Windows hotkeys are combinations of specific keyboard shortcuts that launch various applications and commands. The keys are convenient for repetitive work – the user acts professionally and efficiently with their help. For convenience, the most common combinations will be given in the sections. Combinations can not only speed up the work process, but also help in case of an unexpected computer freeze. Modern keyboards have specific keys for quick access to programs, files and commands, as well as additional buttons. They can often be configured to any combination. More information and parameters for each command will be discussed in today’s article – here are all combinations for a novice user and a professional.
Keyboard shortcuts for Windows 7, 8, 10
Many users have heard about the presence of hot keys in the operating system Windows 7, 8 and 10. This “trick” was created for a reason, the combinations simplify the use of the computer and do not require a mouse. A complete list of combinations is given below.
Important! Most of the combinations are relevant for all versions of Windows 10. Some, however, are intended exclusively for one or more operating systems. Mastering these commands will help the novice and advanced user to perform large amounts of work, as well as relieve wrist fatigue.
Combinations for working with content
Complete list of Windows hotkeys to make it easier to work with test and graphics data. They should be known not only by an advanced user, but also by a beginner. Here is some of them:
| Key | Operations | Windows 7 | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 10 |
| Ctrl + A | Select all text on the current line. Press Ctrl + A again to select all the text in the CMD buffer. In this case, there is no need to use precise cursor movement on the computer screen. | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert | Copy the currently selected text. Note that this only works when some text is selected. If not, then Ctrl + C will end the current command | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + X | Cuts out the selected image or paragraph of content. | + | + | + | + |
| Delete | Deletes the selected paragraph or character to the right of the cursor if nothing is selected | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + Delete | Delete text from the current cursor position to the end of the word | + | + | + | + |
| Backspace | Deletes the selected text or character to the left of the cursor | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert | Paste copied or cut file, image, or paragraph of content | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + Z | Lets you undo the last change in the edited file or program. Pressing this shortcut again will undo the second change, and so on. | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + Y | Used to restore the changes we canceled. This way we can revert a change that we accidentally undone or decided it would be faster to edit the file from the last version we created. | + | + | + | + |
| CTRL + ALT + scroll | Zoom in and out by scrolling the mouse wheel | + | + | + | + |
Win Action Keys
Windows keyboard shortcuts are in most cases designed to work quickly and easily in the operating system, thereby making it easier to access certain options and areas. Hot keys are controlled through the following commands:
| Key | Operations | Windows 7 | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 10 |
| Win + U icon | Opens the accessibility panel | + | + | + | + |
| Win + L icon | Locking the computer or switching accounts | ||||
| Win icon + CTRL + C | Opens an application for selecting color filters on the screen | + | + | + | + |
| Win icon + CTRL + N | Opens an application that allows you to read the contents of the screen aloud | + | + | + | + |
| Win icon + CTRL + S | Allows you to launch an application that recognizes speech for interacting with programs, dictation and giving voice commands | + | + | + | + |
| Win icon + CTRL + O | A keyboard appears on the screen with which you can enter text using a mouse or other pointing device. You can also move it around the screen and resize it | + | + | + | + |
Dialog Box Combinations
| Key | Operations | Windows 7 | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 10 |
| CTRL + SHIFT + TABULATE | Goes to the active previous tab | + | + | + | + |
| TABULATION | Allows you to switch between active functions | + | + | + | + |
| SHIFT + TABULATION | Switch to the previous option | + | + | + | + |
| Alt + underlined letter | Perform an action (or choose an option) associated with a specific letter | + | + | + | + |
| F1 key | Calls the help window for the program / application you are in. | + | + | + | + |
| F4 key | View items in the active list | + | + | + | + |
| BACKSPACE key | Opens a folder one level higher if selected in the Save As or Open dialog box. | + | + | + | + |
| Space | Allows you to check or uncheck the box if this feature is active | + | + | + | + |
Keyboard shortcuts for working with File Explorer
With every new version of Windows, Explorer gets new features and keyboard shortcuts. The shortcuts below will save time and improve productivity.
