Essential keyboard shortcuts (Windows/macOS/Linux/UNIX)
Following are some shortcuts that I believe all desktop users should be familiar with. It is not a complete list by any means, and does not include virtual desktop or app pinning shortcuts as I felt those were beyond the scope of common desktop shortcuts. If you feel I omitted a common shortcut, email me (jason.eckert@trios.com) and I’ll add it to the list!
1. Windows shortcuts
The Windows (⊞) key on your keyboard has the Windows logo printed on it. Modern keyboards use the newer Windows logo with four equally-sized squares, while older keyboards use a Windows logo with four slanted or curved squares.
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| ⊞+Down | Minimize window |
| ⊞+Up | Maximize window |
| Alt+F4 | Close window |
| ⊞+D | Display desktop |
| Alt+Tab | Switch between programs |
| ⊞+Tab | Switch between programs and desktops |
| ⊞+L | Lock desktop |
| PrtScn | Take screenshot of desktop |
| Alt+PrtScn | Take screenshot of current window |
| ⊞+Shift+S | Take a screenshot of window or portion of desktop |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| ⊞ | Opens Start menu |
| ⊞+X | Opens the Quick Link menu (the menu when you right-click Start) |
| ⊞+X then U then S | Enter sleep mode |
| ⊞+I | Opens Settings |
| ⊞+A | Opens Quick Settings (from Notification Area on Taskbar) |
| ⊞+S | Opens Search dialog box |
| ⊞+R | Opens Run dialog box |
| ⊞+E | Opens File Explorer |
| ⊞+Shift+N | Create new folder (in File Explorer) |
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Opens Task Manager (to view performance or kill processes) |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| Ctrl+S | Save file |
| Ctrl+O | Open existing file |
| Ctrl+N | Create new file |
| Ctrl+P | |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo |
| Ctrl+C | Copy |
| Ctrl+X | Cut |
| Ctrl+V | Paste |
| Ctrl+A | Select all content |
| Ctrl+B | Bold text |
| Ctrl+I | Italicize text |
| Ctrl+U | Underline text |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
2. macOS shortcuts
Apple keyboards use the Command (⌘) key in place of the Windows (⊞) key, and the Option key in place of the Alt key. Also note that clicking on a free area of the macOS desktop hides/shows all active windows.
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| ⌘+M | Minimize window |
| ⌘+W | Close window |
| ⌘+H | Hide window |
| ⌘+Option+H | Hide all other windows |
| ⌘+Tab | Switch between programs |
| ⌘+Control+Q | Lock desktop |
| ⌘+Option+Power | Enter sleep mode |
| ⌘+Shift+3 | Take screenshot of desktop |
| ⌘+Shift+4 | Take screenshot of window (select window, press Spacebar, click) |
| ⌘+Shift+5 | Take screenshot of portion of desktop |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| Spacebar | Preview selected item |
| ⌘+Option+D | Hide or show the Dock |
| ⌘+Spacebar | Open Spotlight search (e.g., search Terminal or System Settings) |
| ⌘+F | Open search window for current app |
| ⌘+, | Open Preferences/Settings for current app |
| ⌘+Shift+F | Opens Finder (displays Recents by default) |
| ⌘+Shift+L | Opens Finder (displays Downloads by default) |
| ⌘+Shift+D | Opens Finder (displays Desktop by default) |
| ⌘+Shift+C | Opens Finder (displays Computer by default) |
| ⌘+Shift+N | Create new folder (in Finder) |
| ⌘+Option+Esc | Opens Force Quit window (to kill processes) |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| ⌘+S | Save file |
| ⌘+O | Open existing file |
| ⌘+N | Create new file |
| ⌘+P | |
| ⌘+Z | Undo |
| ⌘+C | Copy |
| ⌘+X | Cut |
| ⌘+V | Paste |
| ⌘+A | Select all content |
| ⌘+B | Bold text |
| ⌘+I | Italicize text |
| ⌘+U | Underline text |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
3. Linux and UNIX shortcuts
Linux and UNIX systems refer to the Windows (⊞) or Command (⌘) key as the Super (❖) key (also called the Meta key). While these systems can use one of many freely-available desktops, the most common are GNOME and KDE Plasma, and each one has their own set of pre-defined shortcuts. Advanced Linux and UNIX desktops, such as i3 and Sway, require that the user configure all shortcuts manually in a configuration file.
GNOME Desktop
GNOME does not configure most app- and system-related shortcuts by default. To configure these shortcuts yourself, navigate to GNOME Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts.
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| ❖+Down | Minimize window |
| ❖+Up | Maximize window |
| Alt+F4 | Close window |
| Ctrl+Q | Quit app |
| ❖+H | Hide window |
| ❖+Tab (or Alt+Tab) | Switch between programs |
| ❖+L | Lock desktop |
| PrtScn | Take screenshot of desktop |
| Alt+PrtScn | Take screenshot of current window |
| Shift+PrtScn | Take a screenshot of portion of desktop |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| ❖ | Show Dash (~Dock in macOS) and open apps |
| ❖+A | Show all applications |
| Ctrl+, | Open Preferences/Settings for current app |
| Alt+F2 | Opens GNOME Terminal app |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| Ctrl+S | Save file |
| Ctrl+O | Open existing file |
| Ctrl+N | Create new file |
| Ctrl+P | |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo |
| Ctrl+C | Copy |
| Ctrl+X | Cut |
| Ctrl+V | Paste |
| Ctrl+A | Select all content |
| Ctrl+B | Bold text |
| Ctrl+I | Italicize text |
| Ctrl+U | Underline text |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
KDE Plasma Desktop
As with GNOME, KDE Plasma does not configure most app- and system-related shortcuts by default. To configure these shortcuts yourself, navigate to KDE Settings, Configure Shortcuts.
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| ❖+PgDn | Minimize window |
| ❖+PgUp | Maximize window |
| Alt+F4 | Close window |
| Ctrl+Q | Quit app |
| Ctrl+F12 | Show desktop |
| Alt+Tab | Switch between programs |
| ❖+Alt+Up/Down/Left/Right | Move between active apps |
| Ctrl+Alt+L | Lock desktop |
| Shift+PrtScn | Take screenshot of desktop |
| ❖+PrtScn | Take screenshot of current window |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| ❖ | Opens App Launcher (~Start menu in Windows) |
| Alt+F2 or Alt+Space | Opens default Terminal app |
| Ctrl+Alt+Esc | Opens Force Quit window (to kill processes) |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |
| Ctrl+S | Save file |
| Ctrl+O | Open existing file |
| Ctrl+N | Create new file |
| Ctrl+P | |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo |
| Ctrl+C | Copy |
| Ctrl+X | Cut |
| Ctrl+V | Paste |
| Ctrl+A | Select all content |
| Ctrl+B | Bold text |
| Ctrl+I | Italicize text |
| Ctrl+U | Underline text |
| ———————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————— |