Windows keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11 and Windows 10

Text editing

Use these defaults in text fields and applications that follow the standard Windows editing conventions.

Action	Shortcuts
Delete the character to the left	`Backspace`
Delete the character to the right	`Delete`
Select all text	`Ctrl` + `A`
Copy selected textCtrl+Insert is also documented.	`Ctrl` + `C`
Cut selected text	`Ctrl` + `X`
Paste clipboard textShift+Insert is also documented.	`Ctrl` + `V`
Paste as plain text	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `V`
Undo the last typing	`Ctrl` + `Z`
Redo typing that was undone	`Ctrl` + `Y`
Apply bold formatting	`Ctrl` + `B`
Apply italic formatting	`Ctrl` + `I`
Apply underline formatting	`Ctrl` + `U`
Find text	`Ctrl` + `F`
Find and replace text	`Ctrl` + `H`
Move to the beginning of the previous word	`Ctrl` + `Left`
Move to the beginning of the next word	`Ctrl` + `Right`
Move to the beginning of the previous paragraph	`Ctrl` + `Up`
Move to the beginning of the next paragraph	`Ctrl` + `Down`
Move to the beginning of the document	`Ctrl` + `Home`
Move to the end of the document	`Ctrl` + `End`
Move to the beginning of the line	`Home`
Move to the end of the line	`End`
Select words backward	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Left`
Select words forward	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Right`
Select to the beginning of the document	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Home`
Select to the end of the document	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `End`
Select to the beginning of the line	`Shift` + `Home`
Select to the end of the line	`Shift` + `End`
Select one page upward	`Shift` + `Page Up`
Select one page downward	`Shift` + `Page Down`

Desktop and system

Open system surfaces, switch applications, manage windows, refresh a view, and reach security or task-management controls.

Action	Shortcuts
Open or close Start	`Win`
Switch between open apps	`Alt` + `Tab`
View all open apps and switch with arrows	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Tab`
Cycle through windows in opening order	`Alt` + `Esc`
Close the active window	`Alt` + `F4`
Open the active window's context menu	`Alt` + `Space`
Go back	`Alt` + `Left`
Go forward	`Alt` + `Right`
Move up one screen	`Alt` + `Page Up`
Move down one screen	`Alt` + `Page Down`
Refresh the current windowF5 is also documented.	`Ctrl` + `R`
Open Task Manager	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Esc`
Open the Windows security screen	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Delete`
Stop or leave the current task	`Esc`
Activate the menu bar	`F10`
Cycle through elements in a window	`F6`
Capture the screen or open screen snippingThe exact behavior depends on the Print Screen setting.	`PrtScn`
Delete without moving to the Recycle Bin	`Shift` + `Delete`
Open the selected item's shortcut menu	`Shift` + `F10`

Windows key shortcuts

Use the Windows key to open system tools, arrange windows, switch input and notifications, and reach built-in Windows features.

Action	Shortcuts
Open Action Center	`Win` + `A`
Focus the notification area	`Win` + `B`
Open Copilot or Windows SearchThe result depends on Copilot availability and its current setting.	`Win` + `C`
Toggle HDR	`Win` + `Alt` + `B`
Show or hide the date and time	`Win` + `Alt` + `D`
Snap the active window to the bottom half	`Win` + `Alt` + `Down`
Snap the active window to the top half	`Win` + `Alt` + `Up`
Temporarily peek at the desktop	`Win` + `,`
Toggle color filtersColor filters must be enabled in Settings first.	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `C`
Open Narrator	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `Enter`
Search for devices on a network	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `F`
Open Quick Assist	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `Q`
Wake a blank or black screen	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `Shift` + `B`
Open sound output quick settings	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `V`
Show or hide the desktop	`Win` + `D`
Open File Explorer	`Win` + `E`
Open Feedback Hub	`Win` + `F`
Open Game Bar	`Win` + `G`
Open voice dictation	`Win` + `H`
Minimize or restore all other windows	`Win` + `Home`
Open Settings	`Win` + `I`
Open Connect quick action	`Win` + `K`
Lock the PC or switch accounts	`Win` + `L`
Minimize all windows	`Win` + `M`
Lock device orientation	`Win` + `O`
Choose a presentation display mode	`Win` + `P`
Open the Run dialog	`Win` + `R`
Select a region for a screen capture	`Win` + `Shift` + `S`
Switch backward through input languages	`Win` + `Shift` + `Space`
Stretch the window from top to bottom	`Win` + `Shift` + `Up`
Cycle through notifications	`Win` + `Shift` + `V`
Switch forward through input languages	`Win` + `Space`
Open Task View	`Win` + `Tab`
Maximize the active window	`Win` + `Up`
Open clipboard historyClipboard history must be enabled the first time.	`Win` + `V`
Open Widgets	`Win` + `W`
Open the Quick Link menu	`Win` + `X`
Open snap layouts	`Win` + `Z`

