Windows 10 keyboard tips and tricks

Whether it’s being productive, staying in touch, or just plain having fun, Windows 10 has lots of little tricks and shortcuts that can help you achieve more. Here are a just a few of them:

Smile and the world smiles with you

Emojis aren’t just for your phone anymore! The new emoji keyboard in Windows 10 lets you express yourself like never before. To use it:

During text entry, type Windows logo key + . (period). The emoji keyboard will appear.

Select an emoji with the mouse, or keep typing to search through the available emojis for one you like.

Type all the symbols like a pro

Sometimes you need to type a character that isn’t on your keyboard, like an em-dash (—) or the copyright symbol (©). If you have a numeric keypad on your keyboard, you don’t have to find one and copy and paste, you can just do it! Here’s how:

Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard.

With the Alt key held down, type the four-digit code on the numeric keypad for the character you want. (Include the leading 0 if that’s required.)

Note: This only works on the numeric keypad. This won’t work on the row of numbers at the top of the keyboard.

Release the Alt key.

Here’s just a few of the characters you can type with the Alt key:

Useful Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 10

Windows 10 has been available for some time, and users are getting quite familiar with it and most of its features.

Speaking of which, if you’re an advanced user you probably use keyboard shortcuts on daily basis, and speaking of shortcuts.

Today we want to show you some of the most useful Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts.

Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Know

Window snapping

Just like Windows 7, Windows 10 supports window snapping, but with Windows 10 you can snap windows in 2×2 grid by using your mouse, or by using the following keyboard shortcuts:

• Windows Key + Left arrow key – Snap current window to the left side.
• Windows Key + Right arrow key – Snap current window the the right side.
• Windows Key + Up arrow key – Snap current window to the top.
• Windows Key + Down arrow key – Snap current window to the bottom.

Virtual desktops

Windows 10 brings support for virtual desktops, so if you want to keep your workspace neat and organized you might want to use some of these shortcuts:

1. Windows Key+Ctrl+D — creates a new virtual desktop.
2. Windows Key+Ctrl+Left — go to virtual desktop to the left.
3. Windows Key+Ctrl+Right — go to virtual desktop to the right.
4. Windows Key+Ctrl+F4 — close the current virtual desktop.

Task View and Window management

Windows Key + Tab – opens a new Task View interface that shows you all current windows on this virtual desktop. There are also virtual desktops available on the bottom of the screen so you can easily switch.

One great thing about this shortcut is that you only have to press it once, there’s no need to hold the buttons down.

Alt+Tab – This keyboard shortcut has been present for a long time, and it works the same in Windows 10, but unlike Windows Key + Tab, it allows you to switch through all windows on all virtual desktops.

Cortana and settings

• Windows Key+Q — open Cortana for voice input.
• Windows Key+S — open Cortana for typed input.
• Windows Key+I — open up the Windows 10 settings.
• Windows Key+A — open up Windows 10 notifications, also known as Action Center.
• Windows Key+X — open the Start button context menu that let’s you access some advanced features.

Command prompt

Command Prompt just got support for keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10, but before you use them make sure that you’ve enabled them.

To enable shortcuts in Command Prompt right click the Command Prompt and choose Properties.

Go to Options tab and uncheck Use legacy console, enable Ctrl key shortcuts and two text section options.

As for the shortcuts, the following are available:

• Shift+Left — select text to the left of the cursor.
• Shift+Right — select text to the left of the cursor.
• Ctrl+Shift+Left (or Right) — select blocks of text instead of just characters at a time.
• Ctrl+C — copy selected text.
• Ctrl+V — paste the selected.
• Ctrl+A — select all text after the prompt.

All of these shortcuts are available in text editors, but they are now available in Command Prompt for the first time.

Navigation

Most of these are available in older versions of Windows, but they are also present in Windows 10, so we’ll mention them as well in case you’re not familiar with them:

• Windows Key+, — temporarily hide windows to show desktop for a moment.
• Windows Key+D — minimize all windows and go to the desktop.
• Ctrl+Shift+M — restore all minimized windows.
• Windows Key+Home — minimize all windows except the one you’re using.
• Windows Key+L — lock your PC and go to the lock screen.
• Windows Key+E — open File Explorer.
• Alt+Up — go up one level in File Explorer.
• Alt+Left — go to the previous folder in File Explorer.
• Alt+Right — go to the next folder in File Explorer.
• Alt+F4 — close the current window.
• Windows Key+Shift+Left (or Right) — move a window to another display.
• Windows Key+T — cycle through taskbar items. In addition, you can press Enter while doing this to launch an application.
• Windows Key+Any Number Key — open app from your taskbar. For example Windows Key + 1 will open first item on your taskbar.

