Windows and macOS keyboard shortcuts to make your life easier

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Choose the combinations that will be most useful for your tasks, and stop wasting so much time on routine operations.

Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts

1. Basic keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + X - cut the selected item.
• Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) - copy the selected item.
• Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) - paste the copied element.
• Ctrl + Z - undo the last action.
• Alt + Tab - switch between open applications.
• Alt + F4 - close the active window or exit the active application.
• F2 - Rename the selected item.
• F3 - start searching for a file or folder in Explorer.
• F5 - refresh the active window.
• Alt + Enter - display the properties of the selected item.
• Alt + Space - open the context menu of the active window.
• Alt + Left Arrow - Return to the previous section of the application or "Explorer".
• Alt + Right Arrow - Go to the next section of the application or "Explorer".
• Ctrl + F4 - close the active document (in applications that are expanded to full screen and allow simultaneous opening of several documents).
• Ctrl + A - select all elements in the document or window.
• Ctrl + D (or Delete) - delete the selected item by moving it to the "Trash".
• Ctrl + Y - redo the last action.
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc - launch the "Task Manager".
• Ctrl + Shift - switch keyboard layout if there are several.
• Shift + F10 - open the context menu for the selected item.
• Shift + Delete - delete the selected item without first placing it in the "Trash".
• Esc - stop the execution of the current task or exit it.

2. Windows key combinations

• Windows key - Open or close the Start menu.
• Windows Key + A - Open Action Center.
• Windows Key + D - Show or hide the desktop.
• Windows Key + E - Open File Explorer.
• Windows Key + G - Open the menu of the running game.
• Windows Key + I - Open the "Options" section.
• Windows Key + O - lock device orientation.
• Windows Key + R - Open the Run dialog box.
• Windows Key + S - Open the search box.
• Windows Key + U - Open Ease of Access Center.
• Windows Key + L - Lock the computer or change user.
• Windows Key + X - Open the quick links menu.
• Windows Key + Z - Show commands available in the application in full screen mode.
• Windows Key + Pause Display the System Properties dialog box.
• Windows key + Ctrl + F - start searching for computers (if there is a network).
• Windows key + Shift + M - restore minimized windows on the desktop.
• Windows key + Home - minimize all windows except for the active desktop window (restore all windows when pressed again).
• Windows key + spacebar - Toggle input language and keyboard layout.
• Windows key + Ctrl + Spacebar - return to the previously selected input language.

3. Keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes

• Ctrl + Tab - go forward through the tabs.
• Ctrl + Shift + Tab - go back through the tabs.
• Ctrl + a number from 1 to 9 - go to the nth tab.
• Tab - go forward through the parameters.
• Shift + Tab - go back through the parameters.

4. Keyboard shortcuts in Explorer

• Alt + D - select the address bar.
• Ctrl + F - open the search field for an application or document.
• Ctrl + N - open a new window.
• Ctrl + W - close the active window.
• Ctrl + Mouse Scroll Wheel - Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons.
• Ctrl + Shift + N - create a new folder.
• Alt + Enter - Opens the Properties dialog box for the selected item.
• Alt + Right Arrow - Browse the next folder.
• Alt + Up Arrow - View the folder in which this folder is nested.
• Alt + Left Arrow or Backspace - View the previous folder.
• F11 - maximize or collapse the active window.

