The basic Windows shortcuts include the most basic tasks and are shortcuts that you would require on an everyday basis. Here’s what they are.
| SHORTCUTS | TASK |
| Ctrl+X | Cut selected item |
| Ctrl+C | Copy selected item |
| Ctrl+V | Paste selected item |
| Ctrl+F | Find the phrase in the current page |
| Ctrl+A | Select all text or items on screen |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo last action |
| Ctrl+Y | Redo last action |
| Ctrl+W | Close folder or browser tab |
| Ctrl+S | Save current file or page |
| Ctrl+P | Print current file or page |
| Home | Go to the beginning of the current line on text editor |
| Ctrl+Home | Go to the beginning of the text editor |
| End | Go to the end of the current line on text editor |
| Ctrl+End | Go to the end of the text editor |
| Shift+Home | Select line on text editor till the start of line |
| Shift+End | Select line on text editor till the end of line |
| Ctrl+Left arrow | Move cursor one word to the left |
| Ctrl+Right arrow | Move cursor one word to the right |
Essential shortcut keys for Windows PCs
Beyond the basic navigation on Windows PCs, there are a host of navigation and additional shortcuts that are essential as well. Here’s what they are.
| SHORTCUTS | TASK |
| Win+D | Show the desktop OR minimise all windows |
| Win+A | Open Action center |
| Win+Left arrow | Snap windows to the left |
| Win+Right arrow | Snap windows to the right |
| Win+Up arrow | Maximise windows |
| Win+Down arrow | Minimise windows |
| Win+Tab | Open multitasking view |
| Alt+Tab | Change apps |
| Ctrl+Esc | Open Start menu |
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Open Task Manager |
| Win+L | Lock desktop |
| Win+R | Open Run command |
| Win+M | Minimize all windows |
| Win+R+”control” | Open Control Centre |
| Win+S (or Q) | Search through Start menu |
| Win+B | Set focus notification area in the Taskbar |
| F2 | Rename a selected file |
| Win+PrntScrn | Take instant screenshot |
| Win+Ctrl+D | Add virtual desktop |
| Win+X | Open hidden menu from Taskbar |
| F1 | View help information on browsers and apps |
| F5 | Refresh the current window |
| Ctrl+D | Bookmark browser page |
| Ctrl+N | Create new document, open new browser window or add new folder |
| Ctrl+O | Open new file |
| Alt+F4 | Close file or app |
Quick access shortcut keys for PC
Finally, there is also a range of quick access Windows shortcuts that help you access a range of functions, where a direct shortcut view is not apparent. Here’s our pick.
| SHORTCUTS | TASK |
| Alt+F | Access File menu |
| Alt+E | Access Edit menu |
| Ctrl+B | Bolden selected text |
| Ctrl+I | Italicise selected text |
| Ctrl+U | Underline selected text |
| Shift+Del | Permanently delete file |
| Ctrl+K | Insert hyperlink to selected text |
| Alt+Enter | Open properties menu on the selected file |
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Open the task manager |
| Win+C | Open AI virtual assistant Cortana |
Other shortcut keys for laptop/ PC (Windows)
| SHORTCUT KEYS | TASK |
| Win+F | Launch Feedback Hub app |
| Win+G | Launch Game bar app |
| Win+Y | Change input between desktop and Mixed Reality |
| Win+O | Lock Device orientation |
| Win+T | Cycle through apps in Taskbar |
| Win+Z | Switch input between the desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality |
| Win+J | Set focus |
| Win+H | Open dictation feature |
Windows laptop/ PC shortcuts for special characters
Here are some of the shortcut keys for laptop/ PC, powered by Windows, to add special characters:
| SHORTCUTS | SPECIAL CHARACTERS |
| Alt+0128 | € (Euro currency) |
| Alt+0153 | ™ |
| Alt+0162 | ¢ (Cent symbol) |
| Alt+0163 | £ (British Pound currency) |
| Alt+0165 | ¥ (Japanese Yen currency) |
| Alt+0169 | © |
| Alt+0174 | ® |
| Alt+0176 | ° (degree symbol) |
| Alt+0177 | ± (plus/minus symbol) |
| Alt+0191 | ¿ |
| Alt+0198 | Æ |
| Alt+0223 | ß |
| Alt+0224 | à |
| Alt+0228 | ä |
| Alt+0231 | ç |
| Alt+0232 | è |
| Alt+0236 | ì |
| Alt+0241 | ñ |
| Alt+0242 | ò |
| Alt+0246 | ö |
| Alt+0248 | ø |
| Alt+0252 | ü |
