Tips & tricks

Switch tabs from the keyboard: Ctrl+Tab and the numbers

Ctrl+Tab

Ctrl+Tab moves through tabs in order, Ctrl+1 through 8 jumps to a specific position, and Ctrl+9 jumps to the last tab.

Closed a tab by mistake? Ctrl+Shift+T brings it back

Ctrl+Shift+T

Reopens the last closed tab — and pressing it again brings back the ones before it. Works for whole closed windows too.

Ctrl+L: straight to the address bar, no mouse needed

Ctrl+L

Jumping to the address bar is the foundation of fast browsing — start typing an address or a search right away.

Automatically restoring apps after a restart

Windows can reopen the apps that were running before a restart. An overnight update doesn't have to mean rebuilding your workspace in the morning.

Clipboard sync across computers

Win+V

Clipboard history (Win+V) can sync through your Microsoft account — copy something on your work PC, paste it on your laptop.

Alt+Space: the window menu that rescues a lost window

Alt+Space

The system window menu can move a window with arrow keys — a lifesaver when a window ends up off-screen after unplugging a monitor.

Snap Layouts: window arrangements from the maximize preview

Win+Z

Hover over the maximize button (or press Win+Z) and pick where the window belongs — halves, thirds, a grid.

Move a window to the other monitor without touching the mouse

Win+Shift+→

Win+Shift+arrow throws the active window onto the neighboring monitor — with its size and position preserved.

Win+X: the hidden power-user menu

Win+X

Right-click the Start button (or press Win+X) to open a menu with Device Manager, Settings, Terminal — all two keystrokes away.

PowerToys Run: a launcher like Spotlight on the Mac

Alt+Space

Alt+Space opens a bar that launches apps, finds files, does math, and converts units. The Start menu can retire.

PowerToys FancyZones: windows into your own grid

A free tool from Microsoft that splits your monitor into zones — windows snap into them on their own. A must on a wide monitor.

Task Manager in one shortcut

Ctrl+Shift+Esc

Ctrl+Shift+Esc opens Task Manager directly — no detour through Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Kill a frozen app in a few seconds.

Virtual desktops: keep work and communication apart

Win+Ctrl+→

Win+Ctrl+D creates a new desktop, Win+Ctrl+arrows switch between them. Slack on one, focused work on the other.

Switch keyboard languages instantly without touching the mouse

Ctrl+Space

Ctrl+Space switches between two keyboard layouts. A must for developers and anyone writing in more than one language.

Half- and quarter-screen window layouts

Newer macOS versions support window snapping — drag a window to the edge, or hold Option over the green button for instant layouts.

Control dialogs from the keyboard: Enter, Esc, and Space

Esc

Enter confirms the blue button, Esc means Cancel — and Space checks a box. Handle dialogs without ever touching the mouse.

Hide the Dock and reclaim a slice of your screen

Cmd+Option+D

Cmd+Option+D hides the Dock. On a laptop that gets you a noticeable strip of extra screen — the Dock slides out only when you want it.

Quick Finder jumps: Desktop, Applications, Downloads

Cmd+Option+L

Finder has shortcuts for the folders you use most — Cmd+Shift+D for Desktop, Cmd+Option+L for Downloads, and more.

Multiple desktops: separate work from communication

Ctrl+→

Ctrl+arrows switch between virtual desktops. One for focused work, one for mail and chat — and distractions disappear from view.

Hot corners: reveal the desktop or lock your screen with one flick

Assign actions to the corners of your screen — flicking into a corner shows the desktop, starts the screensaver, or locks the screen.

The Option key unlocks hidden options in menus

Option

Hold Option and click Wi-Fi, sound, or an app menu — expanded options appear that you'd otherwise never see.

Show hidden files with a single shortcut

Cmd+Shift+.

Cmd+Shift+period in Finder toggles hidden-file visibility. Handy for configs, backups, and cleaning up your drive.

“Cut and paste” files in Finder

Cmd+Option+V

The Mac has no Ctrl+X for files — instead, copy with Cmd+C and paste with Option: the file moves instead of copying.

Jump to any folder with Cmd+Shift+G

Cmd+Shift+G

You don't have to click through the folder structure. Cmd+Shift+G in Finder opens a field where you just type the path.

Spotlight: launch apps without touching the mouse

Cmd+Space

Cmd+Space opens Spotlight — the fastest way to launch anything on a Mac. You can practically stop using the Dock.

A screenshot of exactly the part of the screen you want

Cmd+Shift+4

Cmd+Shift+4 turns your cursor into a crosshair. Select an area and the shot lands on the desktop — or straight in the clipboard.

Cmd+Tab: switch apps like a pro

Cmd+Tab

The app switcher can do more than it looks — quit apps, hide them, or switch between windows without ever letting go of the keys.