Windows 10 Hotkeys: Complete List of Keyboard Shortcuts  

Windows 10 hotkeys let you do common tasks fast, with no mouse. This guide gives you a clear list of all Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts that still matter in 2026. You will find the best Windows key shortcuts, a shutdown shortcut key, and a restore shortcut key. You will also get a free PDF cheat sheet, quick fixes, and tips to change or turn off any hotkey. Each shortcut is short, so you can try it right now. Keep your PC open and test them as you read.

Windows 10 hotkey cheat sheet showing the most useful Windows key shortcuts.

Quick Answer 

If you only have a minute, start here. These 15 Windows 10 hotkeys save the most time for most people. Each one works on a normal Windows 10 PC.

Hotkey	What it does
Win	Opens the Start menu
Win + E	Opens File Explorer
Win + D	Shows or hides the desktop
Win + L	Locks your PC
Win + I	Opens Settings
Win + V	Opens clipboard history (turn it on first)
Win + Shift + S	Captures part of your screen
Win + Left or Right Arrow	Snaps a window to one side
Win + Tab	Opens Task View
Win + X	Opens the power user menu
Alt + Tab	Switches between open apps
Alt + F4	Closes the active window
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Opens Task Manager
Ctrl + Z	Undoes your last action
F2	Renames the selected file

First, learn five of these. After a week, they will feel natural. Then add more from the lists below.

Easy Ways to Remember Windows Key Shortcuts

Most Windows key shortcuts use a letter that hints at the action. That makes them easier to recall. For example, E is for Explorer. D is for Desktop. L is for Lock. I is for Settings, like “info” or “inside.” A is for the Action Center. S is for Search. R is for Run. P is for Project. M is for Minimize. X is for the extra menu.

Not every letter fits. Still, this trick covers about half of the Windows 10 hotkey you will use every day.

A Simple Plan to Learn Windows 10 Hotkeys

Do not try to learn everything at once. Instead, follow a slow plan.

1. Pick three hotkeys for tasks you do every day.
2. Use them each time, even if the mouse feels faster at first.
3. Tape a note to your monitor until you stop looking at it.
4. After one week, add three more.

In one month, you will know about a dozen. That alone can save you many minutes each day.

Do Windows 10 Hotkeys Still Work in 2026?

Yes, they do. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. That means Microsoft no longer sends regular updates, new features, or tech support. However, your PC still runs, and every hotkey in this guide still works.

There is one more thing to know. Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates for home users. In June 2026, Microsoft moved the end date of that program from October 13, 2026 to October 12, 2027. Many older articles still show the old date, so check it before you trust any guide.

These updates fix security holes only. They do not add features or change shortcuts. So the Windows 10 hotkeys you learn today will stay the same. If you plan to move to Windows 11 later, most of them will carry over too. We cover the small differences near the end of this guide.

Essential Windows 10 Hotkey for Everyone

These are the basics. Most apps use them, so they work almost everywhere.

Hotkey	What it does	Note
Ctrl + C	Copies the selected item	Also works with Ctrl + Insert
Ctrl + X	Cuts the selected item	Moves it to the clipboard
Ctrl + V	Pastes the item	Also works with Shift + Insert
Ctrl + A	Selects everything	Works in files and text
Ctrl + Z	Undoes the last action	Can undo a file delete in File Explorer
Ctrl + Y	Redoes the action	The reverse of undo
Ctrl + Shift + N	Creates a new folder	On the desktop or in File Explorer
F2	Renames the selected item	Fast way to rename files
Esc	Closes the current task	Closes menus and pop-ups
Alt + Tab	Switches between open apps	Hold Alt and tap Tab again
Alt + F4	Closes the active window	On the desktop, it opens the shutdown box
Shift + Delete	Deletes a file for good	Skips the Recycle Bin
PrtScn	Copies a full screenshot	Saves it to the clipboard

However, be careful with Shift + Delete. The file does not go to the Recycle Bin. So use it only when you are sure.

