Windows Key: The most useful keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10 and Windows 11

From the entrance of Microsoft Windows on home PCs, back in the day late 80’she mouse it was a element that has gained great importance on computers. So much so that right now it is impossible to find a computer that does not have a mouse, even if it is integrated like laptop trackpads. But almost all (if not all) the actions that are carried out with the mouse they can do with Windows keyboard shortcutseven using the Windows key in combination with others We can perform multiple actions.

Windows keyboards generally have the Windows logo keywhich was added with the idea of open the start menu of this Microsoft operating system. But despite existing for several years, it has not had very successful for the function for which it was intended. However, the Windows key along with others also allows us perform other types of actions of our keyboard, what we commonly call keyboard shortcuts or keyboard shortcut for windows.

These shortcuts and tricks for Windows can be a tool that allows us to save time if we get used to them. There are certain actions that we can repeat continuouslyand if we are with hands on keyboard can do in a jiffy. Others can also be perform directly without having to enter different sections configuration along with the submenus that we find in this section.

For example, for enable (or disable) HDR In Windows we would have to take the mouse, right-click on the desktop and select display settings, then click on the HDR button to activate or deactivate it. You could save all these steps by simply pressing the Windows + Alt + B, all at the same time, this way you will be able to activate HDR (and deactivate it). Other combinations include the ctrl key, the shift or shift key, in addition to the alt key, or all at once.

But in addition to this, there are multitude of keyboard shortcuts in Windowswhich also include Windows keylet’s see what they all are along with a brief description of their function.

The Best Keyboard Shortcuts with the Windows Key

First of all we are going to leave you a compilation of those that we have considered most usefulso much for players as for regular users of Windows. With these keyboard shortcuts you can save time instead of having to go into settings or making several clicksall with press a couple of keys.

• Win key + D: Show and hide the Desktop.
• Win key + G: Open the Xbox Game Bar.
• Win key + Alt + B: Turn HDR on or off in Windows, as long as the monitor supports it.
• Win Key + I: Open Windows Settings.
• Win key + M: Minimizes all open windows or restores them if they are minimized.
• Win key + Alt + R: Start and stop if screen recording is started (Xbox Game Bar only).
• Win Key + Shift + S: Open the utility that will allow you to take a screenshot of a window or just a selected trode.
• Win key + ,: Shows the desktop until you stop pressing the Windows key.
• Win + Del key: Minimizes the active window.
• Win key + Home, Page Up, End or Page Down: Places the active window in the upper left area for Home, lower left for End, upper right for Page Up and lower right for Page Down. Note that the position of the window coincides with the position of the key.

But there are many, many more, let’s all see.

Key combination for desktops and virtual desktops

These shortcuts will be useful for perform desktop-related actions or to switch between virtual desktops.

• Win Key + Y: Switch between Windows Mixed Reality and the desktop.
• Win key + Ctrl + Left or right arrow: Switch between the virtual desktops on the left or right, depending on which one you are on.
• Win key + Shift + M: Restores minimized windows to the desktop.
• Win Key + Up Arrow: Maximizes the current window. In Windows 11 the window is also adjusted to the upper half.
• Win Key + Down Arrow: Minimizes the current window. In Windows 11 it also snaps the window to the bottom half of the screen.
• Win Key + Right Arrow: Maximizes the window by adjusting it to the right half.
• Win Key + Left Arrow: Same as the previous one, but placing it in the left half.
• Win Key + Home: Minimizes everything except the active window.
• Win Key + Print Screen: Save a screenshot of the entire desktop.
• Win Key + Alt + Print Screen: Save a screenshot of the current window, only with Windows Xbox Game Bar.

Useful shortcuts for the taskbar

These combinations will allow you open applications that you have in the taskbar.

