Windows Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
A comprehensive, printable reference guide to essential Windows keyboard shortcuts. Maximize your productivity with system commands, Alt codes for symbols, text editing, window management, and virtual desktop controls. Print this page using Ctrl+P for offline reference.
System Shortcuts
Essential System Commands
Win — Open Start Menu
Win + S — Open Windows Search
Win + R — Open Run dialog
Ctrl + Shift + Esc — Open Task Manager
Alt + Tab — Switch between applications
Alt + F4 — Close active window
Win + L — Lock computer
Screenshot Shortcuts
Win + Shift + S — Open Snipping Tool
Win + PrtSc — Capture entire screen (saves to file)
PrtSc — Copy screen to clipboard
Alt + PrtSc — Capture active window
Text Editing
Universal text editing shortcuts that work in most Windows applications:
Ctrl + X — Cut selected text
Ctrl + C — Copy selected text
Ctrl + V — Paste from clipboard
Ctrl + A — Select all text
Ctrl + Z — Undo last action
Ctrl + Y — Redo last action
Ctrl + F — Find text in document
Ctrl + H — Find and replace
Alt Codes for Common Symbols
Hold Alt and type the code on the numeric keypad (Num Lock must be on):
Essential Alt Codes
Alt + 0169 — Copyright symbol ©
Alt + 0174 — Registered trademark ®
Alt + 0153 — Trademark symbol ™
Alt + 0176 — Degree symbol °
Alt + 0128 — Euro symbol €
Alt + 0151 — Em dash —
Alt + 0150 — En dash –
Alt + 0149 — Bullet point •
Alt + 0247 — Division sign ÷
Alt + 0177 — Plus-minus ±
Alt + 0215 — Multiplication ×
Alt + 0189 — One half fraction ½
Currency & Punctuation
Alt + 0162 — Cent symbol ¢
Alt + 0163 — Pound sterling £
Alt + 0165 — Yen symbol ¥
Alt + 0171 — Left guillemet «
Alt + 0187 — Right guillemet »
Alt + 0134 — Dagger †
Window Management
Window Snap & Arrangement
Win + Left — Snap window to left half
Win + Right — Snap window to right half
Win + Up — Maximize window
Win + Down — Minimize/restore window
Win + M — Minimize all windows
Win + D — Show Desktop (toggle)
Window Controls
Alt + F4 — Close active window
Ctrl + W — Close current tab (browsers/apps)
Alt + Space — Open window menu
F11 — Toggle full screen mode
Win + Home — Minimize all except active window
Virtual Desktops
Manage multiple virtual desktops for better workspace organization:
Win + Tab — Open Task View (virtual desktops)
Win + Ctrl + D — Create new virtual desktop
Win + Ctrl + F4 — Close current virtual desktop
Win + Ctrl + Left — Switch to previous desktop
Win + Ctrl + Right — Switch to next desktop
File Explorer Shortcuts
Navigate files and folders efficiently in Windows File Explorer:
Win + E — Open File Explorer
Ctrl + N — Open new File Explorer window
Ctrl + Shift + N — Create new folder
Alt + Left — Navigate back
Alt + Right — Navigate forward
Alt + Up — Go to parent folder
F2 — Rename selected file
Delete — Move to Recycle Bin
Shift + Delete — Permanently delete file
Alt + Enter — Open Properties dialog
Ctrl + Scroll — Change icon size
Text Formatting
Formatting Shortcuts
These work in apps that support rich text formatting like Word, Outlook, and WordPad:
Ctrl + B — Bold selected text
Ctrl + I — Italicize selected text
Ctrl + U — Underline selected text
Ctrl + K — Insert hyperlink
Ctrl + Shift + L — Create bulleted list
Document Actions
Ctrl + S — Save document
Ctrl + Shift + S — Save As
Ctrl + P — Print document
Ctrl + O — Open file dialog
Ctrl + N — Create new document
Ctrl + W — Close current document/tab
Printable Reference
This page is designed to be printer-friendly. Press Ctrl + P to print or save as PDF for offline reference. Keep it at your desk for quick access to essential Windows keyboard shortcuts and Alt codes.
Alt Code Tip: Ensure Num Lock is on when using Alt codes. Hold the Alt key and type the numbers on your numeric keypad (not the top row numbers).