Basic Keyboard Commands: In this post, we are providing all Shortcut keys of computer that will help you to access your computer faster and in a better way.

In most of the Examination, where computer subject is an integral part, questions are frequently asked from basic keyboard commands. This post is a part of complete computer notes where we will see the shortcut control keys and their specific functions.

Shortcut keys of computer

Shortcut keys, also known as keyboard shortcuts or hotkeys, are combinations of keys on a computer keyboard that provide quick access to certain functions or actions within an application or the operating system. These shortcuts are designed to save time and effort by allowing users to perform tasks without using the mouse or navigating through menus.

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Here, we are providing a list of keyboard commands and shortcut keys of computer.

Basic Shortcut Keys of computer:

Keyboard Commands – USING CONTROL KEY

Shortcut Key Combination	Function
CTRL + A	Highlighting the entire document
CTRL + B	Bold
CTRL + C	Copy
CTRL + D	Opens the font dialogue box
CTRL + E	Centre Alignment
CTRL + F	Find
CTRL + H	Replace
CTRL + I	Italics
CTRL + J	Justify Alignment
CTRL + L	Left Alignment
CTRL + M	Setting Margins
CTRL + N	Opening a New Document
CTRL + O	Opening a Saved Document through the Open box.
CTRL + P	Opens the Print dialog box
CTRL + R	Right Alignment
CTRL + S	Saving a document
CTRL + U	Underlining selected text
CTRL + V	Paste
CTRL + W	Closing a document
CTRL + X	Cut text/ objects
CTRL + Y	Redo
CTRL + Z	Undo
CTRL + 1	Single line spacing
CTRL + 2	Double line spacing
CTRL + 5	1.5 line spacing
CTRL + +	Superscript
CTRL + =	Subscript
CTRL + }	Increase the font size
CTRL + {	Decrease the font size

USING SHIFT KEY

SHIFT + Arrow keys	Highlighting a selected text towards a given direction
SHIFT + F3	Changes the case of selected text (Change Case)

USING ALT KEY

ALT + F4

Closing a program/ shutting down the computer

All Shortcut Keys of Computer

General Windows Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + C: Copy the selected item.
2. Ctrl + X: Cut the selected item.
3. Ctrl + V: Paste the selected item.
4. Ctrl + Z: Undo an action.
5. Ctrl + Y: Redo an action.
6. Ctrl + A: Select all items in a document or window.
7. Ctrl + F: Open the Find dialog box to search for text in the active application.
8. Ctrl + S: Save the current document or file.
9. Ctrl + P: Print the current document or file.
10. Ctrl + N: Open a new window or document in the active application.
11. Alt + Tab: Switch between open applications.
12. Alt + F4: Close the active application or window.
13. Windows Key: Open or close the Start menu.
14. Windows Key + D: Show or hide the desktop.
15. Windows Key + E: Open File Explorer.
16. Windows Key + R: Open the Run dialog box.
17. Windows Key + L: Lock the computer and switch to the login screen.
18. Windows Key + Tab: Open Task View for virtual desktops and app switching (Windows 10 and later).
19. Windows Key + Print Screen: Capture a screenshot and save it in the Screenshots folder (Windows 8 and later).
20. Alt + Print Screen: Capture a screenshot of the active window.

File Explorer Keyboard Commands:

1. F2: Rename the selected item.
2. F3: Open a search window in File Explorer.
3. F5: Refresh the current window.
4. Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder.
5. Ctrl + Mouse Scroll Wheel: Zoom in or out in File Explorer.
6. Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager directly.

Browser (for most browsers) Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + T: Open a new tab.
2. Ctrl + W: Close the current tab.
3. Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed tab.
4. Ctrl + Tab: Switch between tabs.
5. Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Switch between tabs in reverse order.
6. Ctrl + R or F5: Refresh the current page.
7. Ctrl + L or F6: Move the cursor to the address bar.
8. Ctrl + Enter: Add “www.” and “.com” to the text typed in the address bar.

Text Editing Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + B: Bold the selected text.
2. Ctrl + I: Italicize the selected text.
3. Ctrl + U: Underline the selected text.
4. Ctrl + Left Arrow/Right Arrow: Move the cursor to the beginning/end of the previous/next word.
5. Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow/Right Arrow: Select text from the current position to the beginning/end of the previous/next word.
6. Ctrl + Home/End: Move the cursor to the beginning/end of the document.
7. Ctrl + Shift + Home/End: Select text from the current position to the beginning/end of the document.
8. Ctrl + Backspace: Delete the word to the left of the cursor.
9. Ctrl + Delete: Delete the word to the right of the cursor.
10. Shift + Arrow Keys: Select text in the direction of the arrow.
11. Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys: Extend the selection one word or line at a time.

Windows Explorer/File Management Keyboard Commands:

1. Alt + Enter: Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item.
2. Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder.
3. Alt + Up Arrow: Go up one level in File Explorer.
4. Alt + Left Arrow/Backspace: Go back to the previous folder in File Explorer.
5. Alt + Right Arrow: Go forward in File Explorer if you have previously gone back.
6. F11: Toggle full-screen mode in File Explorer.

