The 10 most useful Windows 7 and Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts

By Mark Kaelin in Windows and Office, October 3, 2013, 12:44 PM PST // @markwkaelin

There are 100+ keyboard shortcuts available for Windows, but there are several you'll want to remember because you'll use them often.

In April 2012, Greg Shultz created a free cheat sheet of 100 Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts. That download contained just about every keyboard shortcut you could imagine. Those shortcuts are still valid of course, but if you are like me you can only remember a few shortcuts at a time, so you want to remember the ones that will be most useful.

So, while I highly recommend that you take advantage of the free PDF download listing of 100 Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts, I also recommend that you commit the following 10 keyboard shortcuts to memory, because you are going to need to access these features often and, for efficiency's sake, it's best to have them at the ready.

10 Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 8 you need to remember

I know - it's not Metro anymore. It's and older graphic.

The shortcuts for Windows 7

If you have not made the leap to Windows 8, this little cheat sheet will help you work more efficiently with Windows 7.

Note: This list is part of Greg Shultz's comprehensive collection of Windows keyboard shortcuts, available as a PDF download.

Also read:

About Mark Kaelin

Mark Kaelin is a CBS Interactive Senior Editor for TechRepublic. He is the host for the Microsoft Windows and Office blog, the Google in the Enterprise blog and the iOS App Builder blog.

22 comments

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leeconwell

Ctrl+c, Ctrl+v and Ctrl+z

dentalcrafters

Ctrl + tab, Win key + tab, Win key + L and my all time fav Ctl + Z.

Josef Almorado

Win+r

Randy Myers

Where are the short cuts for LINUX?

KCGarrett

It would be good for the writers to try the link before publishing a new article that includes a reference. Could we bring back this link to the fabulous 100?

lwetzel

I don't see anything happen when I press WinKey+Tab. What exactly are we referring to as the METRO TASKBAR? In Windows 8 of course.

jvp@CTFolk.com

Mark, go back to your computer, launch Word, load the file with the table that appears above, and click the Show/Hide button on the Home ribbon. Then take another screen shot and re-post this, without the formatting artifacts showing. An easy mistake to make, but also to correct.

droyls

http://b2b.cbsimg.net/downloads/Windows/100_Windows_8_Keyboard_Shortcuts.pdf

Michael Stelly

ctl+alt+del is the only one that works.

Squid Burns

[CTRL]+[Shift]+[ESC] all the time

woodface7

Free cheat sheet of 100 Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts is PAGE NOT FOUND.

Texas.Ex

The problem I have with these shortcuts is they all require a Windows Key - what about a shortcut for a Windows Key?

Jorge Cancino

none jajaajajajaj :P

jstfrancis

ctl-alt-del

bcrowell

As a more novice user, I tried the Windows 7 shortcuts you listed above and they did not work at all. Am I missing something? I held the Window flag key down and pressed the other key for several of the examples with no reaction.

zazimi

I'd agree with Joseph, Win+L is hands down the most useful for me as well. Win+D is also useful when coming up to a user's desktop to start working on it, sorta clears the work area on the computer (downsizes everything), and to go along with the article, I use Win+E, all the time, for quick access to Windows Explorer. Pretty sure all three work on both 7 & 8.

Dave Huffines

Win+D & Win+L

Juanca Daver

ctrl+alt+supr?

joseph1972

As an admin I can not live with Windows+L when I have to lock my computer quickly to go put out a fire. I use it daily many times over.

Mark W. Kaelin moderator

Which Windows 7 or Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts have become the most useful for you?

Mark W. Kaelin moderator

@Randy Myers They are in the Linux Blog on TechRepublic.

Mark W. Kaelin moderator

@bcrowell I am not certain why these shortcuts would not work for - is it possible that you have the Windows key turned off. I have a couple of gaming keyboards that allow you to turn off the key so you don't press it accidentally during the game.

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