How to Use the Windows Print Screen Command

Print Screen Key

In the upper right hand corner of most standard size keyboards you will find a row of keys that include Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Pause/Break. The names of these three keys are sometimes abbreviated, and they are probably the least often used keys on your entire keyboard.The Print Screen key was originally designed for use with DOS programs to literally print what was on screen. This was before such a wide variety of printers were available and when print output was limited to text and basic images.

In this article, we’ll look into the purpose of the Windows print screen command button and what all you can do with it. These keyboard shortcuts will not only save you time, but you can do some neat stuff with them.

Two Main Uses for the Windows Print Screen Command

Most people who do use the Print Screen button will use it in either one or two ways, and that is by hitting either Control-PrintScreen or Alt-PrintScreen in order to take screenshots or capture open program windows. Here is how they work:

• Alt-PrintScreen — Pressing the Alt key and then pressing the Print Screen button will take a snapshot of the current open window and copy it to the clipboard.This is great for capturing pop-up messages and other dialogue boxes for when you don’t need a graphic copy of the entire screen.
• Control-PrintScreen — Pressing the Control key and then pressing the Print Screen button will take a screenshot of your entire Windows screen, including the taskbar.

Whether you press Control or Alt and Print Screen, the image data will reside in the clipboard until you copy something else. From there, you can paste the image into Windows Paint or Adobe Photoshop. In fact, Photoshop will detect the image data in the clipboard and automatically set the image size when creating a new image for pasting the screenshot.

Capturing screenshots is a great way to help with troubleshooting, especially when reporting problems to your IT department. You can capture a screenshot and paste it directly into an Outlook email so that a tech can see an exact error message rather than you having to retype the whole thing. They are also great for making instructional documents and ‘how to’ guides with visual aids to help reinforce learning.

(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Other Ways to Use Print Screen

There is one other main way to use the Windows 7 Print Screen button besides simply capturing screenshots.

• Alt-Shift-PrintScreen — This will turn on a special high contrast visual mode in Windows, and it is designed to help the visually impaired by using contrasting colors that are easier to see on screen. To turn it off, just hit Alt-Shift-PrintScreen again. In Windows 7, it will prompt you before activating. This can be a fun prank to pull on unsuspecting co-workers.

Note: On laptops or keyboards that include the F-Lock key, you may need to press that key before you can access the Print Screen command.

How to screenshot on Windows (9 ways)

Do you use Windows, and you need to take a screenshot quickly? Do you have trouble with finding the Print Screen key, or it’s not working, so you’re looking for a new Print Screen shortcut? Do you want to know how to take a screenshot of the active window instead of the whole screen? Wouldn’t you like to learn how to take a screenshot on a PC while playing a game, to get proof of your achievements? On the internet, there are numerous Windows screenshot apps, both paid and free. Still, before looking for such third-party apps, make sure that you’re familiar with the whole range of screenshot options already available in Windows. Without further ado, here’s how to screenshot on Windows:

Quick Steps:

1. To take a screenshot on a PC, press the Print Screen button or Fn + Print Screen. Windows creates a screenshot of the whole screen and saves it to the clipboard.
2. Press Win + Print Screen or Fn + Windows + Print Screen on your keyboard. Windows saves the resulting image in a folder called Screenshots.
3. Press Alt + Print Screen or Fn + Alt + Print Screen on your keyboard to capture the active window, and save it to the clipboard.

1. How to screenshot on Windows: Press the Print Screen key

The first method is also the most popular, as it’s been around for a very long time since the earliest versions of Windows. To take a screenshot on a PC, press the Print Screen button on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can also use the CTRL + Print Screen screenshot shortcut.

The Print Screen button on a computer keyboard

Windows creates a screenshot of the whole screen and saves it to the clipboard. Next, open an image editing program like Paint and paste the picture from the clipboard. You can now save it as a file and do basic editing.

Screenshot of the whole screen, pasted in Paint

Using the Print Screen key for taking screenshots works in both Windows 10 and Windows 7.

2. How to take a screenshot on Windows 10: Press the Win + Print Screen keys

Do you want to take a screenshot of the whole screen and automatically save it as an image on your PC? You can do that using a simple Print Screen shortcut without having to resort to any other tools. To take a fullscreen screenshot on Windows 10, simultaneously press Win + Print Screen on your keyboard.

