app · Windows
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Quick answer
Windows shortcuts are easiest to learn by task: navigation, editing, formatting, and view controls. Start with the table below, then use the menu path fallback when a key combination is blocked.
Reference table
Shortcut Library
Use this as the main reference: shortcut first, menu fallback second, and the note column for version or platform differences.
| Action | Mac | Windows / Web | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Start | Command + Space on Mac | Windows key | Launch apps and search. |
| Open quick link menu | No direct equivalent | Windows + X | Power-user menu for settings, device manager, terminal, and more. |
| Open Settings | System Settings app | Windows + I | Direct settings shortcut. |
| File Explorer | Finder on Mac | Windows + E | Open Explorer. |
| Switch apps | Command + Tab | Alt + Tab | Cycle open windows. |
| Task View | Mission Control | Windows + Tab | Shows windows and desktops. |
| Task Manager | Option + Command + Esc | Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open directly without Ctrl + Alt + Delete. |
| Lock screen | Control + Command + Q | Windows + L | Secure the desktop quickly. |
| Screenshot selection | Shift + Command + 4 | Windows + Shift + S | Uses Snipping Tool. |
| Screenshot active window | Shift + Command + 4, Space | Alt + Print Screen | Copies active window screenshot. |
| Clipboard history | No direct equivalent | Windows + V | Requires clipboard history to be enabled. |
| Open Run | No direct equivalent | Windows + R | Launch command or path quickly. |
| Open terminal | Terminal app | Windows + X, then I | Depends on Windows Terminal setup. |
| Search | Command + Space | Windows + S | Search apps, files, and web. |
| Snap window left | Tile left | Windows + Left Arrow | Snaps current window. |
| Snap window right | Tile right | Windows + Right Arrow | Snaps current window. |
| Maximize window | Zoom button | Windows + Up Arrow | Maximizes current window. |
| Minimize window | Command + M | Windows + Down Arrow | Minimizes or restores current window. |
| Minimize all | Option + Command + H/M equivalents vary | Windows + M | Minimizes all windows. |
| Show desktop | Command + Mission Control | Windows + D | Toggles desktop view. |
| Create virtual desktop | Control + Up, then add space | Ctrl + Windows + D | Adds a new desktop. |
| Next virtual desktop | Control + Right Arrow | Ctrl + Windows + Right Arrow | Switches desktops. |
| Previous virtual desktop | Control + Left Arrow | Ctrl + Windows + Left Arrow | Switches desktops. |
| Close virtual desktop | Mission Control | Ctrl + Windows + F4 | Closes current virtual desktop. |
| Copy | Command + C | Ctrl + C | Works in most apps. |
| Paste | Command + V | Ctrl + V | Works in most apps. |
| Cut | Command + X | Ctrl + X | Works in most apps. |
| Undo | Command + Z | Ctrl + Z | Works in most apps. |
| Redo | Shift + Command + Z | Ctrl + Y | Some apps use Ctrl + Shift + Z. |
| Select all | Command + A | Ctrl + A | Select text, files, or objects. |
| Find | Command + F | Ctrl + F | Search current app or page. |
| Save | Command + S | Ctrl + S | Some web apps auto-save. |
| Command + P | Ctrl + P | Opens print dialog. | |
| New browser tab | Command + T | Ctrl + T | Tabbed apps and browsers. |
| Reopen closed tab | Shift + Command + T | Ctrl + Shift + T | Browsers and many tabbed apps. |
| Close tab | Command + W | Ctrl + W | Closes current tab or document. |
| Close app or window | Command + Q | Alt + F4 | Closes active window or app. |
| Rename selected file | Return | F2 | Works in File Explorer. |
| Delete selected file | Command + Delete | Delete | Moves item to Recycle Bin. |
| Permanent delete | No default equivalent | Shift + Delete | Skips Recycle Bin after confirmation. |
| Properties | Command + I | Alt + Enter | Shows selected item properties. |
| Refresh | Command + R | F5 or Ctrl + R | Refresh page, folder, or app view. |
| Emoji panel | Control + Command + Space | Windows + . | Opens emoji and symbols. |
Menu Path Fallback
Open the app menu bar or command palette, then search for the action name shown in the table.
Compatibility
Windows shortcuts can vary by operating system, app version, browser mode, and keyboard layout. Confirm platform-specific details before training a team or publishing an internal SOP.
If It Does Not Work
- Make sure the app or browser tab is focused before pressing the shortcut.
- Check whether a system shortcut, browser extension, or custom keyboard setting is intercepting the keys.
- Use the menu path as a fallback when the shortcut is unavailable on your platform.
FAQ
Why do shortcuts differ between Mac and Windows?
Modifier keys, app versions, browser focus, and keyboard layouts can change the exact shortcut.
What should I do if a shortcut does not work?
Check whether the app window is focused, confirm the platform, try the menu path, and look for system-level shortcut conflicts.
Are these pages a replacement for official docs?
No. They are practical reference pages with links to official sources where version-specific details should be checked.
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