If you use a computer often, you’ve probably come across keyboard shortcuts in the past, or if you haven’t, this might explain how some people manage to fly through complex tasks on the computer without even touching the mouse.
Keyboard shortcuts allow you to quickly perform a function by pressing a combination of keys at the same time.
To use any of the keyboard shortcuts below, simultaneously press the keys listed in bold – remember that these will only work on Windows 10.
Windows key + A: Opens the Action Center where you can view recent notifications and adjust some frequently used settings such as wifi, Bluetooth and screen brightness.
Windows key + I: Opens Settings where you can change the settings on your device.
Windows key + S: Opens Search, which allows you to search for files on your computer or on the internet.
Windows key + Tab: Opens Task View, which shows all of the programs you have open, allowing you to click on one to interact with it. This can be really handy when you feel like your programs are burying you.
Windows key + arrow key: Allows you to ‘snap’ a window on your screen. By pressing left or right you can snap to half of the screen, if you then press up or down you can snap to one quarter of the screen. You can also minimise the active window by pressing Windows key + down, or maximise the window to take up the whole screen by pressing Windows key + up.
The following keyboard shortcuts relate to the usage of ‘Virtual Desktops’. This new feature in Windows 10 allows your computer to pretend it has two or more screens, and you can choose which one shows on your computer screen. For example you can have your work activities on one virtual desktop and your personal activities on the other and then swap between them whenever you want.
Windows key + Ctrl + D: Creates a new virtual desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + F4: Closes the current desktop.
Windows key + Ctrl + left or right arrow key: Switches between virtual desktops.
These keyboard shortcuts will work anywhere in Windows 10, in addition to these, most programs have their own built in. Here are some keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Word.
If you want to learn some more shortcuts or refresh your memory, why not read our Top 10 keyboard shortcuts? All of these keyboard shortcuts will still work on Windows 10.
