Microsoft has continued its tradition of introducing new keyboard shortcuts with a new version of the Windows operating system by adding close to a dozen new keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10.
In no particular order, the following are the new keyboard shortcuts introduced with Windows 10.
Note that we are not listing keyboard shortcuts that were part of previous versions of Windows as well.
New keyboard shortcuts introduced with Windows 10
Windows + A
Have you observed the new Action Center in Windows 10? Windows + A keyboard shortcut is just for that. Since Action Center displays new notifications, including your emails (if configured using Mail), this is a super useful keyboard shortcut.
Windows + S
The Windows + S hotkey is to quickly launch the search box on the taskbar to search the web and your PC.
Note that the same result can be achieved by pressing the Windows logo key as well.
Tip: You can set Google as the default search engine in the taskbar search box.
Windows + Q
Windows + Q behaves very similar to the Windows + S hotkey but allows you to search the web and your PC using the digital personal assistant Cortana. On PCs where Cortana is not available or turned off, it behaves exactly like Windows + S hotkey.
Windows + G
This key is not very useful for most users. The Windows + G hotkey brings up the game bar, which helps you record your screen. The screen recording feature is not supported on machines with on-board or low-end graphics cards.
Windows + I
If you have used Windows 8/8.1, you probably have used Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open the Settings pane quickly. In Windows 10, instead of the Settings pane (not available), Windows + I launch the Settings app. If you don’t know, the Settings app is the new Control Panel in Windows 10 and includes many settings that are not available in the classic Control Panel.
Windows + Ctrl + D
Windows + Ctrl + D allows you to create new virtual desktops in Windows 10 quickly.
Windows + Tab
Windows + Tab keyboard shortcut was present in previous Windows versions, as well. But, in Windows 10, it brings up the newly introduced Task View using which you can switch between virtual desktops.
Windows + Ctrl + F4
This keyboard shortcut allows you to close the current virtual desktop.
Windows + Ctrl + Left or Right Arrow
This hotkey can be used to quickly switch between virtual desktops without having to open the Task View using Windows + Tab.
Windows + Left/Right/Up/Bottom
Using Windows + Left/Right/Up/Bottom hotkey, you can position a window to any corner of the screen. This feature is nothing but an extended version of the snap feature introduced in Windows 7.
That’s it!
Lesser known but super-useful hotkeys
In addition to the above mentioned newly introduced keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10, the following are some of the handy but lesser-known keyboard shortcuts that you might find helpful. Note that these are not new keyboard shortcuts and were exist in previous Windows versions as well.
Ctrl + Shift + N
Did you know that a new folder can be created with a keyboard shortcut in Windows? In Windows 7/8/10, Ctrl + Shift + N creates a New Folder.
Windows + R
Quickly launches the Run command box.
Ctrl + F1
I am sure you didn’t know about this keyboard shortcut! Ctrl + F1 allows you to quickly show or hide the ribbon in Windows Explorer and other supported programs (like Paint).
Windows + B
Ever wanted to eject your USB drive without touching the mouse? Use this keyboard shortcut to navigate to the notification area and then use arrow keys and enter key to access program icons in the system tray quickly.
Windows + 1-9
In Windows 7/8/10, this keyboard shortcut can be used to launch programs pinned to the taskbar easily. For instance, if you have pinned the Notepad program to the taskbar and it appears right next to the Start button, you can use Windows + 1 to access the same.
Windows + X
This is another handy keyboard shortcut for Windows 8 and Windows 10 users to reveal the power user menu (the menu that appears when you right-click on the Start button).
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Want to close a non-responsive program? Want to monitor the PC’s resource usage? Use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut to fire up the Task Manager quickly.
