Windows key shortcut guide

This guide uses PowerToys to display common keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows key.

Getting started

Open the shortcut guide with the shortcut key combination: ⊞ Win+Shift+/ (or as we like to think, ⊞ Win+?) or hold down the ⊞ Win for the time as set in the Settings. An overlay will appear showing keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows key, including:

  • common Windows shortcuts
  • shortcuts for changing the position of the active window
  • taskbar shortcuts

Screenshot of shortcut overlay.

Keyboard shortcuts using the Windows key ⊞ Win can be used while the guide is displayed. The result of those shortcuts (active window moved, arrow shortcut behavior changes etc.) will be displayed in the guide.

Pressing the shortcut key combination again will dismiss the overlay.

Tapping the Windows key will display the Windows Start menu.

Important

The PowerToys app must be running and Shortcut Guide must be enabled in the PowerToys settings for this feature to be used.

Settings

These configurations can be edited from the PowerToys Settings:

Setting Description
Activation method Choose your own shortcut or use the ⊞ Win key
Activation shortcut The custom shortcut used to launch the shortcut guide
Press duration Time (in milliseconds) to hold down the ⊞ Win key in order to open global Windows shortcuts or taskbar icon shortcuts
App theme Light, dark or Windows theme
Opacity of background Opacity of the Shortcut Guide overlay
Excluded apps Ignores Shortcut Guide when these apps are in focus. Add an application's name, or part of the name, one per line (e.g. adding Notepad will match both Notepad.exe and Notepad++.exe; to match only Notepad.exe add the .exe extension).

Shortcut Guide settings.