Customize keyboard shortcuts

You can customize keyboard shortcuts (or shortcut keys) by assigning them to a command, macro, font, style, or frequently used symbol. You can also remove keyboard shortcuts. You can assign or remove keyboard shortcuts by using a mouse or just the keyboard.

Use a mouse to assign or remove a keyboard shortcut

Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.

At the bottom of the Customize the Ribbon and keyboard shortcuts pane, select Customize.

In the Save changes in box, select the current document name or template that you want to save the keyboard shortcut changes in.

In the Categories box, select the category that contains the command or other item that you want to assign a keyboard shortcut to or remove a keyboard shortcut from.

In the Commands box, select the name of the command or other item that you want to assign a keyboard shortcut to or remove a keyboard shortcut from.

Any keyboard shortcuts that are currently assigned to that command or other item appear in the Current keys box, or below the box with the label Currently assigned to.

To assign a keyboard shortcut do the following:

Begin keyboard shortcuts with CTRL or a function key.

In the Press new shortcut key box, press the combination of keys that you want to assign. For example, press CTRL plus the key that you want to use.

Look at Current keys (or Currently assigned to) to see whether the combination of keys is already assigned to a command or other item. If the combination is already assigned, type a different combination.

Important: Reassigning a combination of keys means that you can no longer use the combination for its original purpose. For example, pressing CTRL+B changes selected text to bold. If you reassign CTRL+B to a new command or other item, you will not be able to make text bold by pressing CTRL+B unless you restore the keyboard shortcut assignments to their original settings by selecting Reset All at the bottom of the Customize Keyboard dialog box.

Note: If you use a programmable keyboard, the key combination CTRL+ALT+F8 might already be reserved for initiating keyboard programming.

Remove a keyboard shortcut

In the Current keys box, select the keyboard shortcut that you want to remove.

Use just the keyboard to assign or remove a keyboard shortcut

Press ALT+F, T to open the Word Options dialog box.

Press DOWN ARROW to select Customize Ribbon.

Press the TAB key repeatedly until Customize is selected at the bottom of the dialog box, and then press ENTER.

In the Categories box, press DOWN ARROW or UP ARROW to select the category that contains the command or other item that you want to assign a keyboard shortcut to or remove a keyboard shortcut from.

Press the TAB key to move to the Commands box.

Press DOWN ARROW or UP ARROW to select the name of the command or other item that you want to assign a keyboard shortcut to or remove a keyboard shortcut from.

Any keyboard shortcuts that are currently assigned to that command or item appear in the Current keys box, or below the box with the label Currently assigned to.

To assign a keyboard shortcut do the following:

Begin keyboard shortcuts with CTRL or a function key.

Press the TAB key repeatedly until the cursor is in the Press new shortcut key box.

Press the combination of keys that you want to assign. For example, press CTRL plus the key that you want to use.

Look at Current keys (or Currently assigned to) to see whether the combination of keys is already assigned to a command or other item. If the combination is already assigned, type a different combination.

Important: Reassigning a combination of keys means that you can no longer use the combination for its original purpose. For example, pressing CTRL+B changes selected text to bold. If you reassign CTRL+B to a new command or other item, you will not be able to make text bold by pressing CTRL+B unless you restore the keyboard shortcut assignments to their original settings by selecting Reset All at the bottom of the Customize Keyboard dialog box.

Press the TAB key repeatedly until the Save changes in box is selected.

Press DOWN ARROW or UP ARROW to highlight the current document name or template in which you want to save the keyboard shortcut changes, and then press ENTER.

Press the TAB key repeatedly until Assign is selected, and then press ENTER.

Note: If you use a programmable keyboard, the key combination CTRL+ALT+F8 might already be reserved for initiating keyboard programming.

To remove a keyboard shortcut

Press the TAB key repeatedly until the Save changes in box is selected.

Press DOWN ARROW or UP ARROW to highlight the current document name or template in which you want to save the keyboard shortcut changes, and then press ENTER.

Press the SHIFT+TAB key repeatedly until the cursor is in the Current keys box.

Press DOWN ARROW or UP ARROW to select the keyboard shortcut that you want to remove.

Press the TAB key repeatedly until Remove is selected, and then press ENTER.

List of all Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts: The ultimate guide

Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central

On Windows 10, keyboard shortcuts provide a quick way to navigate and operate the experience and features using a single press of one or multiple keys, which otherwise will take several clicks and more time to accomplish using the mouse.

Although it can be overwhelming trying to memorize all the available keyboard shortcuts, it’s important to consider that most people don’t need to learn every shortcut on Windows 10. Only focusing on those you need to use more frequently can noticeably make things easier and help you to work more efficiently.

In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll show you all the most useful keyboard shortcuts to navigate and operate the desktop and apps. Also, we’ll outline the shortcuts that are essential for all users.

Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts

This comprehensive list includes the most useful keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks on Windows 10 a little faster.

