Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts. Reassign Windows hotkeys. Useful File Explorer Button Combinations
The use of a smartphone, PC and any technology can significantly reduce the working time in any activity. Ever since the days of MS DOS, when programmers used only the keyboard, so-called hotkeys have appeared that make it easier to work on a PC. Anyone using a computer will find it helpful to know about them.
Why are keyboard shortcuts used
Hotkeys in Windows 10 or any other operating system allow you to activate a function in the blink of an eye. In a situation familiar to a beginner, he would go to the control panel, open a bunch of windows and after that launch the required utility, it would take about a minute or more. Combinations (or keys quick access) any action is reduced to one second.
There are times when a certain combination brings the computer out of freezing. This usually does Task Manager... Another example - the mouse has failed, but you need to restart the computer. Not only can you switch the arrows to the Start menu and restart the device, you can also press a combination and do everything in one click.
Besides Windows, many programs also use shortcut combinations to run some functions. For example, graphics editor Photoshop has so many combinations that you can change as you wish.
Main and secondary keys
First, let's figure out the main keys, pressing which, one way or another, can give some effect:
- ESC (Escape)- the button allows you to exit the program or go back one step. Most commonly used in games and BIOS subsystem computer.
- F1-F12- buttons on keyboards different models differ in functionality. Mostly contain parameters that can be activated without using a mouse, for example, decrease or increase sound, screen brightness, turn on Wi-Fi or bluetooth. The keyboard should have icons indicating what the key is responsible for.
- Shift- is responsible for switching the modes of printing characters or numbers, as well as changing the language. Works only in combination with other buttons. When pressed repeatedly, the so-called sticky key mode is activated.
- NumLock- activates the digital block located on the right (where numbers and arrows).
- Win(key with Windows icon) - a single press opens the Start menu, but can also be used in combination with other buttons.
- Fn- the key is located only on laptop keyboards and is responsible for activating the functions laid down on the F1-F buttons You must simultaneously hold down Fn + F1-F12.
- Tab- allows you to go to the next menu item or make paragraph indentation in the text.
- CapsLock- used to print any letters in capital letters.
- Space (space)- often used when printing text and indents between letters or words.
- Backspace- removes letters or words in the text from right to left.
- Enter- transfer to the next date or to the next menu item, activation of any function.
- Delete- located upon numeric keypad and removes letters or symbols from left to right.
- End- pressing places the cursor at the end of the line when printing.
- Home- pressing places the cursor at the beginning of the line when printing.
- PageUp- movement of any page upwards, as if the user was turning the mouse wheel.
- PageDown- moving the page down without a mouse.
- Insert- replace the text in front of the cursor. (If there is other content in front when the text is printed, it will be erased).
- Scroll Lock- scrolling text up or down (often does not work).
- Pause / Break- usually not operational, but should stop the current process of the system, for example, some running program.
- PrintScreen (PrtSc)- clicking takes a screenshot of the entire screen content.
Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts
Almost all of the combinations below will work in more earlier versions Windows, but there are also some that were only added in Windows 10.
How to set up hotkeys
There are many special utilities that customize the combinations the way the user wants. One such tool is MKey.
The application is completely free and helps to install any combination, with which you can set the launch of many system programs and manage them. For example, the AIMP media player already has built-in shortcut functionality, but MKey extends it.
Set a combination to disconnect the network, launch any utility or folder, control the browser and much more. All this will not be difficult.
You can download the program from the official website - http://www.seriosoft.org. 
Now the user knows what keyboard shortcuts are, how to use them in Windows 10 or any other, and set their own combinations using the software.
Even though the mouse makes navigation and interaction easier, many users like to use the keyboard more. Why? Hotkeys allow you to perform actions faster, without the need to constantly find your hand on the manipulator. If you are as much a fan of the keyboard as we are, then you will love the new ones. keyboard shortcuts introduced in Windows 10 for easy access to new features. Take a look at the list below and you will surely find several useful combinations that will help you in your daily activities.
Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts
1. Win + I- Using this simple keyboard shortcut lets you quickly open the Settings app, one of the most useful shortcuts in Windows 10.
2. Win + A- One of the best innovations in Windows 10 is the universal notification center. Use the combination "Win + A" for quick access to the current notifications in the panel. There is no more need to click on the small icon in the taskbar.
3. Win + S- Personal digital assistant Cortana is one of the big additions in Windows 10. For quick launch Cortana, you can use this hotkey... Pressing “Win + S” launches Cortana in keyboard input mode, which means you can type search query, and Cortana will search not only on your computer, but also on the Internet.
4. Win + C- This combination also launches Cortana, but this time in listening mode, not in keyboard input mode. This combination will be especially useful if you are using the “Hey, Cortana” feature.
5. Win + Ctrl + D- Adding virtual desktops is one of the most anticipated improvements in Windows 10. With this keybind, you can create a new virtual desktop.
6. Win + Ctrl + Left Arrow or Right Arrow- If you use several virtual desktops at the same time, these combinations will make it easier to navigate between them.
7. Win + Ctrl + F4- You can use this combination to quickly close the virtual desktop. Don't worry, any open programs in the virtual desktop will be moved to the main workspace.
8. Win + Tab- This combination allows you to access the Task View or Task View function, which displays all open programs and virtual desktops.
9. Ctrl + Alt + Tab- this key combination allows you to view all applications that are open in the current desktop. Very similar to “Alt + Tab”, but in this case you need to use the mouse or arrow keys to switch.
10. Win + arrows- Aero Snap has dramatically improved the snapping capabilities of Windows 10. You can use the Win + Arrow shortcuts to quickly position a window in the appropriate part of the screen.
11. Win + G- The Game DVR feature is lesser known but is a useful tool for capturing video. Using this hotkey, you can quickly open Game DVR and start recording. Though this function primarily intended for gamers, it can be used to record other programs. However, you cannot record the entire screen, only a separate program window is available for recording.
12. Win + Alt + G- If you want to quickly record the activity of the current program or game, use this combination. Clicking will open Game DVR and start recording the active window.
13. Win + Alt + R- After starting Game DVR, you can use this combination to stop recording activity in the current program window.
In Windows 10, Microsoft has made some small but useful improvements to the old command line. Here are some combinations that will be useful in everyday activities.
14. Ctrl + A(on the command line) - Most of you use this keyboard shortcut to select all the text in the active window. This feature is now supported on the command line.
15. Ctrl + C(on the command line) - Unlike previous versions You can use the well-known “Ctrl + C” shortcut to copy text or output data on the command line. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut “Ctrl + Insert”.
16. Ctrl + V(on the command line) - As with copying, you can paste text into command line using “Ctrl + V”. Alternatively, you can use the “Shift + Insert” shortcut.
17. Ctrl + M(on the command line) - Using this combination, you can enter Marker mode so that you can select text or output data using Shift and the arrow keys.
If you think we missed any important keyboard shortcuts introduced in Windows 10, write in the comments below.
Continuing the topic of working with hotkeys in Windows 10 (the first part of the topic devoted to the list of keyboard shortcuts is located), it is worth mentioning how you can change them in your own way. We will assume that you are already familiar with the main ones and imagine what they are. For example, having familiarized yourself with the system shortcut keys to functions, you found that some of them are not very convenient for you to use. You have a desire to customize some functions in a way that suits you.
Unfortunately, this is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. By default, the system has combinations of buttons on the keyboard that allow you to quickly perform some actions without the need to navigate through the multi-level context menu. The developer simply did not provide an easy way to remap hot Windows keys 10 and older versions. In this article we will tell you possible options change keys for quick access to some operating system operations.
How to find a list of hotkeys
In fact, there are enough hotkeys in Windows 10 to scare off inexperienced users. In a previous article on this topic, we published a basic list of abbreviations that work in system applications... But the trouble is that in some third party applications, for example, in Microsoft Office, browsers or other products may have their own keyboard shortcuts that do not match the system ones. What should be done in this case?
