How do I take a screenshot on Windows?

Windows key + Shift + S captures a region to the clipboard; Windows key + Print Screen saves the full screen to a file.

How do I snap a window to half the screen?

Windows key + ← or → snaps the active window to the left or right half; Windows key + Z opens the snap layouts.

Cheat sheet · Updated 15 October 2026

Windows Keyboard Shortcuts: The 15 Every User Should Know

The fifteen Windows shortcuts worth knowing first — switching and snapping windows, search, screenshots, Task Manager, virtual desktops — from Microsoft's own list.

By ShortcutPosters Editorial Team · from 1 official source

Most Windows speed comes from the Windows key: it opens search, File Explorer and Settings, snaps windows to half the screen, and moves between virtual desktops. Learn these once and they work in every app.

The 15 to know

W Windows

Switch between open windowsAltTab
Open File ExplorerWinE
Capture a region to the clipboardWinShiftS
Open Task ViewWinTab
Display and hide the desktopWinD
Snap window to the leftWinLEFT
Snap window to the rightWinRIGHT
Close the active windowAltF4
Open SettingsWinI
Open searchWinS
Lock the computerWinL
Open Task ManagerCtrlShiftEsc
Maximize the active windowWinUP
Create a new virtual desktopWinCtrlD
Switch to the virtual desktop on the leftWinCtrlLEFT

All 47 Windows shortcuts →

Coming from a Mac?

Most app shortcuts swap ⌘ for Ctrl, but the system ones follow their own conventions. The translation guide lists them side by side.

FAQ

How do I take a screenshot on Windows?: Windows key + Shift + S captures a region to the clipboard; Windows key + Print Screen saves the full screen to a file.
How do I open Task Manager?: Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
How do I snap a window to half the screen?: Windows key + ← or → snaps the active window to the left or right half; Windows key + Z opens the snap layouts.