Windows Key Shortcuts in Windows 10

The Windows key sits between Ctrl and Alt on most keyboards. It opens the Start menu on its own. With another key, it runs many handy tasks. These Windows key shortcuts make up the core of any list of all Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts.

Hotkey	What it does	Windows 10 note
Win	Opens or closes Start	Ctrl + Esc does the same
Win + A	Opens Action Center	Called Quick Settings in Windows 11
Win + B	Moves focus to the system tray	Then use arrow keys
Win + C	Opens Cortana in listening mode	Off by default; turn it on in Settings
Win + D	Shows or hides the desktop	Press again to bring windows back
Win + E	Opens File Explorer	Fastest way to find files
Win + G	Opens the Xbox Game Bar	Works best with a game open
Win + H	Starts dictation	Older builds used it for the Share charm
Win + I	Opens Settings	Backspace returns to the Settings home
Win + K	Opens the Connect pane	Used for wireless displays
Win + L	Locks your PC	Also lets you switch users
Win + M	Minimizes all windows	Win + Shift + M brings them back
Win + P	Opens projection options	Duplicate, extend, or second screen only
Win + R	Opens the Run box	Type a command and press Enter
Win + S	Opens Search	Win + Q also works
Win + T	Cycles through taskbar apps	Press Enter to open one
Win + U	Opens Ease of Access settings	Called Accessibility in Windows 11
Win + V	Opens clipboard history	Needs clipboard history turned on
Win + X	Opens the Quick Link menu	Right-clicking Start does the same
Win + Period (.)	Opens the emoji panel	Win + Semicolon (;) also works
Win + Comma (,)	Peeks at the desktop	Windows return when you let go
Win + Pause	Opens System Properties	Handy for checking your PC specs
Win + Home	Minimizes all but the active window	Press again to restore
Win + Number (1 to 9)	Opens the app in that taskbar spot	Win + 1 opens the first pinned app
Win + Space	Switches the keyboard language	Only if you added a second one
Win + Ctrl + Q	Opens Quick Assist	For remote help
Win + Shift + V	Cycles through notifications	Good for missed alerts
Win + PrtScn	Saves a screenshot to a file	Goes to Pictures, then Screenshots
Win + Plus (+) or Minus (-)	Zooms in or out with Magnifier	Win + Esc closes it
Win + Ctrl + Enter	Starts Narrator	Reads the screen out loud
Win + Ctrl + Shift + B	Wakes a black or blank screen	Try it if the display freezes

Also, some Windows key shortcuts act differently on each build. For example, Win + C, Win + W, and Win + Z have changed over time. So test them on your own PC before you rely on them.

Windows key shortcuts on a Windows 10 keyboard

Windows 10 Hotkey for Managing Windows

You often have many windows open. So these hotkeys help you move, resize, and switch between them. In fact, they are some of the most useful Windows 10 hotkeys for office work.

Hotkey	What it does
Win + Up Arrow	Maximizes the window
Win + Down Arrow	Shrinks a maximized window, then minimizes it
Win + Left Arrow	Snaps the window to the left half
Win + Right Arrow	Snaps the window to the right half
Win + Shift + Up Arrow	Stretches the window top to bottom
Win + Shift + Left or Right	Moves the window to another monitor
Win + Home	Minimizes all but the active window
Alt + Tab	Switches between apps
Ctrl + Alt + Tab	Keeps the app switcher on screen
Alt + Esc	Cycles through windows in order
Alt + Space	Opens the window menu

To make a quarter-screen layout, snap a window left or right first. Then press Up or Down. The window moves into a corner. As a result, you can fit four apps on one screen.

Restore Shortcut Key in Windows 10

People search for a “restore shortcut key” because the word means different things. So here are the common cases.