There are several ways to get help for each software product:
- Press the F1 key and read background information built into the app. But this requires that the developer of the program takes care of this. In this case, you do not need an Internet connection to use the help section. Practice shows that this option is not always available. Then you can go to the "Help" section in the program menu.
- Regardless of which application you are running, you can press the key combination Win + F1, after which the browser set as the main one starts, with a link to the help section of the Microsoft website. Some programs may lead to a web resource of their own content. Accordingly, in this case, you will need a connection to the World Wide Web, because all information is not embedded in the program code, but is stored on a remote server.
- Can be called the most in a simple way; using the context menu with the right mouse button, note that almost opposite each action there is information about which hotkeys are responsible for it. Typically, users use the same functionality in each program, and over time, keyboard shortcuts can be memorized to speed up the workflow.
How to change Windows hotkeys
Unfortunately, as mentioned a little above, Windows developers did not provide for the ability to change any system hotkeys using the built-in functionality of the operating system. The only combination that can be changed is switching languages and keyboard layouts. This operation is possible in any Windows versions, either the newest 10 or the older 7 or 8.
After installing the operating system, languages can be switched by the Alt + Shift combination, and already in Windows 8 and 10, the Win + space combination was added. But habit is a serious matter and many users find it much more convenient to switch languages, for example, by pressing Ctrl + Shift or Ctrl + Alt. What is the setting for your keyboard shortcuts to switch the language?
- Open Control Panel - Languages - Advanced Options - Change Language Bar Keyboard Shortcuts.
- In the small window that opens, select "Change keyboard shortcut" and choose one of the many options.
- Save your changes and start using your familiar keyboard shortcut.
Nothing complicated, right?
How to assign hotkeys for launching applications
If it is impossible to change the hotkeys for performing system actions, then it is very easy to assign such hotkeys to launch almost any application. To do this, after installing the program, you need to click right click mouse on the shortcut on the desktop, select "Properties" - "Shortcut" - "Shortcut" and click on the button or their combination with which you will start the program. Please note that if the hotkeys are already in use by the system, they will be reset. Be careful!
Hotkey managers
The simplest and in an accessible way changing hotkeys on Windows 10 is to use special utilities for this. We'll take a look at two of the most popular ones.
Key remapper
An excellent program with rich functionality that allows you to reassign almost any button on the keyboard, using the mouse, even using the scroll wheel. Utility features:
- Redefining almost any key of the keyboard and mouse, as well as intercepting the action of the mouse wheel.
- Redefining existing keys to those that are physically missing.
- Changing the location of the buttons.
- Emulation of keyboard shortcuts, mouse clicks.
- Limiting the action of the program to a specific application.
- Ability to assign multiple key profiles.
The program does not litter the computer registry and does not require a reboot for your new assignments to take effect. You can download the program at the link https://atnsoft.ru/keyremapper/.
MKey
The original purpose of this utility is to use additional keys on multimedia keyboards. These are the keyboards on which, in addition to the letter and number buttons, there are many additional ones for launching some applications and functions. First of all, you can use them, but if you have regular keyboard, without all these buttons, the program can be used to remap regular keys.
Possibilities:
- Media control
- Support for almost all the most popular audio and video players: start, play, stop.
- Adjust the volume, rewind a music or video file.
- Drive control for laser discs: open, close, start disc playback.
- The ability to run any application installed on the computer.
- Launch any explorer folders.
- All functions with files and folders: insert, copy, move.
- Manage open windows: minimize, maximize, close, move, lock.
- Power management: shutdown, hibernate, restart, lock; setting the timer.
- Change the desktop background.
- Change the language and keyboard layout.
- Management of network connections.
- Working with applications
- Management of any installed browser.
- Document management: open, save, create new, print, undo and redo.
- Control by e-mail: reply, forward, send.
- Emulation of almost any key in program windows.
