Using computer is our daily work. It is time consuming if we don’t use Keyboard shortcuts. Here are most daily used keyboard shortcuts and gestures for Windows 10. Mouse or touchpad and maybe even a touch screen. It does not take much more than that to move in a basic way in any operating system, but if what we want is to do it efficiently, saving time and a few clicks, it never hurts to know some of its gestures and keyboard shortcuts.
In this regard, Windows 10 not only continues to allow us to use some of the classic shortcuts that we all know by heart, but along with its new features it has also implemented new ones that help us to use them quickly and easily. Below you have the list with the best touchpad gestures and keyboard shortcuts , although remember that if they do not convince you there are tools to create custom shortcuts also available.
One thing you have to keep in mind is that these keyboard shortcuts are generic for Windows, but then other applications may have their own shortcuts. This means that yes, there are shortcuts like the ones in the screenshots that will work on all sites, but then each application can have its specific shortcuts. In fact, remember that you also have lists of shortcuts Word and shortcuts Excel.
Touchpad Gestures
Whether in laptops, ultrabooks or even hybrids like Microsoft’s Surface, when there is no room for a mouse, the touchpad will take its place as a tool to help us move through the operating system. It is not always the most comfortable due to its small size, but with these gestural commands you can get the most out of it.
- One finger press : Normal click.
- Two-finger tap : Right click.
- Three-finger tap: Open Cortana searches. It can be changed to open notifications.
- Four-finger tap: Open the notification center.
- Double click with one finger : Double click.
- Double tap with one finger and drag : Select texts or applications. It also serves to drag icons.
- Swipe up or down with two fingers : Scroll on the screen.
- Swipe up with three fingers : Opens the task view, and within them we can slide down with three fingers to select which one to view.
- Three-finger swipe down : Displays the desktop. If we swipe up with three fingers again, the windows are shown again.
- Swipe left or right with three fingers : Navigate between open windows.
- Four-finger swipe left or right : Switch virtual desktops.
- Four-finger swipe up : Go to the multitasking screen.
- Pinch in or out Zoom in or out.
Keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are small resources with which by just combining two or three keys we can save a few clicks or having to move from one side of the screen to the other. Undoubtedly there are some that we will use much more than others , but it is never a bad thing to know them all, since you never know when the mouse will fail us.
Active windows control
With these commands you can move the active window and adjust it in different areas of the screen , from the left or right half to the lower left or upper right edges. It’s a perfect way to play with the windows you’re working with and adjust them in such a way that you can make the most of your screen space.
- Windows Key + Left : Places the active window in the left half of the screen.
- Windows Key + Right : Places the active window in the right half of the screen.
- Windows Key + Up : Depending on which half the active window is in, moves it to the top.
- Windows Key + Down : Depending on which half the active window is in, moves it to the bottom.
- Windows key + ,: Hide all windows until the Windows key is released.
- Windows key + D : Minimize all windows.
- Ctrl + Shift + M : Restores all minimized windows to full screen.
- Windows key + Start : Minimizes all windows except the active one.
- Windows key + E : Launch the file explorer.
- Windows key + T : Navigate between the windows on the taskbar. Hit enter to open them when they are selected.
- Windows key + A number : Opens the window located in the position corresponding to the number on the taskbar.
- Alt + Tab : You alternate between the different open windows.
- Alt + F4 : Close the active window
- Windows key + Shift + Left or Right : Moves the active window to another monitor, whenever there is one, located to the left or right of the main one.
- Windows key + L : Lock your session and stay on the unlock screen.
- Windows key + M : Minimize all your windows.
Control of virtual desktops
Virtual desktops are one of the great novelties of Windows 10, and something that Microsoft users have long been waiting to settle for seeing them in other operating systems. Using them to organize yourself better without having to click on the menus is also just a keystroke away thanks to the following shortcuts.
- Windows key + Ctrl + D : Create a new virtual desktop
- Windows key + Ctrl + Left : You move to the virtual desktop on the left.
- Windows key + Ctrl + Right : You move to the virtual desktop on the right.
- Windows key + Ctrl + F4 : Close the active virtual desktop.
- Windows key + Tab : The task view opens, in which in addition to the open windows you can also see the desktops.
Shortcuts for file explorer
Now we leave you with some shortcuts with which you will be able to interact with the file explorer and the directories that are inside.
- Alt + D : Go to the address bar.
- Ctrl + E : Go to searches in the address bar.
- Ctrl + F : Go to the search bar.
- Ctrl + N : Open a new window.
- Ctrl + W : Close the active window.
- Ctrl + mouse wheel : Change the size of the displayed elements.
- Alt + P : Open the preview pane.
- Alt + Enter : Enter the properties.
- Alt + Right Arrow : Go to the next file.
- Alt + Up Arrow : Go to the file that the file you are in belongs to.
- Alt + Left Arrow : Go to the previous file.
- End : Go to the end of the content window.
- Home : Go to the top of the content window.
- F11 : Maximize or minimize the active window.
Cortana control, taskbar and settings
Cortana is another of the main protagonists of Windows 10, and as such we can turn to her and use it naturally as many times as we want, either to find a file, look at information of interest or simply to tell us a joke. With Windows 10 we can also access this virtual assistant and some configuration menus based on keyboard shortcuts.
