Keyboard Shortcuts

barqal — Using your keyboard smartly saves significant time and reduces reliance on the mouse. In this guide, you will find basic and advanced Windows shortcuts, text editing shortcuts, Microsoft Word, browsers, file management, laptop shortcuts, function keys, Alt codes, symbols, as well as useful commands you can type in the Run dialog.

Important Note: The following shortcuts are mostly written according to a Windows/US keyboard. The location of some symbols or the behavior of a shortcut may vary depending on your keyboard language, Windows version, and the software used. On Mac devices, mostly replace Ctrl with Command (⌘), with some exceptions we will explain.

How to read the shortcuts?

  • The + sign means pressing the keys together, like Ctrl + C.
  • The comma means pressing sequentially, like Alt then F.
  • Win is the Windows logo key.
  • Fn is the function key found on most laptops.
  • Shift is the uppercase key, Ctrl is the control key, and Alt is the alternative commands key.

Essential shortcuts that work in most programs

Shortcut Function
Ctrl + C Copy the selected item or text.
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item or text.
Ctrl + V Paste content from the clipboard.
Ctrl + Shift + V Paste text without formatting, if supported.
Ctrl + Z Undo the last action.
Ctrl + Y Redo the undone action.
Ctrl + A Select all content or items in the current window.
Ctrl + S Save the current file.
Ctrl + Shift + S Open the “Save As” dialog in many programs.
Ctrl + O Open a file.
Ctrl + N Create a new document or window.
Ctrl + P Open the print dialog.
Ctrl + F Find within the page or document.
Ctrl + H Find and replace in supported programs.
Ctrl + W Close the current document or tab.
Alt + F4 Close the active window or program.
Esc Cancel the current operation or close a menu/dialog.
Enter Execute a command or open the selected item.
Space Toggle an option or select it in some menus.
Tab Move to the next field or item.
Shift + Tab Move back to the previous field or item.
F1 Open Help in many programs.
F5 Refresh the window or page in many applications.
Print Screen Capture the screen or copy it to the clipboard depending on Windows settings.

Text editing and navigation shortcuts

Shortcut Function
Backspace Delete the character to the left of the cursor.
Delete Delete the character to the right of the cursor or the selected item.
Ctrl + Backspace Delete the entire previous word.
Ctrl + Delete Delete the entire next word.
Home Go to the beginning of the line.
End Go to the end of the line.
Ctrl + Home Go to the beginning of the document or page.
Ctrl + End Go to the end of the document or page.
Ctrl + Left Arrow Move one word to the left.
Ctrl + Right Arrow Move one word to the right.
Ctrl + Up Arrow Go to the previous paragraph.
Ctrl + Down Arrow Go to the next paragraph.
Page Up Scroll up one page or screen.
Page Down Scroll down one page or screen.
Shift + Arrow Select text character by character or line by line in the arrow direction.
Ctrl + Shift + Left/Right Select an entire word.
Shift + Home Select text from cursor to beginning of line.
Shift + End Select text from cursor to end of line.
Ctrl + Shift + Home Select text to the beginning of the document.
Ctrl + Shift + End Select text to the end of the document.
Ctrl + Insert Copy selection in some programs.
Shift + Insert Paste content in some programs.
Shift + F10 Open the context menu, like right-clicking.

Windows and Window Management Shortcuts

Shortcut Function
Win Open the Start menu.
Win + A Open Quick Settings and Notification Center in Windows 11.
Win + B Move focus to the notification area next to the clock.
Win + D Show the desktop or restore windows.
Win + E Open File Explorer.
Win + G Open Xbox Game Bar.
Win + H Start voice typing.
Win + I Open Settings.
Win + K Open Connect to wireless displays and devices.
Win + L Lock the computer.
Win + M Minimize all windows.
Win + Shift + M Restore windows minimized by Win + M.
Win + N Open Notification Center and Calendar in Windows 11.
Win + P Choose display mode and second screen.
Win + Q or Win + S Open Search.
Win + R Open the Run dialog.
Win + U Open Accessibility settings.
Win + V Open Clipboard history (after enabling).
Win + W Open Widgets in Windows 11.
Win + X Open the Quick Link menu.
Win + Z Open Snap layouts in Windows 11.
Win + . or Win + ; Open the emoji and symbols panel.
Win + Space Switch between keyboard languages and layouts.
Alt + Shift Switch between input languages in some Windows settings.
Win + Tab Open Task View.
Alt + Tab Switch between open programs.
Alt + Esc Cycle through windows in the order they were opened.
Alt + Space Open the current window menu.
Alt + Enter Show properties of the selected item in File Explorer.
Alt + Left Arrow Go back to the previous page or folder.
Alt + Right Arrow Go forward to the next page or folder.
Alt + Up Arrow Go to the parent folder.
Win + Up Arrow Maximize the window.
Win + Down Arrow Minimize or restore the window.
Win + Left Arrow Snap the window to the left side of the screen.
Win + Right Arrow Snap the window to the right side of the screen.
Win + Shift + Left/Right Arrow Move the window to another screen.
Win + Home Minimize all windows except the active one or restore them.
Win + Shift + S Open the Snipping Tool to capture a portion of the screen.
Win + PrtScn Capture the screen and save the image automatically.
Alt + PrtScn Capture the active window and copy it to the clipboard.
Win + Ctrl + Shift + B Restart graphics driver when the screen freezes.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open Task Manager directly.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete Open the Security screen.
Win + Ctrl + D Create a new virtual desktop.
Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow Switch between virtual desktops.
Win + Ctrl + F4 Close the current virtual desktop.
Win + Plus (+) Turn on Magnifier and zoom in.
Win + Minus (-) Zoom out when Magnifier is on.
Win + Esc Turn off Magnifier.
Win + Ctrl + Enter Start Narrator.
Win + Ctrl + O Open On-Screen Keyboard.
Win + Ctrl + C Turn Color filters on or off.