Restore a window to its normal size. Press Alt + Space to open the window menu. Then press R. This works on any maximized window. Also, you can press Win + Down Arrow once.

Restore minimized windows. If you used Win + M to hide everything, press Win + Shift + M. It brings those windows back. Keep in mind that it may not restore windows you minimized by hand. In that case, press Alt + Tab or click the taskbar icon.

Show all windows again after using Win + D. Press Win + D a second time. Then the desktop view flips back.

Restore a closed browser tab. Press Ctrl + Shift + T. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox all support it. Press it again, and it reopens the one before that.

Restore a deleted file. Right after you delete a file in File Explorer, press Ctrl + Z. The file comes back. If that fails, open the Recycle Bin and restore it from there.

Restore your PC to an earlier point. Press Win + R, type rstrui, and press Enter. This opens System Restore. Still, use it only when Windows has a bigger problem. It can undo recent changes to drivers and apps.

Windows 10 Shutdown Shortcut Key

You can turn off your PC without touching the mouse. There are four easy ways. Pick the one that fits you.

Method 1: Alt + F4 on the Desktop

This is the classic Windows 10 shutdown shortcut key. First, press Win + D to show the desktop. Next, press Alt + F4. A box named “Shut Down Windows” opens. The shutdown option is already selected. Press Enter to confirm.

To restart instead, press the Down Arrow to pick Restart. Then press Enter. You can also choose Sleep the same way.

There is one catch. Alt + F4 only opens the shutdown box when the desktop is active. If an app is open, the shortcut closes that app. So always press Win + D first.

Method 2: Win + X, Then U, Then U

This method is fast and works from any app. Follow these steps.

1. Press Win + X. Let go of both keys.
2. Press U to open the “Shut down or sign out” menu.
3. Press U again to shut down.

The second key changes the action. Use these letters after Win + X and U.

Keys after Win + X, U	Action
U	Shut down
R	Restart
S	Sleep
I	Sign out
H	Hibernate (if turned on)

The key is to let go of Win + X before you press U. If you hold them together, the menu may not respond.

Method 3: Ctrl + Alt + Del

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del. A blue screen appears. Then press Tab until the power icon is selected. Press Enter and choose Shut down. This method helps when an app freezes and other hotkeys fail.

Method 4: A Run Command

Press Win + R. Then type one of these commands and press Enter.

Command	Result
shutdown /s /t 0	Shuts down right now
shutdown /r /t 0	Restarts right now
shutdown /l	Signs you out
shutdown /a	Cancels a shutdown that is counting down

However, be careful. The /t 0 part means zero seconds. Windows will not ask you to save your work. So save first.

How to Create Your Own Shutdown Hotkey

Windows 10 has no built-in hotkey that shuts down in one press. But you can make one. Here is how.

1. Right-click the desktop. Choose New, then Shortcut.
2. Type shutdown /s /t 10 and click Next.
3. Name it “Shut down” and click Finish.
4. Right-click the new shortcut and choose Properties.
5. Click the box named “Shortcut key.” Press the keys you want, such as Ctrl + Alt + S.
6. Click OK.

The /t 10 part gives you ten seconds to change your mind. If you press it by mistake, run shutdown /a right away to cancel. Also, keep the shortcut on your desktop. The hotkey works only from the desktop or the Start menu.

A quick tip: The normal Shut down button in Windows 10 uses Fast Startup. That is a hybrid shutdown. For a full shutdown, hold Shift while you click Shut down. Holding Shift while you click Restart opens the advanced startup options.

Windows 10 Hotkey for Virtual Desktops

Virtual desktops give you extra workspaces on one screen. For example, you can keep work apps on one desktop and personal apps on another. These Windows 10 hotkeys control them.

Hotkey	What it does
Win + Tab	Opens Task View
Win + Ctrl + D	Creates a new virtual desktop
Win + Ctrl + Right Arrow	Moves to the next desktop
Win + Ctrl + Left Arrow	Moves to the previous desktop
Win + Ctrl + F4	Closes the current desktop

When you close a desktop, its windows do not close. Instead, they move to another desktop. On some laptops, you may need to press Fn with the F4 key.

