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With all Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts, it is hard to know which one to use where. However, in this article, you will understand all the most common Windows shortcuts that you can use daily. I have simplified them in a table making it easy for you to memorize. Let's get started.

You will learn all the shortcuts in windows 10, what function keys do, the benefits of using keyboard shortcuts, and much more. So, read on to speed up how you use your computer keyboard by use of shortcuts. 

Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet

Keyboard shortcuts are various keys that you can use in place of a mouse. It is easier to operate using the key combos than the mouse.

It can sometimes be hard to know all the keyword shortcuts but instead, take time to learn about the keyboard shortcuts that you frequently use for more productivity and ease.

With the Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts, which include switching desktops, taking screenshots, copying text, and opening settings, you will perform many activities.

Below are some helpful keyboard shortcuts you can use to operate your desktop and applications in Firefox Explorer, Desktop, Command Prompt. Each one of them has a keyboard shortcut.

• Windows key shortcuts
• File Explorer shortcuts
• Desktop shortcuts
• Essential shortcuts
• Setting page shortcuts
• Command Prompt shortcuts

Windows key shortcuts

The Windows key and the other keys will allow you to do more activities like file explorer Run command and launch settings. You can also take a screenshot and lock the computer, virtual desktops, and control windows.

The table below shows the standard keyboard shortcuts using the Windows key.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Windows key + Alt +D	Open time and Date in the Taskbar
Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow	Change to virtual desktop on the light
Windows key +Ctrl + Right arrow	Change to virtual desktop on the right
Windows key + Left arrow key	Snap app
Windows key + 1	Open settings
Windows key +R	Open Run command
Windows key + U	Open Ease of Access settings
Windows key	Open start menu
Windows key + S	Search
Windows key + L	Locks computer
Windows key + G	Launch Game bar app
Windows key + E	Extend File Explorer.
Windows key + Esc	Exit fullscreen
Windows key + up arrow key	Maximizes app windows
Windows key +Down arrow	Minimizes app windows
Windows key + spacebar	Change keyboard layout and input language

File Explorer shortcuts.

Includes keyboard shortcuts that will help you complete work in a shorter time.

The table below comprises the shortcuts for File Explorer.

Keyboard  shortcuts	Action
Ctrl + Shift + E	Show all folders on top of the selected folders
F4	Changes focus on the address bar
F11	Switch active window full-screen mode
Alt + Right arrow key	View the next folder
Ctrl +L	Centers on the address bar
Alt + D	Selects address bar
Ctrl+Shift+N	Forms a folder on the desktop
Ctrl + F3	Start search
Ctrl + N	Open new Window
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer
Alt + P	Show preview panel
Ctrl + W	Shut active Window
F5	Restore File Explorer
Home	Scroll back to the start of Windows
F2	Reliable items you have selected
Alt + Enter	Open properties settings on selected items
End	Scroll to the end of Windows
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel	Change to view file or folder (appearance and size)

Desktop Shortcuts

Desktop shortcuts make it easier for you to open, close, move and do activities faster on your desktop.

Below is the list of the desktop shortcuts and their functions.

Keyboard  shortcuts	Activity
Alt + Left arrow	Go back
Ctrl + Shift	Change keyboard layout
Alt + Right arrow	Go forward
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow key	Select text
Shift + Arrow keys	Select several items
Windows key + M	Minimize windows
Windows key + Q	Open search
Windows + Tab	Extend Taskbar
Window key + P	Project settings
Windows + A	Open Action center
Windows + Left arrow key	Snap app
Windows + Right arrow key	Window right
Windows key + Ctrl + ESC	Start menu
F10	App menu bar
Windows key + Alt + D	Open time and Date in Taskbar
Windows key + Ctrl +D	Form a new virtual desktop.

Essential shortcuts

If you are a Windows user by now, you should be familiar with the following essential keyboard shortcuts.