Taskbar and Window Management Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + Number (1-9): Open the corresponding application on the taskbar (e.g., Windows Key + 1 for the first pinned app).
2. Windows Key + Shift + Number (1-9): Open a new instance of the corresponding application on the taskbar.
3. Windows Key + Ctrl + Number (1-9): Cycle between open windows of the corresponding application on the taskbar.
4. Windows Key + D: Show or hide the desktop.
5. Windows Key + Up Arrow: Maximize the active window.
6. Windows Key + Down Arrow: Minimize the active window or restore a minimized window.
7. Windows Key + Left Arrow/Right Arrow: Snap the active window to the left or right half of the screen.
8. Windows Key + Shift + Left Arrow/Right Arrow: Move the active window to the left or right monitor (multi-monitor setups).
9. Alt + Space: Open the window menu (restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, close).

Accessibility Shortcuts (for users with disabilities) Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + U: Open the Ease of Access Center.
2. Windows Key + Ctrl + C: Activate the color filter to enhance color perception.
3. Windows Key + Plus (+)/Minus (-): Zoom in/out.

Virtual Desktops (Windows 10 and later) Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + Ctrl + D: Create a new virtual desktop.
2. Windows Key + Ctrl + Left Arrow/Right Arrow: Switch between virtual desktops.
3. Windows Key + Ctrl + F4: Close the current virtual desktop.

Screenshots and Screen Recording (Windows 10 and later) Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + Shift + S: Open the Snipping Tool (Windows 10) or the Snip & Sketch tool (Windows 11) for taking custom screenshots.
2. Windows Key + Print Screen: Capture a screenshot and save it in the “Screenshots” folder in “Pictures.”
3. Windows Key + Alt + Print Screen: Capture a screenshot of the active window and save it in the “Screenshots” folder in “Pictures.”
4. Windows Key + G: Open the Xbox Game Bar for game-related screen recording and broadcasting (Windows 10).

Task Manager Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager directly.
2. Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Open the “Security Options” screen, which includes options to lock the computer, switch user, log off, change password, or open Task Manager.

Command Prompt and PowerShell Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + C: Interrupt or terminate a running command or script.
2. Ctrl + V: Paste text into the command prompt or PowerShell.
3. Shift + Arrow Keys: Select text in the command prompt or PowerShell.
4. Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys: Extend the text selection in the command prompt or PowerShell.
5. Ctrl + A: Select all text in the command prompt or PowerShell.
6. F7: View command history in the command prompt.
7. F3: Repeat the last command in the command prompt.

Remote Desktop Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + Alt + End: Send the Ctrl + Alt + Delete command to the remote host (when using Remote Desktop).

File and Folder Navigation (Windows Explorer) Keyboard Commands:

1. Alt + D or Ctrl + L: Move the cursor to the address bar in File Explorer.
2. Ctrl + Shift + E: Show all folders above the selected folder in File Explorer’s navigation pane.
3. Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder in File Explorer.
4. Alt + P: Show or hide the preview pane in File Explorer.

Windows Settings Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + I: Open the Windows Settings app.
2. Windows Key + A: Open the Action Center for quick access to notifications and quick settings (Windows 10 and later).
3. Windows Key + X: Open the Quick Link menu (Windows 8.1 and Windows 10).

Text Navigation (within documents and web browsers) Keyboard Commands:

1. Home: Move the cursor to the beginning of a line.
2. End: Move the cursor to the end of a line.
3. Ctrl + Home: Move the cursor to the beginning of a document.
4. Ctrl + End: Move the cursor to the end of a document.
5. Ctrl + Left Arrow/Right Arrow: Move the cursor one word to the left or right.
6. Ctrl + Up Arrow/Down Arrow: Scroll one line up or down.
7. Page Up/Page Down: Scroll one page up or down.
8. Alt + Page Up/Page Down: Scroll left or right in a document (horizontal scrolling).

Microsoft Office Specific Shortcuts Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + N: Create a new document (in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
2. Ctrl + O: Open an existing document.
3. Ctrl + P: Print the current document.
4. Ctrl + F: Find text within the document.
5. Ctrl + H: Find and replace text within the document.
6. Ctrl + S: Save the current document.
7. Ctrl + W: Close the current document or window.
8. Ctrl + F12: Open the “Save As” dialog box.
9. F12: Open the “Save As” dialog box (in some versions of Office).
10. F4: Repeat the last action (in some versions of Office).

Miscellaneous Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + Space: Switch between available keyboard input languages or keyboards.
2. Windows Key + LShift: Change the keyboard input language when multiple languages are enabled.
3. Ctrl + Shift: Switch the keyboard layout between languages (when multiple languages are enabled).

Windows Run Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + R: Open the Run dialog box.
2. cmd: Open Command Prompt.
3. powershell: Open PowerShell.
4. msconfig: Open System Configuration Utility.
5. devmgmt.msc: Open Device Manager.
6. appwiz.cpl: Open the Programs and Features window.
7. control: Open the Control Panel.
8. taskmgr: Open Task Manager.
9. msinfo32: Open System Information.

