How-To

Complete List of Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts and Run Commands

By Andre Da Costa

Last Updated on November 26, 2019

Everyone loves a quick way to get things done in Windows. If a mouse tends to slow you down,
then here is a comprehensive list of keyboard commands you can use to accomplish almost any
task you would normally use a mouse for.

Function Command

Power menu Press Windows key + X or right-click Start

Windows + Tab Launch Windows 10 Task View

Windows + Q Search the web and Windows with Cortana (speech)

Windows + S Search the web and Windows with Cortana (keyboard input)

Windows + I Open Windows 10 settings

Windows + A Open Windows 10 notifications

Windows + L Lock your Windows 10 device

Windows + Ctrl + D Create new virtual desktop

Windows + Ctrl + F4 Close current virtual desktop

Windows + Ctrl + [Left][Right] Switch between virtual desktops

Windows + [Left][Right][Up] Position windows on your screenE.g. Windows + [Left] moves the current
[Down] window to the left half of your screen. If you use Windows + [Up]
afterward, the current window will be placed in the upper left quarter of
your screen.And, what’s very handy in my opinion: If you release the
Windows key after positioning a window, Task View shows up on the
opposite side of the positioned window to select and position another
app.

Windows + H Share content (if supported by current app)

Windows + K Connect to wireless displays and audio devices

Windows + X Open Start button context menu

Windows key + G Starts App recording

Windows + D Show Windows desktop

Windows + E Open File Explorer

Windows + Space Switch keyboard input language (if you have added at least a second one)

Windows + Shift + [Left] Move current Window from one monitor to another (when using a
[Right] multiple monitor setup)

Windows + [1][2][3][…] Open programs that are pinned to task barE.g. if first pinned program on
your taskbar is Windows Explorer (from left to right); the shortcut
Windows + 1 opens Windows Explorer for you

Windows + R Run a command

Windows + P Project a screen

Alt + Tab Switch to previous window

Alt + Space Restore, move, size, minimize, maximize or close current window. Also
works like a charm for Windows 10 modern apps.

Alt + F4 a) Close current window.  b) If you’re on your Windows 10 desktop, open
Power dialogue to shut down or restart Windows, put your device in sleep
mode, or sign out or switch the current user.
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC Open Task Manager

Alt + underlined menu Open menu or program. Example, to open the Edit menu in WordPad,
press Alt then press E on your keyboard. Repeat the same step for the
menu you want to open.

General Windows keyboard shortcuts

Function Command

Access help system in an application F1

Activate menu bar F10

Close a program Alt + F4

Close current window in Multiple Document CTRL + F4

interface based programs

Access right-click menu in the application Shift + F10

Launch Start menu Ctrl + ESC or Windows key

Cut CTRL + X

Copy CTRL + C

Paste CTRL + V

Delete DEL

Undo CTRL + Z

System Properties Windows key + Pause/Break

Bypass auto-play when an external storage device Hold down SHIFT key while inserting a storage
is connected device

Desktop, My Computer, and File Explorer

For selected items, you can use the following shortcuts:

Function Command

Search CTRL + F or F3

Rename an item F2

Delete a folder or files permanently SHIFT + DEL

Access properties of a file or folder ALT + ENTER or ALT + double-click

Copy a file CTRL key while dragging file

Create a shortcut CTRL + SHIFT while dragging file

Select All CTRL + A

Refresh contents of a window F5

View the folder one level up Backspace key

Close the selected folder and its parent folders SHIFT key while clicking the close button

Switch between left and right panes F6

File Explorer commands

Function Command

Switch between left and right panes F6

Expand all subfolders under the selected folder NUMLOCK + ASTERISK when using a numeric
keyboard

Expand the selected folder NUMLOCK + PLUS sign when using a numeric
keyboard

Collapse the selected folder NUMLOCK + MINUS sign when using a numeric
keyboard

Expand current selection if it’s collapsed, otherwise Right arrow

select first subfolder

Collapse current selection if it’s expanded, Left arrow

otherwise, select parent folder

Properties dialog commands

Function Command

Move forward through options Tab key

Move backward through options SHIFT + Tab

Move forward through tabs CTRL + Tab

Move backward through tabs CTRL + SHIFT + TAB

Open and Save dialog commands

Function Command

Open the Save In and address bar CTRL + O and F4

Refresh F5
Open the folder one level up, if a folder is selected BACKSPACE

Windows 10 Command Prompt keyboard commands

Text Selection

Function Command

SHIFT + LEFT ARROW Moves the cursor to the left one character, extending the
selection

SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW Moves the cursor to the right one character, extending the
selection

SHIFT + UP ARROW Selects text up line by line starting from the location of the
insertion point

SHIFT + DOWN ARROW Extends text selection down one line, starting at the location of
the insertion point

SHIFT + END If cursor is in current line being edited* First time extends
selection to the last character in the input line.* Second
consecutive press extends selection to the right margin; or else
Selects text from the insertion point to the right margin.