Windows 10 Screenshot Shortcuts

Windows 10 has four main screenshot hotkeys. Each one does something a little different.

Hotkey	What it does	Where it goes
PrtScn	Captures the whole screen	Clipboard
Alt + PrtScn	Captures the active window	Clipboard
Win + PrtScn	Captures the whole screen	Saved as a file in Pictures, Screenshots
Win + Shift + S	Captures a part you choose	Clipboard, with a small pop-up

Win + Shift + S is the one most people use. Press it, then drag over the area you want. On Windows 10, it opens the Snip & Sketch tool. The image goes to your clipboard. So you can paste it into an email or chat right away. Click the pop-up if you want to edit and save it.

If Win + Shift + S does not work, see the fix section below.

Windows 10 Hotkey for File Explorer

File Explorer is where you manage files. The right hotkeys make it much faster.

Hotkey	What it does
Win + E	Opens File Explorer
Alt + D	Selects the address bar
Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F	Selects the search box
Ctrl + N	Opens a new window
Ctrl + W	Closes the window
Ctrl + Shift + N	Creates a new folder
Ctrl + Shift + E	Expands all folders in the left pane
F2	Renames the selected item
F5	Refreshes the view
Alt + Up Arrow	Goes up one folder
Alt + Left Arrow	Goes back
Alt + Right Arrow	Goes forward
Alt + Enter	Opens Properties
Alt + P	Shows the preview pane
F11	Switches full screen on or off
Home or End	Jumps to the top or bottom of the list

You can also hold Ctrl and scroll your mouse wheel. That changes the icon size and view style.

Text Editing and Clipboard Hotkeys

These work in Notepad, Word, browsers, and most other apps.

Hotkey	What it does
Ctrl + Left or Right Arrow	Moves the cursor one word
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow	Selects text word by word
Shift + Home or End	Selects to the start or end of a line
Ctrl + Home or End	Jumps to the start or end of a document
Ctrl + Backspace	Deletes the previous word
Ctrl + Delete	Deletes the next word
Win + V	Opens clipboard history
Win + Period (.)	Opens the emoji panel

How to Turn On Clipboard History

Clipboard history is off by default. So the first time you press Win + V, Windows asks you to turn it on. Click Turn on. You can also open Settings, choose System, then Clipboard, and switch on Clipboard history. After that, Win + V shows the last items you copied. It can hold text and images, and you can pin items you use often.

Windows 10 Hotkey for Command Prompt

Command Prompt works better in Windows 10 than in older versions. In fact, you can copy and paste with the normal keys.

Hotkey	What it does
Ctrl + C	Copies selected text
Ctrl + V	Pastes text
Ctrl + A	Selects all text on the line
Ctrl + M	Starts mark mode
Ctrl + F	Opens search
Up or Down Arrow	Moves through past commands
F7	Shows a list of past commands
Tab	Completes a file or folder name
Ctrl + Home or End	Scrolls to the top or bottom

Settings and Dialog Box Hotkeys

Old-style windows, like Folder Options, use these hotkeys. They also work in many pop-up boxes.

Hotkey	What it does
Tab	Moves forward through options
Shift + Tab	Moves back through options
Ctrl + Tab	Moves forward through tabs
Ctrl + Shift + Tab	Moves back through tabs
Alt + underlined letter	Runs that command
Spacebar	Checks or clears a box
Backspace	Opens the parent folder in a Save As box
Arrow keys	Selects a button in a group

Windows 10 Hotkey for Accessibility and Display

These hotkeys help people who need larger text, spoken help, or easier typing. Many other users find them handy too.