Clipboard History (Windows 10 and later) Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + V: Open the Clipboard History, allowing you to paste from a list of recently copied items.

Taskbar Shortcuts Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + B: Set focus to the notification area on the taskbar.
2. Windows Key + T: Cycle through applications on the taskbar using the keyboard.
3. Windows Key + Shift + T: Cycle backward through applications on the taskbar using the keyboard.
4. Windows Key + Ctrl + B: Open the “Notification Area Icons” settings.
5. Windows Key + Alt + Number (1-9): Open the jump list for the corresponding application on the taskbar (if supported).

Windows Snap Assist (Windows 10 and later) Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + Left Arrow/Right Arrow: Snap the active window to the left or right side of the screen.
2. Windows Key + Up Arrow: Maximize the active window.
3. Windows Key + Down Arrow: Minimize or restore the active window.

Accessibility Shortcuts Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + U: Open the Ease of Access Center for accessibility options.
2. Ctrl + Alt + Arrow Keys: Rotate the screen display orientation (for devices that support screen rotation).

Narrator (Windows Accessibility Feature) Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + Windows Key + Enter: Launch or exit Narrator.

Windows Magnifier (Windows Accessibility Feature) Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + Plus (+): Zoom in.
2. Windows Key + Minus (-): Zoom out.

Windows Narrator and Magnifier shortcuts may vary depending on your version of Windows.

Game Bar (Windows 10) Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + G: Open the Game Bar for game-related features like recording, broadcasting, and taking screenshots.

Windows Media Player (if installed) Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + P: Play or pause a media file.
2. Ctrl + S: Stop playback.
3. Ctrl + Shift + G: Play faster.
4. Ctrl + Shift + S: Play slower.
5. Ctrl + Shift + N: Play normal speed.

Windows Search Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + S: Open Windows Search, allowing you to quickly search for files, applications, settings, and more.

Task View (Windows 10 and later) Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + Tab: Open Task View, which displays all your virtual desktops and allows you to switch between them.

Windows Explorer and File Management Keyboard Commands:

1. Alt + Enter: Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item.
2. F2: Rename the selected item.
3. Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder in the current directory.
4. Ctrl + Click: Select multiple individual items in a folder.
5. Ctrl + A: Select all items in the current folder.
6. Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager directly (useful when an application becomes unresponsive).
7. Ctrl + Shift + Delete: Open the “Delete Browsing History” window in web browsers.

Remote Desktop Keyboard Commands:

1. Alt + Page Up/Page Down: Switch between programs on the remote desktop, as if you were using Alt + Tab on the remote machine.

Command Prompt and PowerShell Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + C: Copy the selected text.
2. Ctrl + V: Paste text into the command prompt or PowerShell.
3. Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys: Select text in the command prompt or PowerShell.
4. Ctrl + A: Select all text in the command prompt or PowerShell.
5. Ctrl + Up Arrow/Down Arrow: Scroll up or down one line at a time in the command prompt or PowerShell.

Windows Security and System Shortcuts Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + L: Lock the computer and switch to the login screen.
2. Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Open the “Security Options” screen, which includes options to lock the computer, switch user, log off, change password, or open Task Manager.

Windows Narrator (Accessibility Feature) Keyboard Commands:

1. Ctrl + Windows Key + Enter: Launch or exit Narrator.

Windows Update Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + I: Open Windows Settings, then navigate to “Update & Security” to check for Windows updates.

Calculator Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + R: Open the Run dialog, type “calc,” and press Enter to launch the Calculator app.

System Information Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + R: Open the Run dialog, type “msinfo32,” and press Enter to open System Information.

Date and Time Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + I: Open Windows Settings, then navigate to “Time & Language” to adjust date and time settings.

Ease of Access Center (Windows 7 and earlier) Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + U: Open the Ease of Access Center, providing access to accessibility options.

Print Screen and Snipping Tool (Windows 7 and earlier) Keyboard Commands:

1. Print Screen: Capture a screenshot of the entire screen (stored in clipboard).
2. Alt + Print Screen: Capture a screenshot of the active window (stored in clipboard).
3. Windows Key + Shift + S: Open the Snipping Tool (Windows 7 and Windows 8), or the Snip & Sketch tool (Windows 10).

Windows Recovery Environment (Advanced Boot Options) Keyboard Commands:

• F8: Access the Advanced Boot Options menu during startup to troubleshoot Windows startup issues (Windows 7 and earlier).

File and Folder Navigation in Windows Explorer Keyboard Commands:

• Alt + Left Arrow/Right Arrow: Navigate back/forward in Windows Explorer, similar to using the browser’s Back and Forward buttons.

Windows Task Scheduler Keyboard Commands:

• Windows Key + R: Open the Run dialog, type “taskschd.msc,” and press Enter to launch Task Scheduler.

Registry Editor Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + R: Open the Run dialog, type “regedit,” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Windows Resource Monitor Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + R: Open the Run dialog, type “resmon,” and press Enter to launch Resource Monitor, which provides detailed system performance information.

Windows Firewall Keyboard Commands:

1. Windows Key + R: Open the Run dialog, type “wf.msc,” and press Enter to access the Windows Firewall settings.

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