All keyboard shortcuts for Windows 10 →

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Windows 8 and 8.1 hotkeys

1. Basic keyboard shortcuts

• F1 - display help.
• F2 - Rename the selected item.
• F3 - start searching for a file or folder.
• F5 - refresh the active window.
• Alt + F4 - close the active item or exit the active application.
• Alt + Enter - display the properties of the selected item.
• Alt + Space - open the context menu of the active window.
• Alt + Left Arrow - Go back to the previous section.
• Alt + Right Arrow - Go to the next section.
• Alt + Tab - switch between open applications (except desktop applications).
• Ctrl + F4 - close the active document (in applications that are expanded to full screen and allow simultaneous opening of several documents).
• Ctrl + A - select all elements in the document or window.
• Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) - copy the selected items.
• Ctrl + D (or Delete) - move the selected item to the "Trash".
• Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) - paste the copied element.
• Ctrl + X - cut the selected item.
• Ctrl + Y - redo the last action.
• Ctrl + Z - undo the last action.
• Ctrl + Plus (+) or Ctrl + Minus (-) - Increase or decrease the number of objects, such as applications, pinned to the Start screen (Windows 8.1 only).
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc - launch the "Task Manager".
• Ctrl + Shift - switch keyboard layout if there are several.
• Shift + F10 - open the context menu for the selected item.
• Shift + Delete - delete the selected item without first placing it in the "Trash".
• Esc - stop the execution of the current task or exit it.

2. Windows key combinations

• Windows key - show or hide the start screen.
• Windows Key + D - Show or hide the desktop.
• Windows Key + E - Open File Explorer.
• Windows Key + L - Lock your computer or change user.
• Windows Key + M - Minimize all windows.
• Windows Key + O - lock device orientation.
• Windows Key + R - Open the Run dialog box.
• Windows Key + U - Open Ease of Access Center.
• Windows Key + X - Open the quick links menu.
• Windows Key + Z - Display the commands available in the app (Windows 8.1 only).
• Windows Key + Pause Display the System Properties dialog box.
• Windows key + Ctrl + F - start searching for computers (if there is a network).
• Windows key + Shift + M - restore minimized windows on the desktop.
• Windows Key + Ctrl + B - Switch to the application that displayed the message in the notification area.
• Windows key + Home - minimize all windows except for the active desktop window (restore all windows when pressed again).
• Windows key + spacebar - Toggle input language and keyboard layout (Windows 8.1 only).
• Windows key + Ctrl + Spacebar - Return to the previously selected input language (Windows 8.1 only).
• Windows Key + Alt + Enter - Open Windows Media Center.

3. Keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes

• F1 - display help.
• Ctrl + Tab - go forward through the tabs.
• Ctrl + Shift + Tab - go back through the tabs.
• Ctrl + a number from 1 to 9 - go to the nth tab.
• Tab - go forward through the parameters.
• Shift + Tab - go back through the parameters.

4. Keyboard shortcuts in Explorer

• Alt + D - select the address bar.
• Ctrl + N - open a new window.
• Ctrl + W - close the current window.
• Ctrl + Mouse Scroll Wheel - Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons.
• Ctrl + Shift + N - create a new folder.
• Alt + P - display the viewport.
• Alt + Enter - Opens the Properties dialog box for the selected item.
• Alt + Right Arrow - Browse the next folder.
• Alt + Up Arrow - View the folder in which this folder is nested.
• Alt + Left Arrow or Backspace - View the previous folder.
• F11 - maximize or collapse the active window.

All keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8 and 8.1 →

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Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts

1. Basic keyboard shortcuts

• F1 - call help.
• Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) - copy the selected item.
• Ctrl + X - cut the selected item.
• Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) - paste the copied element.
• Ctrl + Z - undo the last action.
• Ctrl + Y - redo the last action.
• Delete (or Ctrl + D) - move the selected item to the "Trash".
• Shift + Delete - delete the selected item without moving it to the "Trash".
• F2 - rename the selected item.
• Ctrl + A - select all elements in the document or window.
• F3 - start searching for a file or folder.
• Alt + Enter - display the properties of the selected item.
• Alt + F4 - close the active element or exit the active program.
• Alt + Space - open the context menu of the active window.
• Ctrl + F4 - close the active document (in programs that allow simultaneous opening of several documents).
• Alt + Tab - switch between active elements.
• Ctrl + Mouse Scroll Wheel - Resize desktop icons.
• Shift + F10 - open the context menu for the selected item.
• F5 (or Ctrl + R) - refresh the active window.
• Alt + Up Arrow - View the folder one level higher in Explorer.
• Esc - cancel the current task.
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc - launch the "Task Manager".
• Left Alt + Shift - switch input language if there are several.
• Ctrl + Shift - switch keyboard layout if there are several.