Using Windows + Print Screen to take a screenshot on Windows 10

When you screenshot on Windows 10 using this method, the operating system saves the resulting image in a folder called Screenshots, found in your user’s Pictures folder. The usual path for your Windows 10 screenshots should look like this: C:\Users\Your User Name\Pictures\Screenshots. The files are named Screenshot (number).png, where the number varies based on how many screenshots you have previously taken. If you want to know more about the location of your screenshots, read: Where are screenshots saved? Change their location in Windows 10 .

Screenshots are saved by Windows in your Pictures folder

In Windows 10, you can also see your screenshots using the Photos app by going to “Folders -> Pictures -> Screenshots.”

Screenshots viewed in the Photos app from Windows 10

Besides creating a screenshot file, Windows 10 also places a copy of the screenshot in the clipboard.

3. How to take a screenshot in Windows 7 or Windows 10: Press Alt + Print Screen to capture the active window

Whether you use Windows 10 or Windows 7, you can also take a screenshot of just the active window instead of your whole screen. Open the window that you want to capture and press the Alt + Print Screen keys on your keyboard. The operating system saves the screenshot in the clipboard. Open Paint or any other photo editing app and paste the image so that you can edit and save it to your Windows computer or device.

Screenshot of an active window in Paint

4. How to screenshot on a laptop or tablet (Dell, Surface, and others)

The previous methods should work perfectly well on desktop computers running Windows and on standard keyboards. However, some unique situations can occur. If you have a Dell laptop, for example, a tablet, or any PC with a keyboard that includes an Fn key, then the Print Screen key might do other things, too, besides taking screenshots. Therefore, when you press a screenshot shortcut that includes the Print Screen button, Windows might not capture your screen. So, instead, use one of the Print Screen shortcuts:

• Fn + Print Screen – takes a screenshot of the whole screen and copies it to the clipboard. It is the equivalent of pressing the standard Print Screen key.
• Fn + Windows + Print Screen – captures a screenshot of the whole screen and saves it as a file on the hard drive without using any other tools. Windows stores the screenshot in the Screenshots subfolder of your Pictures folder. It is the same as pressing Windows + Print Screen on a standard keyboard.
• Fn + Alt + Print Screen – takes a screenshot of the active window. It is the equivalent of pressing Alt + Print Screen on a standard keyboard.

Keyboard shortcuts for screen capture on keyboards with the Fn key

On some keyboards, the Print Screen button might not perform two or more actions. However, it will not work until you press the Fn lock key. The Fn key works on such keyboards as a lock for the function and multimedia keys on the top, including the Print Screen key.

If you have such a keyboard, press the Fn key to unlock the top row of keys, and then use one of the screenshot shortcuts we described in this guide’s first chapters. They should work now.

Fn (Function) key on a keyboard

On some Microsoft Surface tablets, you need to use different screenshot shortcuts because some Type Cover models don’t include a Print Screen button. Instead, Microsoft offers the following Surface specific shortcuts for Windows 10:

• Fn + Spacebar – this shortcut saves an image of your current screen to the clipboard so that you can paste it into any application. It is the equivalent of pressing the standard Print Screen key.
• Fn + Alt + Spacebar – this shortcut saves a screenshot of the active window to the clipboard so that you can paste it into any application. It is the equivalent of pressing the Alt + Print Screen keyboard shortcut.

Keyboard shortcut for taking a screenshot on a Surface Type Cover (1)

5. How to take a screenshot on Windows 10 using the Windows + Shift + S keyboard shortcut

If you use Windows 10, simultaneously press Windows + Shift + S to capture a region of your screen and copy it to your clipboard. When you use this screenshot shortcut, Windows 10 dims your screen and shows a crosshair cursor. Press the left mouse button and drag the cursor to mark the area to capture. Then, release the mouse button. If you have a touchscreen, draw the area you want to screenshot using your finger (or pen).

Screenshot of a region in Windows 10

Windows 10 saves the screenshot in the clipboard. Open Paint, or any other photo editing app you prefer, to paste the screenshot, edit, and save it. This feature was originally part of OneNote, but later, Microsoft decided to integrate it directly to Windows 10, which is excellent.

