If you use Windows 10 PowerToys, you don’t have to remember all the Windows shortcut keys. Learn how to use the shortcut.
Image: Getty Images / iStockphoto
The Windows key on your keyboard is more versatile than you might think. By pressing the Windows key in combination with other keys, you can activate shortcuts for a series of commands and functions. But how do you remember and keep track of all available shortcuts? That’s not necessary, thanks to the Windows Key Shortcut Guide. Available through Microsoft PowerToys for Windows 10, the keyboard shortcut covers a display of all Windows keyboard shortcuts. Press the Windows key to open the guide. Let’s see how this works.
SEE: Cleaning up the end of the year checklist for Windows (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
Go to the Microsoft GitHub page for PowerToys to activate the shortcut. Download and install the PowerToysSetup.msi file for the latest version. After starting PowerToys, right-click the icon in the Windows system tray and select Settings. Make sure the switch is turned on for the shortcut. You can also enable or disable the switch to Start on login, which you must do if you want to access the keyboard shortcut at any time. Click Save if you make changes (Figure A).
Figure A
While the PowerToys Settings window is open, you can adjust certain settings for the shortcut. Click in the left-hand pane on the item for the shortcut. You can set the number of milliseconds to determine how long you need to press the Windows key to display the shortcut guide, the coverage of the shortcut guide screen, and the overlay color of the shortcut guide between Light and Dark. Click the Save button when you are finished (Figure B) and then close the PowerToys Settings window.
Figure B
Suppose you work in Windows and would like to know if there is a handy Windows shortcut that you can use. Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard until the shortcut appears (Figure C).
Figure C
On the left, the shortcut shows a large thumbnail image of your active screen. The controls below the thumbnail indicate how you can manage or manipulate your active screen by pressing the Windows key in combination with the top, bottom, left or right arrow keys.
The other displayed shortcuts point to more universal shortcuts that you can activate. For example, by using the Windows key with certain keys, you can open the Action Center, File Explorer, Settings, the Run dialog, Search, and the Accessibility Center. You can also show or hide the desktop, lock your PC, switch accounts, minimize all windows, add a virtual desktop and take a screenshot.
Weekly newsletter from Microsoft
Be Microsoft’s insider for your business with the help of these Windows and Office tutorials and the analyzes of our experts on Microsoft business products.
Delivered on Monday and Wednesday
Register today
