Make the most of your time with shortcuts to save you time during repetitive tasks. Here are our top picks:
- Windows Key – Simply pressing the Windows key will bring up the Start Menu with its mix of Windows 7 and Windows 8 styles. I use this shortcut most often because you can just start typing the name of an application or Store app or computer setting and then press Enter to open it.
- Windows Key + D – Missing the desktop? This hotkey will hide all windows and show you the desktop. If you press it again, it will bring back the same windows that were active earlier.
- Windows Key + L – This hotkey will lock the screen in Windows 10. You could also press CTRL + ALT + DEL and then press Enter to lock the screen, but this is also a good option.
- Windows Key + E – Opens Windows Explorer. I’m pretty much always messing with files, so this is a very useful shortcut. You can also configure the default folder for Explorer to open to This PC or Quick Access.
- Windows Key + R – Brings up the Run dialog box, which lets you quickly run commands. Also, it’s easy to open the command prompt by using this shortcut by simply typing in CMD.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc – This will bring up the new Windows 10 Task Manager.
- Windows Key + I – Opens the Windows 10 Settings dialog where you can configure the network, backups, WiFi, privacy, security, and lots more.
- Windows key + V – Open Clipboard bin. You can turn this on/off and clear the data in it under Settings – System – Clipboard.
- Windows key + Arrow – Up arrow will make a windowed application full screen, Down will make the application go from full screen to windowed mode and a 2nd press will minimize. Right and Left arrow keys will make the application half screen sized and pinned to left or right side of the screen.
- Windows key + Shift + S – Take a screenshot of part of the screen and place it in the clipboard.
- Alt + Tab – Switch between current and last open application or document
- Shift + Enter – Use this in Teams chat to perform a carrier return and drop down to the next line without sending your message. Use it twice to separate paragraphs of bits of info.
- Alt + Enter – Use this when typing in an Excel cell to perform a carrier return and drop to a new line without going to another cell.