Shortcut keys for PC: 80+ keyboard shortcuts for Windows laptop/ PC that will help work faster

Windows PC keyboard shortcuts can significantly enhance your overall experience, making it easier and less frustrating. Instead of searching for options in various bars and menus, you can quickly access the features you need by using key combinations. Some Windows shortcuts provide access to basic features, while others are essential for navigation and browsing on your PC. In this article, we will explore what Windows shortcuts are and highlight the most important ones you should know.

What are shortcut keys in Windows?

Windows shortcuts consist of various key combinations utilizing modifier keys, such as Ctrl, Alt, and Shift, along with other keys. They allow you to perform a range of tasks, from simple actions like accessing the Start menu without the need for a mouse, to navigating between browser tabs, without relying on mouse or trackpad pointers.

In this article, we categorize Windows shortcuts into three groups based on the tasks they are meant to perform on a Windows PC.

Basic Windows shortcut keys:

The basic Windows shortcuts include the essential tasks that you would use on a daily basis. Here is a list of these shortcuts:

Shortcuts	Functions
Ctrl+X	Cut selected item
Ctrl+C	Copy selected item
Ctrl+V	Paste selected item
Ctrl+F	Find the phrase in the current page
Ctrl+A	Select all text or items on screen
Ctrl+Z	Undo last action
Ctrl+Y	Redo last action
Ctrl+W	Close folder or browser tab
Ctrl+S	Save current file or page
Ctrl+P	Print current file or page
Home	Go to the beginning of the current line on text editor
Ctrl+Home	Go to the beginning of the text editor
End	Go to the end of the current line on text editor
Ctrl+End	Go to the end of the text editor
Shift+Home	Select line on text editor till the start of line
Shift+End	Select line on text editor till the end of line
Ctrl+Left arrow	Move cursor one word to the left
Ctrl+Right arrow	Move cursor one word to the right

Essential shortcut keys for Windows PCs:

In addition to the basic navigation on Windows PCs, there are numerous essential navigation and other shortcuts that can improve your experience. Let's take a look at them.

Shorcuts	Functions
Win+D	Show the desktop OR minimise all windows
Win+A	Open Action center
Win+Left arrow	Snap windows to the left
Win+Right arrow	Snap windows to the right
Win+Up arrow	Maximise windows
Win+Down arrow	Minimise windows
Win+Tab	Open multitasking view
Alt+Tab	Change apps
Ctrl+Esc	Open Start menu
Ctrl+Shift+Esc	Open Task Manager
Win+L	Lock desktop
Win+R	Open Run command
Win+M	Minimize all windows
Win+R+”control”	Open Control Centre
Win+S (or Q)	Search through Start menu
Win+B	Set focus notification area in the Taskbar
F2	Rename a selected file
Win+PrntScrn	Take instant screenshot
Win+Ctrl+D	Add virtual desktop
Win+X	Open hidden menu from Taskbar
F1	View help information on browsers and apps
F5	Refresh the current window
Ctrl+D	Bookmark browser page
Ctrl+N	Create new document, open new browser window or add new folder
Ctrl+O	Open new file
Alt+F4	Close file or app

Quick access shortcut keys for PC:

Additionally, there are quick access Windows shortcuts that allow you to access various functions even when a direct shortcut view is not immediately visible. Here are some of the most useful ones:

Shorcuts	Functions
Alt+F	Access File menu
Alt+E	Access Edit menu
Ctrl+B	Bolden selected text
Ctrl+I	Italicise selected text
Ctrl+U	Underline selected text
Shift+Del	Permanently delete file
Ctrl+K	Insert hyperlink to selected text
Alt+Enter	Open properties menu on the selected file
Ctrl+Shift+Esc	Open the task manager
Win+C	Open AI virtual assistant Cortana

Other shortcut keys for laptop/ PC (Windows):

Shorcuts	Functions
Win+F	Launch Feedback Hub app
Win+G	Launch Game bar app
Win+Y	Change input between desktop and Mixed Reality
Win+O	Lock Device orientation
Win+T	Cycle through apps in Taskbar
Win+Z	Switch input between the desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality
Win+J	Set focus
Win+H	Open dictation feature

Windows laptop/ PC shortcuts for special characters:

Here are some of the keyboard shortcuts for Windows-powered laptops/PCs to insert special characters:

Shorcuts	Functions
Alt+0128	€ (Euro currency)
Alt+0153	™
Alt+0162	¢ (Cent symbol)
Alt+0163	£ (British Pound currency)
Alt+0165	¥ (Japanese Yen currency)
Alt+0169	©
Alt+0174	®
Alt+0176	° (degree symbol)
Alt+0177	± (plus/minus symbol)
Alt+0191	¿
Alt+0198	Æ
Alt+0223	ß
Alt+0224	à
Alt+0228	ä
Alt+0231	ç
Alt+0232	è
Alt+0236	ì
Alt+0241	ñ
Alt+0242	ò
Alt+0246	ö
Alt+0248	ø
Alt+0252	ü

These are the most important keys that can be used in windows operated laptops and Pc's for fast and reliable working and handling different processes.