana app.
  • Windows key + F - Launch Feedback Hub app.
  • Windows key + H - Open dictation feature.
  • Windows key + K - Open Connect settings.
  • Windows key + X - Open Quick Link menu.

Windows 10 has a lot of useful hotkeys that can make tasks that much easier to do.  For a complete comprehensive list of all of Windows 10’s hotkeys, you can find them on Microsoft’s official site for Windows 10. Windows 10 includes a lot of other great features besides hot keys as well.

More Windows 10 Features

If you prefer the legacy Windows start menu, you can still get access to it.  Right-click on the Windows icon in the bottom-left to open a text menu with multiple options, including Programs, Features, Search, and Run.  You can also access more useful options in the Windows 10 taskbar.  Right-click on the taskbar for a menu that allows you to access different presets for toolbars, Cortana, and window schemes.  You can also customize your start menu items by right-clicking the applications on the right-hand side to unpin them, resize them, or add new pins to the Start menu.

With recent updates to Windows 10, you can now enhance your Windows search task as well.  If you have updated to the May 2020 Windows update or beyond, you can now go to Search under the settings menu and the access Searching Windows setting to set search to the Classic mode.  This will make it so Windows only searches through Libraries and Desktop.  Changing this setting to Enhanced will make the computer search through the entire computer instead.

Another feature in Windows 10 is the ability to clear windows by shaking a single one.  This has been around since Windows 7 and is still very useful today with Windows 10.  If your desktop is full of windows and you want to minimize all but one, grab the window you wish to only have displayed and then shake it to minimize all other Windows.

Windows 10 is a feature-rich operating system and it’s no wonder that it is one of their most popular releases.  You can learn more about how managed IT services experts can help you and your office by checking out even more great articles on our blog.