6. How to take a screenshot on Windows 10 using the Snip & Sketch app

Starting with the October 2018 Update, Windows 10 includes Snip & Sketch, an app that you can use to take screenshots and modify (sketch) the ones you took. In a previous tutorial, we’ve already covered all the details on working with Snip & Sketch. In a few words, to screenshot on Windows 10, in Snip & Sketch, press the New button or use the Ctrl + N keyboard shortcut.

Start a screenshot in Snip & Sketch from Windows 10

Then, choose one of the four options to take a screenshot: rectangular, free-form, window, or fullscreen.

Screenshot options offered by Snip & Sketch in Windows 10

Once you’ve taken the screenshot, Snip & Sketch opens an editing window ready to process the screenshot further.

Editing a screenshot in Snip & Sketch on Windows 10

You can then change the screenshot as you want.

7. How to take a screenshot on a PC using the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a great desktop app for taking screenshots. It can create all kinds of screenshots, and you can also use it to do some light editing. Read this tutorial we published a while ago to learn everything about Snipping Tool and how to take screenshots with it in Windows 10 and Windows 7.

Taking a screenshot with Snipping Tool in Windows

NOTE: Microsoft scheduled the Snipping Tool for removal from Windows 10, as its purpose is now also fulfilled by the Snip & Sketch app.

8. How to take a screenshot on a Microsoft Surface tablet (or other tablets)

On some Windows 10 tablets, including certain models of Microsoft Surface, HP Envy, or Lenovo tablets, it can be hard to guess how to take a screenshot. If you use your tablet without a keyboard attached, then the Print Screen key is also unavailable. The best solution to screenshot on Windows 10, in this case, is to use the hardware buttons available on your tablet. You can take fullscreen screenshots on many types of Windows 10 tablets by pressing the Windows logo button and the Volume Down key simultaneously.

Take screenshots on a Windows tablet without a keyboard

When using this Print Screen shortcut, the screen gets darker for a moment, signaling that Windows took a screenshot. You can then find that screenshot in your Pictures folder, in the Screenshots subfolder.

9. How to screenshot on Windows 10 using Windows + Alt + Print Screen (Xbox Game Bar)

In Windows 10, you can also use the Xbox Game Bar for taking screenshots of the active window. Although it’s a feature designed for you to use while playing games, you can also benefit from it when you’re not playing. To capture the active window, which can be a game or not, press the Windows + Alt + Print Screen keys.

Taking a screenshot with Win + Alt + Print Screen in Windows 10

When you do that, Windows 10 automatically creates and saves a screenshot on your PC in the Captures subfolder found in your default Videos user folder. The screenshot’s file name includes the name of the game or app in which you took it, its date, and time.

Screenshots taken with Xbox Game Bar have unique names

NOTE: Instead of using the Windows + Alt + Print Screen shortcut, you can also bring up the Xbox Game Bar by pressing Windows + G, and then click or tap the “Take screenshot” button highlighted below.

The Take screenshot button from Windows 10’s Xbox Game Bar

What’s your favorite method of taking screenshots in Windows?

As you can see, there are many ways to shoot a screenshot in Windows. Unless you have complex needs, you can use the built-in tools and features without installing third-party apps for grabbing captures of your screen or apps. Before closing this tutorial, tell us: How do you screenshot on Windows?

Keyboard shortcuts in Windows

Learn more about screenshots with Snip & Sketch

If you are trying to take a screenshot or screengrab, see How to take and annotate screenshots on Windows 10.

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. Click an option below, and it’ll open to display a table of related shortcuts:

Cut the selected item.

Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)

Copy the selected item.

Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)

Paste the selected item.

Switch between open apps.

Close the active item, or exit the active app.

Windows logo key + L

Windows logo key + D

Display and hide the desktop.

Rename the selected item.

Search for a file or folder in File Explorer.

Display the address bar list in File Explorer.

Refresh the active window.

Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.

Activate the Menu bar in the active app.

Show your password on the sign-in screen.

Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened.

Alt + underlined letter

Perform the command for that letter.

Display properties for the selected item.

Open the shortcut menu for the active window.

Alt + Left arrow

Alt + Right arrow

Move up one screen.

Move down one screen.

Close the active document (in apps that are full-screen and let you have multiple documents open at the same time).

Select all items in a document or window.

Ctrl + D (or Delete)

Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.

Refresh the active window.

