Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts at a Glance

Did I mention I’m excited for the launch of Windows 10? Yes? Never mind, it bears repeating :-)

In this blog post, I’d like to share a list of Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts with you. I tested the below shortcuts in the current build of Windows 10 Insider Preview Build No. 10122 – and I couldn’t live without them!

One of my favorite shortcuts is Windows + Tab which opens the brand new Windows 10 Task View. Besides the list of running applications, you’ll also notice the option to add Virtual Desktops on the bottom of your screen (see Figure 1). Virtual Desktops allow you to create multiple desktops beyond the limitations of a physical display. It’s a great way to organize and quickly access groups of windows on your PC or tablet.

For instance, I’m using one virtual desktop for Outlook and note-taking with OneNote and another one for my social media activities on Twitter and Yammer.

Windows 10 Task View

Figure 1: The keyboard shortcut Windows + Tab opens the Windows 10 Task View.

Here’s my list of Windows 10 shortcuts, and – in addition – some of my favorite “old but gold” shortcuts known from previous versions of Windows:

Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcut
Description
Windows
Show the Windows 10 Start Menu
Windows + Tab
Launch Windows 10 Task View
Windows + C
Search the web and Windows with Cortana (speech)
Windows + S
Search the web and Windows with Cortana (keyboard input)
Windows + I
Open Windows 10 settings
Windows + A
Open Windows 10 Action Center (e.g. to display notifications and customizable quick actions)
Windows + Ctrl + D
Create new virtual desktop
Windows + Ctrl + F4
Close current virtual desktop
Windows + Ctrl + [Left][Right]
Switch between virtual desktops
Windows + [Left][Right][Up][Down]
Position windows on your screen
E.g. Windows + [Left] moves the current window to the left half of your screen. If you use Windows + [Up] afterwards, the current window will be placed in the upper left quarter of your screen.
And, what’s very handy in my opinion: If you release the Windows key after positioning a window, Task View shows up on the opposite side of the positioned window to select and position another app.
Windows + H
Share content (if supported by current app)
Windows + K
Connect to wireless displays and audio devices
Windows + X
Open Start button context menu
Windows + G
Opens the Windows 10 Game Bar to take game screenshots and record gaming videos of Windows 10 games (works in any game app, e.g. Microsoft Solitaire Collection)
And, of course, these “old but gold” shortcuts known from previous Windows versions still work:
Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcut
Description
Windows + D
Show Windows desktop
Windows + E
Open Windows Explorer
Windows + L
Lock your Windows 10 device
Windows + Space
Switch keyboard input language (if you have added at least a second one)
Windows + Shift + [Left][Right]
Move current Window from one monitor to another (when using a multiple monitor setup)
Windows + [1][2][3][…]
Open programs that are pinned to task bar
E.g. if first pinned program on your task bar is Windows Explorer (from left to right), the shortcut Windows + 1 opens Windows Explorer for you.
Windows + R
Run a command
Windows + P
Project a screen
Alt + Tab
Switch to previous window
Alt + Space
Restore, move, size, minimize, maximize or close current window. Also works like a charm for Windows 10 modern apps.
Alt + F4
a) Close current window
b) If you’re on your Windows 10 desktop, open Power dialogue to shut down or restart Windows, put your device in sleep mode, sign out or switch the current user

 

I’m pretty sure there are much more keyboard shortcuts you can use to speed up your work with Windows 10. If you experience new ones, please let me know! I will try to keep the above list up to date.

Aren’t an Insider, yet? Join the Windows Insider program and get the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview builds. If you’re interested in the Virtual Desktop concept of Windows 10, learn everything about it in the blog post Virtual Desktops in Windows 10 – The Power of Windows…Multiplied on the Blogging Windows blog.

Best,

Sebastian

Technical Evangelist at Microsoft

Follow me on Twitter: @seklenk

Sebastian Klenk on Twitter