Common keyboard shortcuts

Use key press combinations to perform common tasks in Windows.

   NOTE:
The Windows key on your keyboard is labeled as a Windows flag icon   or   and is used in many key press combinations.

Task Keystroke Result

Get help about the software or app that is currently active. For help with
Get help F1
Windows, press F1 while at the Windows desktop.

Copy Ctrl + C Copy a selection to the Windows clipboard to be pasted later.

Paste Ctrl + V Paste a previously cut or copied selection into an app.

Cut Ctrl + X Delete a selection and copy it to the Windows clipboard to be pasted later.

Save Ctrl + S Save a file from the currently active app.

Undo the last action done in Windows. Repeat this keypress to continue
Undo an action Ctrl + Z
undoing previous actions.

Bold text Ctrl + B Apply bold emphasis to selected text while text is being edited.

Underline text Ctrl + U Underline selected text while text is being edited.

Italicize text Ctrl + I Apply italicized emphasis to selected text while text is being edited.

Delete a selected file in Windows without moving it to the Recycle Bin.

Destroy a file Shift + Delete
The file is permanently deleted.
Task Keystroke Result

Quickly find a file's property information. The key press works from the
File properties Alt + Enter (or double-click)
desktop, File Explorer, or Windows Explorer.

Copy a picture of the screen to the Windows clipboard to be pasted as a

Screenshot Prt Scr (Print Screen) graphic later. On some laptops, you may need to press and hold Fn before
pressing Prt Scr.

Take a picture of a Copy a picture of the current window (not the entire screen) to the
Shift + Prt Scr (Print Screen)
window Windows clipboard to be pasted as a graphic later.

Close a window or With the window active, Close the currently active window or app. This task can be useful when
web page press Alt + F4 (Function key F4) you want to close a webpage that does not have a close window button.

Shut down or restart With the Windows desktop active, Open a window where you can select power functions, such as Log off,
Windows press Alt + F4 (Function key F4) Sleep, Hibernate, Restart and Shut down.

Open the Start menu The Windows key or

Open or close the Start menu or Start screen.
or Start screen Ctrl + Esc

Open a window menu Alt + the letter key matching the underlined Instead of using a mouse to open menus or select items within menus, use
or menu item letter of the menu or menu item this key press combination.

Open a right-click Instead of using a mouse to right-click an item in Windows, use this key
Shift + F10 (Function key F10)
(contextual) menu press combination.

Run a command Windows key + R Open the Run dialog box to type Windows commands.

Switch between apps Alt + Tab Display all active windows. Switch to another window by repeatedly
 Task Keystroke Result

pressing the tab key while holding down the Alt key.

Remove the current window from view without closing. You can access
Minimize window Windows key + Down arrow
the window again by clicking the tray icon.

Maximize window Windows key + Up arrow Change the size of the current window to fill the entire screen.

Minimize all
Windows key + M Minimize all active windows.
windows

Restore all minimized

Windows key + Shift + M Restore all active windows that were minimized to the system tray.
windows

Ease of Access Open accessibility features, such as screen reading, high contrast screens,
Windows key + U
Center mouse alternative options, and more.

Open the task manager utility to monitor currently running tasks and
Open Task Manager Ctrl + Shift + Esc
network activity.

Open System Open System Properties for quick access to basic system information and
Windows key + Pause / Break
Properties links to other helpful system tools.

Windows 10 shortcuts
Use key press combinations to quickly access common functions in Windows 10.
Function Keystroke Result

Windows key
Start menu or Open or close the Start menu or Start screen.
Ctrl + Esc

Windows key
Search Open a search window to find files, folders, apps, settings, and websites.
+ S (Windows 10)

Search for Windows key

Find computers on a local network.
computers + Ctrl + F

Dictation Windows key + H Open the Dictation input feature.

File Explorer Windows key + E Open a File Explorer window to browse the files and folders on your computer.

Settings Windows key + I Open a Settings window where you can change the behavior of features in Windows.

Connect to
Windows key + K Open the Connect or Devices view to connect to Bluetooth devices.
devices

Lock the
Windows key + L Lock the computer to prevent unauthorized access while you are away.
computer

Screen
orientation Windows key + O Prevent or allow the screen to rotate when the display device is rotated, if supported.
lock

Advanced Windows key + X Open the Advanced Settings menu.

 Function Keystroke Result

Settings

Resize and display all currently active windows to fit proportionally on the screen (thumbnail view).
View active
Windows key + Tab Use this view to quickly see everything currently running and to close or switch between windows.
apps
Repeat this key press to return the windows to their previous size and placement.

Windows Hide the Start screen or minimize all active windows and menus to display the desktop. Repeat this key
Windows key + D
desktop press to restore the previous view.

Snap a Windows key + Left

Move and resize the current window to the left or right half of the screen.
Window arrowor Right arrow

Save a Windows key + Prt

Saves a picture of your screen as a PNG graphic file to a Screenshots folder in your Pictures library.
screenshot Scr (Print Screen)

Keys with icons or symbols

Most keyboards come with special symbols applied to the function keys. Your HP keyboard might have extra keys or buttons with icons as well. Use
this section to understand the meaning of those icons and symbols.
   NOTE:
On most laptop keyboards, you must press and hold the fn key before pressing the key with the symbol to perform the function.

Symbo
Task Meaning
l

Turn wireless Internet on or off. There is usually an LED or on-screen notification to indicate the status of Wi-Fi:
Enable wireless
on, off, or on and not connected. This symbol key does not turn on Bluetooth.
 Symbo
Task Meaning
l

Airplane mode Enable or disable all wireless communications from the computer.

Presentation mode Switch to another display mode when an external display is connected.

Illuminate the
If your laptop is equipped with an illuminated keyboard, turn keyboard illumination on or off.
keyboard

Search Open a search window to find files, folders, apps, settings, and websites.

Decrease screen
Dim the brightness of the built-in display screen.
brightness

Increase screen
Increase the brightness of the built-in display screen.
brightness

Menu / Right-click Open a right-click menu.

Copy Copy selection to clipboard. Same as pressing CTRL + C.

Lock the computer Exit Windows to the sign-in screen.

 Symbo
Task Meaning
l

Suspend the
Place the computer in sleep or suspend mode.
computer

Mute Silence the speakers or headphones. Repeat the press to allow sound.

Volume down Decrease the volume of speakers or headphones.

Volume up Increase the volume of speakers or headphones.

Play / Pause media Play or pause media, such as music or videos. This key does not work unless media is active.

Stop media Stop playback of media, such as music or videos. This key does not work unless media is active.

Skip (media) Play next section or track of audio or video.

Previous (media) Restart current media from the beginning. If pressed repeatedly, plays the previous track or clip.

Share Open the Share menu where you can send files or messages to others.
 Symbo
Task Meaning
l

Settings Open a Settings window where you can change the behavior of features in Windows.

Activates or deactivates scroll lock. Scroll lock uses the arrow keys to move within a window instead of using a
Scroll Lock
mouse and the scroll bar. Scroll lock is only used by a few software apps, such as Microsoft Excel.

Connect to devices Open the Connect or Devices view where you can connect to Bluetooth devices.

Arrange app view Display apps side-by-side for simultaneous viewing.

Switch apps Switch between open apps.

Show app
Show the app commands that are available for the app that is currently open.
commands

List apps List apps that are open in the background.

Connect to the
Open the default Internet browser.
Internet