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🔒 Log in to trackWindows 10/11 and File Explorer shortcuts
🔒 Log in to trackThe Windows key (Win) controls the desktop itself. Most Win shortcuts use the first letter of the job: E for Explorer, L for Lock, R for Run. Learn also the security pair Ctrl+Shift+Esc and Ctrl+Alt+Del, the File Explorer keys, and Alt+Tab and Alt+F4.
The Win key family
The Win key is the flag key between Ctrl and Alt. Most Win shortcuts use the first letter of the action.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win | Open or close the Start menu |
| Win+D | Show the desktop. Press again to bring the windows back |
| Win+E | Open File Explorer |
| Win+L | Lock the computer |
| Win+R | Open the Run box, where you type cmd, calc or notepad |
| Win+I | Open Settings |
| Win+S | Open Search |
| Win+M | Minimise all windows |
| Win+Shift+M | Restore the minimised windows |
| Win+Tab | Task view. Shows all windows and virtual desktops |
| Win+Left / Right / Up / Down | Snap a window to half or a corner of the screen |
| Win+PrtScn | Save a screenshot in the Pictures folder |
| Win+Shift+S | Snip a chosen part of the screen |
| Win+V | Clipboard history |
Watch: Win+D toggles. Win+M only minimises. Win+Shift+M is needed to restore.
The security pair
| Combination | What appears |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Task Manager directly. This is the fastest route |
| Ctrl+Alt+Del | A full-screen menu with Lock, Switch user, Sign out and Task Manager |
| Alt+F4 | Closes the active program |
Tip: On the desktop with no program open, Alt+F4 opens the Shut Down box.
File Explorer keys
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Shift+N | New folder |
| F2 | Rename the selected item |
| Alt+Enter | Properties of the selected item |
| Alt+Up arrow | Go up one folder level |
| Delete | Send to the Recycle Bin |
| Shift+Delete | Delete permanently, skipping the Recycle Bin |
| Ctrl+A | Select everything |
Switching and closing windows
- Alt+Tab switches between open windows. Hold Alt and tap Tab.
- Win+D or Win+M clears the screen to the desktop.
- Win+arrow keys park a window on half the screen. This is good for comparing two documents.
- Alt+F4 closes the whole program. Ctrl+F4 closes only one document inside it.
Rule: Read the verb in the question: switch, close, open or lock. Then pick the key family.
How questions sound
| The question says | Answer |
|---|---|
| Opens File Explorer | Win+E |
| Locks the computer | Win+L |
| Opens the Run dialog box | Win+R |
| Opens Task Manager directly | Ctrl+Shift+Esc |
| Switches between open programs | Alt+Tab |
| Closes the active program | Alt+F4 |
| Creates a new folder | Ctrl+Shift+N |
| Renames the selected file | F2 |
Question types you will see
Each type: how to recognise it, the method step by step, and one question to try.
Win-key shortcut recall
The question describes a job and asks for a Win shortcut.
Take the first letter of the job.
Add the Win key.
Check the list: D, E, L, R, I, S, M, V.
The first-letter rule covers most Win keys.
Which shortcut opens the Run dialog box?
Show solutionHide solution
Run starts with R.
The Win key comes first.
Win+R
Task Manager and security combos
The question says direct, or asks about the security screen.
Direct Task Manager is Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
The full-screen menu is Ctrl+Alt+Del.
Alt+F4 closes a program.
The two look alike, but only one is direct.
The shortcut key to open Task Manager directly is:
Show solutionHide solution
Ctrl+Alt+Del shows a menu first.
The direct one has Esc.
Ctrl+Shift+Esc
File Explorer shortcuts
The question gives a file job, such as rename, new folder or properties.
F2 renames.
Ctrl+Shift+N makes a new folder.
Alt+Enter opens Properties.
Shift+Delete deletes permanently.
Explorer keys are a small set, each with one job.
Which key renames the selected file in File Explorer?
Show solutionHide solution
Rename is the second name.
The key is F2.
F2
Window switching and closing
The question asks how to switch windows or close a program.
Alt+Tab switches.
Alt+F4 closes the program.
Win+D shows the desktop.
Alt is the key for switching and closing.
Which shortcut switches between open windows?
Show solutionHide solution
Switching uses the Alt key.
The second key is Tab.
Alt+Tab
Screenshot and snap keys
The question asks for a screenshot or window snapping.
Win+PrtScn saves a screenshot in Pictures.
Win+Shift+S snips a chosen area.
Win+arrows snap windows.
Newer Windows keys appear in recent papers.
Which shortcut lets you snip a selected part of the screen?
Show solutionHide solution
Snip starts with S.
It needs Win and Shift.
Win+Shift+S
Shortcuts that save time
E is Explorer, L is Lock, R is Run, D is Desktop, S is Search, I is settIngs. The letter hints at the job.
Ctrl+Shift+Esc opens Task Manager straight away. Ctrl+Alt+Del first opens a menu, and Task Manager is one option there.
Which shortcut opens Task Manager directly, with no menu first?
Show solutionHide solution
Ctrl+Alt+Del shows a menu first.
The direct key uses Esc.
Ctrl+Shift+Esc
Mistakes to avoid
Where most students lose marks on this subtopic.
Saying Win+M restores the windows.
Win+M minimises. Win+Shift+M restores.
Using Ctrl+Alt+Del to open Task Manager directly.
It opens a menu. Ctrl+Shift+Esc is the direct key.
Mixing Alt+F4 with Ctrl+F4.
Alt+F4 closes the program. Ctrl+F4 closes only the document.
Thinking Delete removes a file permanently.
Delete sends it to the Recycle Bin. Shift+Delete removes it permanently.
Using Win+R to lock the computer.
Win+L locks. Win+R opens the Run box.
Quick revision
Read this the night before the exam.
First letter rule: E Explorer, L Lock, R Run, D Desktop, S Search.
Win+D toggles the desktop. Win+M only minimises. Win+Shift+M restores.
Ctrl+Shift+Esc opens Task Manager directly. Ctrl+Alt+Del shows the security screen.
Explorer: Ctrl+Shift+N new folder, F2 rename, Alt+Enter properties, Alt+Up one level.
Alt+Tab switches windows. Alt+F4 closes the program.
Shift+Delete deletes permanently.
Practice: 22 questions
Sets of 10, mixed across the question types above. Every answer has a step-by-step explanation.
Topic test · 10 questions
Suggested time 4 min · wrong answers go to your mistake notebook automatically.