100+ Keyboard Shortcuts to Speed Up Your Digital Life

The Ultimate Keyboard Shortcut Guide: 100+ Keys to Master Your Digital Life

Algo Last Updated: January 17, 2026

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The Ultimate Keyboard Shortcut Guide 100+ Keys to Master Your Digital Life

In today’s world, time is your most valuable resource. If you use a mouse for every single task, you are losing hours of work every week. Using keyboard shortcuts is the best way to work faster and stay focused.

Table of Contents

In this comprehensive guide, we have organized 10 categories of shortcuts to help you become a power user on Windows, Mac, and across your favorite apps.

If you want to be a “Power User,” you need to stop clicking and start typing. Using shortcuts saves you about 8 workdays per year. Here is the most complete list of over 100 shortcuts across 10 essential categories.

1. Universal Essentials (10 Keys)

These work in almost every Windows or Mac application.

Ctrl + C: Copy selected item.
Ctrl + V: Paste selected item.
Ctrl + X: Cut selected item.
Ctrl + Z: Undo the last action.
Ctrl + Y: Redo the action.
Ctrl + A: Select everything.
Ctrl + S: Save current file.
Ctrl + P: Print current page.
Ctrl + O: Open a file.
Ctrl + N: Open a new document or window.

2. Web Browsing Mastery (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) (15 Keys)

Ctrl + T: New tab.
Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen last closed tab.
Ctrl + W: Close current tab.
Ctrl + N: New window.
Ctrl + Shift + N: New Incognito window.
Ctrl + L: Focus on the address bar.
Ctrl + [+] / [-]: Zoom in or out.
Ctrl + 0: Reset zoom to 100%.
Ctrl + Tab: Next tab.
Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Previous tab.
Ctrl + 1-8: Switch to a specific tab.
Ctrl + 9: Switch to the last tab.
Ctrl + H: Open History.
Ctrl + J: Open Downloads.
Ctrl + D: Bookmark current page.

3. Windows System Mastery (15 Keys)

Win + E: Open File Explorer.
Win + D: Show or hide desktop.
Win + L: Lock your PC.
Win + V: Open Clipboard History.
Win + I: Open Settings.
Win + S: Open Windows Search.
Win + M: Minimize all windows.
Win + Shift + S: Take a screenshot (Snipping Tool).
Win + .: Open Emoji panel.
Win + Left/Right Arrow: Snap window to side.
Alt + Tab: Switch between apps.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager.
Win + X: Open Power User menu.
Win + R: Open the “Run” dialog.
Alt + F4: Close active app.

4. macOS Power Keys (15 Keys)

Cmd + Space: Spotlight Search.
Cmd + Tab: Switch apps.
Cmd + W: Close window.
Cmd + Q: Quit application.
Cmd + Comma (,): Open Preferences.
Cmd + Shift + 3: Full screenshot.
Cmd + Shift + 4: Area screenshot.
Cmd + Option + Esc: Force Quit.
Cmd + Up/Down Arrow: Top/Bottom of page.
Cmd + Delete: Move to Trash.
Cmd + Shift + N: New folder in Finder.
Cmd + [ / ]: Go back or forward in Finder.
Cmd + Option + D: Hide/Show Dock.
Cmd + Ctrl + Space: Emoji picker.
Cmd + H: Hide the current app.

5. Microsoft Excel Guru (12 Keys)

F2: Edit active cell.
F4: Fix cell reference (Absolute/Relative).
Ctrl + ;: Today’s date.
Ctrl + Shift + :: Current time.
Ctrl + Space: Select column.
Shift + Space: Select row.
Alt + =: AutoSum.
Ctrl + Shift + L: Toggle filters.
Ctrl + 1: Format Cells dialog.
Ctrl + PageUp/Down: Switch sheets.
Ctrl + Arrow Keys: Jump to edge of data.
Ctrl + K: Insert hyperlink.

6. Microsoft Word & Writing (10 Keys)

Ctrl + Backspace: Delete previous word.
Ctrl + Delete: Delete next word.
Shift + F3: Change case (Upper/Lower).
Ctrl + Enter: Page break.
Ctrl + [ / ]: Change font size.
Ctrl + L / R / E: Align Left, Right, or Center.
Ctrl + 5: 1.5 line spacing.
Ctrl + Alt + 1-3: Heading styles.
Alt + Shift + D: Insert date field.
Ctrl + F: Navigation/Search pane.

7. Gmail Efficiency (10 Keys)

C: Compose.
/: Search mail.
R: Reply.
A: Reply All.
F: Forward.
E: Archive.
#: Delete.
K / J: Move to Newer/Older email.
G + I: Go to Inbox.
Ctrl + Enter: Send email.

You may also like this 👉️ Top 100 Computer Tips and Tricks You Should Know

8. YouTube & Multimedia (7 Keys)

K: Play/Pause.
J / L: 10s Rewind/Forward.
M: Mute.
F: Full screen.
C: Captions on/off.
Shift + >: Speed up.
0-9: Jump to % of the video.

9. Professional Coding (VS Code) (8 Keys)

Ctrl + P: Quick open file.
Ctrl + Shift + P: Command Palette.
Alt + Up/Down: Move line.
Ctrl + D: Multi-select next match.
Ctrl + /: Comment out line.
Ctrl + B: Toggle Sidebar.
Ctrl + `: Open Terminal.
Alt + Shift + F: Format code.

10. File Navigation & Text Editing (8 Keys)

Home / End: Start/End of line.
Ctrl + Home / End: Start/End of document.
Shift + Arrow Keys: Select text.
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys: Select words.
F11: Toggle full screen.
Esc: Cancel or close dialog.
Alt + F4: Close application.
F2: Rename selected file.

The Ultimate Shortcut

You don’t need to memorize all of these at once. Pick five shortcuts this week and practice them until they feel natural. Next week, pick five more. Before you know it, you will be navigating your computer like a total pro!