Hotkey	What it does
Win + Plus (+)	Zooms in with Magnifier
Win + Minus (-)	Zooms out
Win + Esc	Closes Magnifier
Win + Ctrl + Enter	Starts or stops Narrator
Win + Ctrl + C	Turns color filters on or off
Win + U	Opens Ease of Access settings
Win + P	Picks a screen mode for a second display

Color filters need setup first. Open Settings, go to Ease of Access, and enable the shortcut there. Also, pressing Shift five times turns on Sticky Keys. This lets you press hotkeys one key at a time, which helps if holding keys together is hard.

Windows 10 Hotkey for Gaming and Xbox Game Bar

Gamers can capture clips without leaving the game. However, the Game Bar needs to be on in Settings.

Hotkey	What it does
Win + G	Opens the Game Bar
Win + Alt + G	Records the last 30 seconds
Win + Alt + R	Starts or stops recording
Win + Alt + PrtScn	Takes a game screenshot

So if a hotkey does nothing, check that Game Bar is enabled. Also, some keyboards have a game mode that turns off the Windows key. Switch that off if you see problems.

Browser Hotkeys That Work on Any Windows 10 PC

Your browser has its own hotkeys. The ones below work in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. They are not part of Windows itself. Still, you will likely use them daily.

Hotkey	What it does
Ctrl + T	Opens a new tab
Ctrl + W	Closes the current tab
Ctrl + Shift + T	Reopens the last closed tab
Ctrl + Tab	Moves to the next tab
Ctrl + L	Selects the address bar
Ctrl + D	Bookmarks the page
Ctrl + F	Finds text on the page
Ctrl + R or F5	Reloads the page

Windows 10 vs Windows 11 Hotkeys

Most shortcuts are the same in both systems. However, a few are not. This table shows the main differences.

Hotkey	Windows 10	Windows 11
Win + C	Cortana, if turned on	Copilot, on builds that include it
Win + A	Action Center	Quick Settings
Win + U	Ease of Access settings	Accessibility settings
Win + Pause	System Properties	The About page in Settings
Win + W	Windows Ink Workspace	Widgets
Win + Z	Not a standard command	Snap Layouts
Win + N	Not a standard command	Notification Center
Win + Shift + S	Snip & Sketch	The newer Snipping Tool

So if you move to Windows 11, learn these few changes. Everything else you read in this guide will keep working.

Windows 10 Hotkeys PDF Free Download

A printed cheat sheet is great when you are learning. So we made a simple one-page file. It lists the top Windows 10 hotkeys by task, with no ads and no sign-up.

Download the Windows 10 hotkeys PDF (free)

The Windows 10 hotkeys PDF free download covers:

• The Windows key shortcuts you will use most
• Window snapping and virtual desktop keys
• Screenshot, clipboard, and File Explorer shortcuts
• The shutdown shortcut key and restore shortcut key

You can print it on one sheet. You can also save the Windows 10 shortcut keys PDF on your phone or desktop. Since it is a plain PDF, you do not need extra software. It is a free download, not an app, so there is nothing to install. For the full list, keep this page open as your main reference.

Microsoft also has an official list of Windows shortcuts. You can see it on the Microsoft keyboard shortcuts page.

Windows 10 Hotkey Not Working? Easy Fixes

Sometimes a hotkey does nothing. So here are the common causes. Try them in order.

Quick Fixes to Try First

1. Restart your PC. It sounds simple, but it fixes many small glitches. So do this before anything else.

2. Check for a Windows key lock. Many gaming keyboards have a lock key or a game mode. It turns off the Windows key on purpose. Look for a small key with a Windows logo and a lock icon. Press it, or hold Fn with the Windows key, to unlock.

3. Check Filter Keys and Sticky Keys. Open Settings, go to Ease of Access, then Keyboard. Turn off Filter Keys. If combos act strange, look at Sticky Keys too.

