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100 Most Useful Computer Keyboard Shortcuts (Updated)

Keyboard Shortcuts Image
Whether you're a power user or just getting your feet wet with a new operating system, knowing the right keyboard shortcuts can save you hours every week. And let’s be honest — some of us love that slick feeling of flying through tabs and tasks without ever touching the mouse. But here's the catch: Windows, macOS, and Linux all use different shortcuts for the same actions. So what if you could see them all side by side? In this ultimate shortcut showdown, we’ve compared popular keyboard commands across the three major platforms — Windows, macOS, and Linux. This guide isn’t just a list of keys. It’s a cheat sheet for productivity ninjas, a timesaver for tinkerers, and a goldmine for geeks. You’ll learn which shortcuts are universal, which ones differ wildly, and what to do when your favourite combo just doesn't exist on the other system. Ready to cut your clicking in half? Let’s dive in.

1. General Shortcuts

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Open Start MenuWindows KeyCmd + SpaceSuper Key (Varies)
Open Quick SettingsWindows Key + ANot availableDepends on Desktop
Open Microsoft Teams ChatWindows Key + CNot availableNot available
Show or Hide DesktopWindows Key + DF11 or Fn + F11Ctrl + Alt + D
Open File ExplorerWindows Key + ECmd + N (in Finder)Files app shortcut (varies)
Open Feedback HubWindows Key + FNot availableNot available
Open Xbox Game BarWindows Key + GNot availableNot available
Open Voice TypingWindows Key + HNot availableNot available
Open SettingsWindows Key + ICmd + , (in apps)Super + , (varies)
Open Cast SettingsWindows Key + KNot availableNot available
Lock the ScreenWindows Key + LControl + Cmd + QCtrl + Alt + L
Minimize All WindowsWindows Key + MNot availableNot available
Open Notification Center and CalendarWindows Key + NNot availableDepends on Desktop
Open Display Options for Screen MirroringWindows Key + PNot availableNot available
Open Run DialogWindows Key + RCmd + Space (then type)Alt + F2
Open SearchWindows Key + SCmd + SpaceSuper + S (or varies)
Cycle through Taskbar ItemsWindows Key + TCmd + TabAlt + Tab
Open Accessibility SettingsWindows Key + UNot availableNot available
Open Clipboard HistoryWindows Key + VNot availableNot available
Open Windows WidgetsWindows Key + WNot availableNot available
Open Quick Link MenuWindows Key + XNot availableNot available
Open Snap LayoutsWindows Key + ZNot availableNot available

2. Multitasking and Window Management

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Snap WindowWindows Key + Arrow KeysControl + Cmd + FSuper + Arrow (varies)
Open Task ViewWindows Key + TabControl + Up ArrowCtrl + Alt + Up
Create a New Virtual DesktopWindows Key + Ctrl + DControl + Up, then +Ctrl + Alt + Down (varies)
Switch between Virtual DesktopsWindows Key + Ctrl + Left/Right ArrowControl + ←/→Ctrl + Alt + ←/→
Close Virtual DesktopWindows Key + Ctrl + F4Hover and close manuallyNot available

3. Screen Capture

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Capture Full ScreenshotWindows Key + PrtScnCmd + Shift + 3PrtScn or Shift + PrtScn
Capture Custom ScreenshotWindows Key + Shift + SCmd + Shift + 4Shift + PrtScn or tool
Capture Active WindowWindows Key + Alt + PrtScnCmd + Shift + 4 then SpaceAlt + PrtScn

4. Accessibility

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Open MagnifierWindows Key + Plus (+)Cmd + Option + 8 (Zoom toggle)Alt + Super + 8 (varies)
Zoom Out with MagnifierWindows Key + Minus (-)Cmd + Option + 8 againSame shortcut
Exit MagnifierWindows Key + EscCmd + Option + 8 againSame shortcut
Enable NarratorWindows Key + Ctrl + EnterCmd + F5Orca or similar (custom)

5. Taskbar

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Open Pinned Taskbar AppWindows Key + 1–9Cmd + Number (in Finder, rarely used)Alt + F1 (varies)
Cycle Taskbar AppsWindows Key + TCmd + TabAlt + Tab
Open New Instance of AppShift + Click on Taskbar AppCmd + NDepends

6. File Explorer Shortcuts

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
Open New WindowCtrl + NCmd + NCtrl + N
Create New FolderCtrl + Shift + NCmd + Shift + NCtrl + Shift + N
Select Address BarAlt + DCmd + Shift + GCtrl + L
Display All Folders AboveCtrl + Shift + ENot availableDepends

7. Common Shortcuts

ActionWindowsmacOSLinux
CopyCtrl + CCmd + CCtrl + C
CutCtrl + XCmd + XCtrl + X
PasteCtrl + VCmd + VCtrl + V
UndoCtrl + ZCmd + ZCtrl + Z
RedoCtrl + YCmd + Shift + ZCtrl + Shift + Z
Select AllCtrl + ACmd + ACtrl + A
Switch AppsAlt + TabCmd + TabAlt + Tab

Conclusion

Keyboard shortcuts are the backbone of productivity. Whether you're working on Windows, macOS, or Linux, knowing the right combinations can drastically reduce the time you spend navigating menus and increase your efficiency. While some shortcuts are universal, many are platform-specific, so it's essential to familiarise yourself with each system's unique set of commands. In this guide, we've covered everything from basic operations like opening the Start menu or Finder to more advanced tasks like multitasking and screen capture. If you're switching between operating systems or working in a multi-OS environment, keeping this guide handy will save you time and frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I customise these shortcuts on all systems? Yes! All three systems allow shortcut customisation to varying degrees via system settings or third-party tools.
Which OS has the most consistent shortcuts? Windows tends to be more consistent, but macOS often offers more intuitive combinations. Linux varies greatly depending on desktop environment.
Are there tools to remap keys across OSes? Absolutely. Tools like SharpKeys (Windows), Karabiner-Elements (Mac), and input-remapper (Linux) let you remap to your heart’s content.
What’s the Linux ‘Super’ key? It typically refers to the Windows key on a keyboard, but it can vary based on the desktop environment like GNOME or KDE.
How can I remember all these shortcuts? Start with what you use daily. Post a cheat sheet near your monitor and practise — muscle memory will kick in faster than you think.
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