Command Prompt

These bindings apply to the Windows Command Prompt, including its selection, scrolling, mark mode, and command-line history behavior.

Action	Shortcuts
Copy selected textCtrl+Insert is also documented.	`Ctrl` + `C`
Paste selected textShift+Insert is also documented.	`Ctrl` + `V`
Enter Mark mode	`Ctrl` + `M`
Begin block selection	`Alt` + `Selection key`
Move the cursor one page up	`Page Up`
Move the cursor one page down	`Page Down`
Move to the buffer beginning in Mark mode	`Ctrl` + `Home`
Move to the buffer end in Mark mode	`Ctrl` + `End`
Move up one line in output history	`Ctrl` + `Up`
Move down one line in output history	`Ctrl` + `Down`
Delete to the left when the command line is active	`Ctrl` + `Home`
Delete to the right when the command line is active	`Ctrl` + `End`

File Explorer and dialogs

Navigate folders, tabs, search, panes, dialog controls, and selected files with the keys Microsoft documents for these Windows surfaces.

Action	Shortcuts
Select the File Explorer address barCtrl+L or F4 also focuses it.	`Alt` + `D`
Select the File Explorer search boxCtrl+F is also documented.	`Ctrl` + `E`
Open a new File Explorer window	`Ctrl` + `N`
Open a new File Explorer tab	`Ctrl` + `T`
Close the active File Explorer tab	`Ctrl` + `W`
Move to the next File Explorer tab	`Ctrl` + `Tab`
Move to the previous File Explorer tab	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Tab`
Move to a File Explorer tab by number	`Ctrl` + `1-9`
Show or hide the preview pane	`Alt` + `P`
Show or hide the details pane	`Alt` + `Shift` + `P`
Move up one folder level	`Alt` + `Up`
View the previous folderBackspace is also documented.	`Alt` + `Left`
View the next folder	`Alt` + `Right`
Expand folders above the selected folder	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `E`
Create a new folder	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `N`
Rename the selected item	`F2`
Search for a file or folder	`F3`
Refresh File Explorer	`F5`
Cycle through File Explorer elements	`F6`
Maximize or minimize the active window	`F11`
Move forward through dialog tabs	`Ctrl` + `Tab`
Move backward through dialog tabs	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Tab`
Move to a dialog tab by number	`Ctrl` + `1-9`
Move forward through dialog options	`Tab`
Move backward through dialog options	`Shift` + `Tab`

Virtual desktops, taskbar, and Settings

Create and move between virtual desktops, focus pinned taskbar apps, and navigate the Settings app with keyboard-only controls.

Action	Shortcuts
Create a virtual desktop	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `D`
Switch to the virtual desktop on the right	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `Right`
Switch to the virtual desktop on the left	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `Left`
Close the current virtual desktop	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `F4`
Focus the first notification-area icon	`Win` + `B`
Open or switch to a pinned taskbar app	`Win` + `1-9`
Start another pinned app instance	`Win` + `Shift` + `1-9`
Open a pinned app's jump list	`Win` + `Alt` + `0-9`
Switch to a pinned app's last active window	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `0-9`
Open a new pinned app instance as administrator	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `Shift` + `0-9`
Cycle through taskbar apps	`Win` + `T`
Cycle backward through taskbar apps	`Win` + `Shift` + `T`
Navigate back in Settings	`Backspace`
Move through the current Settings region	`Tab`
Select the focused Settings item	`Enter`

Source

official Microsoft Windows shortcut reference · Checked Aug 26, 2026

Default Windows 10 and Windows 11 bindings from Microsoft Support checked in August 2026. Individual apps may override general bindings, and some keys depend on a feature, keyboard layout, taskbar focus, or an enabled accessibility setting.

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