Speed up your Windows use with these keyboard combinations.
- ⊞ Win — opens the Start Menu
in Windows 8.1 — opens the previous window; - ⊞ Win + A — opens the Action Center (in Windows 10);
- ⊞ Win + B — selects the first icon in the Notification Area (you can then switch between the icons using the arrow keys);
- ⊞ Win + Ctrl + B — switches to a program indicating a new message in the Notification Area;
- ⊞ Win + C shows the Charm Bar (in Windows 8 and 8.1)
in Windows 10 it opens Cortana (if you’re using a supported language); - ⊞ Win + D — shows the desktop (immediately minimizes all the opened windows)
- ⊞ Win + E — opens Windows Explorer
in Windows 10 opens the Quick Launch by default; - ⊞ Win + F — opens ’Find files and folders’
- ⊞ Win + Ctrl + F — opens ’Find computers’
- ⊞ Win + G — brings all gadgets to the foreground that are in process (only in Windows 7 and Vista)
opens the Game bar in Windows 10 - ⊞ Win + K — opens a new Start menu — Connections (in Windows 8 and 8.1);
- ⊞ Win + L — changes user or locks the workstation
- ⊞ Win + M — minimizes all windows
- ⊞ Win + ⇧ Shift + M — restores windows that were minimized
- ⊞ Win + O — locks device orientation (disables the gyroscope function on tablets)
- ⊞ Win + P — switches operating modes to an external monitor/projector (only in Windows 7 and newer)
- ⊞ Win + Q — opens Search charm for installed apps (checked in Windows 8)
- ⊞ Win + R — opens the ’Run dialog’ box
- ⊞ Win + T — switches focus to the Taskbar (only in Windows 7 and newer)
- ⊞ Win + U — opens the Utility Manager
- ⊞ Win + W — opens Windows Ink Workspace (notes, screenshots)
- ⊞ Win + X — opens the Windows Mobile Application Center (only for mobile computers in Windows Vista and 7)
- ⊞ Win + Y — starts Yahoo! Messenger (if installed)