Taskbar Shortcuts

Shortcut Function
Win + 1 to Win + 9 Open the app pinned in that position or switch to it.
Win + Shift + 1 to Win + Shift + 9 Open a new instance of the pinned app.
Win + Ctrl + 1 to Win + Ctrl + 9 Switch to the last active window of the app.
Win + T Cycle through taskbar apps.
Win + Alt + number Open the Jump List for the pinned app.
Shift + Click on app icon Open a new instance of the app.
Ctrl + Click on grouped app icon Cycle through windows of the same app.

File Explorer and File/Folder Management

Shortcut Function
Win + E Open File Explorer.
Ctrl + N Open a new File Explorer window.
Ctrl + W Close File Explorer window.
Ctrl + Shift + N Create a new folder.
F2 Rename the selected file or folder.
F3 or Ctrl + F Focus the search box.
F4 Select the address bar.
F5 or Ctrl + R Refresh folder contents.
Alt + Enter Open properties of the file or folder.
Ctrl + D or Delete Move item to Recycle Bin.
Shift + Delete Permanently delete item without Recycle Bin.
Ctrl + A Select all items.
Alt + Left/Right Arrow Go back or forward between folders.
Alt + Up Arrow Go up to the parent folder.
Alt + P Show or hide the preview pane.
Alt + Shift + P Show or hide the details pane.

Browser Shortcuts: Chrome, Edge, and Firefox

Shortcut Function
Ctrl + T Open a new tab.
Ctrl + W Close the current tab.
Ctrl + Shift + W Close the browser window.
Ctrl + Shift + T Reopen the last closed tab.
Ctrl + N Open a new window.
Ctrl + Shift + N Open Incognito in Chrome or InPrivate in Edge.
Ctrl + Shift + P Open a Private window in Firefox.
Ctrl + Tab Go to the next tab.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab Go to the previous tab.
Ctrl + 1 to Ctrl + 8 Go to the tab with the specified number.
Ctrl + 9 Go to the last tab.
Ctrl + L or Alt + D Select the address bar.
Alt + Left Arrow Go back.
Alt + Right Arrow Go forward.
Ctrl + R or F5 Reload the page.
Ctrl + Shift + R or Ctrl + F5 Reload ignoring cache.
Ctrl + F Find within the page.
Ctrl + G Go to the next search result.
Ctrl + D Bookmark the page.
Ctrl + H Open browsing history.
Ctrl + J Open downloads.
Ctrl + Shift + Delete Open Clear Browsing Data options.
Ctrl + Plus (+) Zoom in.
Ctrl + Minus (-) Zoom out.
Ctrl + 0 Reset zoom to 100%.
F11 Toggle Full Screen.
Ctrl + U View page source.
Ctrl + Shift + I or F12 Open Developer Tools.

Microsoft Word Shortcuts

File Opening and Editing

Shortcut Function
Ctrl + N New document.
Ctrl + O Open document.
Ctrl + S Save document.
Ctrl + W Close document.
Ctrl + Shift + S Save As.
Ctrl + F Open Navigation and Search pane.
Ctrl + H Find and Replace.
Ctrl + P Print document.
Ctrl + Enter Insert a page break.
Ctrl + K Insert hyperlink.
Ctrl + Alt + M Insert a comment.
Ctrl + Alt + F Insert a footnote.
Alt + Shift + D Insert current date.
Alt + Shift + T Insert current time.
F7 Spelling and grammar check.
Shift + F5 Return to last edit position.

