Essential windows keyboard shortcuts

From copying images and text across devices to quickly handling your tabs and applications use these shortcuts

Tech Desk - Jul 10, 2024

An undated image of a person using a laptop. — Unsplash

If you are looking for some of the Windows shortcuts that can help you work more efficiently and save time, then you are at the right place. From copying images and text across devices to quickly handling your tabs and applications on Windows, these essential Windows shortcut keys will help through it.

Windows keyboard shortcuts

Use the following Windows keyboard shortcuts to enhance your work productivity on your laptop.

Windows+V

This shortcut key will open the cloud-based clipboard, allowing you to copy images and text between devices, view your clipboard history, and pin frequently used items. This useful feature will enable easy sharing of content between multiple devices.

Windows+D

This Windows shortcut key will toggle the display of your desktop screen, minimise all open windows to show the desktop, and then restore them when pressed again. This shortcut is handy when you need to quickly access your desktop or hide cluttered windows.

Windows+Home

If you will press these keys on your keyboard then it will close all the open windows of your screen, except for the desktop. This shortcut is useful when you need to start fresh or quickly close unnecessary windows.

Shift+Click on an app

This keyboard shortcut key will open another instance of the same application. This shortcut is helpful when you need to work on multiple projects or tasks simultaneously.

Other Windows keyboard shortcut keys

Keyboard shortcut	Action
Windows key + X	Open Quick Link menu.
Windows key + Number (0-9)	Open the 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 + 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 + I	Open Action Center.
Windows key+ Backspace	Open Settings app.