All the Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts you need to know

Never use your mouse again.

Windows 10 was designed with touchscreens in mind, but Microsoft hasn’t forgotten more traditional PC users. The operating system comes with plenty of built-in keyboard shortcuts — including new shortcuts for the Command Prompt — for those who prefer a physical keyboard.

Here’s a handy list of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for navigating Windows 10. You might also find it useful to know how to open programs with keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10 .

The basics

• Ctrl + A: Select all items in a window.
• Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected or highlighted item (e.g. text, images and so on).
• Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste selected or highlighted item.
• Ctrl + X: Cut selected or highlighted item.
• Ctrl + Z: Undo previous action.
• Ctrl + Y: Redo action.
• Ctrl + N: When File Explorer is your current window, open a new File Explorer window with the same folder path as the current window.
• Windows key + F1: Open «how to get help in Windows 10» Bing search in default browser.
• Alt + F4: Close the current app or window.
• Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps or windows.
• Shift + Delete: Delete selected item permanently (skip the Recycle Bin).

Start menu and taskbar

You can use these keyboard shortcuts to open, close and otherwise control the Start menu and the taskbar.

• Windows key or Ctrl + Esc: Open Start menu.
• Windows key + X: Open the secret Start menu .
• Windows key + T: Cycle through the apps (including pinned apps) on the taskbar.
• Windows key + [Number]: Open the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar. For example, if you have Edge pinned in the first position on the taskbar and you click Windows key + 1, Edge will open. If the app is already open, a new instance or window will open.
• Windows key + Alt + [Number]: Open the right-click menu for the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar.
• Windows key + D: Show or hide desktop (Windows key + , will display the desktop briefly).

The desktop: Windows, Snap Assist and virtual desktops

These shortcuts control how individual windows act on your desktop, including virtual desktops.

• Windows key + M: Minimize all open windows.
• Windows key + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows.
• Windows key + Home: Minimize all windows except the selected or currently active window.
• Windows key + Up arrow: Maximize selected window.
• Windows key + Shift + Up arrow: Maximizes the active window vertically while maintaining its width.
• Windows key + Down arrow: Minimize selected window.
• Windows key + Left arrow or Right arrow: Snap selected window to the left or right half of the screen. (If the window is already there, Windows key + Up or Down will snap it into a quadrant.)
• Windows key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow: Move selected window to the left or right monitor.
• Windows key + Tab: Open Task view ( virtual desktops ).
• Windows key + Ctrl + D: Add new virtual desktop.
• Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow: Move to the next virtual desktop (to the right).
• Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow: Move to the previous virtual desktop (to the left).
• Windows key + Ctrl + F4: Close current virtual desktop.

The Windows key

These keyboard shortcuts use the Windows logo key to perform various tasks, such as launching both Windows and third-party apps.

• Windows key + A: Open the Action Center .
• Windows key + S: Open Cortana in text mode, so you can type in the search bar. (Windows key + Q does the same thing.)
• Windows key + C: Open Cortana in listening mode (similar to saying » Hey, Cortana «).
• Windows key + E: Open File Explorer .
• Windows key + F: Open the Windows 10 Feedback Hub.
• Windows key + Ctrl + F: Search for PCs on a network.
• Windows key + G: Open the Game bar .
• Windows key + H: Open the Share sidebar.
• Windows key + I: Open the Settings menu .
• Windows key + K: Open the Connect sidebar (for connecting to new Bluetooth devices or Miracast).
• Windows key + L: Lock your computer.
• Windows key + O: Lock screen orientation.
• Windows key + P: Open presentation or projection sidebar.
• Windows key + R: Open the Run window.
• Windows key + U: Open Ease of Access center.
• Windows key + W: open the Windows Ink Workspace for scribbling on tablets or touchscreen laptops.
• Windows key + Print Screen: Take a screenshot of the entire desktop and save it to the Screenshots folder in the Pictures folder.
• Windows key + (+) or (-): Zoom in and out with magnifier.
• Windows key + Esc: Exit magnifier.

Command Prompt

You can use these keyboard shortcuts inside the Windows 10 Command Prompt .

• Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected text to the clipboard.
• Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste copied text inside the Command Prompt.
• Ctrl + A: Select all text on current line. (If current line has no text, all text inside the Command Prompt will be selected.)
• Ctrl + Up or Down: Move screen one line up or down.
• Ctrl + F: Search Command Prompt via Find window.
• Ctrl + M: Enter Mark mode (allows you to select text with mouse). Once Mark mode is enabled, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor around.
• Shift + Up or Down: Move cursor up or down one line and select text.
• Shift + Left or Right: Move cursor left or right one character and select text.
• Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right: Move cursor left or right one word and select text.
• Shift + Page Up or Page Down: Move cursor up or down one screen and select text.
• Shift + Home or End: Move cursor to beginning or end of current line and select text.
• Ctrl + Shift + Home/End: Move cursor to beginning or end of screen buffer and select text and beginning or end of Command Prompt’s output.

Update, July 12, 2017: This story was originally published on July 29, 2016 and has since been updated with more shortcuts.

Keyboard shortcuts in apps

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide another way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse.

The following are common keyboard shortcuts in many of the Microsoft apps that come with Windows 10. This includes shortcuts for:

In many of these apps, shortcuts are also shown in a tooltip if you hold the mouse pointer over a button. In others, pressing the Alt or F10 keys shows available keyboard shortcuts. If a letter is underlined in a menu, press the Altkey and the underlined key together instead of choosing that menu item. For example, to create a new picture in Paint, press Ctrl + N.

Note: With a touch keyboard, you’ll need to press the Ctrl key to view some shortcuts.

Calculator keyboard shortcuts

Switch to Standard mode

Switch to Scientific mode

Switch to Graphing mode

Switch to Programmer mode

Switch to Date Calculation mode

Store in memory, in Standard mode, Scientific mode, and Programmer mode

Add to memory, in Standard mode, Scientific mode, and Programmer mode

Subtract from memory, in Standard mode, Scientific mode, and Programmer mode

Recall from memory, in Standard mode, Scientific mode, and Programmer mode

Clear current input (select CE)

Fully clear input (select C)

Navigate to the next UI item and give it focus

Selects UI item that has focus

Selects = in Standard mode, Scientific mode, and Programmer mode

Select +/- in Standard mode, Scientific mode, and Programmer mode

Select 1/x in Standard mode and Scientific mode

Select 2 √x in Standard mode and Scientific mode

Select % in Standard mode and Programmer mode

When history button is visible, selects the history button in Standard mode and Scientific mode

Move up in history list, memory list, and menu items

Move down in history list, memory list, and menu items

Select DEG in Scientific mode

Select RAD in Scientific mode

Select GRAD in Scientific mode

Select 2 x in Scientific mode

Select 10 x in Scientific mode

Select 10 x in in Scientific mode

Select sin -1 in Scientific mode

Select sinh in Scientific mode

Select sinh -1 in Scientific mode

Select tan in Scientific mode

Select tan -1 in Scientific mode

Select tanh in Scientific mode

Select tanh -1 in Scientific mode

Select cos in Scientific mode

Select cos -1 in Scientific mode

Select cosh in Scientific mode

Select cosh -1 in Scientific mode

Select sec in Scientific mode

Select sec -1 in Scientific mode

Select sech in Scientific mode

Select sech -1 in Scientific mode

Select csc in Scientific mode

Select csc -1 in Scientific mode

Select csch in Scientific mode

Select csch -1 in Scientific mode

Select cot in Scientific mode

Select cot -1 in Scientific mode

Select coth in Scientific mode

Select coth -1 in Scientific mode

Select y √x in Scientific mode

Select |x| in Scientific mode

Select ⌊x⌋ in Scientific mode

Select ⌈x⌉ in Scientific mode

Select log in Scientific mode

Select log yx in Scientific mode

Select dms in Scientific mode

Select ln in Scientific mode

Select e x in Scientific mode

Select Pi in Scientific mode

Select x 2 in Standard mode and Scientific mode

Toggles on/off F-E buttonin Scientific mode

Select exp in Scientific mode

Select x y in Scientific mode

Select x 3 in Scientific mode

Select n! in Scientific mode

Select mod in Scientific mode

Ctrl ++ on numpad

Graph zooms in while in Graphing mode

Ctrl +- on numpad

Graph zooms out while in Graphing mode

Select DWORD in Programmer mode

Select WORD in Programmer mode

Select BYTE in Programmer mode

Select HEX in Programmer mode

Select DEC in Programmer mode

Select OCT in Programmer mode

Select BIN in Programmer mode

Select QWORD in Programmer mode

Select letters A-F in Programmer mode while HEX is select

Select RoL in Programmer mode when Bit Shift is set to either «Circular» shift

Select RoR in Programmer mode when Bit Shift is set to either «Circular» shift

Select Lsh in Programmer mode when Bit Shift is set to «Arithmetic» or «Logical» shift

Select Rsh in Programmer mode when Bit Shift is set to «Arithmetic» or «Logical» shift