Whether you spend all your time using a basic keyboard for work or your gaming keyboard is your go-to, getting the hang of keyboard shortcuts is useful not only for making your life easier but for improving your productivity. In fact, there are so many shortcuts available you could end up doing away with your mouse altogether. With a list of shortcuts at your disposal, you could write an entire article or create an entire design without your fingers leaving your keyboard.
If you spend a significant amount of time at your keyboard and you aren’t making use of all the shortcuts available to you, now’s the time to get schooled. You can save a significant amount of time by avoiding your mouse, and if you’re a time-strapped entrepreneur or busy freelancer, it’s the perfect learning curve so that you can dedicate more time to getting your work done.
We’re going to take a look at some vital keyboard shortcuts to know, remember and store, from Windows to Mac.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
These are general shortcuts that can be used on any Windows keyboard, no matter if you have the latest software update or not. Below are the basics that every Windows user should have in their arsenal:
| Keys | Shortcut |
| Ctrl + X | Cut an item |
| Ctrl + C | Copy an item |
| Ctrl + D | Delete an item |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + A | Select all |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo |
| Ctrl + V | Paste an item |
| Ctrl + Esc | Open the start menu |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between all open applications |
| Shift + delete | Delete an item |
| Alt + Enter | Display the properties for an item |
| Alt + F4 | Close an active item |
| Alt + 8 | Show a password in the sign-in screen |
| Windows logo key + C | Lock your computer |
| Windows logo key + Print Screen | Take a screenshot |
| Alt + Enter | Display properties for an item |
| Alt + spacebar | Open the shortcut menu for an active window |
| Alt + Left arrow | To go back |
| Alt + Right arrow | To go forward |
| Alt + Page up | Move up one screen |
| Ctrl + down arrow | Move your cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph |
| Ctrl + up arrow | Move your cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph |
| Ctrl + Left arrow | Move your cursor to the beginning of the previous word |
| Ctrl + Right arrow | Move your cursor to the beginning of the next word |
| Ctrl with any Arrow keys | Select more than one item in a window |
| Ctrl + Alt + Tab | Use the arrow keys to switch between open items |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open task manager |
| Ctrl with any Arrow keys + Spacebar | Select multiple items on a desktop |
| Alt + Spacebar | Open shortcut menu for an active window |
Did you know that Windows allows you to custom create your own keyboard shortcuts? All you have to do is find the application you want to create a shortcut to, right-click, and pin it to the taskbar. Once that is done, right-click on the icon of the application that has been pinned, right-click on the application’s name, and left-click on the properties option. Click on the box that says ‘shortcut key’ and type in the key combination of your choice that will take you to this application; once done, click ‘ok.’
Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
Below are all the basic must-know shortcuts for Mac keyboards. Keep them to hand, and you might never need your mouse again.
| Keys | Shortcut |
| Command + Control + D | Define a word |
| Command + Shift + 4 | Take a screenshot |
| Command + Control + Power | Restart your PC |
| Command + Shift + Delete | Empty trash |
| Command + Comma | Open preferences for an app |
| Option + Shift + F11 / F12 | Change the volume in small amounts |
| Option + Shift + F1 / F2 | Change the brightness in small amounts |
| Command + A | Select all |
| Command + C | Copy item |
| Command + V | Paste an item |
| Command + X | Cut an item |
| Command + S | Save |
| Command + Q | Quit |
| Command + N | New |
| Command + Z | Undo or Redo |
| Command + M | Minimize a window |
| Command + W | Close a window |
| Command + P | |
| Command + F | Find an item |
Shortcuts help you become more productive and stay that way throughout your day. Now while these shortcuts aren’t going to free up hours of your workday so that you can start a whole new project, they are shorter ways to perform vital actions that you need on a daily basis. Add up all the seconds it takes you to navigate and click around to find the app, tool, or icon you’re looking for, and you’ll be surprised how much time you waste when you could type in a combination of two keys, and you’re ready to go.