| Key | Operations | Windows 7 | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 10 |
| CTRL + E / CTRL + F | Calls a window with a search field in the active tab | + | + | + | + |
| CTRL + N / CTRL + W | Open new window / close active window | + | + | + | + |
| CTRL + Mouse Roller | Change the size and design of file and folder icons | + | + | + | + |
| CTRL + SHIFT + E | Show all folders above the favorite folder | + | + | + | + |
| CTRL + SHIFT + N | A new folder is created in the active window | + | + | + | + |
| Num Lock + asterisk “*” | Allows you to view all subfolders of the Favorite folder | + | + | + | + |
| Num Lock + “+” button | Opens a favorite folder, displays its contents | + | + | + | + |
| Num Lock + minus “-“ | Collapses the active folder | + | + | + | + |
| ALT + P | Shows a preview window (with the View tab selected – Alt + V) | + | + | + | + |
| ALT + Enter | Opens the Properties dialog box for the Favorite | + | + | + | + |
| Alt + right / left arrow | Switches between the next and previous folder | + | + | + | + |
| Alt + up arrow | View the folder that the current folder is in | + | + | + | + |
| Backspace | Returns to the previously viewed folder | + | + | + | + |
| End / Home | View the bottom of the active window / View the top of the active window | + | + | + | + |
| F11 | Minimize or maximize the current window | + | + | + | + |
Command line hotkeys
Users can always click to place the cursor anywhere on the command line. But if you like holding the keys, we have prepared shortcuts for you, they will allow you to perform various operations with the system in many ways.
| Key | Operations | Windows 7 | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 10 |
| Windows icon (Win) + X + K | The command line interface appears as usual | + | – | + | + |
| (Win) + X + A | The Administration Command Line Interface appears | + | + | + | + |
| Alt + Enter | The active window will become full-screen, you can also return the window size with these buttons | + | + | + | + |
| Home / End | Move the cursor to the beginning or end of the current line | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + left or right arrow | Fast rewind and fast forward using commands entered earlier in the current session. You can also press F5 instead of the up arrow to scroll back in the command history | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + up or down arrow | Moves the cursor in the specified direction. By additional pressing of the Shift key, you can select a paragraph of text between one and the other position of the cursor | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + M | Enter Mark Mode | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + Home (navigation through history) | Deletes all text at the current cursor position and up to the beginning of the line | + | + | + | + |
| Ctrl + End (navigate through history) | Deletes all text at the current cursor position to the end of the line | + | + | + | + |
Other button combinations
Keyboard accessibility:
| Key | Operations | Windows 7 | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 10 |
| SHIFT – 5 presses | Opens a window for activating or deactivating Sticky Keys | – | + | + | + |
| hold SHIFT | Allows you to disable or enable input filtering | – | + | + | + |
| hold Num Lock | Allows you to turn off the sound of switches when holding this button | – | + | + | + |
| Alt Left + Shift Left + Num Lock | Helps to make settings for mouse control from the keyboard | – | + | + | + |
| Alt left + Shift left + PRINT SCREEN | Allows you to set the contrast level according to your preferences | – | + | + | + |
How do I disable Windows hotkeys?
Hotkeys, like the Windows 10 operating system itself, make life much easier for those who spend most of their time online. However, for many, this function is not particularly relevant and can be deactivated.
How to disable Windows hotkeys:
- Open the start menu, type “regedit” and confirm by pressing Enter.
- In the “Registry Editor” tree on the left, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and then: System> CurrentControlSet> Control> Keyboard Layout.
- With Keyboard Layout selected, click Modify from the top menu and then New> Binary.
- Give the name “Scancode Map” and use the context menu to go to the content editing window.
- In the “Data” field enter “00000000000000000300000000005BE000005CE000000000” and confirm with OK.
- Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
- If you want the Windows key to work again, remove the “Scancode Map” entry from the registry.
How do I change the keyboard shortcuts?
The creators of the operating system do not provide for the ability to make any changes to the hotkey settings. The only keyboard shortcut that can be adjusted using Windows is switching languages and keyboard layouts. The operation is available for all versions of Windows. However, you are unlikely to be interested in this, so we will immediately consider ways to replace the keyboard shortcut with third-party tools.
Changing Windows hotkeys is available using the utilities:
- Key remapper allows you to reassign almost every button on your keyboard. The program does not affect the cache memory in the registry and does not require a constant reboot after each action.
- Mkey used to quickly launch applications and programs. It is easy to manage media files, control a drive for laser discs. The program automatically removes old combinations, replacing them with an improved version. Settings are returned to their original position by pressing one button.
Windows 10 and earlier desktop keyboard shortcuts are designed from the ground up for user convenience. Among them there are many that are necessary for every day, which are very important to memorize. The article lists the most important keyboard shortcuts for quickly accessing files, highlighting them and managing programs.