2. Windows key combinations

• Windows key - Open or close the Start menu.
• Windows Key + Pause Display the System Properties dialog box.
• Windows Key + D - Display the desktop.
• Windows Key + M - Minimize all windows.
• Windows key + Shift + M - restore minimized windows on the desktop.
• Windows Key + E - Open My Computer.
• Windows key + F - start a search for computers (if there is a network).
• Windows Key + L - Lock your computer or change user.
• Windows Key + R - Open the Run dialog box.
• Windows key + Spacebar (View desktop)
• Windows Key + Home - Minimize all windows except the active one.
• Windows Key + U - Open Ease of Access Center.
• Windows Key + X - Open Windows Mobility Center.

3. Keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes

• Ctrl + Tab - go forward through the tabs.
• Ctrl + Shift + Tab - go back through the tabs.
• Tab - go forward through the parameters.
• Shift + Tab - go back through the parameters.
• Enter - execute a command for the current item or button.
• F1 - display help.

4. Keyboard shortcuts in Explorer

• Ctrl + N - open a new window.
• Ctrl + W - close the current window.
• Ctrl + Shift + N - create a new folder.
• Home - display the top edge of the active window.
• F11 - maximize or collapse the active window.
• Ctrl + point - rotate the image clockwise.
• Ctrl + comma - rotate the image counterclockwise.
• Alt + Enter - Opens the Properties dialog box for the selected item.
• Alt + Left Arrow or Backspace - View the previous folder.
• Ctrl + Mouse Scroll Wheel - Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons.
• Alt + D - select the address bar.

All keyboard shortcuts for Windows 7 →

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Windows XP hotkeys

1. Basic keyboard shortcuts

• Ctrl + C - copy the selected object.
• Ctrl + X - delete the selected object and save a copy of it in the clipboard.
• Ctrl + V - paste the copied object from the clipboard.
• Ctrl + Z - undo the last action.
• Delete - move the selected object to the "Trash".
• Shift + Delete - delete the selected object permanently, without placing it in the "Trash".
• Ctrl while dragging an object - copy the selected object.
• Ctrl + Shift while dragging an object - create a shortcut for the selected object.
• F2 - Rename the selected object.
• Ctrl + A - select the entire document.
• F3 - start searching for a file or folder.
• Alt + Enter - view the properties of the selected object.
• Alt + F4 - close the active window or quit the active program.
• Alt + spacebar - call the context menu of the active window.
• Ctrl + F4 - close the active document in an application where you can open multiple documents at the same time.
• Alt + Tab - switch between open windows.
• Alt + Esc - view objects in the order in which they were opened.
• Shift + F10 - call the context menu for the selected item.
• Alt + Space - Call the system menu for the active window.
• F5 - refresh the active window.
• Backspace - view the contents of a folder one level higher in the My Computer or Explorer folder.
• Esc - cancel the running task.
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc - call the "Task Manager".

2. Windows key combinations

• Windows key - Open or close the Start menu.
• Windows Key + D - Display the desktop.
• Windows Key + M - Minimize all windows.
• Windows key + Shift + M - restore minimized windows.
• Windows Key + E - Open My Computer.
• Windows key + F - start searching for a file or folder.
• Ctrl + Windows key + F - start searching for computers.
• Windows Key + L - Lock the keyboard.
• Windows Key + R - Call the "Run Program" dialog box.
• Windows Key + U - Open the Utility Manager.

3. Keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes

• Ctrl + Tab - move forward through the tabs.
• Ctrl + Shift + Tab - move backward through the tabs.
• Tab - move forward through the controls.
• Shift + Tab - move backward through the controls.
• Enter - execute a command for the current item or button.
• F1 - Call Windows Help.

4. Keyboard shortcuts in Explorer

• End - go to the bottom of the active window.
• Home - go to the beginning of the active window.
• Left arrow - collapse the selected object, if it is expanded, or select the parent folder.
• Right arrow - display the selected object if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder.