4. Turn off Game Mode. Open Settings, then Gaming, then Game Mode. Switch it off and test again.

Fixes for Policy and Service Problems

5. Re-enable Windows key hotkeys. An old setting may have turned them off. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Go to User Configuration, then Administrative Templates, then Windows Components, then File Explorer. Open “Turn off Windows Key hotkeys.” Set it to Not Configured or Disabled. Windows 10 Home does not have this tool. In that case, use the registry fix in the next section and set the value back to 0. On a work or school PC, an admin may control this setting.

6. Restart the Human Interface Device service. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find “Human Interface Device Service.” Right-click it and pick Start, or Restart if it already runs.

7. Update your keyboard driver. Open Device Manager, expand Keyboards, right-click your keyboard, and choose Update driver.

8. Check the Fn lock. On many laptops, F keys act as media keys. Press Fn + Esc to swap them.

9. Look for other programs. Some apps, like screen recorders or graphics driver tools, grab hotkeys for themselves. Close them and test again.

Fix: Win + Shift + S Not Working

Open Settings, then Apps. Find Snip & Sketch and click Advanced options. Press Reset, then restart your PC. Also make sure no other screenshot app uses the same keys.

Fix: Win + V Does Nothing Useful

Clipboard history is probably off. So turn it on first. Open Settings, choose System, then Clipboard, and turn it on.

How to Disable or Change Windows 10 Hotkey

Maybe you press a hotkey by mistake. Or you want to give a shortcut a new job. Both are possible. However, you need an admin account for most of these steps.

Turn Off All Windows Key Hotkeys

Option A: Group Policy (Pro, Enterprise, and Education). Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Go to User Configuration, then Administrative Templates, then Windows Components, then File Explorer. Open “Turn off Windows Key hotkeys,” choose Enabled, and click OK. Restart your PC.

Option B: Registry (all editions, including Home). Back up the registry first. Then press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Go to this key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named NoWinKeys. Set it to 1. Restart your PC. To undo it, set the value to 0 or delete it.

With both options, the Windows key still opens the Start menu. Only the combinations stop working.

Turn Off One Windows Key Hotkey

You can block a single combo. For example, you can stop Win + E. Back up the registry, then open Registry Editor and go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Create a new String value named DisabledHotkeys. Type the letters of the hotkeys to block. Type E to block Win + E. Type RX to block both Win + R and Win + X. After that, sign out and sign back in, or restart File Explorer. This trick works only for Win + letter combos.

Remap a Key or Shortcut With PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys is a free tool. Its Keyboard Manager can swap one key for another. It can also change a shortcut into a different one.

1. Install PowerToys from Microsoft.
2. Open it and click Keyboard Manager.
3. Turn on Enable Keyboard Manager.
4. Choose Remap a key or Remap a shortcut.
5. Add your new mapping and click OK.

Keep three things in mind. PowerToys must keep running in the background. The remaps do not work on the sign-in screen. And you can limit a remap to one app. You can read the full steps on the PowerToys Keyboard Manager page. Check the current PowerToys system requirements before you install it on an older Windows 10 PC.

Make a Hotkey for Any App

You can give a program its own hotkey in one minute. Right-click the app’s shortcut and choose Properties. Click the “Shortcut key” box. Press a combo, such as Ctrl + Alt + N. Click OK. The shortcut must sit on your desktop or in the Start menu for the hotkey to work.

If you want more power, try AutoHotkey. It lets you write small scripts that run on any key combo. It takes some practice, so start with PowerToys first.

FAQs

Final Thoughts  

Windows 10 hotkeys still work after the end of support, and they can save you real time each day. Start small. Learn the top 15, then add the shutdown and restore shortcuts, and pick up the rest over time.

If a hotkey stops working, use the fixes in this guide. If one gets in your way, turn it off or remap it. Finally, download the free PDF and keep it close. In a few weeks, you will use your mouse far less.

Do you have a favorite Windows 10 hotkey that we missed? Share it in the comments.