Complete Productivity Shortcuts: Windows, Browser, Developer Tools & Office
ยท 16 min read
Master these essential shortcuts to dramatically improve your daily computing productivity across all applications.
๐ช Windows Desktop & System Shortcutsโ
Display & Multi-Monitor Managementโ
- Project/Display Settings:
Win + P- Switch between display modes (duplicate, extend, second screen only) - Connect to Wireless Display/Devices:
Win + K- Open the Connect panel to wirelessly cast your screen (Miracast) to a nearby compatible display like a smart TV or monitor - Move Window to Next Monitor:
Win + Shift + Left/Right - Snap Window Left/Right:
Win + Left/Right- Snap to half screen - Snap Window to Quarters:
Win + Left/RightthenWin + Up/Down - Maximize Window:
Win + Up - Minimize Window:
Win + Down - Show Desktop:
Win + D- Minimize all windows instantly - Peek at Desktop:
Win + ,(comma) - Temporarily show desktop while held
Window & Application Managementโ
- Switch Between Windows:
Alt + Tab- Most used shortcut! - Switch Between Same App Windows:
Alt + ~(tilde) - Close Current Window:
Alt + F4 - Minimize All Windows:
Win + M - Restore Minimized Windows:
Win + Shift + M - Full Screen Mode:
F11- Toggle full screen in most applications - Task Manager:
Ctrl + Shift + Esc- Direct access (faster than Ctrl+Alt+Del)
Virtual Desktops (Windows 10/11)โ
- Create New Virtual Desktop:
Win + Ctrl + D - Close Current Virtual Desktop:
Win + Ctrl + F4 - Switch Between Virtual Desktops:
Win + Ctrl + Left/Right - View All Virtual Desktops:
Win + Tab- Timeline view
Quick Access & Systemโ
- Start Menu:
Win- Open start menu - Run Dialog:
Win + R- Open run command (very useful) - File Explorer:
Win + E - Settings:
Win + I - Action Center:
Win + A- Notifications and quick settings - Search:
Win + S - Lock Screen:
Win + L- Secure your computer instantly - System Properties:
Win + Pause/Break
Screenshot & Screen Captureโ
- Screenshot Full Screen:
Win + PrtScn- Saves to Pictures folder - Screenshot Selection:
Win + Shift + S- Snipping tool overlay - Screenshot Current Window:
Alt + PrtScn- Copies to clipboard
๐ Browser Shortcuts (Universal)โ
Tab Management (Essential for Productivity)โ
- New Tab:
Ctrl + T - Close Tab:
Ctrl + W - Reopen Closed Tab:
Ctrl + Shift + T- Lifesaver shortcut! - Switch to Next Tab:
Ctrl + TaborCtrl + PgDn - Switch to Previous Tab:
Ctrl + Shift + TaborCtrl + PgUp - Jump to Specific Tab:
Ctrl + 1-8(tab number),Ctrl + 9(last tab) - Duplicate Tab:
Ctrl + Clickon refresh button - Pin/Unpin Tab: Right-click tab โ Pin/Unpin
- Move Tab to New Window: Drag tab out of browser window
Window & Navigation Managementโ
- New Window:
Ctrl + N - New Incognito/Private Window:
Ctrl + Shift + N - Close Window:
Ctrl + Shift + W - Full Screen:
F11 - Address Bar:
Ctrl + LorF6 - Back/Forward:
Alt + Left/Right - Refresh:
F5orCtrl + R - Hard Refresh:
Ctrl + F5orCtrl + Shift + R- Bypass cache
Search & Findโ
- Search in Page:
Ctrl + F - Find Next:
F3orCtrl + G - Find Previous:
Shift + F3orCtrl + Shift + G - Find in Address Bar:
Ctrl + Lthen type - Search from Address Bar:
Ctrl + K- Quick Google search (Chrome/Firefox) - Search Selected Text: Select text, then
