All Essential Laptop & Computer Shortcut Keys (From A to Z) Learn Now!

Published: 29 Jun 2025

Computer shortcut keys are essential for saving time and improving productivity. Instead of using a mouse for every action, you can perform common tasks much faster by pressing just a few keys. Whether you’re working, studying, or browsing the internet, shortcut keys make your computer experience smoother and more efficient.

This article provides a complete A to Z list of the most useful computer shortcut keys. From basic commands like copy and paste to advanced shortcuts for Word, Excel, and Windows, this guide is designed to help you work smarter—no matter your skill level.

Why Are Shortcut Keys Important?

Shortcut keys are essential to enhancing efficiency and productivity in any work. They allow you to perform actions fast without relying on a mouse, saving valuable time. Whether you’re working on Windows or Mac, in MS Word, Excel, or even browsing the internet, using shortcut keys can significantly affect how swiftly and easily you complete your tasks.

By reducing the time spent navigating through menus or searching for options, shortcut keys allow you to streamline your workflow. In today’s fast-paced world, adopting shortcut keys is a simple yet powerful way to enhance both speed and accuracy in your daily tasks.

Computer Shortcut Keys A to Z Basic

These are the most essential and commonly used shortcuts for quick actions like copying, pasting, selecting, and formatting text.

  1. Ctrl + A – Select all text or items
  2. Ctrl + B – Bold selected text
  3. Ctrl + C – Copy selected text or items
  4. Ctrl + D – Bookmark current page (browsers) / Duplicate slide (PowerPoint)
  5. Ctrl + E – Center-align selected text
  6. Ctrl + F – Open the Find dialog box
  7. Ctrl + G – Go to a specific page or line in a document
  8. Ctrl + H – Open the History tab (browsers)
  9. Ctrl + I – Italicize selected text
  10. Ctrl + J – Open the Download tab (browsers)
  11. Ctrl + K – Insert a hyperlink
  12. Ctrl + L – Align selected text to the left
  13. Ctrl + M – Indent paragraph (Word) / New slide (PowerPoint)
  14. Ctrl + N – Open a new window or document
  15. Ctrl + O – Open an existing document
  16. Ctrl + P – Open the Print dialog box
  17. Ctrl + Q – Align text to the left (Word)
  18. Ctrl + R – Right-align selected text
  19. Ctrl + S – Save the current document
  20. Ctrl + T – Open a new tab (browsers)
  21. Ctrl + U – Underline selected text
  22. Ctrl + V – Paste copied text or item
  23. Ctrl + W – Close the current window
  24. Ctrl + X – Cut selected text or item
  25. Ctrl + Y – Redo the last undone action
  26. Ctrl + Z – Undo the last action
A list of important keyboard shortcuts for quick actions on a computer.
Save time with shortcut keys!

MS Word Shortcut Keys

These shortcuts speed up formatting and document editing in Microsoft Word.

  1. Ctrl + Shift + C – Copy formatting
  2. Ctrl + Shift + V – Paste formatting
  3. Ctrl + Shift + L – Apply bullet points
  4. Ctrl + Shift + K – Small caps formatting
  5. Ctrl + Shift + > – Increase font size
  6. Ctrl + Shift + < – Decrease font size
  7. Ctrl + Enter – Insert a page break
  8. Ctrl + Shift + F – Open the font dialog box

Browser Shortcut Keys

Use these shortcuts to browse the internet more efficiently and navigate between tabs quickly.

  1. Ctrl + Shift + T – Reopen the last closed tab
  2. Ctrl + Shift + N – Open a new incognito window
  3. Ctrl + Tab – Switch between open tabs
  4. Ctrl + Shift + Del – Open clear browsing data menu
  5. Ctrl + Shift + N – Open Incognito mode in browsers
  6. Ctrl + L – Highlight the URL bar
  7. Ctrl + D – Bookmark the current page
  8. Ctrl + J – Open Downloads page
  9. Ctrl + 1 to 8 – Switch directly to that tab number
  10. Ctrl + 9 – Switch to the last tab
Useful browser keyboard shortcuts for tab switching, clearing data, and opening incognito mode.
Browse smarter, not harder!

Windows Operating System Shortcuts

These shortcuts help you navigate and manage open windows more effectively.

  1. Alt + Tab – Switch between open applications
  2. Alt + F4 – Close the active window
  3. Win + D – Show desktop
  4. Win + L – Lock the computer
  5. Win + R – Open the Run dialog box
  6. Win + E – Open File Explorer
  7. Win + M – Minimize all windows
  8. Win + Shift + M – Restore minimized windows

File Explorer Shortcuts

These shortcuts improve file management efficiency, making it easier to navigate and organize files.