• Win key + nº: Open the application corresponding to that number that is pinned to the taskbar, if it is already open change to that application.
• Win key + Shift + nº: Opens a new instance of that application corresponding to the selected number.
• Win key + Ctrl + nº: Switches to the last active window of the application pinned to the taskbar corresponding to that number.
• Win key + Alt + #: Opens the pinned list of the application corresponding to the selected number.
• Win key + Ctr + Shift + nº: Opens a new instance of the application in the position corresponding to the number pressed on the taskbar as administrator.
• Win Key + T: Allows you to scroll through the applications you have on the taskbar.

General keyboard shortcuts using the Windows key

Leaving aside the typical Ctrl + c to copy and Ctrl + v to pastelet’s see what are all the keyboard shortcuts that we can execute including the Windows key in combination with others keys like Shift (or shift), Control (or Ctrl) and so on.

• Win Key: Open or close the Windows start menu.
• Win key + A: Open the action center.
• Win key + B: Place the cursor in the notification area.
• Win key + C: It depends on the version of Windows, in 10 open Cortana in listening mode, by default it is disabled and you will have to enable Cortana for it to work. At 11 CoPilot opens.
• Win key + Shift + C: Open the color picker.
• Win key + Crl + C: Center the current window.
• Win Key + E: Open Windows File Explorer to show you all the files and folders.
• Win key + F: Open the Windows Feedback Center.

• Win key + H: It depends on the version of Windows, in 10 it enables dictation and in 11 it enables voice writing.
• Win key + J: Highlights a Windows tip when it appears.
• Win key + K: It depends on the version, in 10 it opens Connect, in 11 Transmit.
• Win key + Alt + K: Mute the microphone in applications that support this function. Only on Windows 11.
• Win key + L: Lock the device or allow you to change users.
• Win key + N: Opens and closes the notification center, only available in the latest version of Windows.
• Win Key + O: Lock the device orientation, useful on Windows tablets or convertible devices.
• Win key + P: Choose a presentation mode. It allows you to mirror the screen, extend the desktop or use only the main or secondary one.

• Win key + Ctrl + Q: Open Quick Assist.
• Win key + R: Open the run dialog box.
• Win key + S: Open search.
• Win key + U: Open the Windows Ease of Access Center.
• Win key + V: Open the clipboard, it must be activated and you can also activate it with this key combination.
• Win + Shift + V key: It depends on the version of Windows, in 10 it allows you to scroll through the notifications and in 11 it sets the focus on a notification.
• Win Key + W: Open the Widgets, it only works on the latest version of Windows.
• Win Key + X: Open the quick link menu, the same as right-clicking the Windows Start button.
• Win + Z key: Depends on the version of Windows, in 10 it allows you to show the commands available in an application when it is full screen, and in 11 it opens the adjustment layouts.
• Win key + .: Open the emoji panel.

• Win Key + Pause: Open system information.
• Win key + Ctrl + F: Search for computers on a network.
• Win key + Tab: Open the task view.
• Win Key + Space Bar: Change the language and language input, if another is configured.
• Win Key + Shift + Space Bar: Go back through the language and keyboard layout.
• Win key + Ctr + Space bar: Switch to a previous keyboard layout and language.
• Win key + Ctrl + Enter: Activate the narrator.
• Win + + key: Activates the magnifying glass and zooms.
• Win + key: Zoom out with the magnifying glass.
• Win Key + Esc: Close Magnifier (if active). Otherwise close the currently active window. Windows 11 only.
• Win key + Ctrl + Shift + B: Wake PC from a blank or black screen.

Do anything with a key combination

As we can see there are keyboard shortcuts for virtually any function. In combination with the windows key We can perform a multitude of actions that can save us a lot of time. There’s also specific actions for Windows 10 and Windows 11, so depending on the operating system you have, you can perform one or another action. Generally, in the latest Microsoft system, the actions have been updated to carry out tasks that are consistent with or that are no longer available in Windows 10.

Can open applications, minimize them, organize them across the desktop and even switch between desktops. It also allows you to activate a second screen or use only this one. Surely if you get used to some of these actions you will find it more convenient than having to put down the keyboard and pick up the mouse only to access that function.

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