Windows keyboard shortcuts: task-based reference

Text editing

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

Action	Windows
Delete the character to the left	`Backspace`
Delete the character to the right	`Delete`
Select all text	`CtrlA`
Copy selected textCtrl+Insert is also documented.	`CtrlC`
Cut selected text	`CtrlX`
Paste clipboard textShift+Insert is also documented.	`CtrlV`
Paste as plain text	`CtrlShiftV`
Undo the last typing	`CtrlZ`
Redo typing that was undone	`CtrlY`
Apply bold formatting	`CtrlB`
Apply italic formatting	`CtrlI`
Apply underline formatting	`CtrlU`
Find text	`CtrlF`
Find and replace text	`CtrlH`
Move to the beginning of the previous word	`CtrlLeft`
Move to the beginning of the next word	`CtrlRight`
Move to the beginning of the previous paragraph	`CtrlUp`
Move to the beginning of the next paragraph	`CtrlDown`
Move to the beginning of the document	`CtrlHome`
Move to the end of the document	`CtrlEnd`
Move to the beginning of the line	`Home`
Move to the end of the line	`End`
Select words backward	`CtrlShiftLeft`
Select words forward	`CtrlShiftRight`
Select to the beginning of the document	`CtrlShiftHome`
Select to the end of the document	`CtrlShiftEnd`
Select to the beginning of the line	`ShiftHome`
Select to the end of the line	`ShiftEnd`
Select one page upward	`ShiftPage Up`
Select one page downward	`ShiftPage Down`

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

Action	Windows
Open or close Start	`Win`
Switch between open apps	`AltTab`
View all open apps and switch with arrows	`CtrlAltTab`
Cycle through windows in opening order	`AltEsc`
Close the active window	`AltF4`
Open the active window's context menu	`AltSpace`
Go back	`AltLeft`
Go forward	`AltRight`
Move up one screen	`AltPage Up`
Move down one screen	`AltPage Down`
Refresh the current windowF5 is also documented.	`CtrlR`
Open Task Manager	`CtrlShiftEsc`
Open the Windows security screen	`CtrlAltDelete`
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	`ShiftDelete`
Open the selected item's shortcut menu	`ShiftF10`

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

Action	Windows
Open Action Center	`WinA`
Focus the notification area	`WinB`
Open Copilot or Windows SearchThe result depends on Copilot availability and its current setting.	`WinC`
Toggle HDR	`WinAltB`
Show or hide the date and time	`WinAltD`
Snap the active window to the bottom half	`WinAltDown`
Snap the active window to the top half	`WinAltUp`
Temporarily peek at the desktop	`Win,`
Toggle color filtersColor filters must be enabled in Settings first.	`WinCtrlC`
Open Narrator	`WinCtrlEnter`
Search for devices on a network	`WinCtrlF`
Open Quick Assist	`WinCtrlQ`
Wake a blank or black screen	`WinCtrlShiftB`
Open sound output quick settings	`WinCtrlV`
Show or hide the desktop	`WinD`
Open File Explorer	`WinE`
Open Feedback Hub	`WinF`
Open Game Bar	`WinG`
Open voice dictation	`WinH`
Minimize or restore all other windows	`WinHome`
Open Settings	`WinI`
Open Connect quick action	`WinK`
Lock the PC or switch accounts	`WinL`
Minimize all windows	`WinM`
Lock device orientation	`WinO`
Choose a presentation display mode	`WinP`
Open the Run dialog	`WinR`
Select a region for a screen capture	`WinShiftS`
Switch backward through input languages	`WinShiftSpace`
Stretch the window from top to bottom	`WinShiftUp`
Cycle through notifications	`WinShiftV`
Switch forward through input languages	`WinSpace`
Open Task View	`WinTab`
Maximize the active window	`WinUp`
Open clipboard historyClipboard history must be enabled the first time.	`WinV`
Open Widgets	`WinW`
Open the Quick Link menu	`WinX`
Open snap layouts	`WinZ`

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

Action	Windows
Copy selected textCtrl+Insert is also documented.	`CtrlC`
Paste selected textShift+Insert is also documented.	`CtrlV`
Enter Mark mode	`CtrlM`
Begin block selection	`AltSelection 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	`CtrlHome`
Move to the buffer end in Mark mode	`CtrlEnd`
Move up one line in output history	`CtrlUp`
Move down one line in output history	`CtrlDown`
Delete to the left when the command line is active	`CtrlHome`
Delete to the right when the command line is active	`CtrlEnd`

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

Action	Windows
Select the File Explorer address barCtrl+L or F4 also focuses it.	`AltD`
Select the File Explorer search boxCtrl+F is also documented.	`CtrlE`
Open a new File Explorer window	`CtrlN`
Open a new File Explorer tab	`CtrlT`
Close the active File Explorer tab	`CtrlW`
Move to the next File Explorer tab	`CtrlTab`
Move to the previous File Explorer tab	`CtrlShiftTab`
Move to a File Explorer tab by number	`Ctrl1-9`
Show or hide the preview pane	`AltP`
Show or hide the details pane	`AltShiftP`
Move up one folder level	`AltUp`
View the previous folderBackspace is also documented.	`AltLeft`
View the next folder	`AltRight`
Expand folders above the selected folder	`CtrlShiftE`
Create a new folder	`CtrlShiftN`
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	`CtrlTab`
Move backward through dialog tabs	`CtrlShiftTab`
Move to a dialog tab by number	`Ctrl1-9`
Move forward through dialog options	`Tab`
Move backward through dialog options	`ShiftTab`

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

Action	Windows
Create a virtual desktop	`WinCtrlD`
Switch to the virtual desktop on the right	`WinCtrlRight`
Switch to the virtual desktop on the left	`WinCtrlLeft`
Close the current virtual desktop	`WinCtrlF4`
Focus the first notification-area icon	`WinB`
Open or switch to a pinned taskbar app	`Win1-9`
Start another pinned app instance	`WinShift1-9`
Open a pinned app's jump list	`WinAlt0-9`
Switch to a pinned app's last active window	`WinCtrl0-9`
Open a new pinned app instance as administrator	`WinCtrlShift0-9`
Cycle through taskbar apps	`WinT`
Cycle backward through taskbar apps	`WinShiftT`
Navigate back in Settings	`Backspace`
Move through the current Settings region	`Tab`
Select the focused Settings item	`Enter`