Essential shortcuts

These are the essential keyboard shortcuts that every Windows 10 user should know.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Ctrl + A	Select all content.
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)	Copy selected items to clipboard.
Ctrl + X	Cut selected items to clipboard.
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)	Paste content from clipboard.
Ctrl + Z	Undo an action, including undelete files (limited).
Ctrl + Y	Redo an action.
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create new folder on desktop or File Explorer.
Alt + F4	Close active window. (If no active window present, then shutdown box appears.)
Ctrl + D (Del)	Delete selected item to the Recycle Bin.
Shift + Delete	Delete selected item permanently skipping Recycle Bin.
F2	Rename selected item.
ESC	Close current task.
Alt + Tab	Switch between open apps.
PrtScn	Take screenshot and stores it in clipboard.
Windows key + I	Open Settings app.
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer.
Windows key + A	Open Action center.
Windows key + D	Display and hide the desktop.
Windows key + L	Lock device.
Windows key + V	Open Clipboard bin.
Windows key + Period (.) or semicolon (;)	Open emoji panel.
Windows key + PrtScn	Capture full screenshot in the «Screenshots» folder.
Windows key + Shift + S	Capture part of the screen with Snip & Sketch.
Windows key + Left arrow key	Snap app or window left.
Windows key + Right arrow key	Snap app or window right.

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Desktop shortcuts

You can use these keyboard shortcuts to open, close, navigate, and complete specific tasks more quickly throughout the desktop experience, including on Start menu, taskbar, Settings, and more.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Windows key (or Ctrl + Esc)	Open Start menu.
Ctrl + Arrow keys	Change Start menu size.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Open Task Manager.
Ctrl + Shift	Switch keyboard layout.
Alt + F4	Close active window. (If no active window present, then shutdown box appears.)
Ctrl + F5 (or Ctrl + R)	Refresh current window.
Ctrl + Alt + Tab	View open apps.
Ctrl + Arrow keys (to select) + Spacebar	Select multiple items on desktop or File Explorer.
Alt + Underlined letter	Runs command for the underlined letter in apps.
Alt + Tab	Switch between open apps while pressing Tab multiple times.
Alt + Left arrow key	Go back.
Alt + Right arrow key	Go forward.
Alt + Page Up	Move up one screen.
Alt + Page down	Move down one screen.
Alt + Esc	Cycle through open windows.
Alt + Spacebar	Open context menu for the active window.
Alt + F8	Reveals typed password in Sign-in screen.
Shift + Click app button	Open another instance of an app from the taskbar.
Ctrl + Shift + Click app button	Run app as administrator from the taskbar.
Shift + Right-click app button	Show window menu for the app from the taskbar.
Ctrl + Click a grouped app button	Cycle through windows in the group from the taskbar.
Shift + Right-click grouped app button	Show window menu for the group from the taskbar.
Ctrl + Left arrow key	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.
Ctrl + Right arrow key	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word.
Ctrl + Up arrow key	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl + Down arrow key	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow key	Select block of text.
Ctrl + Spacebar	Enable or disable Chinese IME.
Shift + F10	Open context menu for selected item.
F10	Enable app menu bar.
Shift + Arrow keys	Select multiple items.
Windows key + X	Open Quick Link menu.
Windows key + Number (0-9)	Open app in number position from the taskbar.
Windows key + T	Cycle through apps in the taskbar.
Windows key + Alt + Number (0-9)	Open Jump List of the app in number position from the taskbar.
Windows key + D	Display and hide the desktop.
Windows key + M	Minimize all windows.
Windows key + Shift + M	Restore minimized windows on the desktop.
Windows key + Home	Minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window.
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow key	Stretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows key + Shift + Down arrow key	Maximize or minimize active desktop windows vertically while maintaining width.
Windows key + Shift + Left arrow key	Move active window to monitor on the left.
Windows key + Shift + Right arrow key	Move active window to monitor on the right.
Windows key + Left arrow key	Snap app or window left.
Windows key + Right arrow key	Snap app or window right.
Windows key + S ( or Q)	Open Search.
Windows key + Alt + D	Open date and time in the taskbar.
Windows key + Tab	Open Task View.
Windows key + Ctrl + D	Create new virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + F4	Close active virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow	Switch to the virtual desktop on the right.
Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow	Switch to the virtual desktop on the left.
Windows key + P	Open Project settings.
Windows key + A	Open Action center.
Windows key + I	Open Settings app.
Backspace	Return to Settings app home page.

File Explorer shortcuts

On Windows 10, File Explorer includes many keyboard shortcuts to help you complete tasks a little quicker.