SHIFT + HOME If cursor is in current line being edited* First time extends
selection to the character immediately after the command
prompt.* Second consecutive press extends selection to the left
margin; or else Extends selection to the left margin.

SHIFT + PAGE DOWN Extends selection down one screen

SHIFT + PAGE UP Extends selection up one screen

CTRL + SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW Extends the selection one word to the right

CTRL + SHIFT + LEFT ARROW Extends the selection one word to the left

CTRL + SHIFT + HOME Extend selection to the beginning of the screen buffer

CTRL + SHIFT + END Extend selection to the end of the screen buffer

CTRL + A If cursor is in current line being edited (from first typed char to
last type char) and line is not empty, and any selection cursor is
also within the line being edited Selects all text after the prompt
(phase 1); or else Selects the entire buffer (phase 2)

Edit commands
Function Command
Windows Key + V Open clipboard history menu

CTRL + V Paste text into the command line

SHIFT + INS Paste text into the command line

CTRL + C Copy selected text to the clipboard

CTRL + INS Copy selected text to the clipboard

Function Command

CTRL + M Enter “Mark Mode” to move cursor within window

ALT In conjunction with one of the selection key combinations,

begins selection in block mode

ARROW KEYS Move cursor in the direction specified

PAGE KEYS Move cursor by one page in the direction specified

CTRL + HOME Move cursor to beginning of buffer

CTRL + END Move cursor to end of buffer

History navigation keys

Function Command

CTRL + UP ARROW Moves up one line in the output history

CTRL + DOWN ARROW Moves down one line in the output history

CTRL + PAGE UP Moves up one page in the output history

CTRL + PAGE DOWN Moves down one page in the output history

Additional commands
Function Command

CTRL + F Opens “Find” in console dialog

ALT + F4 Close the console window, of course!

Keyboard Run Commands

Use the following to access locations such as Control Panel items, File Explorer shell folders
quickly using the run command.

Opens Press Windows + R and type:

Open Documents Folder documents

Open Videos folder videos

Open Downloads Folder downloads

Open Favorites Folder favorites

Open Recent Folder recent

Open Pictures Folder pictures

Adding a new Device devicepairingwizard

About Windows dialog winver

Add Hardware Wizard hdwwiz

Advanced User Accounts netplwiz

Advanced User Accounts azman.msc

Backup and Restore sdclt

Bluetooth File Transfer fsquirt

Calculator calc

Certificates certmgr.msc

Change Computer Performance Settings systempropertiesperformance

Change Data Execution Prevention Settings systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention

Change Data Execution Prevention Settings printui

Character Map charmap

ClearType Tuner cttune

Color Management colorcpl

Command Prompt cmd

Component Services comexp.msc

Component Services dcomcnfg

Computer Management compmgmt.msc

Computer Management compmgmtlauncher

Connect to a Projector displayswitch

Control Panel control

Create A Shared Folder Wizard shrpubw

Create a System Repair Disc recdisc

Data Execution Prevention systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention

Date and Time timedate.cpl

Default Location locationnotifications

Device Manager devmgmt.msc

Device Manager hdwwiz.cpl

Device Pairing Wizard devicepairingwizard

Diagnostics Troubleshooting Wizard msdt

Digitizer Calibration Tool tabcal

DirectX Diagnostic Tool dxdiag

Disk Cleanup cleanmgr

Disk Defragmenter dfrgui

Disk Management diskmgmt.msc

Display dpiscaling

Display Color Calibration dccw

Display Switch displayswitch

DPAPI Key Migration Wizard dpapimig

Driver Verifier Manager verifier

Ease of Access Center utilman

EFS Wizard rekeywiz

Event Viewer eventvwr.msc

Fax Cover Page Editor fxscover

File Signature Verification sigverif

Font Viewer fontview

Game Controllers joy.cpl

IExpress Wizard iexpress

Internet Explorer iexplore

Internet Options inetcpl.cpl

iSCSI Initiator Configuration Tool iscsicpl

Language Pack Installer lpksetup

Local Group Policy Editor gpedit.msc

Local Security Policy secpol.msc

Local Users and Groups lusrmgr.msc

Location Activity locationnotifications

Magnifier magnify

Malicious Software Removal Tool mrt

Manage Your File Encryption Certificates rekeywiz

Microsoft Management Console mmc

Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool msdt

Mouse main.cpl

NAP Client Configuration napclcfg.msc

Narrator narrator

Network Connections ncpa.cpl

New Scan Wizard wiaacmgr

Notepad notepad

ODBC Data Source Administrator odbcad32

ODBC Driver Configuration odbcconf

On-Screen Keyboard osk

Paint mspaint

Pen and Touch tabletpc.cpl

People Near Me collab.cpl

Performance Monitor perfmon.msc

Performance Options systempropertiesperformance

Phone and Modem telephon.cpl

Phone Dialer dialer

Power Options powercfg.cpl

Presentation Settings presentationsettings

Print Management printmanagement.msc

Printer Migration printbrmui

Printer User Interface printui

Private Character Editor eudcedit

Problem Steps Recorder psr

Programs and Features appwiz.cpl

Protected Content Migration dpapimig

Region and Language intl.cpl

Registry Editor regedit

Registry Editor 32 regedt32

Remote Access Phonebook rasphone

Remote Desktop Connection mstsc

Resource Monitor resmon

Resultant Set of Policy rsop.msc

SAM Lock Tool syskey

Screen Resolution desk.cpl

Securing the Windows Account Database syskey

Services services.msc

Set Program Access and Computer Defaults computerdefaults

Share Creation Wizard shrpubw

Shared Folders fsmgmt.msc

Signout logoff

Snipping Tool snippingtool

Sound mmsys.cpl

Sound recorder soundrecorder

SQL Server Client Network Utility cliconfg

Sticky Notes stikynot

Stored User Names and Passwords credwiz

Sync Center mobsync

System Configuration msconfig

System Configuration Editor sysedit

System Information msinfo32

System Properties sysdm.cpl

System Properties (Advanced Tab) systempropertiesadvanced

System Properties (Computer Name Tab) systempropertiescomputername

System Properties (Hardware Tab) systempropertieshardware

System Properties (Remote Tab) systempropertiesremote

System Properties (System Protection Tab) systempropertiesprotection

System Restore rstrui

Task Manager taskmgr

Task Scheduler taskschd.msc

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management tpm.msc

Turn Windows features on or off optionalfeatures

User Account Control Settings useraccountcontrolsettings

Utility Manager utilman

Volume Mixer sndvol

Windows Action Center wscui.cpl

Windows Activation Client slui

Windows Anytime Upgrade Results windowsanytimeupgraderesults

Windows Disc Image Burning Tool isoburn

Windows Explorer explorer

Windows Fax and Scan wfs

Windows Firewall firewall.cpl

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security wf.msc

Windows Journal journal

Windows Media Player wmplayer

Windows Memory Diagnostic Scheduler mdsched

Windows Mobility Center mblctr

Windows Picture Acquisition Wizard wiaacmgr

Windows PowerShell powershell

Windows PowerShell ISE powershell_ise

Windows Remote Assistance msra

Windows Repair Disc recdisc

Windows Script Host wscript

Windows Update wuapp

Windows Update Standalone Installer wusa

Versione Windows winver

WMI Management wmimgmt.msc

WordPad write

XPS Viewer xpsrchvw

The name and terminology used for certain commands and functions have been revised in
Windows 10, along with their locations. The following table provides how you can find and
access them.

Original Name New Name, Location, and Functions

Windows Explorer File Explorer – (Press Windows key + E to launch)

Favorites Navigation Pane Quick Access

(Windows Explorer)

Folder options Options (Files Explorer > View tab > Options)

Recent Items Located in File Explorer > This PC > Recent Files

Computer or My Computer This PC

Control Panel Settings (classic Control Panel can still be accessed – Windows key + X then
click Control Panel)

View Available Networks Network Flyout – Notification or Show Available Networks (Settings >
Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Additional settings
Action Center

Located in the System Tray; Manage incoming email, system, social

media notifications
Start menu Start

Task View

Create and Manage multiple desktops

Aero Snap Snap Assist – easily manage open windows on screen

All Programs All Apps

Shutdown/Turn off Power

computer

Switch Users Located at the top of the Start represented by your account name

There’s a lot here to remember, so make sure to bookmark this page so you can keep coming
back to refresh your memory or learn new shortcuts you haven’t used before.

