Check out the most useful keyboard shortcuts to use on Windows 10.
- Capture Screenshot using Draw Mouse Cursor & Copy Technique. If you want to take a screenshot of a specific part of the screen. Then, press the shortcut key 'Windows Logo + Shift + S', then select the specific part of the screen using a mouse cursor.A snip or screenshot will be copied to the clipboard.
- If you are trying to take a screenshot or screengrab, see How to take and annotate screenshots on Windows 10. Windows 10 Windows 8.1 & Windows 8.1 RT Windows 7 Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you'd typically do with a mouse.
- Alt + Print Screen To take a quick screenshot of the active window, use the keyboard shortcut Alt + PrtScn. This will snap your currently active window and copy the screenshot to the clipboard.
- 6 easy ways to Take a Screenshot on Windows 10 1. Using Keyboard Shortcut Keys. It is quite an easy method to take a screenshot on Windows 10. To use this method press the 'Windows + PrtScr' shortcut key on your Keyboard.
On Windows 10, keyboard shortcuts provide a quick way to navigate and operate the experience and features using a single press of one or multiple keys, which otherwise will take several clicks and more time to accomplish using the mouse.
Although it can be overwhelming trying to memorize all the available keyboard shortcuts, it's important to consider that most people don't need to learn every shortcut on Windows 10. Only focusing on those you need to use more frequently can noticeably make things easier and help you to work more efficiently.
While you can already capture your screen using your keyboard's PrtScn button, you can now press Windows logo key + Shift + S to open the new modern snipping experience (also called the snipping bar), then drag the cursor over the area you want to capture. Here are some common ways to take and annotate screenshots in Snip & Sketch on Windows 10.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll show you all the most useful keyboard shortcuts to navigate and operate the desktop and apps. Also, we'll outline the shortcuts that are essential for all users. Portable hard drive capacity.
Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts
This comprehensive list includes the most useful keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks on Windows 10 a little faster.
- Essential shortcuts
- Desktop shortcuts
- File Explorer shortcuts
- Command Prompt shortcuts
- Windows key shortcuts
Essential shortcuts
These are the essential keyboard shortcuts that every Windows 10 user should know.
Keyboard shortcut | Action |
---|---|
Ctrl + A | Select all content. |
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) | Copy selected items to clipboard. |
Ctrl + X | Cut selected items to clipboard. |
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) | Paste content from clipboard. |
Ctrl + Z | Undo an action, including undelete files (limited). |
Ctrl + Y | Redo an action. |
Ctrl + Shift + N | Create new folder on desktop or File Explorer. |
Alt + F4 | Close active window. (If no active window present, then shutdown box appears.) |
Ctrl + D (Del) | Delete selected item to the Recycle Bin. |
Shift + Delete | Delete selected item permanently skipping Recycle Bin. |
F2 | Rename selected item. |
ESC | Close current task. |
Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps. |
PrtScn | Take screenshot and stores it in clipboard. |
Windows key + I | Open Settings app. |
Windows key + E | Open File Explorer. |
Windows key + A | Open Action center. |
Windows key + D | Display and hide the desktop. |
Windows key + L | Lock device. |
Windows key + V | Open Clipboard bin. |
Windows key + Period (.) or semicolon (;) | Open emoji panel. |
Windows key + PrtScn | Capture full screenshot in the 'Screenshots' folder. |
Windows key + Shift + S | Capture part of the screen with Snip & Sketch. |
Windows key + Left arrow key | Snap app or window left. |
Windows key + Right arrow key | Snap app or window right. |
Desktop shortcuts
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to open, close, navigate, and complete specific tasks more quickly throughout the desktop experience, including on Start menu, taskbar, Settings, and more.