Here’s a list with the most useful shortcuts for File Explorer.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer.
Alt + D	Select address bar.
Ctrl + E (or F)	Select search box.
Ctrl + N	Open new window.
Ctrl + W	Close active window.
Ctrl + F (or F3)	Start search.
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel	Change view file and folder.
Ctrl + Shift + E	Expands all folders from the tree in the navigation pane.
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create new folder on desktop or File Explorer.
Ctrl + L	Focus on the address bar.
Ctrl + Shift + Number (1-8)	Changes folder view.
Alt + P	Display preview panel.
Alt + Enter	Open Properties settings for the selected item.
Alt + Right arrow key	View next folder.
Alt + Left arrow key (or Backspace)	View previous folder.
Alt + Up arrow	Move up a level in the folder path.
F11	Switch active window full-screen mode.
F5	Refresh the instance of File Explorer.
F2	Rename selected item.
F4	Switch focus to address bar.
F5	Refresh File Explorer’s current view.
F6	Cycle through elements on the screen.
Home	Scroll to top of the window.
End	Scroll to bottom of window.

Command Prompt shortcuts

If you use Command Prompt, you can use these keyboard shortcuts to work a little more efficiently.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Ctrl + A	Select all content of the current line.
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)	Copy selected items to clipboard.
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)	Paste content from clipboard.
Ctrl + M	Starts mark mode.
Ctrl + Up arrow key	Move screen up one line.
Ctrl + Down arrow key	Move screen down one line.
Ctrl + F	Open search for Command Prompt.
Left or right arrow keys	Move cursor left or right in the current line.
Up or down arrow keys	Cycle through command history of the current session.
Page up	Move cursor one page up.
Page down	Move cursor one page down.
Ctrl + Home	Scroll to top of the console.
Ctrl + End	Scroll to the bottom of the console.

Windows key shortcuts

Using the Windows key combined with other keys, you can perform many useful tasks, such as launch Settings, File Explorer, Run command, apps pinned in the taskbar, or you can open specific features like Narrator or Magnifier. You can also accomplish tasks like controlling windows, virtual desktops, taking screenshots, locking your device, and a lot more.

Here’s a list with all the most common keyboard shortcuts using the Windows key.

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Windows key	Open Start menu.
Windows key + A	Open Action center.
Windows key + S ( or Q)	Open Search.
Windows key + D	Display and hide the desktop.
Windows key + L	Locks computer.
Windows key + M	Minimize all windows.
Windows key + B	Set focus notification area in the taskbar.
Windows key + C	Launch Cortana app.
Windows key + F	Launch Feedback Hub app.
Windows key + G	Launch Game bar app.
Windows key + Y	Change input between desktop and Mixed Reality.
Windows key + O	Lock device orientation.
Windows key + T	Cycle through apps in the taskbar.
Windows key + Z	Switch input between the desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality.
Windows key + J	Set focus on a tip for Windows 10 when applicable.k
Windows key + H	Open dictation feature.
Windows key + E	Open File Explorer.
Windows key + I	Open Settings.
Windows key + R	Open Run command.
Windows key + K	Open Connect settings.
Windows key + X	Open Quick Link menu.
Windows key + V	Open Clipboard bin.
Windows key + W	Open the Windows Ink Workspace.
Windows key + U	Open Ease of Access settings.
Windows key + P	Open Project settings.
Windows key + Ctrl + Enter	Open Narrator.
Windows key + Plus (+)	Zoom in using the magnifier.
Windows key + Minus (-)	Zoom out using the magnifier.
Windows key + Esc	Exit magnifier.
Windows key + Forward-slash (/)	Start IME reconversion.
Windows key + Comma (,)	Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Windows key + Up arrow key	Maximize app windows.
Windows key + Down arrow key	Minimize app windows.
Windows key + Home	Minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window.
Windows key + Shift + M	Restore minimized windows on the desktop.
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow key	Stretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows key + Shift + Down arrow key	Maximize or minimize active windows vertically while maintaining width.
Windows key + Shift + Left arrow key	Move active window to monitor on the left.
Windows key + Shift + Right arrow key	Move active window to monitor on the right.
Windows key + Left arrow key	Snap app or window left.
Windows key + Right arrow key	Snap app or window right.
Windows key + Number (0-9)	Open app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Shift + Number (0-9)	Open another instance of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Ctrl + Number (0-9)	Switch to last active window of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Alt + Number (0-9)	Open Jump List of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + Number (0-9)	Open another instance as an administrator of the app in number position in the taskbar.
Windows key + Ctrl + Spacebar	Change previous selected input option.
Windows key + Spacebar	Change keyboard layout and input language.
Windows key + Tab	Open Task View.
Windows key + Ctrl + D	Create a virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + F4	Close active virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow	Switch to the virtual desktop on the right.
Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow	Switch to the virtual desktop on the left.
Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B	Wake up the device when black or a blank screen.
Windows key + PrtScn	Capture full screenshot in the «Screenshots» folder.
Windows key + Shift + S	Create part of the screen screenshot.
Windows key + Shift + V	Cycle through notifications..
Windows key + Ctrl + F	Open search for device on domain network.
Windows key + Ctrl + Q	Open Quick Assist.
Windows key + Alt + D	Open date and time in the taskbar.
Windows key + Period (.) or semicolon (;)	Open emoji panel.
Windows key + Pause	Show System Properties dialog box.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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