Tech Tip: Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts
(Have an Apple computer? Watch for an upcoming installment of keyboard shortcuts for MacOS.)
Sometimes it makes sense to use keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse:
- Quicker than navigating through menus
- Mouse isn’t working or can’t find the pointer
- Suspicious popup or web page appears and you’re afraid to trust buttons or links on it.
- No close button on a program or window
Here are 10 keyboard shortcuts on Windows 10, with an example of when it may be useful.
(Note: The Windows key is the key between the Ctrl and Alt keys on the left side of the keyboard with the Windows logo on it.)
|
Key Combination |
What it does |
Example case |
|
Ctrl – C |
Copy the selected text or item |
Prepare to insert that item elsewhere |
|
Ctrl – V |
Paste the copied text/item |
Insert what you copied where your cursor is |
|
Ctrl – A |
Select everything (in the current window) |
Prepare to copy everything or maybe delete everything |
|
Ctrl – Z |
Undo |
Undo the last action |
|
Alt – Tab (Hold Alt then tap Tab to select the next window) |
Switch between open windows |
Useful when comparing things in different windows, or working in one window, referencing another |
|
CTRL – Tab (Hold Ctrl then tap Tab to select the next tab) |
Switch between browser tabs (works in some other contexts as well) |
Similar to Alt-Tab, perhaps when working in one tab, referincing another |
|
Alt-F4 |
Close the active window |
If a message pops up, or the browser displays a message that’s suspicious, this will reliably close it. Buttons or links can be misleading |
|
Windows Key – D |
Show and Hide the Desktop |
When you are actively working in more than one window, but realize you need something from the desktop. Use this combination again to get your windows back |
|
Windows Key – R |
Open the Run Prompt |
Quick way to install a printer. In the Run prompt, type the path and click OK |
|
Shift – Arrow key |
Select text/items in the desired direction from the cursor |
Easily select a block of text that spans more than one screen or precisely select up t a specific point |
Categories: Tech Tip