Copy, Cut and Paste
Use these basic key combinations when you want to duplicate (copy) or move (cut) a photo, snippet of text, web link, file, or anything else into another location or document by pasting it. These shortcuts work in Windows Explorer, Word, email, and pretty much everywhere else.
CTRL+C: Copy the selected itemCTRL+X: Cut the selected itemCTRL+V: Paste the selected item
Selecting Items
Highlight an item so you can copy and paste it or do some other action
CTRL+A: Select all items in a window, on the desktop, or all text in a documentShift+Any Arrow Key: Select text within a document (e.g., one letter at a time) or one item at a time in a windowCTRL+Shift+Any Arrow Key: Select a block of text (e.g., a whole word at a time)
Find Text or Files
Quickly search a document, web page, or Windows Explorer for a phrase or block of characters
CTRL+F or F3: Opens a “find” dialog box
Format Text
Hit these combinations before typing to bold, italicize, or underline
CTRL+B: Bold textCTRL+I: Italicize textCTRL+U: Underline text
Create, Open, Save, and Print
Basics for working with files. These shortcuts are the equivalent of going to the File menu and selecting: New…, Open…, Save…, or Print.
CTRL+N: Create a new file or document or open a new browser windowCTRL+O: Open a file or documentCTRL+S: SaveCTRL+P: Print
Work with Tabs and Windows
CTRL+T: Open a new tab in your web browser CTRL+Shift+T: Reopen a tab you just closed (e.g., by accident) CTRL+H: View your browsing history CTRL+W: Close a window
Undo and Redo
Made a mistake? Go back or forward in history.
CTRL+Z: Undo an actionCTRL+Y: Redo an action
Once you’ve got the basic keyboard shortcuts down, learn these to save even more time.
Move the Cursors
Quickly jump the cursor to the beginning or end of your word, paragraph, or document.
CTRL+Right Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning of the next wordCTRL+Left Arrow: Move the cursor back to the beginning of the previous wordCTRL+Down Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraphCTRL+Up Arrow: Move the cursor back to the beginning of the previous paragraphCTRL+Home: Go to the start of a documentCTRL+End: Go to the end of a document
Move Windows
One of the best features of Windows is the ability to snap a window to the left or right of the screen and fit half of the screen exactly, or quickly maximize the window to full screen. Hit the Windows button and arrows to activate.
WIN+Right Arrow: Resize the window to half of the display and dock it to the right.WIN+Left Arrow: Resize the window to half of the display and dock it to the left.WIN+Up Arrow: Maximize the window to full screen.WIN+Down Arrow: Minimize the window or restore it if it is maximized.WIN+Shift+Right/Left Arrow: Move the window to an external monitor on the left or right.
Function Keys
Press one of these keys at the top of your keyboard to quickly perform an action
F1: Open the Help page or windowF2: Rename an object (e.g., file in Windows Explorer)F3: FindF4: Shows the address bar in Windows ExplorerF5: Refreshes the pageF6: Moves to a different panel or screen element in a window or the desktop
Take a Screenshot
Useful for pasting an image of your desktop or a certain program and sending to tech support
ALT+Print Screen: Capture a screenshot of a windowCTRL+Print Screen: Capture the entire screen/desktop
Working With Windows
Windows system shortcuts
CTRL+ALT+Delete: Bring up the Windows Task Manager ALT+Tab: Show open applications so you can quickly jump to a different one WIN+D: Show your desktop WIN+L: Lock your computer CTRL+Shift+N: Create a new folder Shift+Delete: Delete an item immediately, without placing it in the recycle bin ALT+Enter or ALT+Double-click: Go to the properties screen for files or folders (much faster than right-clicking and selecting Properties)