Ctrl + Right arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word.

Ctrl + Left arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.

Ctrl + Down arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.

Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph.

Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps.

Alt + Shift + arrow keys

When a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction specified.

Ctrl + Shift + arrow keys

When a tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it into another tile to create a folder.

Ctrl + arrow keys

Resize the Start menu when it’s open.

Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an item) + Spacebar

Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop.

Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key

Select a block of text.

Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Open Task Manager.

Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available.

Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off.

Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.

Shift with any arrow key

Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document.

Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first.

Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.

Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.

Stop or leave the current task.

Take a screenshot of your whole screen and copy it to the clipboard.

You can change this shortcut so it also opens screen snipping, which lets you edit your screenshot. Select Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard, and turn on the toggle under Print Screen shortcut.

Windows logo key

Open or close Start.

Windows logo key + A

Open Action center.

Windows logo key + B

Set focus in the notification area.

Windows logo key + C

Open Cortana in listening mode.

This shortcut is turned off by default. To turn it on, select Start > Settings > Cortana, and turn on the toggle under Let Cortana listen for my commands when I press the Windows logo key + C.

Cortana is available only in certain countries/regions, and some Cortana features might not be available everywhere. If Cortana isn’t available or is turned off, you can still use search.

Windows logo key + Shift + C

Open the charms menu.

Windows logo key + D

Display and hide the desktop.

Windows logo key + Alt + D

Display and hide the date and time on the desktop.

Windows logo key + E

Open File Explorer.

Windows logo key + F

Open Feedback Hub and take a screenshot.

Windows logo key + G

Open Game bar when a game is open.

Windows logo key + H

Windows logo key + I

Windows logo key + J

Set focus to a Windows tip when one is available.

When a Windows tip appears, bring focus to the Tip. Pressing the keyboard shortcuts again to bring focus to the element on the screen to which the Windows tip is anchored.

Windows logo key + K

Open the Connect quick action.

Windows logo key + L

Lock your PC or switch accounts.

Windows logo key + M

Minimize all windows.

Windows logo key + O

Lock device orientation.

Windows logo key + P

Choose a presentation display mode.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + Q

Open Quick Assist.

Windows logo key + R

Open the Run dialog box.

Windows logo key + S

Windows logo key + Shift + S

Take a screenshot of part of your screen.

Windows logo key + T

Cycle through apps on the taskbar.

Windows logo key + U

Open Ease of Access Center.

Windows logo key + V

Open the clipboard.

To activate this shortcut, select Start > Settings > System > Clipboard, and turn on the toggle under Clipboard history.

Windows logo key + Shift + V

Cycle through notifications.

Windows logo key + X

Open the Quick Link menu.

Windows logo key + Y

Switch input between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop.

Windows logo key + Z

Show the commands available in an app in full-screen mode.

Windows logo key + period (.) or semicolon (;)

Open emoji panel.

Windows logo key + comma (,)

Temporarily peek at the desktop.

Windows logo key + Pause

Display the System Properties dialog box.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + F

Search for PCs (if you’re on a network).

Windows logo key + Shift + M

Restore minimized windows on the desktop.

Windows logo key + number

Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.

Windows logo key + Shift + number

Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + number

Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Windows logo key + Alt + number

Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + number

Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator.

Windows logo key + Tab

Windows logo key + Up arrow

Maximize the window.

Windows logo key + Down arrow

Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window.

Windows logo key + Left arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen.

Windows logo key + Right arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen.

Windows logo key + Home

Minimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke).

Windows logo key + Shift + Up arrow

Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.

Windows logo key + Shift + Down arrow

Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width.

Windows logo key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow

Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another.

Windows logo key + Spacebar

Switch input language and keyboard layout.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + Spacebar

Change to a previously selected input.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter

Turn on Narrator.

Windows logo key + Plus (+)

Windows logo key + forward slash (/)

Begin IME reconversion.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + V

Open shoulder taps.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B

Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)

Copy the selected text.

Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)

Paste the selected text.

Enter Mark mode.

Alt + selection key

Begin selection in block mode.

Move the cursor in the direction specified.

Move the cursor by one page up.

Move the cursor by one page down.

Ctrl + Home (Mark mode)

Move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer.

Ctrl + End (Mark mode)

Move the cursor to the end of the buffer.

Move up one line in the output history.

