# Shortcuts & Modifier Key Guide

##### A collection of useful keyboard shortcuts that work across **Windows, text editors, terminals, and file explorers**.

Modifier keys are keys you hold while performing another action.  
Common modifier keys include:

- **CTRL**
- **ALT**
- **SHIFT**
- **CMD** (Mac – ignored in this guide for simplicity)
- **Fn**

These shortcuts are designed to work in **most text editors, terminals, browsers, and common applications**.

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# Text Entry & Navigation

## CTRL — Word-Level Navigation

Holding **CTRL** changes many actions from working on a **single character** to working on a **whole word**.

| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| CTRL + Left / Right | Move cursor one word at a time |
| CTRL + Backspace | Delete the previous word |
| CTRL + Delete | Delete the next word |
| CTRL + Up / Down | Move cursor one paragraph at a time |
| CTRL + Home | Move to the start of a document |
| CTRL + End | Move to the end of a document |
| CTRL + Space | Remove formatting from selected text |
| CTRL + Enter | Insert page break (Word and similar editors) |
| CTRL + Click | Highlight an entire sentence |

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## SHIFT — Text Selection Modifier

SHIFT is commonly used to **highlight text** and modify existing commands.

| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| SHIFT + Arrow Keys | Highlight text |
| CTRL + SHIFT + V | Paste text without formatting |
| SHIFT + Enter | Insert a new line without submitting a form or creating extra spacing |

Example: Useful in comment boxes or the Google search bar.

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## Fn Key Shortcuts

Some keyboards use the **Fn key** for navigation shortcuts.

| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Fn + Left | Home |
| Fn + Right | End |
| Fn + Up | Page Up |
| Fn + Down | Page Down |

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## Tab Key

| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| TAB | Indent bullet point |
| SHIFT + TAB | Remove one indent level |

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# Mouse Shortcuts

| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Double-click | Highlight an entire word |
| Triple-click | Highlight an entire sentence, paragraph, or field |
| Double-click + drag | Highlight multiple words |
| Triple-click + drag | Highlight multiple paragraphs |
| CTRL + Click + drag | Highlight text sentence-by-sentence |
| Drag highlighted text | Move highlighted text |
| Drag highlighted text to another app | Copy text between programs |

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# File Explorer Shortcuts

## File Drag Actions

| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| CTRL + Drag file | Copy file |
| SHIFT + Drag file | Move file |
| ALT + Drag file | Create shortcut |
| CTRL + SHIFT + Drag | Create shortcut |

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## File Selection

| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| CTRL + Click | Select or deselect individual files |
| Drag selection box | Select multiple files |
| CTRL + Drag selection | Add files to selection |
| SHIFT + Drag selection | Add files to selection |

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## Navigation

| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Arrow Keys | Move selection |
| CTRL + Arrow Keys | Move active file without losing selection |
| Space (or CTRL + Space) | Add file to selection |

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# Browser & Tab Shortcuts

These shortcuts work in **File Explorer, browsers, and many programs**.

| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| CTRL + T | Open new tab |
| CTRL + W | Close tab |
| CTRL + TAB | Next tab |
| CTRL + SHIFT + TAB | Previous tab |
| CTRL + N | Open new window |

CTRL + W also closes the **current document** in programs like **Microsoft Word**.

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## Process Control

| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| CTRL + C | Stop running process or script |

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# Miscellaneous Windows Shortcuts

| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| CTRL + ALT + TAB | Window switcher that stays open |
| Win + SHIFT + S | Open Snipping Tool |
| Win + P | Open display projection menu |
| Win + ; | Emoji & clipboard panel |
| CTRL + SHIFT + V | Paste without formatting |

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# Tips

These shortcuts help you:

- Edit text faster
- Navigate documents efficiently
- Manage files quickly
- Use terminals more effectively
- Improve general productivity

The **text navigation shortcuts** (CTRL + arrows and CTRL + backspace) are some of the most powerful and widely supported shortcuts across applications.