Windows key shortcuts

The Windows key combined with other keys allows you to perform many useful tasks, such as launch Settings, File Explorer, Run command, apps pinned in the Taskbar, or open specific features like Narrator or Magnifier. You can also complete tasks like controlling windows, and virtual desktops, taking screenshots, locking the computer, and more.

Here's a list of all the most common keyboard shortcuts using the Windows key.

Keyboard shortcut                               Action

Windows key                                        Open Start menu.

Windows key + A                                  Open Action center.

Windows key + S (or Q)                        Open Search.

Windows key + D                                  Display and hide the desktop.

Windows key + L                                   Locks computer.

Windows key + M                                  Minimize all windows.

Windows key + B                                  Set focus notification area in the Taskbar.

Windows key + C                                  Launch Cortana app.

Windows key + F                                  Launch Feedback Hub app.

Windows key + G                                 Launch Game bar app.

Windows key + Y                                 Change input between desktop and Mixed Reality.

Windows key + O                                Lock device orientation.

Windows key + T                                 Cycle through apps in the Taskbar.

Windows key + Z                        Switch input between the desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality.

Windows key + J                                 Set focus on a tip for Windows 10 when applicable.

Windows key + H                                Open dictation feature.

Windows key + E                                Open File Explorer.

Windows key + I                                 Open Settings.

Windows key + R                               Open Run command.

Windows key + K                               Open Connect settings.

Windows key + X                               Open Quick Link menu.

Windows key + V                               Open Clipboard bin.

Windows key + W                              Open the Windows Ink Workspace.

Windows key + U                               Open Ease of Access settings.

Windows key + P                               Open Project settings.

Windows key + Ctrl + Enter               Open Narrator.

Windows key + Plus (+)                     Zoom in using the magnifier.

Windows key + Minus (-)                   Zoom out using the magnifier.

Windows key + Esc                           Exit magnifier.

Windows key + Forward-slash (/)      Start IME reconversion.

Windows key + Comma (,)                Temporarily peek at the desktop.

Windows key + Up arrow key            Maximize app windows.

Windows key + Down arrow key        Minimize app windows.

Windows key + Home                        Minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window.

Windows key + Shift + M                    Restore minimized windows on the desktop.

Windows key + Shift + Up arrow key  Stretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.

Windows key + Shift + Down arrow key Maximize or minimize active windows vertically while maintaining width.

Windows key + Shift + Left arrow key Move active window to monitor on the left.

Windows key + Shift + Right arrow key Move active window to monitor on the right.

Windows key + Left arrow key              Snap app or window left.

Windows key + Right arrow key           Snap app or window right.

Windows key + Number (0-9)               Open the app in number position in the Taskbar.

Windows key + Shift + Number (0-9)    Open another app instance in the number position in the Taskbar.

Windows key + Ctrl + Number (0-9)    Switch to the last active window of the app in the number position in the Taskbar.

Windows key + Alt + Number (0-9)      Open Jump List of the app in number position in the Taskbar.

Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + Number (0-9)  Open another instance as an administrator of the app in the number position in the Taskbar.

Windows key + Ctrl + Spacebar          Change previous selected input option.

Windows key + Spacebar                   Change keyboard layout and input language.

Windows key + Tab                            Open Task View.

Windows key + Ctrl + D                      Create a virtual desktop.

Windows key + Ctrl + F4                    Close active virtual desktop.

Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow      Switch to the virtual desktop on the right.

Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow        Switch to the virtual desktop on the left.

Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B          Wake up the device when black or a blank screen.

Windows key + PrtScn                      Capture a full screenshot in the "Screenshots" folder.

Windows key + Shift + S                   Create part of the screen screenshot.

Windows key + Shift + V                   Cycle through notifications.

Windows key + Ctrl + F                    Open search for the device on a domain network.

Windows key + Ctrl + Q                   Open Quick Assist.

Windows key + Alt + D                     Open date and time in the Taskbar.

Windows key + Period (.) or Semicolon (;)  Open emoji panel.

Windows key + Pause                     Show System Properties dialog box.