Keyboard   shortcuts	Activity
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer
Ctrl +A	Choose all items
Ctrl + Shift + N	Open a new folder on the desktop
Ctrl + D	Delete selected content to recycle bin
Prtscn	Screenshot and keep in the clipboard
Window key + A	Action center
ESC	Close task
Shift + Delete	Deleted chosen content permanently
Ctrl + Z	Reverse an activity
F2	Relabel an item (selected)
Windows key + D	Show and hide desktop
Windows key + L	Lock device
Windows key + Left arrow	Window left, snapp app
Windows key + PrtScn	Take a full screenshot in the screenshot folder

Setting Page Shortcuts

The following are the keyboard shortcuts you can use:

Keyboard shortcuts	Activity
Shift + Tab	Moves back to settings
Tab	Go forward all over in the settings
spacebar	Clear options focused
Arrow keys	Choose a button of active setting
Shift + tab	It goes back all over the settings
Ctrl + Tab	Revolves forward all over the tabs
Ctrl + Shift + Tab	Revolves back all over the tabs

Command prompt shortcuts

These shortcuts will help you handle tasks efficiently if you are using Command prompt on your Windows 10

Keyboard  shortcut	Activity
Ctrl + F	Open search
Ctrl + M	Establish mark mode
Ctrl + V + Shift + Insert	Paste item from the clipboard
Left, right arrow keys	Moves cursor in both directions
Ctrl + up arrow key	Directs the screen up
Ctrl + C	Copy chosen items to the clipboard.
Ctrl + A	Selects content on the line
Page Down	Directs cursor down a page
Ctrl + End	Convolve to the end of the Window
Ctrl + Home	Convolve to the top
Ctrl + Down arrow key	Moves the screen down
Up and down arrow keys	Revolve all over current command history.

How do I set up keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10?

You do not need a mouse to open up your Windows app, and it is a waste of time and unnecessary strain on yourself and your hand. However, creating keyboard shortcuts on your Windows 10 will come in handy. It is easy and faster.

Below are ways that Windows 10 allows you to create the keyboard shortcuts:

Creating a Desktop Shortcut

• Search for the Command Prompt Window on the search box and choose Run as administrator

• At the Command Prompt, type explorer shell: AppsFolder and enter. It will display several apps.

• Select an application and Right-click, and select create a shortcut.

• You will be asked if you want to create the shortcut on the desktop. Click the Yes option.

• Right-click on the App and choose Properties.

• Feed-in the key shortcuts in the shortcut key box. It should be Ctrl + Alt + the letter symbol of the application. For this case, it is Mail. Therefore the combination will be Ctrl + Alt + M.

Click OK.

Using the Start Menu

If your application is not on the taskbar below your screen:

•  Then, go to the Start menu.
• Right-click on the application you want to pin on the taskbar.
• On the menu displayed, select “more”, then click on add to taskbar
• The application will be displayed on your taskbar.

• After your application is on the taskbar:
• Right-click on the application of your choice.
• Two options will appear the “unpin from taskbar” and the application's name.
• Right-click on the name of the application

• Then Left-click on properties.

• Click on the shortcut key box.
• Feed-in your keyboard shortcut combinations
• Then click OK

How can You Benefit from Keyboard shortcuts?

Keyboard shortcuts play a significant role in your windows, and the following are their benefits:

• First, you can easily access your icons without searching.
• Second, it is easy making it simple to use a computer.
• Third, keyboard shortcuts are available in large numbers.
• Acts as a backup if you fail to find an icon.
• You get to practice more on how to use a keyboard.

NOTE:

You can also customize shortcuts for any program of your choice on any computer. You will not strain to try to locate icons and programs you use.

You will need a keyboard to operate on your computer. For example, you will be able to type in content in a document, access open system settings, add brightness on your screen, add volume, and more with your keyboard. Your keyboard has buttons that perform different functions. For instance, the Function Keys labeled F1-F12 at the top of your keyboard. Each one of them has functionedTaskbar as listed above.

How do I turn on keyboard shortcuts?

How Do I Turn on Keyboard Shortcuts?

Unless you turn them on, the keyboard shortcut will not work. And how can you turn the shortcuts on?

•  Go to the settings of your desired icon.
• Choose settings.
• Look for the keyboard shortcuts slot.
• Then Click the Keyboard shortcuts ON button.

• Click save changes after turning on the keyboard shortcuts.

Once you are done with the settings, you will go back to your inbox. When the keyboard shortcuts get enabled,

After the keyboard settings have been enabled, you will be able to use the shortcut keys. You will come across many keyboard shortcuts in your email.

The table below contains activities you carry out in your inbox and the keyboard shortcuts.

Activity	Keyboard shortcut
Archive	E
Mark as Read	Shift + I
Select Conversation	X
Delete	#
Return to List	U
Forward	f
Reply	R
Open message	O
Mute conversation	M

If you want to access your inbox directly, press G together with the correct shortcut key

Skip To	Keyboard Shortcut
Drafts	G, afterwards D
All mail	G, then A
Select a Label	G, followed by L
Starred Conversations	G, then S
Tasks	G, then K
Inbox	G, afterwards I

How Do I turn off Keyboard Shortcuts?

