As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy / Terms
Keyboard shortcuts: the lifeblood of productivity, the unsung heroes of efficiency, and the reason why some people look like computer wizards while others are still searching for the mouse. If you’ve ever watched someone zip through tasks with just their keyboard and wondered, how do they do that?, this list is your answer.
We’re covering 100 essential key commands across Windows, macOS, and web browsers so you can type, navigate, and dominate like a pro.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
General System Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo |
| Ctrl + A | Select all |
| Ctrl + S | Save |
| Ctrl + P | |
| Ctrl + O | Open a file |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps |
| Alt + F4 | Close the active window |
| Win + D | Show the desktop |
| Win + L | Lock your PC |
| Win + M | Minimize all windows |
| Win + Shift + M | Restore minimized windows |
| Win + E | Open File Explorer |
| Win + R | Open the Run dialog box |
| Win + I | Open Settings |
| Win + Shift + S | Take a screenshot (Snip & Sketch) |
| Win + PrtScn | Capture a full-screen screenshot |
Windows power users know these by heart. They make navigating your PC a breeze—no more frantic mouse-clicking or fumbling through menus!
Text Navigation and Editing
| Shortcut | Action |
| Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow | Move cursor one word at a time |
| Ctrl + Up/Down Arrow | Move cursor one paragraph at a time |
| Shift + Arrow Keys | Select text |
| Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys | Select words or paragraphs |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Delete the previous word |
| Ctrl + Delete | Delete the next word |
| Home | Go to the beginning of a line |
| End | Go to the end of a line |
| Ctrl + Home | Go to the top of the document |
| Ctrl + End | Go to the bottom of the document |
If you’re tired of wrestling with your mouse to edit text, these shortcuts are your new best friends. Cut down on wasted movement and type like a pro!
macOS Keyboard Shortcuts
General System Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
| Cmd + C | Copy |
| Cmd + X | Cut |
| Cmd + V | Paste |
| Cmd + Z | Undo |
| Cmd + Shift + Z | Redo |
| Cmd + A | Select all |
| Cmd + S | Save |
| Cmd + P | |
| Cmd + O | Open a file |
| Cmd + Tab | Switch between open apps |
| Cmd + Q | Quit the active app |
| Cmd + W | Close the active window |
| Cmd + H | Hide the active window |
| Cmd + M | Minimize the active window |
| Cmd + , | Open app preferences |
| Cmd + Space | Open Spotlight Search |
| Cmd + Shift + 3 | Take a full screenshot |
| Cmd + Shift + 4 | Take a custom screenshot |
| Cmd + Shift + 5 | Open the screenshot menu |
| Cmd + L | Highlight the URL bar in Safari or Chrome |
Mac users, consider this your golden ticket to working smarter, not harder. Who needs a mouse when you’ve got Command keys doing all the heavy lifting?
Text Navigation and Editing
| Shortcut | Action |
| Option + Left/Right Arrow | Move cursor one word at a time |
| Cmd + Left/Right Arrow | Jump to the beginning/end of a line |
| Cmd + Up/Down Arrow | Jump to the top/bottom of a document |
| Shift + Arrow Keys | Select text |
| Cmd + Shift + Arrow Keys | Select words or paragraphs |
| Option + Backspace | Delete the previous word |
| Cmd + Delete | Delete the entire line |
| Fn + Delete | Forward delete (like Windows’ Delete key) |
| Cmd + T | Open a new tab in most apps |
| Cmd + Shift + T | Reopen a recently closed tab |
Get a grip on your Mac’s text navigation, and you’ll never struggle with document editing again. Precision is just a shortcut away!
Browser Keyboard Shortcuts (Works in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari)
Navigation
| Shortcut | Action |
| Ctrl + T (Cmd + T on Mac) | Open a new tab |
| Ctrl + W (Cmd + W on Mac) | Close the current tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + T (Cmd + Shift + T on Mac) | Reopen the last closed tab |
| Ctrl + Tab (Cmd + Option + Right Arrow on Mac) | Switch to the next tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + Tab (Cmd + Option + Left Arrow on Mac) | Switch to the previous tab |
| Ctrl + N (Cmd + N on Mac) | Open a new browser window |
| Ctrl + Shift + N (Cmd + Shift + N on Mac) | Open a new incognito/private window |
| Ctrl + L (Cmd + L on Mac) | Focus on the address bar |
| Alt + Left Arrow (Cmd + Left Arrow on Mac) | Go back |
| Alt + Right Arrow (Cmd + Right Arrow on Mac) | Go forward |
Jumping between tabs and browsing with efficiency is a superpower. Once you master these, you’ll wonder how you ever surfed the web without them!
Bonus Power User Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager (Windows) |
| Cmd + Option + Esc | Force Quit (Mac) |
| Alt + D | Highlight address bar (Windows) |
| Ctrl + Shift + V (Cmd + Shift + V on Mac) | Paste without formatting |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder in File Explorer (Windows) |
| Cmd + Shift + N | Create a new folder in Finder (Mac) |
| Win + . | Open emoji panel (Windows) |
| Cmd + Control + Space | Open emoji panel (Mac) |
Ctrl + (Cmd + on Mac) | Switch between open windows in the same app |
| Ctrl + Shift + Escape | Open Task Manager (Windows) |
These shortcuts are the secret weapons of pros. You want to impress your coworkers? Start casually busting these out, and you’ll be the office keyboard ninja.
There you have it! 100 keyboard shortcuts that will make you faster than ever. Master these, and you might never need a mouse again (well, almost).
Views Expressed Disclaimer
The views, opinions, and information presented in this article are for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Cleveland Computer Guy. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Cleveland Computer Guy is not liable for any errors, omissions, or decisions made based on the content provided. Readers are encouraged to consult professionals for specific advice or assistance related to their unique circumstances.
