Shortcut keys on laptops allow you to quickly access a variety of operations, which can greatly increase productivity. Understanding these keyboard shortcuts can help you save time and improve productivity, whether you use Windows or Mac. Below is a comprehensive overview of the most important laptop shortcut keys:
1) Windows Laptop Shortcuts
General Shortcuts
- Ctrl + C: Copy selected item.
- Ctrl + X: Cut selected item.
- Ctrl + V: Paste copied or cut item.
- Ctrl + Z: Undo an action.
- Ctrl + Y: Redo an action.
- Ctrl + A: Select every item in a window or document.
- Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps.
- Alt + F4: Close the open item or close the open application.
- Win + D: Show the desktop and hide it.
- Win + E: Open File Explorer.
- Win + L: Lock your PC.
File Management
- Ctrl + Shift + N: For Creating a New Folder.
- F2: Rename the selected item.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Launch task manager.
- Alt + Enter: Open the properties for the selected item.
Browser Shortcuts (Common for Most Browsers)
- Ctrl + T: Open a new tab.
- Ctrl + W: Close the current tab.
- Ctrl + Shift + T: Open the last tab you closed again.
- Ctrl + Tab: Open the next tab.
- Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Go back to the previous tab.
- Ctrl + L: Highlight the address bar.
Text Editing
- Ctrl + B: Bold selected text.
- Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text.
- Ctrl + U: Underline selected text.
- Ctrl + F: Open the file for selected text.
2) Mac Laptop Shortcuts
General Shortcuts
- Command (⌘) + C: Make a copy of the selected item.
- Command (⌘) + X: Cut the item that was selected.
- Command (⌘) + V: Paste a copied or cut item.
- Command (⌘) + Z: Undo an action.
- Command (⌘) + Shift + Z: Redo an action.
- Command (⌘) + A: Select all items in a document or window.
- Command (⌘) + Tab: Navigate through the open applications.
- Command (⌘) + Q: Quit the active app.
- Command (⌘) + Option + Esc: Force quit an app.
- Command (⌘) + Space: Open Spotlight search.
File Management
- Command (⌘) + Shift + N: Make a new folder.
- Command (⌘) + Delete: Drag the chosen item into the trash.
- Command (⌘) + Shift + Delete: Empty Trash.
- Command (⌘) + I: Get info about a selected item.
Browser Shortcuts (Common for Most Browsers)
- Command (⌘) + T: Go to a new tab.
- Command (⌘) + W: Close the tab that is currently open.
- Command (⌘) + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed tab.
- Command (⌘) + Option + Right Arrow: Switch to the next tab.
- Command (⌘) + Option + Left Arrow: Switch to the previous tab.
- Command (⌘) + L: Highlight the address bar.
Text Editing
- Command (⌘) + B: Bold selected text.
- Command (⌘) + I: Italicize selected text.
- Command (⌘) + U: Underline selected text.
- Command (⌘) + F: Find text in the document.
Advanced Shortcuts
1) Windows
- Win + P: Project a screen.
- Win + Ctrl + D: Set up a virtual desktop.
- Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow: Change between the virtual desktops
- Win + PrtScn: Take a screenshot and save it to your Pictures folder.
- Win + Shift + S: Open Snip & Sketch to capture a screenshot.
2) Mac
- Command (⌘) + Shift + 3: Capture the entire screen.
- Command (⌘) + Shift + 4: Capture a selected portion of the screen.
- Command (⌘) + Shift + 5: Open the screenshot toolbar.
- Control + Command (⌘) + Space: Open the emoji picker.
- Command (⌘) + Option + D: Show or hide the Dock.
If you are familiar with and utilize keyboard shortcuts, your work may be more enjoyable and productive. Understanding these keyboard shortcuts will help you save time and lessen repetitive strain when writing, utilizing specialist software, managing files, or accessing the internet. You will quickly notice an increase in productivity if you routinely practice using these shortcuts to make the most of your laptop.
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