Despite the keyboard shortcuts being practical and easy to operate on, they can slow you down a few times, and you will be forced to disable them.

Here are the steps to turn them off through the Group Policy Editor.

• At the bottom of your screen, there is the search icon. Click on it.
• Search for edit group policy and enter. It will open the Local Group Policy Editor window.

• Click on User Configuration and choose Administrative Template.

• From the Administrative Templates, click on Windows Components
• Click File Explorer

• Click on the File Explorer to open the submenu. Then scroll down to search for “Turn off Windows Key Hotkeys and double click on it.
•  Click on Disable, select Apply, and click on OK to save your new changes.

 

Exit the GroupPolicy Editor Window for windows to restart for the changes to be effective.  

What do the function keys do on Windows 10?

The Function keys on your computer labeled F1 to F12 play specific functions. You can combine them with Ctrl or the Alt keys.

Below is a list of the function keys and their functions.

F1

• The function key F1 is used as a help key in most programs. When pressed, it opens the help page.
•  Windows key + F1 directs you to the Microsoft Window help and support center. 
• It also opens the Taskbar.

F2

• It renames all the highlighted applications and folders
• In Microsoft Excel, it does the editing of active cell
• When Alt + Ctrl + F2 is pressed, it opens a document in Microsoft Word.
• Ctrl + F2 to show print preview in Microsoft Word.

F3

• Ctrl + F3 lowers all highlighted lines in Microsoft Word.
• You can open a search in any program using F3.
• You can change all the uppercase texts in Word to lowercase, or you can capitalize every letter at the beginning of the word by pressing Shift + F3
• If you are using Mac, it opens Mission Control.

F4

• You can close the active tabs in Microsoft Windows by pressing Ctrl + F4
• It opens the address bar in the Windows Explorer
• Closes an active program in Microsoft Windows when you enter Alt + F4.

F5

• It stars a slideshow in PowerPoint
• Ctrl + F5 completely refreshes a page or the document window
• Refreshes contents in a file
• You can also use F5 to find or go to Microsoft Word

F6

• Pressing Ctrl + Shift + F6 opens a Microsoft Word document
• If you want to move the cursor to the address bar in any browser

F7

• Mostly you use F7 to check on your spelling and grammar in Microsoft Word
• It also turns on your browser in Mozilla Firefox

F8

• You use it to enter the startup menu in Windows.
• In some computers, you can use the F8 to reach the Windows recovery system
• If your computer is Mac, the F8 function key shows a thumbnail image in all workspaces

F9

• You can send and receive your emails in Microsoft outlook
• If you are a user of macOS, the F9 shows a thumbnail of each Window in every workspace.
• If you press F9 and Fn one, it will open the Mission Control on a Mac computer.
• It also refreshes documents in Microsoft Word.

F10

• Pressing Shift + F10 is similar to when you Right-click on a highlighted file or application.
• You can activate the menu bar by pressing the F10 key of an open icon.
• In some computers, it enters the CMOS setup.
• Using a Mac, it displays the open Windows on an active program.

F11

• It displays the desktop and hides the open windows in the MacOs.'
• Enters and exits fullscreen.
• It accesses all hidden recovery partitions on Lenovo computers.

F12

• This function key has more functions in Microsoft Word.
• Ctrl + S opens a document in File Explorer.
• Ctrl + Shift + F12 prints a document with default settings
• In the same way that ctrl + S acts, Shift + F12 saves the document from File Explorer.
• You can also use the key to open developer tools in any web browser.
• You can use it to access the bootable devices before your device boots up.

In some computers, laptops, or small-sized keyboards, the function keys play different functions like increasing and decreasing the brightness of your screen, adding and reducing volume, hotspot. In such a case, an Fn key is there to press it for the other keys to do their intended functions.

Conclusion

Having an explicit knowledge of keyboard shortcuts is beneficial. You will have a smooth workflow and increased productivity in your Windows 10. You will be in a position to switch between Windows, multitask on virtual desktops, minimize windows, find files and documents using Windows File Explorer.

For the shortcut keys to perform, you will use the Alt key, Ctrl key, or Shift key together with the other keys. If you are using macOS, use Command.