Windows Keyboard Shortcuts Cheatsheet - Win & System

Heavy Windows users who switch windows often and snap across multiple monitors should learn three groups first: Win+Arrow to snap, Alt+Tab to switch, and Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager directly; File Explorer and Command Line bindings can wait until you are comfortable. This reference organizes 6 groups so you can quickly locate a binding by category. After reading, your window-management and screenshot efficiency will visibly improve.

Shortcuts·53 commands·Last updated 2026-07-31

General 9

Win

Open/close Start menu

Win+S

Open Search

Win+I

Open Settings

Win+D

Show desktop (toggle)

Alt+Tab

Switch between open windows

Ctrl+Shift+Esc

Open Task Manager directly

Alt+F4

Close current window or quit app

Win+L

Lock the computer

Win+E

Open File Explorer

File Explorer 11

Ctrl+N

Open new window

Ctrl+Shift+N

Create new folder

Ctrl+W

Close current window

Ctrl+Shift+E

Expand parent of selected folder

Alt+↑

Go up one level

Alt+←

Back to previous folder

Alt+→

Forward to next folder

Ctrl+A

Select all

F2

Rename selected item

Delete

Delete to Recycle Bin

Shift+Delete

Delete permanently (bypass Recycle Bin)

Screenshots 5

PrtScn

Capture full screen to clipboard

Alt+PrtScn

Capture active window to clipboard

Win+PrtScn

Capture full screen and save to Pictures\Screenshots

Win+Shift+S

Open Snipping Tool (selection/window/full/free-form)

Win+Alt+PrtScn

Screenshot current game/app via Xbox Game Bar

Window Management 10

Win+↑

Maximize window

Win+↓

Minimize or restore window

Win+←

Snap window to left half

Win+→

Snap window to right half

Win+Shift+←

Move window to left monitor

Win+Shift+→

Move window to right monitor

Win+Home

Minimize all windows except the active one

Win+Tab

Open Task View, see all windows and virtual desktops

Ctrl+Win+D

Create new virtual desktop

Ctrl+Win+F4

Close current virtual desktop

System 7

Win+R

Open Run dialog

Win+X

Open Quick Link menu (PowerShell/Device Manager etc.)

Win+A

Open Action Center (notifications and quick settings)

Win+P

Project screen (PC only/Duplicate/Extend/Second screen only)

Win+K

Open Connect devices (Bluetooth/wireless display)

Win+Pause

View system properties

Ctrl+Alt+Delete

Security options screen (Lock/Switch User/Task Manager)

Command Line (CMD / PowerShell) 11

Ctrl+C

Cancel current command or copy selected text

Ctrl+V

Paste

Ctrl+A

Select all in command line

Ctrl+M

Enter mark mode (select text with arrow keys)

↑

Previous command in history

↓

Next command in history

F7

Show command history list

Tab

Auto-complete file name/path

Esc

Clear current input line

Ctrl+Shift+Plus(+)

Increase font size (Windows Terminal)

Ctrl+Shift+Minus(-)

Decrease font size (Windows Terminal)

Tips

Win+Shift+S is the most-used screenshot shortcut — click the notification to open Snip & Sketch for editing.
Win+Arrow keys are snap masters — pair with Win+Shift+Arrow to move windows between monitors.
Ctrl+Shift+Esc opens Task Manager faster than Ctrl+Alt+Delete, skipping the selection step.
In CMD, right-click to copy selected text and right-click again to paste — often faster than shortcuts.

Official References

Each command links to its official documentation below, so you can verify the latest usage and read deeper.

Windows Support

Maintained by LaoHand

Publicly updated on Jul 31, 2026, continuously proofread against official docs.

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