Are you a Keyboard Kung Fu practitioner? What are your favorite key combos that you use?
Leave a comment below so we can update our list.

Essential Run Commands for Windows

Shortcut Action
Common Windows Tools
explorer Windows Explorer
c: Open C: Drive
regedit Registry Editor
services.msc Windows Services (local)
taskmgr Task Manager
msconfig System Configuration Utility
mstsc Remote Desktop (Microsoft Terminal Services Client)
logoff Log Off Windows (without confirmation!)
shutdown Shuts Down Windows (Save all your work first)
cmd Command Prompt
 Shortcut Action
notepad Notepad
osk On Screen keyboard
mailto: Open Default Mail Application
Website address Open entered URL in default browser
Other Windows Tools & Utilities
calc Calculator
chkdsk Check Disk
charmap Character Map
cleanmgr Clean Manager - Disk Cleanup Utility
clipbrd Clipboard Viewer (not available after Windows XP)
cmd Command Prompt
comp Compare Files
colorcpl Color Management
cttune ClearType Text tuner
dxdiag Direct X Troubleshooter
eudcedit Private Characters Editor
fonts Fonts
fsquirt Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
ftp MS-DOS FTP
iexplore Internet Explorer
joy.cpl Game Controllers
label Volume Serial Number for C:
magnify Windows Magnifier
microsoft-edge:// Edge
migwiz Migration Wizard - Files and Settings Transfer Tool
mip Math Input Panel
mrt Malicious Software Removal Tool
msiexec Windows Installer Details
msinfo32 System Information
mspaint Paint
narrator Narrator
powershell Powershell
shrpubw Create a shared folder Wizard
sigverif File Signature Verification Tool
sndvol Volume Control
snippingtool Snipping Tools
stikynot Sticky Notes
utilman Narrator Settings
verifier Driver Verifier Utility
was Contacts
wf.msc Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
 Shortcut Action
wfs Windows Fax and Scan
wiaacmgr Scanner
winver Windows Version (Check your Windows version)
wmplayer Windows Media Player
write WordPad
xpsrchvw XPS Viewer
winword Word
Word /safe Word Safe Mode
Control Panel Commands
appwiz.cpl Application Wizard (Program and Features)
control Control Panel
control admintools Administrative Tools
control color Personalization - Color and Appearance
control desktop Display Properties (Personalization)
control folders Folders Properties
control keyboard Keyboard Properties
control mouse Mouse Properties
control netconnections Network Properties
control printers Printers Folders
control schedtasks Scheduled Tasks
control update Windows Update
control userpasswords Manager current User Account
control
Manager all User Accounts
userpasswords2
desk.cpl Display - Screen Resolution
devmgmt.msc Device Manager
firewall.cpl Windows Firewall
inetcpl.cpl Internet Properties (Internet Control Panel)
intl.cpl Regional Settings (International)
mmsys.cpl Sound Properties (Multimedia System Settings)
ncpa.cpl Network Properties
netplwiz To create User Account
powercfg.cpl Power Configuration
sysdm.cpl System Properties
timedate.cpl Date and Time Properties
utilman Ease of Access Utility Manager
wscui.cpl Security Center (Windows Security Center UI)
Windows Administrative Tools
Computer Management including System Tools, Storage, Services and
compmgmt.msc
Applications
defrag Defrag Command
 Shortcut Action
dcomcnfg Component Services (Detailed Component Configuration)
devmgmt.msc Device Management
diskmgmt.msc Disk Partition Manager
diskpart Diskpart Command
eventvwr.msc Event Viewer
fsmgmt.msc Shared Folders (File Sharing Management)
gpedit.msc Group Policy Editor
lusrmgr.msc Local User and Groups
perfmon.msc Performance Monitor
rekeywiz File Encryption
System File Checker Utility
sfc /scannow System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)
sfc /scanonce System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot)
sfc /scanboot System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /revert System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Settings)
sfc /purgecache System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)
sfc /cachesize=x System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to Size x)
Common Environment Variables
%AllUsersProfile% Program Data
%ProgramFiles% Program Files
%SystemDrive% System Drive
%SystemRoot% System Root
%Temp% Temporary Folder
%UserProfile% User Profile
%WinDir% Windows Directory