Smartphones have overtaken casual computer use since the early 2010s, but the PC still rules the workplace. Statistics reveal that Windows 11 PCs dominate the market with 69.9% usage, both for office and casual use. For any jobseeker looking to buff up their CV or an employee aiming for a better position, learning all PC keyboard shortcuts is a must.
Instead of repeatedly reaching for your mouse, you can use combinations of keys to copy and paste text, move between windows, take screenshots and even shut down your computer. Many of these shortcuts are built into Windows 11, while others work in applications such as Microsoft Word, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Once you've memorised the most useful combinations, navigating your computer can become quicker and more intuitive.
Here's how to get started with essential Windows keyboard shortcuts and a few lesser-known commands worth learning
🤔 What Counts as a PC Keyboard Shortcut
A keyboard shortcut is a key or combination of keys that performs an action without requiring you to select a command from a menu.
Many Windows shortcuts involve one or more modifier keys:
- Ctrl (Control): Commonly used for editing commands such as copying, pasting and undoing.
- Alt: Often used to access menus or switch between applications.
- Shift: Used to select text, type capital letters or activate additional functions.
- Windows key: Opens Windows features and provides shortcuts for managing the desktop.
- Fn (Function): Found on many laptop keyboards and used to access additional hardware controls.
Most keyboards sold in Australia use a US-style QWERTY layout. The Windows shortcuts covered here generally work the same way regardless of whether you're using an Australian or UK keyboard. However, key labels can vary between manufacturers. For example, the Print Screen key might appear as PrtSc, PrtScn or Print Scrn.
⌨ PC Keyboard Shortcuts You'll Use Every Day
These shortcuts are useful when working with documents, emails, spreadsheets and other applications.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + A | Selects all content in the active document or area. |
| Ctrl + C | Copies selected text or items to the clipboard. |
| Ctrl + X | Cuts selected text or items to the clipboard. |
| Ctrl + V | Pastes the contents of the clipboard. |
| Ctrl + Z | Undoes the previous action. |
| Ctrl + Y | Redoes an action in many applications, including Microsoft Word. |
| Ctrl + S | Saves the current file in supported applications. |
| Ctrl + F | Searches for text within a document or webpage. |
| Ctrl + P | Opens the print dialogue box. |
| Ctrl + B | Applies or removes bold formatting in supported editors. |
| Ctrl + I | Applies or removes italic formatting in supported editors. |
| Ctrl + U | Applies or removes underline formatting in supported editors. |
🤓 Full disclosure: this writer is a lifelong PC user. These keyboard shortcuts are ingrained in my workflow for editing documents, navigating webpages, and organising my files. With but a bit of practice, you'll likely find them hyper-efficient, too.
Windows Navigation Shortcuts
Since the dawn of personal computing in the 1980s, the mouse has been an integral input device. At the time, mice were hailed as innovative pointing devices, far more efficient than arrow keys to navigate screens. Of course, in those days, screens didn't have very much to navigate; all that changed with the internet and office suite software. But for people whose fingers exercise a computer keyboard for a living, having to leave the keyboard to work a mouse is inefficient. For them, shortcuts save a lot of time and effort.
Windows includes several keyboard shortcuts that help you move between applications, manage open windows and access important system features.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Alt + Tab | Switches between open applications and windows. |
| Windows + Tab | Opens Task View to display open windows and virtual desktops. |
| Windows + D | Shows or hides the desktop. |
| Windows + E | Opens File Explorer. |
| Windows + I | Opens Windows Settings. |
| Windows + L | Locks your computer. |
| Windows + R | Opens the Run dialogue box. |
| Windows + X | Opens the Quick Link menu for system tools. |
| Windows + . (full stop) | Opens the emoji and symbols panel. |
| Windows + V | Opens clipboard history; you may need to enable it first. |
| Windows + Left Arrow | Snaps the active window to the left side of the screen. |
| Windows + Right Arrow | Snaps the active window to the right side of the screen. |
| Windows + 1 to 9 | Opens or switches to the app in the corresponding taskbar position. |
Shortcuts for Web Browsers and Microsoft Word
Some keyboard combinations perform different actions depending on the program you're using. This is particularly important when switching between a web browser and a word processor.
| Shortcut | Application | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + T | Web browsers | Opens a new tab. |
| Ctrl + N | Web browsers | Opens a new browser window. |
| Ctrl + W | Web browsers | Closes the current tab. |
| Ctrl + L | Web browsers | Selects the address bar. |
| Ctrl + R | Web browsers | Reloads the current webpage. |
| Ctrl + H | Web browsers | Opens browsing history. |
| Ctrl + N | Microsoft Word | Creates a new document. |
| Ctrl + O | Microsoft Word | Opens an existing document. |
| Ctrl + L | Microsoft Word | Aligns the paragraph to the left. |
| Ctrl + E | Microsoft Word | Centres the paragraph. |
| Ctrl + R | Microsoft Word | Aligns the paragraph to the right. |
| Ctrl + H | Microsoft Word | Opens Find and Replace. |
| Ctrl + M | Microsoft Word | Increases the paragraph indent. |
| Ctrl + Q | Microsoft Word | Removes paragraph formatting. |
Learning which shortcuts belong to Windows and which are application-specific can help prevent confusion, particularly when you're learning to use a computer for the first time.
Creating and Switching Between Virtual Desktops
If you regularly work with several documents or applications, Windows virtual desktops can help keep your workspace organised.