Ctrl + Down arrow

Move down one line in the output history.

Ctrl + Home (History navigation)

If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the top of the buffer. Otherwise, delete all the characters to the left of the cursor in the command line.

Ctrl + End (History navigation)

If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the command line. Otherwise, delete all the characters to the right of the cursor in the command line.

Display the items in the active list.

Move forward through tabs.

Ctrl + Shift + Tab

Move back through tabs.

Ctrl + number (number 1–9)

Move to nth tab.

Move forward through options.

Move back through options.

Alt + underlined letter

Perform the command (or select the option) that is used with that letter.

Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.

Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.

Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.

Select the address bar.

Select the search box.

Select the search box.

Open a new window.

Close the active window.

Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel

Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons.

Display all folders above the selected folder.

Create a new folder.

Num Lock + asterisk (*)

Display all subfolders under the selected folder.

Display the contents of the selected folder.

Num Lock + minus (-)

Collapse the selected folder.

Display the preview panel.

Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item.

Alt + Right arrow

View the next folder.

View the folder that the folder was in.

Alt + Left arrow

View the previous folder.

View the previous folder.

Display the current selection (if it’s collapsed), or select the first subfolder.

Collapse the current selection (if it’s expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in.

Display the bottom of the active window.

Display the top of the active window.

Maximize or minimize the active window.

Windows logo key + Tab

Windows logo key + Ctrl + D

Add a virtual desktop.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + Right arrow

Switch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the right.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + Left arrow

Switch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the left.

Windows logo key + Ctrl + F4

Close the virtual desktop you’re using.

Shift + click a taskbar button

Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app.

Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar button

Open an app as an administrator.

Shift + right-click a taskbar button

Show the window menu for the app.

Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar button

Show the window menu for the group.

Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar button

Cycle through the windows of the group.

Windows logo key + I

Go back to the settings home page.

Type on any page with search box

Additional keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. Click an option below, and it’ll open to display a table of related shortcuts:

The following table contains common keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.

Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)

Copy the selected item

Cut the selected item

Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)

Paste the selected item

Switch between open apps

Close the active item, or exit the active app

Windows logo key + L

Lock your PC or switch accounts

Windows logo key + D

Display and hide the desktop

The following table contains new keyboard shortcuts that you can use in Windows.

Windows logo key + start typing

Ctrl + plus (+) or Ctrl + minus (-)

Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen

Ctrl + scroll wheel

Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen

Windows logo key‌ + C

Open the charms

In an app, open the commands for the app

Windows logo key + F

Open the Search charm to search files

Windows logo key + H

Open the Share charm

Windows logo key + I

Open the Settings charm

Windows logo key + K

Open the Devices charm

Windows logo key‌ + O

Lock the screen orientation (portrait or landscape)

Windows logo key‌ + Q

Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within an open app (if the app supports app search)

Windows logo key + S

Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web

Windows logo key‌ + W

Open the Search charm to search settings

Windows logo key‌ + Z

Show the commands available in the app

Note: You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is open.

Windows logo key‌ + spacebar

Switch input language and keyboard layout

Windows logo key‌ + Ctrl + spacebar

Change to a previously selected input

Windows logo key‌ + Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key‌ + Ctrl + Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key‌ + Shift + Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order

Windows logo key‌ + Shift + period (.)

Snaps an app to the left

Windows logo key‌ + period (.)

Cycle through open apps

Stop or exit the current task

Windows logo key‌ + Ctrl + Shift + B

The following table contains general keyboard shortcuts in Windows.

Rename the selected item

Search for a file or folder

Display the address bar list in File Explorer

Refresh the active window

Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop

Activate the Menu bar in the active app

Close the active item, or exit the active app

Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened

Alt + underlined letter

Perform the command for that letter

Display properties for the selected item

Open the shortcut menu for the active window

Alt + Left arrow

Alt + Right arrow

Move up one screen

Move down one screen

Switch between open apps (except desktop apps)

Close the active document (in apps that are full-screen and allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)

Select all items in a document or window

Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)

Copy the selected item

Ctrl + D (or Delete)

Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin

Refresh the active window

Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)

Paste the selected item

Cut the selected item

Ctrl + plus (+) or Ctrl + minus (-)

Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen

Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel

Change the size of desktop icons or zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen

Ctrl + Right arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word

Ctrl + Left arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word

Ctrl + Down arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph

Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph

Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps

Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an item) + Spacebar

Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop

Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key

Select a block of text

Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Open Task Manager

Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available

Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off

Display the shortcut menu for the selected item

Shift with any arrow key

Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document

Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first

Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu

Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu

Stop or leave the current task

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows logo key .