- Additional functions
- Subtle customization, great customization options.
- System tray notifications.
- Insert text, date and time according to a given template.
- The ability to create a screenshot.
- 10 clipboards, extended control over their contents.
- Several profiles of parameters, customization of each of them.
- Create your own combination in every single application.
- Emulation of absolutely any keyboard or mouse button.
- Macro recording.
- Additional external plugins.
- Minimal use of resources.
- You do not need to reboot the device for the changes to take effect.
Other programs for redefining keys
Of course, the assortment is not limited to the named utilities. There are a lot of programs for redefining keys. All of them are easy to use, as their functionality is strictly limited. Here are a couple of other handy and popular programs:
- MapKeyboard- after unpacking the archive, you need to run as administrator and then on the virtual keyboard select the keys that you want to redefine. You can return to the default settings with the push of a button.
- SharpKeys- this utility can not only create new keyboard shortcuts, but also disable old ones if they are not needed at all.
Remember - Windows developers have provided protection against inept actions and blocked some settings, changing which can lead to system instability. Therefore, not all keyboard shortcuts can be redefined. This is especially true for Windows 10, where such possibilities were further limited.
Conclusion
Initially, the hotkeys are thought out conveniently and you can use them without changing them at all. But if you still want to change them, use one of the tips in our article.
In the comments, we ask you to tell us if you changed the keyboard shortcuts on your Windows 10. If yes, then how.
Hello dear readers. Today I want to tell you about how you can significantly speed up your work at the computer. You just need to know useful keyboard shortcuts and be able to use them.
And to be able to use the "hot" buttons, you need to know what they do when pressed. In this article (from the cycle "Increasing the speed of working at the computer") I present the most complete (without the keyboard shortcut with the win button, which will be devoted to) list of useful keyboard shortcuts on windows 10.
There are quite a few keyboard shortcuts. Moreover, depending on operating systems they are naturally different. They are basically the same for windows operating systems. Also, respectively, for different programs have their own keyboard shortcuts. In addition, they can be divided into combinations of buttons for copying / pasting, for working with text, etc. We will get acquainted with hot buttons on windows 10.
Basic keyboard shortcuts in windows 10
F2 - Rename the selected file, folder, item
F3 - Search for a file or folder in Explorer
F4 - Display the list of the address bar in the explorer
F5 - Refresh the active window
F6 - Cycle through screen elements in a window or desktop
F10 - Activate the menu bar in the active application
CTRL + X - Cut the selected item
CTRL + C (or CTRL + INSERT) - Copy the selected item
CTRL + V (or SHIFT + INSERT) - Paste the selected item
CTRL + Z - Undo an action
ALT + TAB - Switch between open applications
ALT + F4 - Close the active item or exit the active application
Windows Key + L - Lock Computer
Windows Key + D - Show and hide the desktop
ALT + F8 - Display the password on the login screen
ALT + ESC - Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
ALT + Underlined letter - Execute the command corresponding to that letter
ALT + SPACEBAR - Open context menu active window
ALT + ← - Back
ALT + → - Forward
ALT + PAGE UP - Move one page up
ALT + PAGE DOWN - Move one page down
CTRL + F4 - Close the active document (in applications that are maximized to full screen and allow simultaneous opening of several documents)
CTRL + A - Selects all elements in a document or window
CTRL + D (or DELETE) - Deletes the selected item and moves it to the trash
CTRL + R (or F5) - Refresh the active window
CTRL + Y - Repeat action
CTRL + → - Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
CTRL + ← - Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
CTRL + ↓ - Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
CTRL + - Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
CTRL + ALT + TAB - Use arrow keys to switch between open applications
CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + ARROW KEYS - If a group or tile has focus on the Start menu, move it in the specified direction
