On Windows 10/11, shortcuts using the keyboard can help you work significantly faster and easier. CTRL shortcuts and commands are one of the most useful shortcuts you can learn. This simple combination of keys will save you time and make you more productive each day.
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Why Use CTRL Shortcuts?
Using CTRL shortcuts allows you to work faster, an easy way to complete common tasks without your mouse. Instead of clicking away within the menus, you press two or three keys at the same time. It saves time and makes your overall computer work feel smooth.
Basic CTRL Commands Everyone Should Know
Document and Text Commands
The following shortcuts are applicable in almost any application where you can type or edit text:
- Ctrl + A: Select all text or items in a document or folder
- Ctrl + C: Copy the selected items, as a temporary storage
- Ctrl + V: Paste the copied items wherever your cursor is located
- Ctrl + X: Cut the selected items (copy and delete at the same time)
- Ctrl + Z: Undo your last action (go back one step)
- Ctrl + Y: Redo an action you just undid
File and Document Management
The following shortcuts are useful for managing files/documents:
- Ctrl + N: Create a new document or window
- Ctrl + O: Open an existing document
- Ctrl + S: Save your current work
- Ctrl + P: Print the document you’re currently working on
- Ctrl + W: Close the active Document or window
Text Formatting Shortcuts
Making Text Look Better
Here are some keyboard shortcuts that work in word processors and text editors:
- Ctrl + B: ย to make selected text bold
- Ctrl + I: ย to make the selected text italicized
- Ctrl + U: to underline selected text
Text alignment and layout.
- Ctrl + E: to center your paragraph
- Ctrl + L: to align your paragraph left
- Ctrl + R: to align your paragraph right
- Ctrl + J: to justify paragraph (spread text evenly)
Search and Navigation Commands
Finding What You Need
- Ctrl + F – Open search box to find specific words
- Ctrl + G – Find the next instance of your search term
- Ctrl + H – Open the replace dialog box to change one word for another
Moving Around Documents
- Ctrl + Home – Jump to the top of your document
- Ctrl + End – Jump to the bottom of your document
- Ctrl + Page Up – Move up one page
- Ctrl + Page Down – Move down one page
Browser and Internet Shortcuts
Web Browsing Made Easy
These shortcuts work in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other web browsers:
- Ctrl + T – Open a new tab
- Ctrl + W – Close the current tab
- Ctrl + R – Refresh the current page
- Ctrl + D – Bookmark the current page
- Ctrl + Tab – Jump to the next tab
- Ctrl + 1-8 – Jump to tab number 1, 2, 3, etc.
- Ctrl + 9 – Jump to the last tab
More Advanced CTRL Combinations
Three-Key Shortcuts
These use CTR plus two other keys:
- Ctrl + Shift + N – Create a new folder in File Explorer
- Ctrl + Shift + T – Reopen the last tab you closed in web browsers
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc – Get to Task Manager directly
- Ctrl + Alt + Del – Load Windows security screen
Zooming and Display Options
- Ctrl + Plus (+) – Zoom in to make everything larger
- Ctrl + Minus (-) – Zoom out to make everything smaller
- Ctrl + 0 – Reset zooming back to normal size
Special Program Shortcuts
Microsoft Office Programs
- Ctrl + Shift + S – Save As (save with a different name)
- Ctrl + Shift + C – Copy detected text formatting
- Ctrl + Shift + V – Paste formatting only
- Ctrl + K – Insert a hyperlink
File and System Management
- Ctrl + Esc – Open Start menu
- Ctrl + F4 – Close current window only document
- Ctrl + Enterย – Complete commands in programs
Tips for Learning CTRL Shortcuts
Start Small
Start with common shortcuts, such as Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V, and Ctr + Z and use them until they are automatic. Practice them every day.
Practice Daily
Start utilizing shortcuts speaking to do normal daily computer work. The more you use shortcuts, the more rapid recall you’ll have.
Make a Cheat Sheet
Write your favorite shortcuts down on a piece of paper and have it next to your computer until you memorize them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t try to learn all shortcuts at the same time. Pick 3-5 shortcuts and try the new shortcuts for a week before you try to learn more. Once you feel confident with those shortcuts, try to learn more, but remember that shortcuts might work differently in the program.
Final Thoughts
CTRL shortcuts are amazing tools that help you work faster and smarter on your computer. Start with the basics: copy, paste, and undo. As you feel comfortable, you can start to add more shortcuts over time. With practice, using these shortcuts will be quick and second nature to you. Before you even realize it, you will be saving hours of your time every week.
The best way to be successful is to begin simply and practice. Choose a few shortcuts that best match the work you do most often, and try to start using them today. Your future self will appreciate you for learning those time-saving commands!