All keyboard shortcuts for Windows XP →

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MacOS keyboard shortcuts

1. Keyboard shortcuts for copying, pasting and other frequently used operations

• Command + X - delete the selected object by copying it to the clipboard.
• Command + C - copy the selected object to the clipboard.
• Command + V - paste the contents of the clipboard into the current document or program.
• Command + Z - undo the previous command.
• Command + A - Select All Objects.
• Command + F - start a search for objects in the document or open a search box.
• Command + H - hide the active program window.
• Command + M - Minimize the active window in the Dock.
• Command + Option + M - Minimize all windows of the active application.
• Command + N - create a new document or window.
• Command + O - open the selected object or bring up a dialog box for selecting and opening a file.
• Command + P - Print the current document.
• Command + S - Save the current document.
• Command + W - Close the active window.
• Command + Option + W - close all program windows.
• Command + Q - exit the program.
• Option + Command + Esc - Forcibly quit the program.
• Command + Space - Show or hide Spotlight search fields.
• Command + Tab - switch to the next recently used program among the open programs.
• Shift + Command + Tilde (~) Switch to the next most recently used window of the active application.
• Shift + Command + 3 - Take a screenshot of the entire screen.
• Command + comma - call the window with the settings of the active program.

2. Keyboard shortcuts for sleep, logout and shutdown

• Control + Command + Power Button - Force restart your computer.
• Control + Shift + Power button or Control + Shift + disk eject key - put the display into sleep mode.
• Control + Command + Eject disk key - Close all programs and restart the computer.
• Control + Option + Command + Power button or Control + Option + Command + eject key - Close all programs and shut down the computer.
• Shift + Command + Q - Log out of your macOS user account.
• Option + Shift + Command + Q - Immediately log out of your macOS user account without asking for confirmation.

3. Keyboard shortcuts for documents

• Command + B - Bold or Deselect the selected text.
• Command + I - select the selected text in italics or deselect.
• Command + U - select the selected text with an underline or deselect.
• Command + T - Show or hide the Fonts window.
• Command + D - Select the Desktop folder in the open or save file dialog box.
• Control + Command + D - Show or hide definitions of the selected word.
• Control + L - position the cursor or selection in the center of the visible area.
• Control + P - Move up one line.
• Control + N - Move down one line.
• Command + Left Curly Brace ({) - Left Align.
• Command + Right Curly Brace (}) Right Align.
• Shift + Command + Vertical Bar (|) - Align Center.
• Option + Command + F - Go to the search box.
• Option + Command + T - show or hide the toolbar in the program.
• Option + Command + C - copy the formatting options of the selected object to the clipboard.
• Option + Command + V - Apply the copied style to the selected object.
• Option + Shift + Command + V Apply a surrounding text style to the pasted object.
• Shift + Command + S - Display the Save As dialog box or duplicate the current document.

4. Keyboard shortcuts for the Finder window

• Command + D - create duplicate selected files.
• Command + E - eject the selected disk or volume.
• Command + F - Launch Spotlight search in a Finder window.
• Command + I - Display the Properties window for the selected file.
• Shift + Command + T - Add the selected item in the Finder window to the Dock (OS X Mountain Lion or earlier).
• Control + Shift + Command + T - Add the selected item in the Finder window to the Dock (OS X Mavericks or later).
• Shift + Command + U - Open the Utilities folder.
• Option + Command + D - Show or hide the Dock.
• Control + Command + T - Add the selected item to the sidebar (OS X Mavericks and later).
• Option + Command + V - Move files on the clipboard from their original location to their current location.
• Command + Left Bracket ([) Move to the previous folder.
• Command + Right Bracket (]) Move to the next folder.
• Command + Delete - move the selected files to the "Trash".
• Shift + Command + Delete - empty the Trash.
• Option + Shift + Command + Delete - Empty Trash without displaying a confirmation dialog.
• Command + Y - View files using Quick View.
• Option + Volume Up - Open Sound Settings.
• Command + Click on Window Title - View the folder containing the current folder.

All keyboard shortcuts for macOS →

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