Cheat Sheet Library

Windows 10/11 Cheat Sheet

Keyboard shortcuts and quick commands to move around Windows faster. Win = the Windows key.

  • 78 entries
  • 9 sections
  • Updated
  • Click a command to see all its options

78 entries

On this page

Essentials #

ShortcutAction
WinOpen Start menu
Win + SSearch
Win + EOpen File Explorer
Win + IOpen Settings
Win + RRun dialog
Win + LLock the PC
Win + XPower-user menu (Device Manager, Terminal, Disk Management…)
Win + VClipboard history (enable it the first time)
Win + .Emoji, GIF and symbol picker
Win + HVoice typing
Ctrl + Shift + EscTask Manager
Ctrl + Alt + DelSecurity screen (lock, sign out, Task Manager)
Win + Ctrl + Shift + BRestart the graphics driver (fixes a black or frozen screen)

Windows & Snapping #

ShortcutAction
Alt + TabSwitch between open windows
Alt + F4Close the active window (on the desktop: shut down dialog)
Win + ↑ / Win + ↓Maximize / restore or minimize
Win + ← / Win + →Snap window to the left / right half
Win + ZSnap layouts (Windows 11)
Win + DShow / hide the desktop
Win + M / Win + Shift + MMinimize all / restore minimized
Win + HomeMinimize all except the active window
Win + Shift + ←/→Move window to the other monitor
Win + 1…9Open or switch to the app pinned at that taskbar position
Win + TCycle through taskbar apps

Virtual Desktops #

ShortcutAction
Win + TabTask View (all windows and desktops)
Win + Ctrl + DNew virtual desktop
Win + Ctrl + ←/→Switch desktop
Win + Ctrl + F4Close current desktop

Screenshots & Recording #

ShortcutAction
Win + Shift + SSnipping Tool: capture a region, window or full screen to clipboard
Win + PrtScnSave full screenshot to Pictures\Screenshots
Alt + PrtScnCopy active window to clipboard
Win + GXbox Game Bar
Win + Alt + RStart / stop screen recording (Game Bar)

System Panels #

ShortcutAction
Win + AQuick Settings (Win 11) / Action Center (Win 10)
Win + NNotifications and calendar (Win 11)
Win + PProjection mode (duplicate, extend, second screen)
Win + KCast to a wireless display
Win + PauseSystem information
Win + Ctrl + EnterToggle Narrator
Win + + / Win + EscMagnifier on / off

File Explorer #

ShortcutAction
Ctrl + NNew window
Ctrl + T / Ctrl + WNew tab / close tab (Windows 11)
Ctrl + Shift + NNew folder
F2Rename
Alt + EnterProperties
Ctrl + L or Alt + DFocus the address bar (type there to open a prompt in this folder)
Ctrl + E or Ctrl + FFocus search
Alt + ↑Go up one folder
Alt + ← / Alt + →Back / forward
Alt + PToggle preview pane
Ctrl + Shift + CCopy as path (Windows 11)
Shift + DeleteDelete permanently (skips the Recycle Bin)
Ctrl + Shift + 1…8Change view (icons, list, details…)

Text Editing (works almost everywhere) #

ShortcutAction
Ctrl + C / X / VCopy / cut / paste
Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + YUndo / redo
Ctrl + ASelect all
Ctrl + ←/→Jump one word
Ctrl + Shift + ←/→Select one word
Ctrl + BackspaceDelete the previous word
Home / EndStart / end of line
Ctrl + Home / Ctrl + EndStart / end of document
Ctrl + Shift + VPaste as plain text (in many apps)

Run Dialog Commands (Win + R) #

CommandOpens
controlControl Panel
appwiz.cplPrograms and Features (uninstall)
devmgmt.mscDevice Manager
diskmgmt.mscDisk Management
services.mscServices
compmgmt.mscComputer Management
eventvwr.mscEvent Viewer
ncpa.cplNetwork adapters
sysdm.cplSystem Properties (environment variables)
msconfigSystem Configuration (boot options)
regeditRegistry Editor (be careful)
winverWindows version
Remote Desktop
%appdata% / %temp%AppData\Roaming / temp folder
shell:startupStartup folder (apps that start at login)
/ / Command Prompt / PowerShell / Windows Terminal

Tips #

  • Hold Shift while right-clicking a file to get the full context menu and Copy as path (Windows 10).
  • Win + X, then a letter, is a fast way to reach admin tools. For example, Win + X → A opens an elevated terminal.
  • Right-click the Start button for the same menu as Win + X.