100 Most Useful Computer Keyboard Shortcuts (Updated)
Owen Fungurani
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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
Action
Windows
macOS
Linux
Open Start Menu
Windows Key
Cmd + Space
Super Key (Varies)
Open Quick Settings
Windows Key + A
Not available
Depends on Desktop
Open Microsoft Teams Chat
Windows Key + C
Not available
Not available
Show or Hide Desktop
Windows Key + D
F11 or Fn + F11
Ctrl + Alt + D
Open File Explorer
Windows Key + E
Cmd + N (in Finder)
Files app shortcut (varies)
Open Feedback Hub
Windows Key + F
Not available
Not available
Open Xbox Game Bar
Windows Key + G
Not available
Not available
Open Voice Typing
Windows Key + H
Not available
Not available
Open Settings
Windows Key + I
Cmd + , (in apps)
Super + , (varies)
Open Cast Settings
Windows Key + K
Not available
Not available
Lock the Screen
Windows Key + L
Control + Cmd + Q
Ctrl + Alt + L
Minimize All Windows
Windows Key + M
Not available
Not available
Open Notification Center and Calendar
Windows Key + N
Not available
Depends on Desktop
Open Display Options for Screen Mirroring
Windows Key + P
Not available
Not available
Open Run Dialog
Windows Key + R
Cmd + Space (then type)
Alt + F2
Open Search
Windows Key + S
Cmd + Space
Super + S (or varies)
Cycle through Taskbar Items
Windows Key + T
Cmd + Tab
Alt + Tab
Open Accessibility Settings
Windows Key + U
Not available
Not available
Open Clipboard History
Windows Key + V
Not available
Not available
Open Windows Widgets
Windows Key + W
Not available
Not available
Open Quick Link Menu
Windows Key + X
Not available
Not available
Open Snap Layouts
Windows Key + Z
Not available
Not available
2. Multitasking and Window Management
Action
Windows
macOS
Linux
Snap Window
Windows Key + Arrow Keys
Control + Cmd + F
Super + Arrow (varies)
Open Task View
Windows Key + Tab
Control + Up Arrow
Ctrl + Alt + Up
Create a New Virtual Desktop
Windows Key + Ctrl + D
Control + Up, then +
Ctrl + Alt + Down (varies)
Switch between Virtual Desktops
Windows Key + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow
Control + ←/→
Ctrl + Alt + ←/→
Close Virtual Desktop
Windows Key + Ctrl + F4
Hover and close manually
Not available
3. Screen Capture
Action
Windows
macOS
Linux
Capture Full Screenshot
Windows Key + PrtScn
Cmd + Shift + 3
PrtScn or Shift + PrtScn
Capture Custom Screenshot
Windows Key + Shift + S
Cmd + Shift + 4
Shift + PrtScn or tool
Capture Active Window
Windows Key + Alt + PrtScn
Cmd + Shift + 4 then Space
Alt + PrtScn
4. Accessibility
Action
Windows
macOS
Linux
Open Magnifier
Windows Key + Plus (+)
Cmd + Option + 8 (Zoom toggle)
Alt + Super + 8 (varies)
Zoom Out with Magnifier
Windows Key + Minus (-)
Cmd + Option + 8 again
Same shortcut
Exit Magnifier
Windows Key + Esc
Cmd + Option + 8 again
Same shortcut
Enable Narrator
Windows Key + Ctrl + Enter
Cmd + F5
Orca or similar (custom)
5. Taskbar
Action
Windows
macOS
Linux
Open Pinned Taskbar App
Windows Key + 1–9
Cmd + Number (in Finder, rarely used)
Alt + F1 (varies)
Cycle Taskbar Apps
Windows Key + T
Cmd + Tab
Alt + Tab
Open New Instance of App
Shift + Click on Taskbar App
Cmd + N
Depends
6. File Explorer Shortcuts
Action
Windows
macOS
Linux
Open New Window
Ctrl + N
Cmd + N
Ctrl + N
Create New Folder
Ctrl + Shift + N
Cmd + Shift + N
Ctrl + Shift + N
Select Address Bar
Alt + D
Cmd + Shift + G
Ctrl + L
Display All Folders Above
Ctrl + Shift + E
Not available
Depends
7. Common Shortcuts
Action
Windows
macOS
Linux
Copy
Ctrl + C
Cmd + C
Ctrl + C
Cut
Ctrl + X
Cmd + X
Ctrl + X
Paste
Ctrl + V
Cmd + V
Ctrl + V
Undo
Ctrl + Z
Cmd + Z
Ctrl + Z
Redo
Ctrl + Y
Cmd + Shift + Z
Ctrl + Shift + Z
Select All
Ctrl + A
Cmd + A
Ctrl + A
Switch Apps
Alt + Tab
Cmd + Tab
Alt + 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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