Windows logo key + F1

Open Windows Help and Support

Windows logo key

Display or hide the Start screen

Windows logo key + B

Set focus in the notification area

Windows logo key‌ + C

Open the Charms

Windows logo key + D

Display and hide the desktop

Windows logo key + E

Open File Explorer

Windows logo key + F

Open the Search charm and search for files

Windows logo key + H

Open the Share charm

Windows logo key + I

Open the Settings charm

Windows logo key + K

Open the Devices charm

Windows logo key + L

Lock your PC or switch people

Windows logo key + M

Minimize all windows

Windows logo key + O

Lock device orientation

Windows logo key + P

Choose a presentation display mode

Windows logo key + Q

Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within the open app (if the app supports app search)

Windows logo key + R

Open the Run dialog box

Windows logo key + S

Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web

Windows logo key + T

Cycle through apps on the taskbar

Windows logo key + U

Open Ease of Access Center

Windows logo key + V

Cycle through notifications

Windows logo key + Shift + V

Cycle through notifications in reverse order

Windows logo key + X

Open the Quick Link menu

Windows logo key + Z

Show the commands available in an app

Note: You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is open.

Windows logo key + ,

Temporarily peek at the desktop

Windows logo key + Pause

Display the System Properties dialog box

Windows logo key + Ctrl + F

Search for PCs (if you’re on a network)

Windows logo key + Shift + M

Restore minimized windows on the desktop

Windows logo key + number

Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.

Windows logo key + Shift + number

Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number

Windows logo key + Ctrl + number

Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number

Windows logo key + Alt + number

Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number

Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + number

Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator

Windows logo key + Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key + Ctrl + Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key + Shift + Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order

Windows logo key + Ctrl + B

Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area

Windows logo key + Up arrow

Maximize the window

Windows logo key + Down arrow

Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window

Windows logo key + Left arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen

Windows logo key + Right arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen

Windows logo key + Home

Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)

Windows logo key + Shift + Up arrow

Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen

Windows logo key + Shift + Down arrow

Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width

Windows logo key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow

Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another

Windows logo key + Spacebar

Switch input language and keyboard layout

Windows logo key + Ctrl + Spacebar

Change to a previously selected input

Windows logo key + Enter

Windows logo key + Shift + period (.)

Cycle through open apps

Windows logo key + period (.)

Cycle through open apps

Windows logo key + /

Initiate IME reconversion

Windows logo key + Alt + Enter

Open WindowsMedia Center

Windows logo key + plus (+) or minus (-)

Zoom in or out using Magnifier

Windows logo key + Esc

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that you can use in dialog boxes.

Display the items in the active list

Move forward through tabs

Ctrl + Shift + Tab

Move back through tabs

Ctrl + number (number 1–9)

Move to nth tab

Move forward through options

Move back through options

Alt + underlined letter

Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter

Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box

Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box

Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons

Select the address bar

Select the search box

Select the search box

Open a new window

Close the current window

Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel

Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons

Display all folders above the selected folder

Create a new folder

Num Lock + asterisk (*)

Display all subfolders under the selected folder

Display the contents of the selected folder

Num Lock + minus (-)

Collapse the selected folder

Display the preview pane

Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item

Alt + Right arrow

View the next folder

View the folder that the folder was in

Alt + Left arrow

View the previous folder

View the previous folder

Display the current selection (if it’s collapsed), or select the first subfolder

Collapse the current selection (if it’s expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in

Display the bottom of the active window

Display the top of the active window

Maximize or minimize the active window

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with items on the desktop taskbar.

Shift + click a taskbar button

Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app

Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar button

Open an app as an administrator

Shift + right-click a taskbar button

Show the window menu for the app

Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar button

Show the window menu for the group

Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar button

Cycle through the windows of the group

Move between apps from left to right

Move between apps from right to left

Cycle through apps in the order that they were started

Display the Start screen

Ctrl + Alt + Break

Switch between a window and full screen

Display the Windows Security dialog box

Ctrl + Alt + Home

In full-screen mode, activate the connection bar

Display the system menu

Ctrl + Alt + minus (-) on the numeric keypad

Place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Alt+Print Screen on a local PC)

Ctrl + Alt + plus (+) on the numeric keypad

Place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Print Screen on a local PC)

Ctrl + Alt + Right arrow

“Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) app.