Ctrl + K(Chrome)
Bookmarks & Historyโ
- Bookmark Current Page:
Ctrl + D - Bookmark Manager:
Ctrl + Shift + O - Show/Hide Bookmarks Bar:
Ctrl + Shift + B- Toggle bookmarks toolbar - History:
Ctrl + H - Downloads:
Ctrl + J
Zoom & Displayโ
- Zoom In:
Ctrl + +orCtrl + Mouse Wheel Up - Zoom Out:
Ctrl + -orCtrl + Mouse Wheel Down - Reset Zoom:
Ctrl + 0(zero) - Toggle Full Screen:
F11
๐ ๏ธ Chrome Developer Tools & Advanced Shortcutsโ
Opening Developer Toolsโ
- Developer Tools/Inspect Element:
Ctrl + Shift + IorF12 - Inspect Element (Context): Right-click โ Inspect
- Console Only:
Ctrl + Shift + J(Chrome) - View Page Source:
Ctrl + U
DevTools Panel Navigationโ
- Toggle Device Toolbar:
Ctrl + Shift + M- Mobile responsive testing - Elements Panel:
Ctrl + Shift + C- Element selector - Console Panel:
Ctrl + Shift + J - Sources Panel:
Ctrl + Shift + Y - Network Panel:
Ctrl + Shift + E - Performance Panel:
Ctrl + Shift + P - Memory Panel:
Ctrl + Shift + M(when DevTools open) - Security Panel:
Ctrl + Shift + F
DevTools Shortcuts (Within Developer Tools)โ
- Open Command Menu:
Ctrl + Shift + P- Access all DevTools features - Toggle Console Drawer:
Esc- Show/hide console at bottom - Refresh DevTools:
F5orCtrl + R - Hard Refresh with DevTools:
Ctrl + Shift + R - Toggle Full Screen DevTools:
F11 - Dock/Undock DevTools:
Ctrl + Shift + D
Elements Panel Shortcutsโ
- Edit HTML:
F2on selected element - Hide Element:
Hon selected element - Delete Element:
Deleteon selected element - Expand/Collapse Node:
Right/Left Arrowon selected element - Navigate DOM:
Up/Down Arrowkeys - Edit Attribute:
Enteron selected element
Console Shortcutsโ
- Clear Console:
Ctrl + LorCtrl + K - Execute Command:
Enter - Multi-line Command:
Shift + Enter - Navigate Command History:
Up/Down Arrow - Focus Console: `Ctrl + `` (backtick) when DevTools open
Sources Panel (Debugging)โ
- Toggle Breakpoint:
Ctrl + Bor click line number - Step Over:
F10 - Step Into:
F11 - Step Out:
Shift + F11 - Continue:
F8 - Run to Cursor:
Ctrl + F10 - Toggle All Breakpoints:
Ctrl + F8
Network Panelโ
- Record Network Activity:
Ctrl + E - Clear Network Log:
Ctrl + L - Preserve Log:
Ctrl + Shift + Pthen type "preserve" - Filter Requests:
Ctrl + F
Performance & Memoryโ
- Start Recording Performance:
Ctrl + E(in Performance panel) - Take Heap Snapshot:
Ctrl + Shift + T(in Memory panel) - Force Garbage Collection:
Ctrl + Shift + Jthengc()
๐ Microsoft Word Shortcutsโ
Document Managementโ
- New Document:
Ctrl + N - Open Document:
Ctrl + O - Save:
Ctrl + S - Save As:
F12orCtrl + Shift + S - Print:
Ctrl + P - Close Document:
Ctrl + W - Quit Word:
Alt + F4
Text Formattingโ
- Bold:
Ctrl + B - Italic:
Ctrl + I - Underline:
Ctrl + U - Strikethrough:
Ctrl + Shift + X - Subscript:
Ctrl + = - Superscript:
Ctrl + Shift + = - Change Case:
Shift + F3 - Clear Formatting:
Ctrl + Space
Font & Sizeโ
- Increase Font Size:
Ctrl + Shift + >orCtrl + ] - Decrease Font Size:
Ctrl + Shift + <orCtrl + [ - Font Dialog:
Ctrl + D - Highlight Text:
Ctrl + Alt + H
Paragraph Formattingโ
- Center Align:
Ctrl + E - Left Align:
Ctrl + L - Right Align:
Ctrl + R - Justify:
Ctrl + J - Line Spacing:
Ctrl + 1(single),Ctrl + 2(double),Ctrl + 5(1.5) - Increase Indent:
Ctrl + M - Decrease Indent:
Ctrl + Shift + M - Hanging Indent:
Ctrl + T
Document Structureโ
- Insert Page Break:
Ctrl + Enter - Insert Line Break:
Shift + Enter - Insert Column Break:
Ctrl + Shift + Enter - Insert Section Break:
Ctrl + Shift + Return - Go to Page:
Ctrl + G - Insert Header:
Alt + N, H - Insert Footer:
Alt + N, O
Lists & Bulletsโ
- Bullet List:
Ctrl + Shift + L - Numbered List:
Ctrl + Alt + L - Increase List Level:
Tab - Decrease List Level:
Shift + Tab
Tablesโ
- Insert Table:
Alt + N, T - Select Table:
Alt + J, L, K - Insert Row Above:
Alt + J, L, A - Insert Row Below:
Alt + J, L, E - Insert Column Left:
Alt + J, L, L - Insert Column Right:
Alt + J, L, I - Delete Row:
Alt + J, L, D, R - Delete Column:
Alt + J, L, D, C
Quick Drawing Lines & Bordersโ
- Thin Horizontal Line: Type
---thenEnter(3 dashes) - Thick Horizontal Line: Type
===thenEnter(3 equals) - Double Line: Type
===thenEnterthen===thenEnter - Dotted Line: Type
...thenEnter(3 periods) - Wave Line: Type
~~~thenEnter(3 tildes) - Bold Line: Type
***thenEnter(3 asterisks) - Hash Line: Type
###thenEnter(3 hash symbols)
Navigation & Selectionโ
- Select All:
Ctrl + A - Select Word:
Ctrl + Shift + Right - Select Sentence:
Ctrl + Shift + S - Select Paragraph:
Ctrl + Shift + Down - Go to Beginning:
Ctrl + Home - Go to End:
Ctrl + End - Move by Word:
Ctrl + Left/Right
๐ Microsoft Excel Shortcutsโ
Workbook Managementโ
- New Workbook:
Ctrl + N - Open Workbook:
Ctrl + O - Save:
Ctrl + S - Save As:
F12 - Close Workbook:
Ctrl + W - Switch Between Workbooks:
Ctrl + Tab
Worksheet Navigationโ
- Move to Next Sheet:
Ctrl + PgDn - Move to Previous Sheet:
Ctrl + PgUp - Insert New Worksheet:
Shift + F11 - Delete Worksheet:
Alt + E, L - Rename Worksheet:
Alt + O, H, R
Cell Navigation & Selectionโ
- Move to Next Cell:
Tab(right),Enter(down) - Move to Previous Cell:
Shift + Tab(left),Shift + Enter(up) - Select Range:
Shift + ClickorShift + Arrow - Select Column:
Ctrl + Space - Select Row:
Shift + Space - Select All:
Ctrl + A - Go to Cell:
Ctrl + GorF5
Data Entry & Editingโ
- Edit Cell:
F2or double-click - Enter Data and Move Down:
Enter - Enter Data and Stay:
Ctrl + Shift + Enter - Cancel Edit:
Esc - Fill Down:
Ctrl + D - Fill Right:
Ctrl + R - Fill Series:
Ctrl + Shift + D(down),Ctrl + Shift + R(right)
Formattingโ
- Format Cells Dialog:
Ctrl + 1 - Bold:
Ctrl + B - Italic:
Ctrl + I - Underline:
Ctrl + U - Currency Format:
Ctrl + Shift + $ - Percentage Format:
Ctrl + Shift + % - Date Format:
Ctrl + Shift + # - Number Format:
Ctrl + Shift + 1
Rows & Columnsโ
- Insert Row:
Ctrl + Shift + +(with row selected) - Insert Column:
Ctrl + Shift + +(with column selected) - Delete Row:
Ctrl + -(with row selected) - Delete Column:
Ctrl + -(with column selected) - Hide Row:
Ctrl + 9 - Hide Column:
Ctrl + 0 - Unhide Rows:
Ctrl + Shift + 9 - Unhide Columns:
Ctrl + Shift + 0
Formulas & Functionsโ
- Start Formula:
=(equals sign) - Sum Function:
Alt + = - Function Wizard:
Shift + F3 - Absolute Reference:
F4(toggles $) - Calculate All:
F9 - Calculate Active Sheet:
Shift + F9 - Array Formula:
Ctrl + Shift + Enter
Data Managementโ