- Windows key + Q or Windows + S : Open the Windows 10 finder.
- Windows key + C : Open Cortana. The shortcut is disabled by default, and you have to activate it in Cortana’s settings.
- Windows key + I : Open the Windows 10 settings panel.
- Windows key + A : Open the Windows 10 notification panel.
- Windows key + X : Open the context menu of the start button.
- Windows key + S : Open the browser menu.
- Shift + access application in taskbar : Open the application immediately or open a new instance of the application
- Control + Shift + access application in taskbar : Open the application as administrator
- Shift + right click on application access on taskbar : Open the application window menu
- Shift + grouped buttons : Opens the different grouped windows
Text control
Who has not ever used the classic keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste text? I bet most of you. Even so, and although the use of these shortcuts is widespread, there are many others that will help us to have greater control over our texts and that we may not know as much . Here are a few.
- Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert : Paste a text where we have the cursor.
- Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert : Copies the selected text to the clipboard.
- Ctrl + X : Cuts the selected text on the clipboard.
- Ctrl + A : Select all text on the page.
- Ctrl + F : Write a text to find it on the page.
- Shift + Left, Right, Up or Down : Move the cursor through the text selecting the one you are passing along the way. Keep pressing the keys to select more text.
- Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right : Move the cursor one word to the left or right by selecting the text you are passing through.
- Shift + Start or End : Move the cursor to the beginning or end of the line selecting the text you pass through.
- Shift + Page Up or Page Down : Move the cursor to the upper or lower edge of the visible screen by selecting the text you are passing through.
- Ctrl + Shift + Home or End : Move the cursor to the upper or lower end of the text selecting the one you pass through.
Other little shortcuts to master Windows 10
Keyboard, mouse or touchpad and maybe even a touch screen. It does not take much more than that to move in a basic way in any operating system, but if what we want is to do it efficiently, saving time and a few clicks, it never hurts to know some of its gestures and keyboard shortcuts.
In this regard, Windows 10 not only continues to allow us to use some of the classic shortcuts that we all know by heart, but along with its new features it has also implemented new ones that help us to use them quickly and easily. Below you have the list with the best touchpad gestures and keyboard shortcuts , although remember that if they do not convince you there are tools to create custom shortcuts also available.
One thing you have to keep in mind is that these keyboard shortcuts are generic for Windows, but then other applications may have their own shortcuts. This means that yes, there are shortcuts like the ones in the screenshots that will work on all sites, but then each application can have its specific shortcuts. In fact, remember that you also have lists of shortcuts Word and shortcuts Excel .
Touchpad gestures
Whether in laptops, ultrabooks or even hybrids like Microsoft’s Surface, when there is no room for a mouse, the touchpad will take its place as a tool to help us move through the operating system. It is not always the most comfortable due to its small size, but with these gestural commands you can get the most out of it.
- One finger press : Normal click.
- Two-finger tap : Right click.
- Three-finger tap: Open Cortana searches. It can be changed to open notifications.
- Four-finger tap: Open the notification center.
- Double click with one finger : Double click.
- Double tap with one finger and drag : Select texts or applications. It also serves to drag icons.
- Swipe up or down with two fingers : Scroll on the screen.
- Swipe up with three fingers : Opens the task view, and within them we can slide down with three fingers to select which one to view.
- Three-finger swipe down : Displays the desktop. If we swipe up with three fingers again, the windows are shown again.
- Swipe left or right with three fingers : Navigate between open windows.
- Four-finger swipe left or right : Switch virtual desktops.
- Four-finger swipe up : Go to the multitasking screen.
- Pinch in or out Zoom in or out.
Keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are small resources with which by just combining two or three keys we can save a few clicks or having to move from one side of the screen to the other. Undoubtedly there are some that we will use much more than others , but it is never a bad thing to know them all, since you never know when the mouse will fail us.
Active windows control
We can easily use Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts in active windows control. With these commands you can move the active window and adjust it in different areas of the screen , from the left or right half to the lower left or upper right edges. It’s a perfect way to play with the windows you’re working with and adjust them in such a way that you can make the most of your screen space.
- Windows Key + Left : Places the active window in the left half of the screen.
- Windows Key + Right : Places the active window in the right half of the screen.
- Windows Key + Up : Depending on which half the active window is in, moves it to the top.
- Windows Key + Down : Depending on which half the active window is in, moves it to the bottom.
- Windows key + ,: Hide all windows until the Windows key is released.
- Windows key + D : Minimize all windows.
- Ctrl + Shift + M : Restores all minimized windows to full screen.
- Windows key + Start : Minimizes all windows except the active one.
- Windows key + E : Launch the file explorer.
- Windows key + T : Navigate between the windows on the taskbar. Hit enter to open them when they are selected.
- Windows key + A number : Opens the window located in the position corresponding to the number on the taskbar.
- Alt + Tab : You alternate between the different open windows.
- Alt + F4 : Close the active window
- Windows key + Shift + Left or Right : Moves the active window to another monitor, whenever there is one, located to the left or right of the main one.
