A handful of keyboard shortcuts cover almost everything you do every day, and they’re faster than reaching for the mouse. This guide covers six to start with, on both Windows and Mac.
Keyboard shortcuts everyone should know
!Still right-clicking for everything?
A handful of keyboard shortcuts save real time, every single day.
1Copy and paste
Ctrl+C copies whatever’s selected, Ctrl+V pastes it wherever your cursor is.
2Undo and find
Ctrl+Z undoes your last action, Ctrl+F searches the page or document you’re on.
3Switch windows and save
Alt+Tab jumps between open windows, Ctrl+S saves whatever you’re working on.
A few tips
- Mac swaps Cmd for Ctrl — Almost every shortcut here works the same way, just with a different key
- Save often with Ctrl+S or Cmd+S — A quick habit that can save you from losing work
- Don’t try to memorize them all at once — Start with these six, and pick up more naturally over time
Recap: keyboard shortcuts
- Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V: copy and paste
- Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+F: undo and find
- Alt+Tab and Ctrl+S: switch windows and save
- On a Mac, use Cmd instead of Ctrl
- Want more tips like these? Call Naples Computers
Printable quick guide
Frequently asked questions
What’s the keyboard shortcut for copy and paste?
Ctrl+C copies, Ctrl+V pastes, on Windows. On a Mac, use Cmd+C and Cmd+V instead.
What’s the shortcut to undo a mistake?
Ctrl+Z on Windows, Cmd+Z on a Mac. Press it again and again to undo further back.
How do I switch between open windows with the keyboard?
Alt+Tab on Windows, Cmd+Tab on a Mac, cycles through your open windows.
Do I need to memorize a lot of shortcuts?
No, just a handful cover most of what you do every day. Start with copy, paste, undo, find, switch windows, and save.
Related guides
Source: Keyboard shortcuts in Windows (Microsoft Support)