Windows key commands are keyboard shortcuts that include the Windows-logo key. They offer a quick way to open Windows features or carry out actions without using a mouse. Microsoft defines keyboard shortcuts as “keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse.”
Here are the most useful Windows-key combinations, what they do, and the settings or device details that can affect them.
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What is the Windows key?
The Windows key—often labeled with the Windows logo—usually sits near the bottom row of a PC keyboard. Pressing it by itself opens or closes Start. When paired with another key, it can launch a feature or control a window. These combinations are commonly called Windows key shortcuts, Win-key shortcuts, or Windows keyboard commands. Microsoft’s Windows keyboard shortcuts reference documents default shortcuts for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Windows key shortcuts worth learning first
| Shortcut | What it does | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Windows key | Opens or closes Start. | Finding apps and accessing Start menu options. |
| Win+D | Shows or hides the desktop. | Getting to desktop icons or clearing the screen temporarily. |
| Win+E | Opens File Explorer. | Browsing files and folders. |
| Win+I | Opens Settings. | Changing Windows settings. |
| Win+L | Locks the computer. | Securing your session when stepping away. |
| Win+R | Opens the Run dialog. | Entering a command or app name to open it. |
| Win+Left arrow / Win+Right arrow | Snaps the active window to a side of the screen. | Arranging windows; the result depends on the current desktop and window context. |
| Win+Shift+S | Lets you select a region for a screenshot. | Capturing part of the screen; the capture goes to the clipboard, where it can be marked up or shared with Snipping Tool. |
| Win+Tab | Opens Task View. | Viewing open windows and desktops. Alt+Tab, by contrast, switches among windows. |
| Win+V | Opens clipboard history. | Accessing previously copied items. Clipboard history is off by default; enable it when prompted or in Clipboard settings. |
For Microsoft’s fuller lists and the exact wording of shortcut actions, see Keyboard shortcuts in Windows and Windows keyboard tips and tricks.
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Windows shortcuts are not the same as every keyboard command
A shortcut that includes the Windows key is one category of keyboard shortcut, not the whole category. Apps also have their own combinations, and accessibility features have shortcuts designed to turn assistive tools on or off. Microsoft cautions that common app shortcuts work most of the time but may not work in every app. The app, Windows version, settings, and available hardware or features can all affect what a combination does.
Accessibility shortcuts
Windows-key combinations can provide direct access to accessibility features. For example, Win+U opens Accessibility settings, and Win+Ctrl+Enter opens Narrator. Windows also documents keyboard access to features including Magnifier, voice typing, and color filters, along with toggles for Sticky Keys, Toggle Keys, and Mouse Keys. Check Microsoft’s accessibility keyboard shortcuts for the relevant combinations and feature details.
Why a shortcut may behave differently
- Windows release: Microsoft’s main shortcut reference covers Windows 10 and Windows 11, but some entries relate to newer Windows 11 features and should not be assumed to work on Windows 10.
- Feature or device availability: Some shortcuts depend on supported hardware or a feature being available and configured. Microsoft labels certain entries, such as Recall, as limited to devices meeting minimum system requirements; Copilot-related behavior can also depend on availability and configuration.
- App-specific behavior: An application can use or override a combination, so a shortcut may not produce the same result everywhere.
- Keyboard function modes: On keyboards with Fn or F Lock, a function key can have standard and alternate commands. Fn invokes alternate commands on keyboards using that scheme; F Lock switches command sets on keyboards that include it. If an F-key shortcut does not work as expected, check the keyboard labels or its documentation.
Windows 10 support status
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Its shortcut documentation still includes Windows 10, but that does not mean the operating system continues to receive support. Check the shortcut’s Windows version and any feature requirements before relying on it.
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