Boost Your Productivity: 18 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 10 and 11

The quest for greater productivity and ease of use in Windows 10 and 11 can be significantly driven by mastering keyboard shortcuts. Using quick commands reduces the need for repetitive mouse actions, streamlining workflow and increasing efficiency in various tasks.

By incorporating the use of shortcuts into your daily routine, users save time, execute commands more precisely, and improve the overall navigation experience in the operating system.

Benefits of Using Keyboard Shortcuts

• Greater agility in system actions;

• Less physical effort by avoiding repetitive mouse movements;

• Increased productivity, especially in multitasking routines;

• Quick access to hidden or deep system functions.

Essential Shortcuts in Windows 10 and 11

Below, check out a practical step-by-step guide to the most important shortcuts for your daily use:

1. Switch between open windows

• Shortcut: Alt + Tab

• How to use:

• Press and hold Alt, then press Tab to quickly switch between all open windows.

2. Open Task Manager

• Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Esc

• How to use:

• Press these keys simultaneously to directly open the Task Manager and monitor processes or close frozen programs.

3. Minimize all windows and show the Desktop

• Shortcut: Windows + D

• How to use:

• Press Windows and D to minimize all active windows. Press again to restore them.

4. Quickly take screenshots

• Shortcut: Windows + Shift + S

• How to use:

• Press these keys to activate the Snipping Tool, allowing you to select a specific area of the screen.

5. Snap windows to the screen

• Shortcut: Windows + Arrow Keys (Left, Right, Up, or Down)

• How to use:

• Quickly adjust windows by dragging them with combinations of the arrow keys.

6. Lock your computer

• Shortcut: Windows + L

• How to use:

• Press this combination to instantly lock the current user session.

7. Access settings quickly

• Shortcut: Windows + I

• How to use:

• Directly open the Windows Settings panel for quick adjustments.

8. Search for files, applications, or settings

• Shortcut: Windows + S

• How to use:

• Open the search bar to quickly find any item on your computer.

9. Create a new virtual desktop

• Shortcut: Windows + Ctrl + D

• How to use:

• Instantly creates a new virtual desktop to better organize your applications and tasks.

10. Switch between virtual desktops

• Shortcut: Windows + Ctrl + → or Windows + Ctrl + ←

• How to use:

• Quickly navigate between different created desktops.

11. Close the current virtual desktop

• Shortcut: Windows + Ctrl + F4

• How to use:

• Closes the active virtual desktop without closing the open programs.

12. Search within File Explorer

• Shortcut: Ctrl + F

• How to use:

• Within File Explorer, press Ctrl + F to quickly access the search field.

13. Rename files or folders

• Shortcut: F2

• How to use:

• Select a file or folder and press F2 to rename it without using the context menu.

14. Refresh the active page or window

• Shortcut: F5

• How to use:

• Refreshes content in the browser, File Explorer, or other active windows.

15. Open the context menu (right-click) from the keyboard

• Shortcut: Shift + F10

• How to use:

• Simulates a right-click on the selected item.

16. Maximize the active window

• Shortcut: Windows + ↑

• How to use:

• Instantly maximizes the window that is in focus.

17. Minimize all windows except the active one

• Shortcut: Windows + Home

• How to use:

• Minimizes all open windows except the one you are currently using.

18. Open the Quick Link menu

• Shortcut: Windows + X

• How to use:

• Opens the menu with shortcuts to Device Manager, Task Manager, Settings, among others.

Tips for Learning and Memorizing Shortcuts

• Practice daily: use the simplest shortcuts until they become automatic.

• Start with the most used: such as Alt + Tab, Windows + D, and Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

• Create visual reminders: such as sticky notes near the computer.

• Explore new shortcuts gradually: add one or two new shortcuts to your routine each week.

Final Considerations

Consistent practice of using keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10 and 11 transforms the user experience, offering a more productive, agile, and easy-to-use environment. By mastering these combinations, it is possible to save time and reduce the effort required to perform routine tasks, significantly improving daily efficiency.

Foto de Gavin Phillips no Unsplash