Windows Keyboard Shortcuts A to Z with PDF (All Windows Versions)
Last Updated : 6 Nov, 2025
Are you looking for a complete A to Z list of Windows hotkeys? Keyboard shortcuts are essential for boosting productivity, saving time, and performing tasks efficiently. Instead of relying on a mouse, this Windows Keyboard Shortcut Cheat Sheet helps you quickly navigate applications, manage windows, and execute commands. Most shortcuts remain consistent across Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, with only a few updates in newer versions.
Complete List of Windows Shortcut Keys with PDF
General Keyboard Shortcuts (Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11)
The Windows key provides quick access to system tools, settings, and applications.
Shortcut
Action
Win + I
Open the Settings menu
Win + X
Open the Power User menu
Win + U
Open Ease of Access settings
Win + P
Open display settings (switch between monitors)
Win + H
Open dictation for voice typing
Win + Shift + S
Open the Snipping Tool for screen captures
Win + V
Open Clipboard history
Win + G
Open the Xbox Game Bar
Win + A
Open Action Center (Quick Settings on Windows 11)
Win + N
Open Notification Center (Windows 11)
Win + Ctrl + Enter
Activate Narrator
Win + B
Focus on the system tray
Win + Space
Switch input language and keyboard layout
Task Management Shortcuts (Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11)
Manage running applications and processes effortlessly with these shortcuts.
Shortcut
Action
Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Open the Security Options screen
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Open Task Manager directly
Alt + Esc
Cycle through open windows in the order they were opened
Win + Tab
Open Task View for managing open windows
Alt + Tab
Quickly switch between open applications
File Management Shortcuts (Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11)
These shortcuts are crucial for working with files and folders in File Explorer.
Shortcut
Action
Ctrl + N
Open a new File Explorer window
Ctrl + Shift + N
Create a new folder
F2
Rename the selected file or folder
Ctrl + Shift + E
Expand all folders in the current path
Ctrl + D
Delete the selected file or folder and move to Recycle Bin
Shift + Delete
Permanently delete the selected file or folder
Alt + Enter
Open the properties of the selected item
Alt + Left/Right Arrow
Navigate backward or forward in File Explorer
Ctrl + E
Focus on the search bar in File Explorer
Text Editing and Formatting Shortcuts (Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11)
For users working on documents or editing text, these shortcuts enhance productivity.
Shortcut
Action
Ctrl + B
Bold the selected text
Ctrl + I
Italicize the selected text
Ctrl + U
Underline the selected text
Ctrl + K
Insert a hyperlink
Ctrl + F
Open Find dialog to search within the document
Ctrl + H
Open the Replace dialog
Ctrl + Shift + >/<
Increase or decrease font size
Ctrl + L
Align text to the left
Ctrl + R
Align text to the right
Ctrl + E
Center-align text
Virtual Desktop Shortcuts (Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11)
Manage multiple virtual desktops in Windows for efficient multitasking.
Shortcut
Action
Win + Ctrl + D
Create a new virtual desktop
Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow
Switch between virtual desktops
Win + Ctrl + F4
Close the current virtual desktop
Win + Tab
Open Task View to manage desktops
Screenshot and Screen Capture Shortcuts (Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11)
Capture your screen or specific areas with these versatile shortcuts.
Shortcut
Action
PrtScn
Copy a full-screen screenshot to the clipboard
Alt + PrtScn
Capture a screenshot of the active window
Win + PrtScn
Save a full-screen screenshot to the Screenshots folder
Win + Shift + S
Open the Snipping Tool for custom screen captures
Win + G
Open Xbox Game Bar for screenshots and recordings
Display and Accessibility Shortcuts (Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11)
Adjust display settings and enable accessibility features with these shortcuts.
Shortcut
Action
Win + Plus (+)
Zoom in with the Magnifier
Win + Minus (-)
Zoom out with the Magnifier
Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow
Rotate the screen to normal orientation
Ctrl + Alt + Left/Right/Down Arrow
Rotate the screen in different directions
Ctrl + Win + C
Toggle color filters (e.g., grayscale or inverted colors)
Browser-Specific Shortcuts (Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11)
Optimize your browsing experience with these shortcuts, applicable across major browsers.
Shortcut
Action
Ctrl + T
Open a new tab
Ctrl + W
Close the current tab
Ctrl + Shift + T
Reopen the last closed tab
Ctrl + Tab
Switch to the next tab
Ctrl + Shift + Tab
Switch to the previous tab
Ctrl + R
Refresh the current page
Ctrl + D
Bookmark the current page
Gaming and Xbox Game Bar Shortcuts (Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11)
If you use your Windows PC for gaming, these shortcuts are incredibly useful.