- Windows key + L : Lock your session and stay on the unlock screen.
- Windows key + M : Minimize all your windows.
Control of virtual desktops
Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts if used with virtual desktop, makes our work easier. Virtual desktops are one of the great novelties of Windows 10, and something that Microsoft users have long been waiting to settle for seeing them in other operating systems. Using them to organize yourself better without having to click on the menus is also just a keystroke away thanks to the following shortcuts.
- Windows key + Ctrl + D : Create a new virtual desktop
- Windows key + Ctrl + Left : You move to the virtual desktop on the left.
- Windows key + Ctrl + Right : You move to the virtual desktop on the right.
- Windows key + Ctrl + F4 : Close the active virtual desktop.
- Windows key + Tab : The task view opens, in which in addition to the open windows you can also see the desktops.
Shortcuts for file explorer
Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts can be easier for file explorer. Now we leave you with some shortcuts with which you will be able to interact with the file explorer and the directories that are inside.
- Alt + D : Go to the address bar.
- Ctrl + E : Go to searches in the address bar.
- Ctrl + F : Go to the search bar.
- Ctrl + N : Open a new window.
- Ctrl + W : Close the active window.
- Ctrl + mouse wheel : Change the size of the displayed elements.
- Alt + P : Open the preview pane.
- Alt + Enter : Enter the properties.
- Alt + Right Arrow : Go to the next file.
- Alt + Up Arrow : Go to the file that the file you are in belongs to.
- Alt + Left Arrow : Go to the previous file.
- End : Go to the end of the content window.
- Home : Go to the top of the content window.
- F11 : Maximize or minimize the active window.
Cortana control, taskbar and settings
Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts can be easily used in Cortona. Cortana is another of the main protagonists of Windows 10, and as such we can turn to her and use it naturally as many times as we want, either to find a file, look at information of interest or simply to tell us a joke. With Windows 10 we can also access this virtual assistant and some configuration menus based on keyboard shortcuts.
- Windows key + Q or Windows + S : Open the Windows 10 finder.
- Windows key + C : Open Cortana. The shortcut is disabled by default, and you have to activate it in Cortana’s settings.
- Windows key + I : Open the Windows 10 settings panel.
- Windows key + A : Open the Windows 10 notification panel.
- Windows key + X : Open the context menu of the start button.
- Windows key + S : Open the browser menu.
- Shift + access application in taskbar : Open the application immediately or open a new instance of the application
- Control + Shift + access application in taskbar : Open the application as administrator
- Shift + right click on application access on taskbar : Open the application window menu
- Shift + grouped buttons : Opens the different grouped windows
Text control
Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts is easier to control text. Who has not ever used the classic keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste text? I bet most of you. Even so, and although the use of these shortcuts is widespread, there are many others that will help us to have greater control over our texts and that we may not know as much . Here are a few.
- Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert : Paste a text where we have the cursor.
- Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert : Copies the selected text to the clipboard.
- Ctrl + X : Cuts the selected text on the clipboard.
- Ctrl + A : Select all text on the page.
- Ctrl + F : Write a text to find it on the page.
- Shift + Left, Right, Up or Down : Move the cursor through the text selecting the one you are passing along the way. Keep pressing the keys to select more text.
- Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right : Move the cursor one word to the left or right by selecting the text you are passing through.
- Shift + Start or End : Move the cursor to the beginning or end of the line selecting the text you pass through.
- Shift + Page Up or Page Down : Move the cursor to the upper or lower edge of the visible screen by selecting the text you are passing through.
- Ctrl + Shift + Home or End : Move the cursor to the upper or lower end of the text selecting the one you pass through.
Other little shortcuts to master Windows 10
Windows 10 is much more than what we can see with the naked eye . Like many other operating systems, it is full of hidden functions or that require more navigation to get to them, so having keyboard shortcuts to access them can save us valuable time. Here are a few more to complete our collection.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc : Open the Windows 10 task manager.
- Windows key + R : Opens the Run dialog box.
- Shift + Del : Deletes a file permanently without sending it to the trash.
- Alt + Enter : Shows the properties of the selected file
- Windows key + U : Access the Ease of Access Center.
- Windows key + Imp Pant Petsis : Take a screenshot that is automatically saved in the captures folder, within the Images folder.
- Windows key + Shift + S : Open the screenshot menu to decide which area to capture.
- Windows key + G : Open the game bar.
- Windows key + H : Starts dictation mode.
- Windows key + K : Open the connect panel.
- Windows key + Alt + G : If enabled, starts screen recording in the background.
- Windows key + Alt + R : Stop screen recording.
- Windows Key + P : With a second display connected, navigate between display modes.
- Windows Key + D : Opens Feedback Hub.
- Windows key + “+” : Zoom in with the Magnifier application.
- Windows key + “-“ : Zoom out with the Magnifier application.
- Windows key + Alt + D : Shows and hides the Windows calendar.
And with this repertoire of gestures and keyboard shortcuts, any of you should be able to use Microsoft’s new operating system at full speed. We have tried to list as many as we have been able to, but surely some of them have escaped us, so do not be shy when it comes to advising others so that we can add them.
