Keyboard shortcuts can greatly enhance productivity by allowing you to perform tasks quickly without relying on the mouse. Here's a list of common keyboard shortcuts for various operating systems and applications:
General Windows Shortcuts
Ctrl + C : Copy the selected item.
Ctrl + X : Cut the selected item.
Ctrl + V : Paste the copied or cut item.
Ctrl + Z : Undo the last action.
Ctrl + Y : Redo the last undone action.
Ctrl + A : Select all items in the current window.
Ctrl + S : Save the current document.
Ctrl + P : Print the current document.
Ctrl + F : Find text in the current document or window.
Ctrl + N : Open a new window or document.
Alt + Tab : Switch between open applications.
Alt + F4 : Close the current window or application.
Windows Key + D : Show or hide the desktop.
Windows Key + L : Lock the computer.
General Mac Shortcuts
Command (⌘) + C : Copy the selected item.
Command (⌘) + X : Cut the selected item.
Command (⌘) + V : Paste the copied or cut item.
Command (⌘) + Z : Undo the last action.
Command (⌘) + Shift + Z : Redo the last undone action.
Command (⌘) + A : Select all items in the current window.
Command (⌘) + S : Save the current document.
Command (⌘) + P : Print the current document.
Command (⌘) + F : Find text in the current document or window.
Command (⌘) + N : Open a new window or document.
Command (⌘) + Tab : Switch between open applications.
Command (⌘) + Q : Quit the current application.
Command (⌘) + Space : Open Spotlight search.
Command (⌘) + L : Lock the screen.
Browser Shortcuts (Common to Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
Ctrl + T (Command + T on Mac): Open a new tab.
Ctrl + W (Command + W on Mac): Close the current tab.
Ctrl + Shift + T (Command + Shift + T on Mac): Reopen the last closed tab.
Ctrl + L (Command + L on Mac): Focus the address bar.
Ctrl + Shift + N (Command + Shift + N on Mac): Open a new incognito/private window.
Ctrl + Tab (Command + Option + Right Arrow on Mac): Switch to the next tab.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab (Command + Option + Left Arrow on Mac): Switch to the previous tab.
Ctrl + R (Command + R on Mac): Reload the current page.
Ctrl + D (Command + D on Mac): Bookmark the current page.
Text Editing Shortcuts
Ctrl + B (Command + B on Mac): Bold the selected text.
Ctrl + I (Command + I on Mac): Italicize the selected text.
Ctrl + U (Command + U on Mac): Underline the selected text.
Ctrl + K (Command + K on Mac): Insert a hyperlink.
Ctrl + E (Command + E on Mac): Center-align the selected text.
Ctrl + L (Command + L on Mac): Left-align the selected text.
Ctrl + R (Command + R on Mac): Right-align the selected text.
Windows - Specific Shortcuts
Windows Key + E : Open File Explorer.
Windows Key + I : Open Settings.
Windows Key + R : Open the Run dialog box.
Windows Key + S : Open search.
Windows Key + Shift + S : Open the Snipping Tool for a screenshot.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc : Open Task Manager.
Alt + Enter : Open properties for the selected item.
F2 : Rename the selected item.
F5 : Refresh the current window.
Alt + Space : Open the window menu for the current window (useful for restoring, minimizing, or maximizing).
Mac - Specific Shortcuts
Command (⌘) + Option + Esc : Force quit an application.
Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 : Take a screenshot of the entire screen.
Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 : Take a screenshot of a selected area.
- **`Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 : Open the screenshot toolbar (macOS Mojave and later).
- **`Command (⌘) + , : Open preferences for the current application.
- **`Control + Command (⌘) + Q : Lock the screen.
Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint) Shortcuts
Ctrl + N (Command + N on Mac): Create a new document/workbook/presentation.
Ctrl + O (Command + O on Mac): Open an existing document/workbook/presentation.
Ctrl + F (Command + F on Mac): Open the Find dialog.
Ctrl + H (Command + H on Mac): Open the Replace dialog.
Ctrl + Enter : Insert a page break (Word) or a new worksheet (Excel).
F7 : Run a spell check.
Ctrl + Alt + V : Open the Paste Special dialog.
Alt + F8 : Open the Macro dialog.
Terminal/Command Prompt Shortcuts
Ctrl + C : Cancel the current command.
Ctrl + A : Move the cursor to the beginning of the line.
Ctrl + E : Move the cursor to the end of the line.
Ctrl + R : Search through previous commands.
Ctrl + L : Clear the terminal screen.
Tab : Auto-complete the current command or path.
Linux - Specific Shortcuts
Ctrl + Alt + T : Open a new terminal window.
Ctrl + Alt + L : Lock the screen.
Alt + F2 : Open the run command dialog.
These are some of the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts across various platforms and applications. They can save you a lot of time and make navigating your computer much easier!