Ctrl + Alt + Left arrow

“Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) app.

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with the Help viewer.

Move the cursor to the search box

Display the Options menu

Move to the beginning of a topic

Move to the end of a topic

Alt + Left arrow

Move back to the previously viewed topic

Alt + Right arrow

Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic

Display the Help and Support home page

Display the customer support page

Display the Table of Contents

Display the Connection Settings menu

Search the current topic

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for rearranging modern apps.

Note: Keep the Windows logo key pressed down continuously while you’re rearranging apps, from the moment you enter rearrange mode and through all the various rearrange commands. When you’re done rearranging, release your finger from the Windows logo key to select the current arrangement.

Windows logo key + . (period)

Enter rearrange mode and select apps or dividers across monitors

Windows logo key + left arrow

Move app divider left

Windows logo key + right arrow

Move app divider right

Windows logo key + up arrow

Windows logo key + down arrow

Windows logo key + Esc

Exit rearrange mode

Additional keyboard shortcuts

Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020

We recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. Click an option below, and it’ll open to display a table of related shortcuts:

Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)

Copy the selected item

Cut the selected item

Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)

Paste the selected item

Delete (or Ctrl + D)

Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin

Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first

Rename the selected item

Ctrl + Right Arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word

Ctrl + Left Arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word

Ctrl + Down Arrow

Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph

Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph

Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key

Select a block of text

Shift with any arrow key

Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document

Ctrl with any arrow key + Spacebar

Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop

Select all items in a document or window

Search for a file or folder

Display properties for the selected item

Close the active item, or exit the active program

Open the shortcut menu for the active window

Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)

Switch between open items

Use the arrow keys to switch between open items

Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel

Change the size of icons on the desktop

Windows logo key + Tab

Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D

Ctrl+Windows logo key + Tab

Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D

Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened

Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop

Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer

Display the shortcut menu for the selected item

Open the Start menu

Alt + underlined letter

Display the corresponding menu

Alt + underlined letter

Perform the menu command (or other underlined command)

Activate the menu bar in the active program

Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu

Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu

Refresh the active window

View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer

Cancel the current task

Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Open Task Manager

Shift when you insert a CD

Prevent the CD from automatically playing

Left Alt + Shift

Switch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled

Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled

Right or Left Ctrl + Shift

Change the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for use in dialog boxes.

Move forward through tabs

Ctrl + Shift + Tab

Move back through tabs

Move forward through options

Move back through options

Alt + underlined letter

Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter

Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands

Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box

Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons

Display the items in the active list

Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows logo key

Windows logo key

Open or close the Start menu.

Windows logo key + Pause

Display the System Properties dialog box.

Windows logo key + D

Display the desktop.

Windows logo key + M

Minimize all windows.

Windows logo key + Shift + M

Restore minimized windows to the desktop.

Windows logo key + E

Windows logo key + F

Search for computers (if you’re on a network).

Windows logo key + L

Lock your computer or switch users.

Windows logo key + R

Open the Run dialog box.

Windows logo key + T

Cycle through programs on the taskbar.

Windows logo key + number

Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.

Shift+Windows logo key + number

Start a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Ctrl+Windows logo key + number

Switch to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Alt+Windows logo key + number

Open the Jump List for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Windows logo key + Tab

Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.

Ctrl+Windows logo key + Tab

Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.

Ctrl+Windows logo key + B

Switch to the program that displayed a message in the notification area.

Windows logo key + Spacebar

Preview the desktop.

Windows logo key + Up Arrow

Maximize the window.

Windows logo key + Left Arrow

Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.

Windows logo key + Right Arrow

Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.

Windows logo key + Down Arrow

Minimize the window.

Windows logo key + Home

Minimize all but the active window.

Windows logo key + Shift + Up Arrow

Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.

Windows logo key + Shift + Left Arrow or Right Arrow

Move a window from one monitor to another.

Windows logo key + P

Choose a presentation display mode.

Windows logo key + G

Cycle through gadgets.

Windows logo key + U

Open Ease of Access Center.

Windows logo key + X