This can be particularly useful when separating university assignments, work projects and personal activities.
💻 PC Screenshot Keyboard Shortcuts
People take screenshots for a variety of reasons; it's a practice that exploded in popularity. Taking screenshots is useful for sharing information, saving instructions, reporting technical problems or capturing something you want to refer to later.
Windows provides several ways to take screenshots without opening a separate application.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Print Screen (PrtSc) | Copies a screenshot to the clipboard or opens screen capture, depending on your Windows settings. |
| Alt + Print Screen | Copies the active window to the clipboard. |
| Windows + Shift + S | Opens the Snipping Tool capture overlay to select an area, window or full screen. |
| Windows + Print Screen | Captures the full screen and saves an image file, usually in Pictures > Screenshots. |
Capturing the Full Screen, a Section of the Screen, or a Specific Window
To capture a specific area of your screen, press Windows + Shift + S. A small toolbar will appear, allowing you to select a rectangular area, draw a freeform selection, capture a window or take a full-screen screenshot.
Once you've made your selection, the image is copied to your clipboard. You can paste it into an email or document using Ctrl + V, or open the screenshot in Snipping Tool to edit and save it.
Saving Your Screenshots
If you want Windows to save a full-screen screenshot directly as an image file, press Windows + prt sc.
Your screenshot will normally be saved in the Screenshots folder inside Pictures. The location may differ if you've configured cloud backup or changed your folder settings.
On some laptops, you may need to hold down the Fn key to activate Print Screen.
Philipp Katzenberger
😴 Keyboard Shortcut to Shut Down PC
Windows also includes keyboard shortcuts for accessing power controls.
On an English-language Windows installation, you can open the Quick Link menu with Windows + X, then use the following sequences:
These sequences depend on the available power options and menu shortcuts on your Windows installation.
The Windows + X combination also gives you access to your computer's power settings menu (Windows + X then O). For instance, you might set a custom power plan to prolong your battery's life and choose how long your computer stays awake when you're not using it. This two-key combination is one of the most time-saving shortcuts a beginner typist can master.
Alt + F4
Pressing Alt + F4 normally closes the currently active application or window.
This shortcut has many functions. For instance, if you use it on an active page, it will shut down that page. Should you engage it while your web browser is active, it will shut down the entire browser, not just the active tab.
If you have no pages open — you're down to your desktop, engaging Alt + F4 will call up the Windows shutdown dialogue box. You may then use your arrow keys to choose 'sign out', or to shut down, restart, or 'sleep' your computer.
Be sure to save any important work before closing applications or shutting down your computer.
Ctrl + Alt + Del
Pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete opens the Windows security screen.
From here, you can access options such as locking your computer, signing out or opening Task Manager. You can also use the power icon to access shutdown and restart options.
Ctrl + Alt + Del calls up the shutdown menu
Ctrl + Alt + Del -----> Power
The Power button is on the lower right-hand side of the screen. You may use its menu to shut down, restart, sleep, or sign out of your machine.
👨🎨 Customising and Creating Shortcuts
Windows allows you to create additional shortcuts for applications you use regularly.
Let's say that your desktop display is full of icons, one for each application you use. And you have a lot of files and random documents saved to your desktop, too! Can you afford the time to search for the app icon you need right now? That won't be your worry if you create a shortcut for each one.
Creating a Shortcut for an Application
First, locate or create a desktop shortcut for the application you want to open.
Right-click the shortcut and select Properties, then open the Shortcut tab.
If the Shortcut key field is available, you can select it and assign a supported key combination. Windows may automatically add modifier keys such as Ctrl and Alt.
Save your changes and test the shortcut to make sure it works as expected.
Remapping Keys with Microsoft PowerToys
For more advanced keyboard customisation, Microsoft provides a free utility called PowerToys.
Its Keyboard Manager feature allows you to remap individual keys and change the actions performed by certain keyboard shortcuts.
For example, you could create a more convenient shortcut for an action you use frequently or change the function of a key that you rarely use.
Keep in mind that some Windows shortcuts are reserved by the operating system and cannot be remapped. PowerToys must also be running for its custom key assignments to work.
If you're new to keyboard shortcuts, it's best to become comfortable with the standard commands before changing their behaviour.
Improve Your Computer Skills with Practice
The easiest way to remember keyboard shortcuts is to incorporate them into tasks you already perform. Start with a few essential commands, such as copying, pasting, undoing and saving. Once these become familiar, try using shortcuts to switch between applications, organise windows and capture screenshots.
You don't need to memorise every Windows command at once. Focus on the shortcuts that are most relevant to your work, studies or everyday computer use.
If you'd like more personalised support, computer lessons can help you develop confidence with Windows, Microsoft Office and other digital tools. Superprof Australia connects learners with computer skills tutors who can provide guidance suited to their experience, whether they're getting started with a PC or looking to improve their productivity.
📃 References
- Microsoft. “Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows.” Microsoft Support, n.d., support.microsoft.com/en-au/accessibility/windows/keyboard-shortcuts-in-windows. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.
- Microsoft. “Keyboard Shortcuts in Word.” Microsoft Support, n.d., support.microsoft.com/en-au/accessibility/word/keyboard-shortcuts-in-word. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.
- Microsoft. “Use Snipping Tool to Capture Screenshots.” Microsoft Support, n.d., support.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/apps/use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.
- Microsoft. “Remap Keys and Shortcuts with PowerToys Keyboard Manager.” Microsoft Learn, n.d., learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/keyboard-manager. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.
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