Windows shortcuts that increase your productivity
You use your mouse far too much. Not as criticism — most people do. But those who have a few shortcuts at their fingertips work noticeably faster. No searching, no clicking, just doing.
In this article, we will go through the most useful shortcuts for Windows, divided by category. Start with the Windows key — it is heavily underutilised. Then we will cover the classics with Ctrl and Alt.
The Windows key: the most underrated button on your keyboard
That key with the Windows logo is on every keyboard, but most people only use it to open the start menu. A shame, because there is so much more to it.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| ⊞ Win | Open/close start menu |
| ⊞ Win + D | Minimise all windows — go directly to the desktop |
| ⊞ Win + E | Open Explorer |
| ⊞ Win + L | Lock PC (handy when you leave your desk) |
| ⊞ Win + I | Open settings |
| ⊞ Win + V | Open clipboard history — you can see everything you copied recently |
| ⊞ Win + . | Insert emojis and symbols |
| ⊞ Win + Shift + S | Take a screenshot of a selection |
| ⊞ Win + Tab | Task view: all open windows and virtual desktops |
| ⊞ Win + ← / → | Snap window left or right |
| ⊞ Win + ↑ / ↓ | Maximise or minimise window |
| ⊞ Win + number (1–9) | Open app in the taskbar at that position |
| ⊞ Win + P | Set up screen projection (duplicate, extend…) |
| ⊞ Win + X | Quick menu for system management (Device Manager, Terminal, …) |
Tip: ⊞ Win + V is a real time saver if you often copy text from multiple sources. Enable clipboard history once via Settings → System → Clipboard. 💡💡💡
Ctrl combinations: the classics everyone should know
These shortcuts have been working for decades and are available in almost every Windows application.
General
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo |
| Ctrl + S | Save |
| Ctrl + A | Select all |
| Ctrl + F | Search in document or webpage |
| Ctrl + P | |
| Ctrl + W | Close current tab or window |
| Ctrl + N | New window or new document |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo last action |
Edit text
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + B | Bold |
| Ctrl + I | Italic |
| Ctrl + U | Underline |
| Ctrl + Home / End | Jump to the beginning or end of a document |
| Ctrl + ← / → | Navigate by word in text |
| Ctrl + Shift + ← / → | Select by word |
Browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + T | New tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen last closed tab |
| Ctrl + L | Select address bar |
| Ctrl + Tab | Next tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Previous tab |
| Ctrl + D | Add bookmark |
| Ctrl + R | Reload page |
| Ctrl + + / − | Zoom in / out |
| Ctrl + 0 | Reset zoom level to 100% |
Alt combinations and other handy shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open windows |
| Alt + F4 | Close active window or programme |
| Alt + Enter | Show properties of a selected file |
| Alt + ← | Previous page (in browser or Explorer) |
| Alt + → | Next page |
| F2 | Rename selected file or folder |
| F5 | Refresh |
| Delete | Move to recycle bin |
| Shift + Delete | Permanently delete (without recycle bin) |
| PrtScn | Copy full screen to clipboard |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager directly |
Shortcuts in Microsoft 365
Are you working with Word, Excel or Outlook? Then there are a few extras worth it.
Outlook
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | New email |
| Ctrl + R | Reply |
| Ctrl + Shift + R | Reply all |
| Ctrl + Enter | Send email |
| Ctrl + 1 / 2 / 3 | Switch between Mail, Calendar, Contacts |
Excel
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + T | Create table from selection |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Turn autofilter on/off |
| Alt + = | Insert SUM formula |
| Ctrl + Shift + £ | Apply currency format |
| F4 | Repeat last action / lock cell reference |
Conclusion
Are you working with Word, Excel or Outlook? Then there are a few extras worth it.
You don't need to memorise this list. Choose five that you already find useful, and incorporate them into your daily routine. After a week, they'll come naturally — and then you can move on to the next five.
Do you have questions about how to set up your Windows environment more intelligently for your team? Fly By Wire helps SMEs with management, security and optimisation of their Microsoft environment. Get in touch — we respond very quickly.