  1. Ctrl + N – Open new File Explorer window
  2. Ctrl + Shift + N – Create new folder
  3. Alt + Enter – Just click on file and press Shortcuts to view file properties
  4. F2 – Rename the selected cited file
  5. Delete – Move a file to the recycle bin
  6. Shift + Delete – Delete permanently
  7. Ctrl + E / Ctrl + F – Jump to the search bar
  8. Alt + Up Arrow – Go one folder level up
  9. Alt + Left/Right Arrow – Navigate back/forward in folder history

Excel Shortcut Keys

These commands help streamline spreadsheet work, making editing and formatting data quicker.

  1. Ctrl + T – Create a table
  2. Ctrl + Shift + + – Insert a new row or column
  3. Ctrl + – – Delete a row or column
  4. Ctrl + Arrow Keys – Move to edge of data range
  5. F2 – Edit selected cell
  6. Ctrl + Enter – Fill selected cells with entered data
  7. Ctrl + 1 – Open Format Cells dialog box
  8. Ctrl + ; (semicolon) – Insert current date
  9. Ctrl + : (colon) – Insert current time
  10. Alt + = – AutoSum the selected cells

Multimedia and Media Player Shortcuts

Control media playback quickly with these shortcuts.

  1. Spacebar – Play/Pause
  2. F – Fullscreen mode
  3. Esc – Exit fullscreen
  4. Arrow Keys – Adjust volume or seek video
  5. M – Mute/Unmute audio

Additional Useful Shortcuts

Some extra productivity-boosting shortcuts.

  1. Ctrl + Shift + Esc – Open Task Manager
  2. Ctrl + Shift + N – Open Incognito mode in browsers
  3. Win + V – Open Clipboard history
  4. Win + G – Open Game Bar (for recording screen)
  5. Ctrl + Shift + Del – Open Clear browsing data
  6. Alt + PrtSc – Take a screenshot of the active window
  7. Ctrl + Shift + Esc – Open Task Manager
  8. Ctrl + Shift + N – Open Incognito mode in browsers
  9. Win + V – Open Clipboard history (only works if clipboard history is turned on)
  10. Win + G – Open Game Bar (for screen recording or taking screenshots)
  11. Ctrl + Shift + Del – Open Clear browsing data window
  12. Alt + PrtSc – Take a screenshot of the active window
  13. Win + H – Activate voice typing (speech-to-text input) in Windows
  14. Win + I – Open Windows Settings directly
  15. Win + K – Open the Connect menu (useful for wireless displays and Bluetooth devices)
  16. Win + . (period) – Open Emoji picker (for quick emoji input in any text field)
  17. Ctrl + Alt + Del – Security options menu (Lock, Switch User, Task Manager, etc.)
  18. Win + Ctrl + D – Create a new virtual desktop in Windows
  19. Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow – Switch between virtual desktops
What are the A to Z keys called?

The A to Z keys on a keyboard are called alphabet keys. They are used to type letters, words, and sentences in any text field. These keys work with other keys like Shift, Ctrl, and Alt to create shortcuts and special functions.

What does Ctrl + A do?

Pressing Ctrl + A selects all text, files, or items in the active window. This shortcut works in documents, web pages, and file explorers, making it easy to copy or move everything at once. It helps save time by avoiding manual selection with a mouse.

Do shortcut keys work on all computers?

Most shortcut keys work on both Windows and Mac, but Mac uses Command instead of Ctrl for many shortcuts.

How can I remember shortcut keys easily?

Practice using shortcuts daily, print a list of shortcut keys of computer, and start with the most commonly used ones.

Conclusion

So, in this post, we’ve studied (the shortcut keys of computers from A to Z) in depth. Mastering these 100+ shortcut keys can significantly boost your efficiency and speed while working on a computer. Adopting shortcuts will make your work easier and faster, whether you’re a student, an office professional, or a casual user.

By reducing dependence on the mouse, you streamline workflow and save valuable time. Using these shortcuts in regular tasks can help you stay productive and work like a pro. Try them out today and see the difference for yourself!

Muhammad Bilal Avatar
Muhammad Bilal

Muhammad Bilal has been covering laptop technology professionally for over four years. With a thorough understanding of every aspect of laptops, he will impart his knowledge to everyone. Bilal is the admin at Laptop Test Guide. So you'll find lots of reviews, solutions to problems, and opinion pieces from him here.

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