CTRL + arrow key (to move to an item) + SPACEBAR - Select multiple individual items in a window or desktop
CTRL + SHIFT + ARROW KEY - Select a piece of text
CTRL + ESC - Open the Start menu
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC - Launch Task Manager
CTRL + SHIFT - Switch keyboard layout if there are several
CTRL + SPACEBAR - Toggle the Input Method Editor on and off for Chinese
SHIFT + F10 - Open the context menu for the selected item
SHIFT + any arrow key - Select multiple items in a window or desktop, and select text in a document
SHIFT + DELETE - Deletes the selected item without first placing it in the trash
→ - Open the next menu to the right or open a submenu
← - Open the next menu to the left or close a submenu
ESC - Stop Execution current task or exit from it
Keyboard shortcuts for the taskbar
Shift + click on the icon - Open a new application window
Ctrl + Shift + click on the icon - Open a new application window with administrator privileges
Shift + Right Click on Icon - Show Application Menu
Shift + right click on a group of icons - Show menu, restore all / collapse all / close all
Ctrl + click on a group of icons - Maximize all windows of the group
Useful keyboard shortcuts for the command line
CTRL + M - Switch to mark mode
Alt + selection key - Start selection in lock mode
Arrow keys Move the cursor in the specified direction
PAGE UP - Move the cursor one page up
PAGE DOWN - Moves the cursor down one page
CTRL + - Move up one line in the output log
CTRL + ↓ - Move one line down in the output log
CTRL + HOME (in mark mode) - Move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer
CTRL + END (in mark mode) - Move cursor to the end of the buffer
CTRL + HOME (log navigation) - Moves the viewport to the top of the buffer (if the command line is empty). Otherwise, delete any characters to the left of the cursor on the command line.
CTRL + END (log navigation) - Moves the viewport to the command line if it is empty. Otherwise, delete any characters to the right of the cursor on the command line.
Useful File Explorer Button Combinations
ALT + D - Select address bar
CTRL + E - Select a search field
CTRL + F - Select a search field
CTRL + N - Open a new window
CTRL + W - Close the active window
CTRL + Mouse Scroll Wheel - Resize and appearance file and folder icons
CTRL + SHIFT + E - Display all folders in which the selected folder is nested
CTRL + SHIFT + N - Create a new folder
ALT + P - Show the preview pane
ALT + ENTER - Opens the Properties dialog box for the selected item
ALT + → - View next folder
ALT + - View the folder in which this folder is nested
ALT + ← - View the previous folder
NUM LOCK + asterisk (*) - Displays all folders under the selected folder
NUM LOCK + plus sign (+) - Displays the contents of the selected folder
NUM LOCK + minus sign (-) - Collapse the selected folder
RIGHT ARROW - Display the selected item (if collapsed) or select the first subfolder
LEFT ARROW - Collapse the selected item (if expanded) or select the folder in which this folder is nested
BACKSPACE - View the previous folder
END - Displays the bottom edge of the active window
Home Displays the top edge of the active window
F11 - Maximize or minimize the active window
Keyboard shortcuts for windows
F4 - Display elements of the active list
CTRL + TAB - Move forward through the tabs
CTRL + SHIFT + TAB - Move backward through tabs
CTRL + number (1 to 9) - Move to nth tab
TAB - Move forward in parameters
SHIFT + TAB - Move backward through the parameters
ALT + Underlined letter - Execute a command (or select an option) that starts with that letter
SPACEBAR - Select or uncheck a checkbox if the active option is a checkbox
BACKSPACE - Opens a folder one level above the folder selected in the Save As or Open window
Arrow keys- Select a button if a group of buttons is active
Keyboard shortcuts for virtual desktops
Windows key
+ TAB - Open task view
Windows key
+ TRL + D - Add virtual desktop
Windows key
+ CTRL + → - Switch between created virtual desktops from left to right
Windows key
+ CTRL + ← - Switch between created virtual desktops from right to left
Windows key
+ CTRL + F4 - Close the current virtual desktop
Windows key (win) located between the Ctrl and Alt keys on the left side (the Windows logo is drawn on it).
The Menu key is to the left of the right Ctrl.
The combination "key" + "key" means that you must first press the first key, and then, while holding it, the second.