Windows key combinations in Windows Server 2016

As you might have noticed, here and there throughout the book, keyboard shortcuts are used to accomplish certain actions in Windows Server 2016 without using the mouse. The most common Windows key combinations in Windows Server 2016 are as follows:

• Open or close Start:

Windows key

• Open Action center:

Windows key + A

• Set focus on the notification area:

Windows key + B

• Display and hide the desktop:

Windows key + D

• Display and hide the date and time on the desktop:

Windows key + Alt + D

• Open File Explorer:

Windows key + E

• Open Game bar:

Windows key + G

• Open Share:

Windows key + H

• Open Windows Settings:

Windows key + I

• Open the Connect quick action:

Windows key + K

• Lock your PC or switch accounts:

Windows key + L

• Minimize all windows:

Windows key + M

• Choose a presentation display mode:

Windows key + P

• Open the Run dialog box:

Windows key + R

• Open Search

Windows key + S

• Cycle through apps on the taskbar:

Windows key + T

• Open Ease of Access Center:

Windows key + U

• Open the Quick Link menu:

Windows key + X

• Display the System Properties dialog box:

Windows key + Pause

• Search for Computers:

Windows key + Ctrl + F

• Restore minimized windows on the desktop:

Windows key + Shift + M

• Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number:

        Windows key along with the numbers present on the symbol keys

• Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number:

Windows key + Shift + number

• Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number:

Windows key + Ctrl + number

• Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number:

Windows key + Alt + number

• Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator:

Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + number

• Open Task view:

Windows key + Tab

• Maximize the window:

Windows key + Up arrow

• Remove the current app from the screen, or minimize the desktop window:

Windows key + Down arrow

• Maximize the app or desktop window to the left-hand side of the screen:

Windows key + Left arrow

• Maximize the app or desktop window to the right-hand side of the screen:

Windows key + Right arrow

• Minimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on the second stroke):

Windows key + Home

• Switch the input language and keyboard layout:

Windows key + Spacebar

• Change to a previously selected input:

Windows key + Ctrl + Spacebar

• Add a virtual desktop:

Windows key + Ctrl + D

• Switch between virtual desktops you have created on the right:

Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow

• Switch between virtual desktops you have created on the left:

Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow

• Close the virtual desktop you are using:

Windows key + Ctrl + F4