By JP, Founder · KeyShortcuts.net

10 Keyboard Shortcuts That Will 10x Your Productivity

TL;DR: Master these ten shortcuts and you'll shave minutes off every task. They work on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and many have equivalents on mobile.

1. Copy & Paste (Universal)

  • Copy: Ctrl + C (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + C (macOS)
  • Paste: Ctrl + V / ⌘ + V
  • Paste without formatting: Ctrl + Shift + V / ⌘ + Shift + V

2. Switch Apps

  • Windows: Alt + Tab
  • macOS: ⌘ + Tab
  • Linux (GNOME): Super + Tab

3. Snap Windows (Layout)

  • Win + ← / → — Snap left/right (Windows 11/10)
  • Ctrl + ⌘ + ← / → — Snap left/right (macOS)
  • Super + ← / → — Snap left/right (Ubuntu GNOME)
  • Win + ↑ — Maximize (Windows)
  • Ctrl + ⌘ + F — Full-screen (macOS)

4. Terminal Quick-Launch

  • Windows Terminal: Win + `
  • macOS / Linux: Ctrl + Alt + T

5. VS Code Cheat Sheet

  • Ctrl + Shift + P / ⌘ + Shift + P — Command Palette
  • Ctrl + P / ⌘ + P — Quick file open
  • Ctrl + ` / ⌘ + ` — Toggle integrated terminal
  • Ctrl + D / ⌘ + D — Add cursor to next occurrence

→ Full list: VS Code keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet

6. Excel Power Moves

  • Ctrl + Shift + L — Toggle filters
  • Ctrl + ; — Insert current date
  • Ctrl + Shift + $ — Apply currency format

→ Full list: Excel keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet

7. Photoshop Essentials

  • B — Brush tool
  • V — Move tool
  • Ctrl + J / ⌘ + J — Duplicate layer
  • Ctrl + Shift + U / ⌘ + Shift + U — Desaturate

→ Full list: Photoshop keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet

8. Gmail Speed-Up

  • C — Compose new email
  • E — Archive
  • Shift + U — Mark as unread
  • ? — Open Gmail shortcut cheat sheet

→ Full list: Gmail keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet

9. YouTube Quick-Control

  • K — Play / pause
  • J / L — Rewind / fast-forward 10 s
  • F — Full-screen toggle
  • Shift + N — Next video in playlist

→ Full list: YouTube keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet

10. Global Search Everywhere

  • Windows: Win + S — Windows search
  • macOS: ⌘ + Space — Spotlight
  • Linux (GNOME): Super + Space — Applications overview

How to Remember Them

  1. Pick the three shortcuts you'll use most today.
  2. Turn them into a quick cheat sheet — paste the list into a sticky note or notes app.
  3. When you reach for the mouse, force yourself to hit the shortcut instead.

Bonus: Every shortcut above has a full printable PDF on KeyShortcuts.net. Grab the PDF for your favourite app and keep it on your desk.

— JP, Founder, KeyShortcuts.net