Keyboard shortcut | Action |
---|---|
Windows key (or Ctrl + Esc) | Open Start menu. |
Ctrl + Arrow keys | Change Start menu size. |
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager. |
Ctrl + Shift | Switch keyboard layout. |
Alt + F4 | Close active window. (If no active window present, then shutdown box appears.) |
Ctrl + F5 (or Ctrl + R) | Refresh current window. |
Ctrl + Alt + Tab | View open apps. |
Ctrl + Arrow keys (to select) + Spacebar | Select multiple items on desktop or File Explorer. |
Alt + Underlined letter | Runs command for the underlined letter in apps. |
Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps while pressing Tab multiple times. |
Alt + Left arrow key | Go back. |
Alt + Right arrow key | Go forward. |
Alt + Page Up | Move up one screen. |
Alt + Page down | Move down one screen. |
Alt + Esc | Cycle through open windows. |
Alt + Spacebar | Open context menu for the active window. |
Alt + F8 | Reveals typed password in Sign-in screen. |
Shift + Click app button | Open another instance of an app from the taskbar. |
Ctrl + Shift + Click app button | Run app as administrator from the taskbar. |
Shift + Right-click app button | Show window menu for the app from the taskbar. |
Ctrl + Click a grouped app button | Cycle through windows in the group from the taskbar. |
Shift + Right-click grouped app button | Show window menu for the group from the taskbar. |
Ctrl + Left arrow key | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word. |
Ctrl + Right arrow key | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word. |
Ctrl + Up arrow key | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph |
Ctrl + Down arrow key | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph. |
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow key | Select block of text. |
Ctrl + Spacebar | Enable or disable Chinese IME. |
Shift + F10 | Open context menu for selected item. |
F10 | Enable app menu bar. |
Shift + Arrow keys | Select multiple items. |
Windows key + X | Open Quick Link menu. |
Windows key + Number (0-9) | Open app in number position from the taskbar. |
Windows key + T | Cycle through apps in the taskbar. |
Windows key + Alt + Number (0-9) | Open Jump List of the app in number position from the taskbar. |
Windows key + D | Display and hide the desktop. |
Windows key + M | Minimize all windows. |
Windows key + Shift + M | Restore minimized windows on the desktop. |
Windows key + Home | Minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window. |
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow key | Stretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen. |
Windows key + Shift + Down arrow key | Maximize or minimize active desktop windows vertically while maintaining width. |
Windows key + Shift + Left arrow key | Move active window to monitor on the left. |
Windows key + Shift + Right arrow key | Move active window to monitor on the right. |
Windows key + Left arrow key | Snap app or window left. |
Windows key + Right arrow key | Snap app or window right. |
Windows key + S ( or Q) | Open Search. |
Windows key + Alt + D | Open date and time in the taskbar. |
Windows key + Tab | Open Task View. |
Windows key + Ctrl + D | Create new virtual desktop. |
Windows key + Ctrl + F4 | Close active virtual desktop. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow | Switch to the virtual desktop on the right. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow | Switch to the virtual desktop on the left. |
Windows key + P | Open Project settings. |
Windows key + A | Open Action center. |
Windows key + I | Open Settings app. |
Backspace | Return to Settings app home page. |
File Explorer shortcuts
On Windows 10, File Explorer includes many keyboard shortcuts to help you complete tasks a little quicker.
Here's a list with the most useful shortcuts for File Explorer.
Keyboard shortcut | Action |
---|---|
Windows key + E | Open File Explorer. |
Alt + D | Select address bar. |
Ctrl + E (or F) | Select search box. |
Ctrl + N | Open new window. |
Ctrl + W | Close active window. |
Ctrl + F (or F3) | Start search. |
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel | Change view file and folder. |
Ctrl + Shift + E | Expands all folders from the tree in the navigation pane. |
Ctrl + Shift + N | Create new folder on desktop or File Explorer. |
Ctrl + L | Focus on the address bar. |
Ctrl + Shift + Number (1-8) | Changes folder view. |
Alt + P | Display preview panel. |
Alt + Enter | Open Properties settings for the selected item. |
Alt + Right arrow key | View next folder. |
Alt + Left arrow key (or Backspace) | View previous folder. |
Alt + Up arrow | Move up a level in the folder path. |
F11 | Switch active window full-screen mode. |
F5 | Refresh the instance of File Explorer. |
F2 | Rename selected item. |
F4 | Switch focus to address bar. |
F5 | Refresh File Explorer's current view. |
F6 | Cycle through elements on the screen. |
Home | Scroll to top of the window. |
End | Scroll to bottom of window. |
Command Prompt shortcuts
If you use Command Prompt, you can use these keyboard shortcuts to work a little more efficiently.
Keyboard shortcut | Action |
---|---|
Ctrl + A | Select all content of the current line. |
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) | Copy selected items to clipboard. |
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) | Paste content from clipboard. |
Ctrl + M | Starts mark mode. |
Ctrl + Up arrow key | Move screen up one line. |
Ctrl + Down arrow key | Move screen down one line. |
Ctrl + F | Open search for Command Prompt. |
Left or right arrow keys | Move cursor left or right in the current line. |
Up or down arrow keys | Cycle through command history of the current session. |
Page up | Move cursor one page up. |
Page down | Move cursor one page down. |
Ctrl + Home | Scroll to top of the console. |
Ctrl + End | Scroll to the bottom of the console. |
Windows key shortcuts
Using the Windows key combined with other keys, you can perform many useful tasks, such as launch Settings, File Explorer, Run command, apps pinned in the taskbar, or you can open specific features like Narrator or Magnifier. You can also accomplish tasks like controlling windows, virtual desktops, taking screenshots, locking your device, and a lot more.
Here's a list with all the most common keyboard shortcuts using the Windows key. Macos which command.
Keyboard shortcut | Action |
---|---|
Windows key | Open Start menu. |
Windows key + A | Open Action center. |
Windows key + S ( or Q) | Open Search. |
Windows key + D | Display and hide the desktop. |
Windows key + L | Locks computer. |
Windows key + M | Minimize all windows. |
Windows key + B | Set focus notification area in the taskbar. |
Windows key + C | Launch Cortana app. |
Windows key + F | Launch Feedback Hub app. |
Windows key + G | Launch Game bar app. |
Windows key + Y | Change input between desktop and Mixed Reality. |
Windows key + O | Lock device orientation. |
Windows key + T | Cycle through apps in the taskbar. |
Windows key + Z | Switch input between the desktop experience and Windows Mixed Reality. |
Windows key + J | Set focus on a tip for Windows 10 when applicable.k |
Windows key + H | Open dictation feature. |
Windows key + E | Open File Explorer. |
Windows key + I | Open Settings. |
Windows key + R | Open Run command. |
Windows key + K | Open Connect settings. |
Windows key + X | Open Quick Link menu. |
Windows key + V | Open Clipboard bin. |
Windows key + W | Open the Windows Ink Workspace. |
Windows key + U | Open Ease of Access settings. |
Windows key + P | Open Project settings. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Enter | Open Narrator. |
Windows key + Plus (+) | Zoom in using the magnifier. |
Windows key + Minus (-) | Zoom out using the magnifier. |
Windows key + Esc | Exit magnifier. |
Windows key + Forward-slash (/) | Start IME reconversion. |
Windows key + Comma (,) | Temporarily peek at the desktop. |
Windows key + Up arrow key | Maximize app windows. |
Windows key + Down arrow key | Minimize app windows. |
Windows key + Home | Minimize or maximize all but the active desktop window. |
Windows key + Shift + M | Restore minimized windows on the desktop. |
Windows key + Shift + Up arrow key | Stretch desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen. |
Windows key + Shift + Down arrow key | Maximize or minimize active windows vertically while maintaining width. |
Windows key + Shift + Left arrow key | Move active window to monitor on the left. |
Windows key + Shift + Right arrow key | Move active window to monitor on the right. |
Windows key + Left arrow key | Snap app or window left. |
Windows key + Right arrow key | Snap app or window right. |
Windows key + Number (0-9) | Open app in number position in the taskbar. |
Windows key + Shift + Number (0-9) | Open another instance of the app in number position in the taskbar. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Number (0-9) | Switch to last active window of the app in number position in the taskbar. |
Windows key + Alt + Number (0-9) | Open Jump List of the app in number position in the taskbar. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + Number (0-9) | Open another instance as an administrator of the app in number position in the taskbar. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Spacebar | Change previous selected input option. |
Windows key + Spacebar | Change keyboard layout and input language. |
Windows key + Tab | Open Task View. |
Windows key + Ctrl + D | Create a virtual desktop. |
Windows key + Ctrl + F4 | Close active virtual desktop. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow | Switch to the virtual desktop on the right. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow | Switch to the virtual desktop on the left. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B | Wake up the device when black or a blank screen. |
Windows key + PrtScn | Capture full screenshot in the 'Screenshots' folder. |
Windows key + Shift + S | Create part of the screen screenshot. |
Windows key + Shift + V | Cycle through notifications. |
Windows key + Ctrl + F | Open search for device on domain network. |
Windows key + Ctrl + Q | Open Quick Assist. |
Windows key + Alt + D | Open date and time in the taskbar. |
Windows key + Period (.) or semicolon (;) | Open emoji panel. |
Windows key + Pause | Show System Properties dialog box. |
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
Have you been told to take a screenshot using the Print Screen key on your Windows 10 computer? And now you are left wondering where the Print Screen button is? Even if you found the button and pressed it, nothing would have happened. So you are more confused now. Don't worry. We are here to help. By the end of the post, you will be a champ in using the Print Screen button to take screenshots on Windows 10.
Questions like where is the Print Screen button, how to enable Print screen, and how to use the Print screen button are answered in this post. We have also covered how to take a screenshot in Windows 10 without the Print screen button.
Let's get started on discovering the superpowers of the Print Screen button in Windows 10.
Where Is the Print Screen Button
The Print Screen button is usually present at the upper right side of your keyboard. You will see one of the text labels on the key:
- Prt sc
- PrtSc
- PrtScn
- PrntScrn
If something else is mentioned along with the print screen button, then you will have to trigger it with the function key (fn) on your keyboard. https://download-star.mystrikingly.com/blog/folx-pro-5-3-download-manager-version. That is, hold the fn key and the Print screen buttons together to take a screenshot.
Tip: If your keyboard doesn't have the Print Screen button, use the Function (fn) + Windows key + Spacebar to take a screenshot. In case the Print screen isn't working, check out various ways to fix it.How to Use Print Screen Button to Take Screenshot in Windows
There are several ways to take a screenshot using the Print screen button on Windows 10. Let's check them out.
Method 1: Capture Entire Screen With Print Screen
This is the simplest method to take a screenshot on Windows 10. Pressing the Print Screen key on your keyboard copies the entire (active) screen to your clipboard. Even though a screenshot is technically captured, it's not saved anywhere on your computer.
The screenshot resides in your computer's clipboard for a temporary period till you copy something else. You need to paste the copied content (the screenshot) in a supported app such as MS Paint, Paint 3D, etc. Use Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut to paste the image. Once pasted, save the image using the app's save button. Adobe fuse cc 2019. It's not necessary to paste the screenshot in photo-editing apps, you can even paste it in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Typically, when you take a screenshot on your mobile phone, the screen will dim for a second, which indicates that a screenshot is taken. However, nothing will happen to the screen using this method. The screen won't dim when you simply press the Print Screen button. So don't get scared, just open any supported app and paste the copied screenshot.
Tip: If you use OneDrive, your captured screenshots will automatically be saved in your OneDrive folder. In case you are notified that screenshots are saved in OneDrive, find out how to turn off that notification and how to disable storing of screenshots in OneDrive.Method 2: Capture and Save Entire Screen Using Print Screen
The above method doesn't save the screenshot directly to your computer. To save screenshots on your PC without pasting them first, press the Windows key + Print screen button simultaneously. The screen will dim for a second, indicating that a screenshot has been taken. In this method, the entire screen is captured.
You will find the captured screenshots in the Pictures > Screenshots folder. If you don't find that, follow this path C:UsersusernamePicturesScreenshots.
Method 3: Capture Active Window With Print Screen
Instead of capturing the entire screen, this method will help you take a screenshot of an active window. Let's say you want to take a screenshot of the minimized Word screen. You can do it by using the Alt + Print screen keyboard shortcut. Press both buttons simultaneously to take a screenshot of your active window.
Similar to method 1, the screenshot will not be saved directly. You will need to paste it into a supported app such as MS Paint and then save it.
Method 4: Assign the Snipping Tool to Print Screen Key
If the above methods do not meet your requirements, you can assign the Windows 10 Snipping tool to the Print screen key. When you do so, the Snipping tool will get activated when you press the Print screen key on your keyboard.
With the Snipping tool, you can take custom screenshots. You can choose the area whose screenshot you want to take, capture the selected window, and perform other advanced tricks. Drawing applications for windows. The screenshots will open in the Snipping Tool where you can annotate and draw on them. Finally, save the screenshot. Check out various tips and tricks related to the Windows 10 Snipping Tool.
To assign the Snipping tool to the Print screen key, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings on your Windows 10 PC from Start Menu. Alternatively, use Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open settings. Go to Ease of Access.
Step 2: From the left sidebar in Ease of access, scroll down and click on Keyboard. On the right side, you will find Keyboard settings. Scroll down and enable the toggle for Print Screen shortcut.
Bonus: How to Take Screenshot Without Print Screen on Windows 10
If you don't want to remap the Print screen key to the Snipping tool or use Print screen to take a screenshot, you can still open the Snipping tool using the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut. Alternatively, open the Snipping tool from the Start Menu. You can also use the Snip and Sketch tool of Windows to take a screenshot without the Print screen button. Find out what's the difference between the Snipping Tool and Snip and Sketch on Windows 10.
The Best Method
Methods 2 and 4 are convenient for taking and saving screenshots both. I mostly settle for Method 4 on my computer where I use the Snipping tool with the help of the Print screen button. It lets me take a screenshot with the ability to draw on them.
Next up: Thunderbolt port hard drive. If for some reason, you are unable to take screenshots on your Windows 10 PC, check out 4 ways to fix it from the next link.
Screenshot Windows 10 Shortcut Keys
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read Next4 Best Ways to Fix Windows 10 Not Taking ScreenshotsAlso See#screenshots #windows 10
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