Windows 10 is available today as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users. If you've followed our guide on how to upgrade, then you might be interested in some new keyboard shortcuts. Microsoft has introduced a variety of keyboard shortcuts to navigate between new features, like virtual desktops, and even activate the new Cortana digital assistant. All the new important additions use the Windows key, so they're easy to activate. If you're a trackpad user, then there are also some changes here: tapping three fingers activates Cortana (you can change this to activate Action Center), swiping three fingers up shows the new Task View, and swiping three fingers left or right alternates between apps. Here are the most important Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts:
Winkey 10 keyboard shortcut | Description |
Winkey + Tab | Activates Task View |
Winkey + A | Activates Action Center |
Winkey + C | Activates Cortana with speech> |
Winkey + D | Shows desktop |
Winkey + E | Opens File Explorer |
Winkey + G | Activates the new Xbox game bar to let you record games or take screenshots. |
Winkey + H | Activates share feature in Windows 10 apps |
Winkey + I | Opens Windows 10 settings |
Winkey + K | Activates Connect feature to stream to wireless displays and audio devices |
Winkey + L | Locks a machine |
Winkey + P | Project a screen |
Winkey + R | Run a command |
Winkey + S | Activates Cortana |
Winkey + X | Opens power user features |
Winkey + Left / Right / Up / Down | Snaps apps to the side of a screen (press Up or Down after snapping left / right to enable four apps to snap) |
Winkey + Ctrl + D | Creates a new virtual desktop |
Winkey + Ctrl + F4 | Close virtual desktop |
Winkey + Ctrl + Left or Right | Switch between virtual desktops |
Winkey + Shift + Left or Right | Move apps from one monitor to another |
Winkey + 1 / 2 / 3... | Open programs that are pinned on the taskbar. The first app is number one. |
Verge Video: Windows 10 review