Shortcut
Action
Win + G
Open Xbox Game Bar
Win + Alt + R
Start or stop recording gameplay
Win + Alt + G
Record the last 30 seconds of gameplay
Win + Alt + M
Toggle microphone during recording
Advanced Windows Shortcuts (Version-Specific)
Here is the Latest list of all the Windows Shortcut key based on the Windows versions like Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11:
Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts
Shortcut
Action
Win + Home
Minimize all windows except the active one
Win + Space
Peek at the desktop (transparent windows)
Alt + Tab
Switch between open apps (classic behavior)
Win + P
Open display options (extend, duplicate display)
Win + R
Open the Run dialog box
Windows 8/8.1 Shortcuts Keys
Shortcut
Action
Win + C
Open the Charms Bar
Win + X
Open the Quick Link menu
Win + Q
Search for apps
Win + Z
Open app commands in Modern UI apps
Windows 10 Shortcuts Keys
Shortcut
Action
Win + I
Open Settings
Win + A
Open Action Center (Quick Settings)
Win + S
Open Search bar
Win + V
Open Clipboard history
Win + D
Show desktop (minimize all windows)
Win + Shift + S
Open Snipping Tool for screenshots
Win + Ctrl + D
Create a new virtual desktop
Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow
Switch between virtual desktops
Win + P
Open display options (project to second screen)
Win + L
Lock your PC
Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts
Shortcut
Action
Win + Z
Open Snap Layouts (arrange open windows)
Win + W
Open Widgets (news, weather, calendar)
Win + N
Open Notification Center
Win + A
Open Quick Settings
Win + T
Cycle through pinned taskbar apps
Win + Shift + S
Open Snipping Tool for screenshots
Win + Ctrl + T
Open Windows Terminal
Win + Shift + Left/Right Arrow
Move window between monitors
Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 11
Copilot is a powerful feature integrated into Windows, providing users with a virtual assistant to help them complete tasks quickly, access information, and perform actions more efficiently. Using keyboard shortcuts to interact with Copilot enhances productivity and streamlines workflows.
Shortcut
Function
Ctrl + Alt + A
Open Copilot Assistant
Ctrl + Alt + F
Focus Copilot Search Box
Ctrl + Alt + C
Copy Current Copilot Answer
Ctrl + Alt + V
Paste Copilot Answer into Current Document
Ctrl + Alt + T
Open Copilot Toolbox
Ctrl + Alt + S
Show Copilot Settings
Ctrl + Alt + D
Open Copilot Dashboard
Alt + F1
Access Help and Support within Copilot
Ctrl + Shift + M
Toggle Copilot Mic On/Off
Ctrl + Shift + L
Lock Copilot Settings from Edits
Ctrl + Alt + X
Export Copilot Response to File
Ctrl + Alt + R
Refresh Copilot Page
Ctrl + Alt + P
Open Copilot Profile Settings
Ctrl + Shift + P
Open Copilot Preferences Menu
Alt + F4
Close Copilot Tool
Dialog Box and System Navigation Shortcuts in Windows
Navigating through dialog boxes and the Windows system interface becomes much easier when you know the right keyboard shortcuts, these shortcuts help users navigate Windows' complex system features without taking their hands off the keyboard.
Shortcut
Action
Alt + F4
Close the current window (use on desktop to shut down)
Alt + Enter
Open Properties for selected item
Alt + Space
Open the system menu for the current window
Ctrl + Esc
Open the Start Menu
Alt + Left Arrow
Back (in browsers, File Explorer, etc.)
Alt + Right Arrow
Forward (in browsers, File Explorer, etc.)
Command Prompt and PowerShell Shortcuts in Windows
For advanced users, Command Prompt and PowerShell are powerful tools for system management, troubleshooting, and automation. Power users who frequently interact with the command line will find shortcuts incredibly useful for maintaining workflow without the need to retype commands.
Shortcut
Action
Ctrl + C
Copy selected text in Command Prompt
Ctrl + V
Paste copied text in Command Prompt
Ctrl + A
Select all text in Command Prompt
F7
View Command History
Up Arrow
Cycle through previous commands
Ctrl + L
Clear the screen (PowerShell only)
System Settings Shortcuts in Windows
Windows Settings play a critical role in managing the functionality of your computer, from personalization to system configurations. With Settings shortcuts, users can quickly access important sections like System Settings, the Task Manager, and even the Power User Menu. These shortcuts ensure that adjusting your system’s settings or diagnosing issues is faster and more efficient, allowing you to spend less time navigating through menus and more time working on your tasks.
Shortcut
Action
Win + I
Open Settings
Win + R
Open Run dialog box
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Open Task Manager directly
Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Open Security Options screen
Ctrl + Shift + Power
Restart PC in safe mode (for Windows 10 and 11)
Virtual Desktop and Multitasking Shortcuts in Windows
Virtual desktops in Windows allow users to create multiple workspaces, making multitasking more efficient and organized. Whether you’re working with multiple apps, projects, or research, knowing virtual desktop shortcuts to switch between desktops can help you stay focused and improve your productivity. These shortcuts are especially useful for those who work with a lot of open windows and need a way to stay organized.
Shortcut
Action
Win + Ctrl + D
Create a new virtual desktop
Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow
Switch between virtual desktops
Win + Tab
Open Task View to manage windows and desktops
Win + F4
Close a virtual desktop (when in Task View)
Advanced Power User Shortcuts in Windows
Advanced power user shortcuts are essential for those who want to harness the full potential of Windows. Power users and IT professionals will find these shortcuts invaluable for performing tasks efficiently without leaving the keyboard.
