Windows Hotkeys

This repository contains a collection of useful Windows keyboard shortcuts that can enhance productivity, accessibility, and navigation across the system. The list is organized by category and includes a brief description of each hotkey combination.

Accessibility

• Windows + Enter: Launch Narrator.
• Windows + Esc: Exit Magnifier.
• Windows + H: Start dictation.
• Windows + Plus (+) / Minus (-): Zoom in/out with Magnifier.
• Windows + U: Open Ease of Access Center.
• Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen: Toggle High Contrast.
• Windows + Ctrl + Enter: Turn Narrator on or off.

Browser Shortcuts

• Alt + Left/Right Arrow: Go back/forward between pages.
• Ctrl + T: Open a new tab in browser.
• Ctrl + Shift + C: Open the Developer Tools with the Inspector (Elements) panel and element selector active (Chrome, Edge, Firefox).
• Ctrl + Shift + I: Open the Developer Tools, typically to the last-used tab (Chrome, Edge, Firefox).
• Ctrl + Shift + J: Open the Developer Tools with the Console tab focused (Chrome, Edge, Firefox).
• Ctrl + Shift + N: Open a new incognito/private window.
• Ctrl + Shift + R: Hard refresh the current page, bypassing cache.
• Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed browser tab.

Clipboard and Emoji

• Windows + V: Open clipboard history (after enabling it).
• Windows + Period (.) / Semicolon (;): Open the emoji picker.

Command Line Shortcuts

• Ctrl + A (Command Prompt): Select all text.
• Ctrl + C (Command Prompt): Cancel current command.
• Ctrl + Up/Down: Scroll command history.
• Ctrl + Shift + Enter: Run Command Prompt as admin.

File Explorer

• F2: Rename selected item. On some keyboards (especially laptops), use Fn + F2 if F2 alone doesn’t work.
• F3: Search in File Explorer. On some keyboards (especially laptops), use Fn + F3 if F3 alone doesn’t work.
• Alt + Left/Right Arrow: Go back/forward.
• Alt + Up Arrow: Go up one folder level.
• Ctrl + N: Open a new File Explorer window.
• Windows + E: Open File Explorer.
• Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder.

General Shortcuts

• Alt + F4: Close the currently active window or app.
• Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps.
• Ctrl + A: Select all items.
• Ctrl + C: Copy selected item.
• Ctrl + V: Paste copied item.
• Ctrl + X: Cut selected item.
• Ctrl + Y: Redo the last undone action.
• Ctrl + Z: Undo the last action.
• Windows + D: Show or hide the desktop.
• Windows + L: Lock your PC.

Power and System Control

• Windows + A: Open Action Center / Quick Settings.
• Windows + X: Open Quick Link menu (Power User menu).

Screen Capture and Recording

• Windows + G: Open the Xbox Game Bar (screen recording and performance overlay).
• Windows + Print Screen: Take a screenshot and save it to the Pictures folder.
• Windows + Shift + S: Open Snipping Tool for custom screenshots.

Search and Command

• Windows + R: Open the Run dialog box.
• Windows + S: Open Windows Search.

Settings and Devices

• Windows + I: Open Settings.
• Windows + K: Open the Connect panel (for casting to wireless display/audio).
• Windows + P: Choose a presentation display mode.

Task Management

• Windows + Tab: Open Task View.
• Ctrl + Alt + Del: Security screen (lock, switch user, etc.).
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager.

Taskbar Shortcuts

• Shift + Click on taskbar icon: Open new instance of the app.
• Windows + B: Focus the notification area (system tray).
• Windows + Number (1–9): Open the app pinned to that position on the taskbar.
• Windows + T: Cycle through apps on the taskbar.
• Ctrl + Shift + Click on taskbar icon: Run as administrator.

Virtual Desktops

• Windows + Ctrl + D: Create a new virtual desktop.
• Windows + Ctrl + F4: Close the current virtual desktop.
• Windows + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow: Switch between virtual desktops.

Window Management

• Windows + Down Arrow: Minimize or restore the window.
• Windows + Home: Minimize all except the active window.
• Windows + Left Arrow / Right Arrow: Snap the window to the left or right half of the screen.
• Windows + M: Minimize all windows.
• Windows + Up Arrow: Maximize the window.
• Windows + Shift + Left/Right Arrow: Move window between multiple monitors.
• Windows + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows.

Miscellaneous

• F5: Refresh the current window/page. On some keyboards (especially laptops), use Fn + F5 if F5 alone doesn’t work.
• F5 (Notepad): Insert current date and time in Notepad. On some keyboards (especially laptops), use Fn + F5 if F5 alone doesn’t work.
• Windows + Pause/Break: Open System Properties.

📚 Resources

• Keyboard shortcuts in Windows
• Use Windows shortcuts to stay organized