45 Windows keyboard shortcuts

45 Text-Editing Keyboard Shortcuts That Work Almost Everywhere

 To improve productivity when using a PC, software offers many keyboard shortcuts. From Microsoft Word to Microsoft Excel to Gmail , And since most computers run Windows, many common keyboard shortcuts allow you to go faster on many services. Here are the 42 keyboard shortcuts you need to know to boost your computer productivity.

The 10 basic keyboard shortcuts on Windows

These mythical shortcuts work on all versions of Windows. Due to their popularity, they are also available in many desktop software.

• Ctrl + C : copy
• Ctrl + X : cut
• Ctrl + V : paste
• Ctrl + Z : undo
• Ctrl + Y : redo
• Ctrl + A : select all
• Ctrl + P : print
• F1 : display help
• Ctrl + Alt + Del  : to open the task manager or lock the computer
• Windows or Ctrl + Esc : open the start menu / switch on the desktop (Windows 8)

Windows shortcuts most used by professionals

To improve your productivity at work, you can use these keyboard shortcuts.

• Ctrl + Mouse wheel: to zoom in / out.
• Windows + P  : to change the display mode (practical with an overhead projector): disconnect the overhead projector, duplicate, extend, or overhead projector only.
• Windows + F  : to launch a quick search on a computer
• Windows + Shift + Click  : to launch a new instance of a program. Example: click on the Microsoft Word icon on your task bar to open a new document.
• Windows + L  : a keyboard shortcut to lock your computer.
• Ctrl + Left / Right Arrow  : to place the cursor at the start of the word or the next word.
• Shift + Left / Right Arrow  : to select text.
• Ctrl + Shift + Left / Right Arrow  : to select an entire word.
• Ctrl + Backspace  : to delete an entire word.
• Ctrl + F4  : to close a window. Or a computer, if no window is open.
• Windows + E : a keyboard shortcut to display the workstation.
• Shift when inserting a CD : this shortcut is used to prevent automatic playback.
• Ctrl + Windows + F : to search for a computer on a network.
• Esc during a process : to cancel the current process (transfer, copy, etc.).
• Ctrl + Shift + Click : to open a program as an administrator.

Windows keyboard shortcuts to manage windows

Windows works with windows… hence its name. There are many keyboard shortcuts to switch between windows or hide them easily.

• Alt + Tab : switch from one window to another. Hold down the Alt key and press the Tab key one or more times to access the window you want.
• Alt + Shift + Tab : switch from one window to another (in reverse order). This time, you need to hold down the Alt and Shift keys, and press the Tab key one or more times.
• Windows + Tab : same principle as Alt + Tab, but in a more visual form. Works since Windows 7 when Aero functionality is supported.
• Windows + D : hide all windows. Convenient to briefly display the desktop. Just press Windows + D keys again to recover windows.
• Windows + Down arrow : if the window occupies the entire screen (maximized window), it returns to a standard size. A second click on Windows + Down Arrow minimizes the window.
• Windows + Up Arrow : a keyboard shortcut to maximize the active window.
• Windows + Left arrow : to place the window on the left half of the screen.
• Windows + Right arrow : to place the window on the right half of the screen.
• Windows + Shift + Right or Left Arrow : allows you to move a window from one screen to another. This keyboard shortcut only works if you are using multiple screens.

Other Windows shortcuts to know

• Ctrl + N : open a new window.
• F5 or Ctrl + R : refresh the active window.
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc : displays the task manager, which allows you to close an application, display the processes or the performance of your PC in real time.
• Ctrl + click : to select several elements (files or folders for example).
• Shift + click : to select all the elements included between the first and the second click. Works with text, files and folders, and can be combined with Ctrl + click.
• Shift (5 times) : to deactivate sticky keys (or activate them).
• Alt + Shift : to switch the keyboard back to French, if your keyboard has accidentally changed to English. This shortcut only works with the left Alt key, and if multiple languages ​​are enabled.
• Shift + Delete : to permanently delete a file or a folder. You do not go through the basket and do not touch 20,000 francs.

Selecting Text

All of the above shortcuts can be combined with the Shift key to select text.

Shift+Left or Right Arrow Keys – Select characters one at a time.

Shift+Up or Down Arrow Keys – Select lines one at a time.

Shift+Ctrl+Left or Right Arrow Keys – Select words – keep pressing the arrow keys to select additional words.

Shift+Ctrl+Up or Down Arrow Keys – Select paragraphs.

Shift+Home – Select the text between the cursor and the beginning of the current line.

Shift+End – Select the text between the cursor and the end of the current line.

Shift+Ctrl+Home – Select the text between the cursor and the beginning of the text entry field.

Shift+Ctrl+End – Select the text between the cursor and the end of the text entry field.

Shift+Page Down – Select a frame of text below the cursor.

Shift+Page Up – Select a frame of text above the cursor.

Ctrl+A – Select all text.

You can use several of these shortcuts to fine-tine your selected text. For example, you could press Shift+End to select the text to the end of the current line, and then press Shift+Down to also select the line below it.