Helpful Hotkeys
Ever forget a hotkey or wanted to discover ones you didn’t know about, well here you go.
Windows 10
On Windows 10, it brought plenty of new features, some of which enthusiasts like myself had to create such as the Linux-inspired Virtual Desktop. But never mind all of that, let’s get to the cheat sheet!
Please note, that some applications you’ve installed may override the base functionality listed below. For more hotkeys, check out the official docs.
| Shortcut | Functionality |
| WinKey + CTRL + D | Create a new Virtual Desktop |
| WinKey + CTRL + RIGHT | Switch to the Virtual Desktop on the Right |
| WinKey + CTRL + Left | Switch to the Virtual Desktop on the Left |
| WinKey + CTRL + F4 | Close current virtual desktop. Moving opened windows to the VD on the left. |
| WinKey + A | Open Action Center on the right |
| WinKey + B | Highlights “Show Hidden Icons” in the System Tray |
| WinKey + C | Open Cortana |
| WinKey + D | Toggle display and hiding of the Desktop (minimizes and restores opened windows). |
| WinKey + E | Open Windows Explorer |
| WinKey + F | Open Feedback Hub and takes a screen shot (yawn…) |
| WinKey + G | Opens Xbox Game Bar (when a game is opened) |
| WinKey + H | Use dictation (speech to text); Share content (if supported by active app) |
| WinKey + I | Open Settings |
| WinKey + J | Set focus to a Windows top when available (yawn) |
| WinKey + K | Opens Konnect to wireless (Bluetooth) devices |
| WinKey + L | Lock the computer |
| WinKey + M | Minimize all windows. Similar to Win+D, but does not restore. |
| WinKey + N | Open notification center and calendar (if available) |
| WinKey + O | Lock device’s orientation |
| WinKey + P | Opens “Project” monitor to Extend to, Duplicate monitor, or use only 2nd monitor screen. |
| WinKey + Q | Open search using Cortana |
| WinKey + R | Opens Run dialog |
| WinKey + S | Open Search |
| WinKey + T | Highlights Taskbar icon. Press again for the next one |
| WinKey + U | Opens Settings window |
| WinKey + V | Opens Clipboard History |
| WinKey + W | Opens Whiteboard |
| WinKey + X | Open Admin Menu in the bottom-left (Alt: Right-click Windows symbol) |
| WinKey + Y | Switch input beween Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop (when available) |
| WinKey + Z | Open the snap layouts (Win11) |
| WinKey + . (period) WinKey + ; (semicolon) | Open emoji panel |
| WinKey + , (comma) | Peek desktop |
| WinKey + Tab | Opens Task View |
| Alt + Esc | Cycle through windows in the order they were opened |
| Alt + Tab | Switch task to the next app. |
| Alt + F4 | Close the active item, or exit the active app. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Tab | Cycle between opened apps |
| Ctrl + Esc | Open Start menu |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task manager |
| Shift + F10 | Performs a Right-Click (or left-click for lefties) Display shortcut menu for the selected item |
| PrintScn | Print Screen! (aka: screenshot of all monitors) |
| Alt + PrintScn | Screenshot of the active window |