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How To Use Windows Keyboard Shortcuts To Improve Productivity

How to use a windows keyboard shortcut

You know how hard it can be moving between the mouse and the keyboard while working, so tiring and strenuous.  We can show you how to use the Windows keyboard shortcuts to improve productivity and avoid stress.

You want to know, stick through.

Microsoft Windows has existed for years now. It is a commonly known operating system for desktop computers around the world. The company keeps upgrading the system now and then. 

As of 2014, they developed the last operating system, Windows 10. This was last updated on the 10th of May, 2020. 

Some had said the update, however, doesn’t add an entirely new feature to it.

But there are significant changes to the operating system, as it still shares some similarities with its predecessors.

The keyboard functions are not excluded from this as it still performs the same functions as other Windows generations.

However, for every Windows operating system, there are keyboard shortcuts to enable work done better.

Windows keyboard shortcuts can now do the same things a mouse does; they help to make tasks less strenuous and boost effectiveness and productivity.

The best part is that users can now customise keyboard shortcuts for various applications on their desktops.

This article will show you a list of Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts and how you can customise keyboard shortcuts on Windows 10.

The keyboard Shortcut

Windows have been able to customise its recent operating system, Windows 10, with these Keyboard shortcuts. They include:

1. General windows keyboard Shortcuts

The general windows keyboard shortcut is also referred to as the general command. They are basically on every windows keyboard irrespective of the type; Windows 10, 8, OR 8.1. 

Users can easily access them just like other commands; the difference is that they are commonly used, unlike other examples of window 10 keyboard shortcuts.

They include:

Press the key Result
Ctrl + X Cut selected item
Ctrl + C Copy selected items
Ctrl + D Delete
Ctrl + Z Undo an action
Ctrl + A Select all
Ctrl + Y Redo an action
Ctrl + V Paste the selected item
F1 Display help
F4 Display items in the active list
F3 Search for a file
F6 Go through screen elements in a window
F4 Display the address bar list in Windows explorer
F2 Rename selected items
Ctrl + Esc Open start menu
Alt + Tab Switch between open items
Shift + delete Delete an item completely
Alt + Enter Display properties for selected items
Alt F4 Close active items
Alt + 8 Show password on the sign-in screen
Windows logo key + C Lock PC
Alt + Esc Cycle around items in the order in which they are opened
Alt + underlined letter Perform the command for the letter
Alt + Enter Display properties for the selected item
Alt + spacebar Open the shortcut menu for the active window
Alt + Left arrow To go back
Alt + Right arrow To go forward
Alt + Page up Move up one screen
Ctrl + down arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl + up arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl + Left arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl + Right arrow Move the cursor to the  beginning of the next word
Ctrl with any Arrow keys Select more than one item in a window
Ctrl + Alt + Tab Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open task manager
Ctrl with any Arrow keys + Spacebar Select multiple individual items on a desktop
Alt + Spacebar Open shortcut menu for the active window

2. Windows Logo (WL) keyboard shortcuts  

Unlike the general keyboard shortcuts for windows 10, these keyboard shortcuts involve only the tab with the windows logo. They open several tools and perform many tasks.  Some of the tasks include using the Windows keyboard shortcuts to minimize apps to declutter the windows 10 desktop. Windows logo and any of these keys; D, M, down arrow, upper arrow, left arrow, and right arrow can be used to minimise and maximise apps on Windows.

However, under the Windows Logo, specific keys minimise only a specific app when added to them. When the windows shortcut logo is added to 1-7, it minimises specific apps. This would be illustrated in the table below.

WL + 1 To minimise File explorer.
WL + 2 It minimises Mozilla firefox
WL + 3 Used to minimise the weather app.
WL + 4 To minimise and maximise Microsoft edge.
WL + 5 It is used to minimise the Chrome app.
WL + 6 For minimising the Pinterest app.
WL + 7 Used for minimising the Gallery app.

Other Windows Logos keyboard shortcuts Windows 10 are shown in the table below.

Press key Result
WL key Open/close start
WL key + A Open action
WL key + B Set focus in the notification area
WL key + C Open charm menu
WL key + D  Display/ hide desktop
WL key + E Open file explorer
WL key + F Open feedback
WL key + G Open game bar
WL key + H Start dictation
WL key + I Open settings
WL key + P Choose a presentation display mode
WL key + Q Open quick assist
WL key + S Open search
WL key + O Lock device orientation
WL key + Shift + S Screenshot your screen
WL key + U Open ease of access centre
WL key + X Open the quick link menu
WL key + Comma Temporarily peek at the desktop
WL key + Pause Display system properties 

ALSO READ: How To Pair Two Different Airpods; Easy To Do Steps

3. Settings keyboard shortcuts

They are Windows keyboard shortcuts for accessing the settings of the system of the windows.

Press key Result
Windows logo key + I Open settings
Backspace Go back to searching the home page
Search box Search settings

4. Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

They are keyboard shortcuts that are for controlling apps on the taskbar. And also help to open apps too.

Press key Result
Shift + click a task button Open an app
Ctrl + shift +click task button Open an app as an administrator
Shift + right-click a taskbar button It shows the window menu for the app
Shift + right-click a group taskbar button It shows the window menu for the group

5. Dialogue box keyboard shortcut

They are customised keyboard shortcuts for window 10 users that help control dialogue boxes. Below is a list of Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts that can be customised.

Press keys Result
Tab Move forward through option
Shift + Tab Move back through option
Spacebar Select or clear checkbox
Arrow key Select a button among options
Ctrl + Tab Move forward through a tab
Ctrl + shift + Tab Move back through a tab
Ctrl + number (1 – 9) Move to nth tab

If you got a Windows 10, learn how you can customise keyboard shortcuts in windows 10.

How to customise keyboard shortcut in windows 10

The first thing to know is that the Windows program must support the creation of custom keyboard shortcuts. Also, the program should be pinned to the taskbar on the screen. However, if it is not, then follow the step below.

  • Click on the start menu.

  • Choose whatever application by right-clicking.

  • Go to the menu option that says ‘more’. Then select ‘pin to task bar’.

  • The application would show immediately on the taskbar after you click the ‘add to taskbar option.’

Now that you have pinned to the taskbar, to continue customising, follow the steps below.

  • Right-click on the desired icon o the taskbar.

  • Select the application name above the ‘unpin’ option and right-click.

  • It brings out options, then left-clicks on properties among the option.

  • Then click on a text box that says ‘shortcut key.’

  • You can now begin to type in any desired key of your choice.

  • When you are done, click ‘ok’, which saves it.

However, you can decide to pin and unpin the application from the taskbar.

If you are not comfortable with a keyboard shortcut, you can change the keyboard shortcut to Windows 10.

How to change keyboard shortcut Windows 10

  • Locate the activities overview on the desktop and see the running apps and start typing settings.

OR

  • Go to the search bar and type ‘Typing settings.’
  • Click on the keyboard settings in the options at the right.
  • Then click on the Keyboard Shortcuts in the sidebar to open the panel.
  • Click the row for the desired action. The Set shortcut window will be shown.
  • Hold down the desired key combination. You can press Backspace to reset or press Esc to cancel

In conclusion

These windows keyboard shortcuts are tricks that have quickened and improved work effectiveness. 

If you want to have the best work moments, you can try them out.

You can begin to customise your Windows keyboard shortcuts by following the steps above.

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