- Sort Ascending:
Alt + D, S, S - Sort Descending:
Alt + D, S, D - Filter:
Ctrl + Shift + L - Clear Filter:
Alt + D, F, F - Go to Last Cell:
Ctrl + End - Go to First Cell:
Ctrl + Home - Find:
Ctrl + F - Replace:
Ctrl + H
Quick Drawing Lines & Borders in Excelโ
- Single Border Bottom:
Ctrl + Shift + _(underscore) - Outline Border:
Ctrl + Shift + & - Remove Borders:
Ctrl + Shift + - - Insert Drawing Shapes:
Alt + N, S, H(Insert โ Shapes)
๐ฌ Quick Text Formatting & AutoCorrect (Universal)โ
Markdown-Style Quick Formattingโ
- Horizontal Rule (Thin): Type
---thenEnter(Word, Notion, many editors) - Horizontal Rule (Thick): Type
===thenEnter(Word, some editors) - Dotted Line: Type
...thenEnter(Word) - Wave/Zigzag Line: Type
~~~thenEnter(Word) - Double Line: Type
===thenSpacethen===thenEnter - Bold Divider: Type
***thenEnter(Word, Markdown editors)
Auto-Formatting Triggers (Word & Compatible Apps)โ
- Bullet List: Type
*or-thenSpace - Numbered List: Type
1.thenSpace - Checkbox List: Type
[]thenSpace(some apps) - Em Dash: Type
--(two dashes) - En Dash: Type
-between numbers (e.g.,1-10) - Smart Quotes: Type
"or'(auto-converts) - Ellipsis: Type
...(three periods, auto-converts to โฆ)
Special Characters & Symbolsโ
- Copyright: Type
(c)โ ยฉ - Registered: Type
(r)โ ยฎ - Trademark: Type
(tm)โ โข - Arrow Right: Type
->โ โ - Arrow Left: Type
<-โ โ - Fraction 1/2: Type
1/2โ ยฝ - Fraction 1/4: Type
1/4โ ยผ - Degree Symbol: Type
Ctrl + Shift + @thenSpace
Email & Web Shortcutsโ
- Auto-Link: Type full URL (http://example.com) - auto-converts to clickable link
- Email Link: Type email address - auto-converts to mailto link
- Bold in Email:
*bold text*(many email clients) - Italic in Email:
_italic text_(many email clients)
๐ฑ Social Media & Communication Quick Formattingโ
Discord/Slack Formattingโ
- Bold:
**text** - Italic:
*text*or_text_ - Strikethrough:
~~text~~ - Code Inline:
`code` - Code Block:
language code - Quote:
> quoted text - Spoiler:
||hidden text||(Discord)
WhatsApp/Telegram Formattingโ
- Bold:
*text* - Italic:
_text_ - Strikethrough:
~text~ - Monospace:
text
Reddit Formattingโ
- Bold:
**text** - Italic:
*text* - Strikethrough:
~~text~~ - Superscript:
^text - Code:
`code` - Quote:
> text - Horizontal Rule:
---on its own line
๐งน Windows Memory Cleaning & System Maintenanceโ
Disk & Memory Cleanup Commandsโ
- Clear Temp Files:
Win + Rโ type%temp%โ Delete all files - Clear Windows Temp:
Win + Rโ typetempโ Delete all files - Clear Prefetch:
Win + Rโ typeprefetchโ Delete all files - Clear Recent Files:
Win + Rโ typerecentโ Delete all files - Disk Cleanup Utility:
Win + Rโ typecleanmgrโ Select drive - Storage Sense:
Win + Iโ System โ Storage โ Configure Storage Sense
System File & Registry Cleanupโ
- System File Checker:
Win + X, Aโ typesfc /scannow - DISM Health Restore:
Win + X, Aโ typeDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - Check Disk:
Win + X, Aโ typechkdsk C: /f /r - Memory Diagnostic:
Win + Rโ typemdschedโ Restart to check RAM
Browser Cache & Data Cleanupโ
- Chrome Clear Data:
Ctrl + Shift + Deleteโ Select time range and data types - Firefox Clear Data:
Ctrl + Shift + Deleteโ Choose what to clear - Edge Clear Data:
Ctrl + Shift + Deleteโ Select browsing data - Clear DNS Cache:
Win + X, Aโ typeipconfig /flushdns
System Information & Monitoringโ
- System Information:
Win + Rโ typemsinfo32 - Resource Monitor:
Win + Rโ typeresmon - Performance Monitor:
Win + Rโ typeperfmon - Device Manager:
Win + X, M - Event Viewer:
Win + Rโ typeeventvwr
๐ Universal Text Editing Shortcutsโ
Selection Shortcutsโ
- Select All:
Ctrl + A - Select Word:
Ctrl + Shift + Left/Right - Select Line:
Triple-clickorHome, Shift + End - Select Paragraph:
Ctrl + Shift + Up/Down - Select from Cursor to Beginning:
Ctrl + Shift + Home - Select from Cursor to End:
Ctrl + Shift + End
Text Manipulationโ
- Copy:
Ctrl + C - Cut:
Ctrl + X - Paste:
Ctrl + V - Paste without Formatting:
Ctrl + Shift + V(many apps) - Undo:
Ctrl + Z - Redo:
Ctrl + YorCtrl + Shift + Z - Find and Replace:
Ctrl + H - Select All Occurrences:
Ctrl + Shift + L(in many editors)
Word Navigationโ
- Move Cursor by Word:
Ctrl + Left/Right - Move to Beginning of Line:
Home - Move to End of Line:
End - Move to Beginning of Document:
Ctrl + Home - Move to End of Document:
Ctrl + End
๐ฑ๏ธ Advanced Mouse & Scrolling Techniquesโ
Scrolling Power Movesโ
- Horizontal Scrolling:
Shift + Mouse Wheel- Scroll horizontally in documents/pages - Zoom In/Out:
Ctrl + Mouse Wheel- Universal zoom in most applications - Smooth/Slow Scrolling: Hold
Shiftwhile scrolling for precise control - Page Up/Down Scrolling:
PgUp/PgDnkeys - Fast Scrolling:
Ctrl + PgUp/PgDnfor rapid document navigation
Mouse Selection & Interactionโ
- Select Multiple Items:
Ctrl + Clickeach item - Select Range:
Shift + Click(first item to last item) - Context Menu:
Right-clickorShift + F10 - Middle Click: Open link in new tab (browsers)
- Middle Click on Tab: Close tab in browsers
- Drag to Desktop: Create shortcut (from applications)
- Double-click Title Bar: Maximize/restore window
๐ File Explorer Shortcutsโ
Navigationโ
- Open File Explorer:
Win + E - Navigate Up One Level:
Alt + Up - Navigate Back/Forward:
Alt + Left/Right - Address Bar:
Ctrl + LorF4 - Search:
Ctrl + ForF3 - Go to Location:
Ctrl + Lthen type path
File Operationsโ
- Copy:
Ctrl + C - Cut:
Ctrl + X - Paste:
Ctrl + V - Delete:
Delete(to Recycle Bin) orShift + Delete(permanent) - Rename:
F2 - Properties:
Alt + Enter - New Folder:
Ctrl + Shift + N - Select All:
Ctrl + A
View Optionsโ
- Refresh:
F5 - Show Hidden Files:
Ctrl + H - Toggle Preview Pane:
Alt + P - Toggle Details Pane:
Alt + Shift + P - Change View:
Ctrl + Shift + 1-8(different view modes)
โก Advanced Productivity Shortcutsโ
System & Application Managementโ
- Open Task Manager:
Ctrl + Shift + Esc - Switch User:
Win + Lthen click other user - Sign Out:
Win + X, U, I - Shut Down:
Win + X, U, U - Restart:
Win + X, U, R
Clipboard & Text Expansionโ
- Clipboard History:
Win + V(Windows 10/11) - Access multiple copied items - Emoji Panel:
Win + .(period) orWin + ;(semicolon) - Character Map:
Win + R, typecharmap
Quick Access Menuโ
- Power User Menu:
Win + X- Quick access to system tools- Device Manager:
Win + X, M - Apps and Features:
Win + X, F - Control Panel:
Win + X, P - Computer Management:
Win + X, G
- Device Manager:
