Windows 10 provides completely a different user experience than previous versions. The major difference is the touch user interface which can also be controlled using a mouse. In addition to various features, there are many shortcuts available in Windows to improve the productivity. Primarily, you can use one of the modifier keys like alt, control and shift keys for shortcuts. However, the Windows Logo key (key with Windows logo or simply Win key on your keyboard) also has many hidden shortcuts. In this article, let us explain the list of Win key shortcuts available in Windows 10.
Related: 100 Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts you should know.
History of Windows Logo Key or Win Key
Before going to the shortcuts, let us check out the history details of the Windows key. On a standard Microsoft keyboard layout, you can view the Windows key with the Windows operating system symbol as shown below:
Microsoft first introduced this key Microsoft Natural Keyboard during 1994. Initially, this key had different names like Windows key, start key, logo key, flag key, super key, command key or home key. Also, the keyboard has two Windows keys during initial days along with a menu key. This practice changed the number of keys on the keyboard from 101/102 to 103/104.
Win Key Shortcuts in Windows 10
Here is a complete list of Windows key shortcuts in Windows 10.
| Win Key Shortcuts | Description |
|---|---|
| Win + 1 | Open first application in the taskbar. |
| Win + 2 | Launch second application in the taskbar. |
| Win + 3 | Open third application in the taskbar. |
| Win + 4 | Open fourth application in the taskbar. |
| Win + 5 | Launch fifth application in the taskbar. |
| Win + 6 | Open sixth application in the taskbar. |
| Win + 7 | Launch seventh application in the taskbar. |
| Win + 8 | Open eighth application in the taskbar. |
| Win + 9 | Open ninth application in the taskbar. |
| Win + + | Increase magnification or size. |
| Win + – | Decrease the magnification or size. |
| Win + . | Open emoji keyboard. |
| Win + ; | Open emoji keyboard. |
| Win + , | Show desktop temporarily (toggle desktop). |
| Win + ? | Open Windows feedback app. |
| Win + A | Open action center. |
| Win + Alt + R | Start or stop screen recording on Xbox app. |
| Win + Ctrl + D | Create a new virtual desktop. |
| Win + Ctrl + F4 | Close the current virtual desktop. |
| Win + D | Show desktop by minimizing all open windows on all connected monitors. You can press “Win key + D” again to restore the open windows like before. |
| Win + Down Arrow | Minimize the active window. |
| Win + E | Open explorer window. |
| Win + F | Open Windows 10 feedback hub. |
| Win + F1 | Open Windows help menu. |
| Win + G | Open Game bar. |
| Win + H | Open share sidebar. |
| Win + Home | Minimize all open windows except the active window only on the current monitor. Toggle with pressing the keys again. |
| Win + I | Open settings menu. |
| Win + K | Open connect sidebar for connecting new Bluetooth devices. |
| Win + L | Used quickly to lock your computer by default, the usage can be changed to switch users. |
| Win + Left Arrow | Move the window to left side or right side of the screen. |
| Win + O | Screen lock. |
| Win + P | Opens screen sharing options with the projector (toggle between screen, projector, extend or duplicate display options). |
| Win + Pause/Break | Display system properties. |
| Win + Print Screen | Take screenshot of the virtual desktop and automatically save under “/Pictures/Screenshots” folder. |
| Win + PrintScreen | Take instant screenshot of your window using this key combination. The picture will be automatically stored in your “Pictures > Screenshots” folder as a PNG image. |
| Win + Q | Open Cortana search with the voice input. |
| Win + R | Open run windows for reaching command prompt. |
| Win + Right Arrow | Move the window to right side or right side of the screen. |
| Win + S | Open Cortana search with the type input. |
| Win + Space | Choose input language. |
| Win + U | Open “Ease of Access Center” from control panel with the options like Narrator, Magnifiers, On screen keyboard, etc. |
| Win + Up Arrow | Maximize the active window. |
| Win + W | Open search window with the default option as “Settings”. |
| Win + X | Open Windows 10 power menu at the start menu position. This will offer many useful links like Task Manager, Device Manager, Control Panel, Run, etc. |
| Win + X and F | Open search file option used to locate files in the computer. |
Few Example Usages
Some of the above shortcuts are really useful to save you lot of time. Here we explain few example usages of Windows key.
Launch Apps from Taskbar
You can use Windows key and the numbers to open applications from the taskbar. For example, “Win + 1” will the first icon from the taskbar which is Internet Explorer in the below screenshot.
Open Emoji Keyboard
Emoji keyboard will help you to quickly insert emoticons and smileys on Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and other Windows 10 applications. Press “Win and ;” keys or “Win and .” keys to open emoji keyboard. You can find symbols by typing the name like “hand” to filter the results.
Toggle Start Menu and Desktop
Simply pressing Windows key alternatively will show Start menu and Desktop alternatively in Windows 10.
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