Common Shortcut Keys

When one can find a short way of accomplishing the same task that otherwise may take several minutes or maybe hours, there’s no going back to the traditional way. Shortcuts have become an absolute necessity in today’s world with busy schedules and no time for leisure. Like many shortcuts, we have shortcut keys used in the different operating systems for time-effective and smooth use of its applications. As we know there are different operating systems but the most common are: Linux, macOS and Windows, and they have their own set of keyboard shortcut keys.

Now Windows is the most commonly used operating system so let’s first discuss its shortcut keys

Ctrl+Z: (Undo) It is used to undo the last action performed in the system.
Ctrl+Shift+Z: (Redo) It is used to redo something that you have undone.
Ctrl+C: (Copy) It is used to copy files, folders or any other data.
Ctrl+V: (Paste) It is used to paste the files, folders or any other data.
Ctrl+X: (Cut) It also copies your desired data but removes it from the original place.

Ctrl+W: (Close) It is used to close whatever window you are currently viewing.
Alt+Enter: (Open link) It is used to switch between window and full-screen applications.
Ctrl+O (Open): It is used to open new documents, pages or any URLs.
Ctrl+F (Find): It is used to find the missing text or file when you are in a hurry.
Ctrl+h( Find and Replace): This shortcut can be used to easily find the required text and then replace it with the suitable one.
Ctrl+S (Save): This shortcut key is used to save your file in your choice of destination.
Ctrl+A: (Select All) As the name suggests, it is used to select all the text.
Alt+Tab: (Switch apps) Very useful in using multiple applications.
Alt+F4: (Close apps) This shortcut shuts down the active application.
Ctrl+Esc: (Opening the start menu) If the keyboard does not have a window key this option comes in handy for direct access to the start menu.
F5: (Refresh) It can be used for web browsers as well as file explorers.
Win+L: (Lock computer) good for keeping your work private.
Win+C: (Cortana) This shortcut key puts Cortana in listening mode.
Win+Ctrl+D: (Virtual Desktop) It creates a secondary screen.

Common Shortcut keys for macOS: ⌘ key is command key in apple products and thus the names can be used interchangeably. Most of the options mentioned above using Ctrl can be used in macOS but Ctrl is replaced by ⌘. Some other special shortcuts for macOS are:

Esc: It is used to cancel the previous command.
⌘+W: It closes the active window.
⌘+M: To minimise the window that you are currently working in.
⌘+L: It helps to navigate in the fastest way in Safari, as it directly selects the address bar.
⌘+Tab: It helps to switch between different applications.
⌘+Control+Q: This is used to lock the computer right away.
Option+⌘+Esc: It forces shut an application if it freezes or not working.

Common shortcut keys for Linux:

Ctrl+A: It shifts the cursor to the beginning of the line.
Ctrl+B: It moves the cursor one character backwards.
Ctrl+D: It is used to log out of the current session.
Ctrl+P: It is used to paste the previous line.
Ctrl+S: It stops all the output on-screen.
Ctrl+U: It erases the complete line.
Ctrl+Z: It cancels current operation or is used to move back to the directory.
Ctrl+Alt+L: It locks the screen.

Also read about Document editor shortcuts and special google docs shortcuts.

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