Formatting and Alignment

Shortcut Function
Ctrl + B Bold.
Ctrl + I Italic.
Ctrl + U Underline.
Ctrl + E Center align.
Ctrl + L Align left.
Ctrl + R Align right.
Ctrl + J Justify.
Ctrl + M Increase indent.
Ctrl + Shift + M Decrease indent.
Ctrl + 1 Single line spacing.
Ctrl + 2 Double line spacing.
Ctrl + 5 1.5 line spacing.
Ctrl + [ Decrease font size by 1 point.
Ctrl + ] Increase font size by 1 point.
Ctrl + D Open Font dialog.
Shift + F3 Change case (Uppercase/Lowercase/Capitalize).
Ctrl + Shift + L Apply Bulleted List style.
Ctrl + Alt + 1 Apply Heading 1 style.
Ctrl + Alt + 2 Apply Heading 2 style.
Ctrl + Alt + 3 Apply Heading 3 style.
Ctrl + Shift + N Apply Normal style.
Ctrl + F1 Show or hide the Ribbon.

Function Keys F1 to F12

Key Common Function
F1 Help.
F2 Rename selected file or item.
F3 Search in File Explorer or program.
F4 Select address bar, or repeat last action.
F5 Refresh window or start slideshow in PowerPoint.
F6 Cycle through screen elements.
F7 Spell check in Word.
F8 Advanced boot options (on older devices).
F9 Update fields in Word.
F10 Activate menu bar.
F11 Full screen in browsers.
F12 Developer tools in browsers, and “Save As” in Word.

Laptop and Fn Key Shortcuts

Common Shortcut Possible Function
Fn + Esc Lock or toggle Fn Lock mode.
Fn + F1 Mute audio or open Help.
Fn + F2/F3 Lower or raise volume.
Fn + F4 Mute or unmute the microphone.
Fn + F5/F6 Lower or raise screen brightness.
Fn + F7 Toggle touchpad on or off.
Fn + F8 Switch between displays.
Fn + Space Toggle keyboard backlight.

Arabic Keyboard and Diacritics Shortcuts

Symbol Name
َ Fatha (a)
ً Tanween Fath
ُ Damma (u)
ٌ Tanween Damm
ِ Kasra (i)
ٍ Tanween Kasr
ْ Sukun (silent)
ّ Shadda (doubling)
ـ Tatweel or Kashida.
، Arabic comma.
؛ Arabic semicolon.
؟ Arabic question mark.

A more stable way to insert diacritics and symbols

In Windows, you can use the symbols panel via Win + ., or open the Character Map by typing charmap in the Win + R dialog.

Alt Codes and Special Symbols in Windows

Hold down Alt and type the number on the numeric keypad NumPad, then release Alt.

Code Symbol Usage
Alt + 1 ☺ Smiley face.
Alt + 3 ♥ Heart.
Alt + 11 ♂ Male symbol.
Alt + 12 ♀ Female symbol.
Alt + 13 ♪ Musical note.
Alt + 16 ► Right arrow or triangle.
Alt + 17 ◄ Left arrow or triangle.
Alt + 24 ↑ Up arrow.
Alt + 25 ↓ Down arrow.
Alt + 0169 © Copyright.
Alt + 0174 ® Registered trademark.
Alt + 0153 ™ Trademark.
Alt + 0176 ° Degree.
Alt + 0177 ± Plus or minus.
Alt + 0215 × Multiplication sign.
Alt + 0247 ÷ Division sign.

Useful Commands in the Run Dialog

Press Win + R, then type the command and press Enter.

Command What it opens
notepad Notepad.
calc Calculator.
mspaint Paint.
explorer File Explorer.
cmd Command Prompt.
powershell PowerShell.
taskmgr Task Manager.
control Control Panel.
msconfig System Configuration.
msinfo32 System Information.
dxdiag DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
devmgmt.msc Device Manager.
diskmgmt.msc Disk Management.
services.msc Services.
regedit Registry Editor (use with caution).
appwiz.cpl Programs and Features.
ncpa.cpl Network Connections.
cleanmgr Disk Cleanup.
shell:startup Startup folder.
%temp% User’s temporary files folder.

Essential Mac Shortcuts for Laptop Users

Shortcut Function
⌘ + C Copy.
⌘ + X Cut.
⌘ + V Paste.
⌘ + Z Undo.
⌘ + Shift + Z Redo.
⌘ + A Select All.
⌘ + S Save.
⌘ + F Find.
⌘ + W Close window.
⌘ + Q Quit app.
⌘ + Space Spotlight search.
⌘ + Tab Switch between apps.
⌘ + Shift + 3 Capture entire screen.
⌘ + Shift + 4 Capture a selected portion of the screen.

Tips for Learning Shortcuts Quickly

Don’t try to memorize the entire list in one day. Start with five shortcuts you use daily: copy, paste, undo, find, and switch between windows. After that, add window management shortcuts, then shortcuts for the program you use most. Do not use Shift + Delete or registry commands unless you are sure of the result.

Conclusion

Some shortcuts vary depending on the program, keyboard layout, and system version, so this article should be considered a broad practical reference, not an absolute list.

What is the shortcut you use daily and can’t live without? Share it with us in the comments.

References