Working in tech for the last four years has allowed me to surround myself with some incredibly talented professionals. Over time, I’ve picked up a range of shortcuts that have genuinely saved me hours of my life.

I’ve put together a list of 7 shortcuts I use almost every day on my PC. They help boost productivity and save those small chunks of time that really add up.

1. Windows + V (Clipboard History)

If you’ve ever copied a password from a password manager (as you should!) or grabbed something from a Teams message, only to accidentally overwrite it, you’ll know how frustrating it is to go back and find it again—especially if it’s buried in an old conversation.

Windows + V is a lifesaver (yes, slightly dramatic but true). You do need to enable it first, but once it’s on, it lets you access everything you’ve copied—text, images, and snippets.

I use this constantly.

2. Windows + Tab (Task View)

If your desktop gets messy with loads of open applications and you struggle to switch between them quickly, this one is for you.

Windows + Tab lets you view all open windows and easily select the one you need. It’s especially useful when you’re working under pressure or trying to quickly jump between tasks.

3. Windows + Ctrl + D (New Virtual Desktop)

This shortcut creates a brand new virtual desktop.

It’s perfect for separating work—for example, keeping one desktop for meetings and another for focused work. It helps reduce clutter and keeps your workflow organised.

4. Windows + Z (Snap Layouts)

Windows + Z opens snap layouts, allowing you to neatly arrange multiple windows on your screen.

Great for multitasking—especially if you’re comparing documents, coding, or working across several apps at once.

5. Ctrl + Shift + T (Reopen Closed Tab)

Closed a browser tab by accident? Happens all the time.

Ctrl + Shift + T instantly reopens your last closed tab. It works repeatedly too, so you can recover multiple tabs if needed.

6. Ctrl + Backspace (Delete Whole Word)

If you’re typing quickly and make a mistake, holding backspace can be messy—you often delete too much or too little.

Ctrl + Backspace deletes an entire word at a time, giving you much more control and speeding up editing.

7. Windows + Shift + S (Snipping Tool)

Need to quickly capture part of your screen?

Windows + Shift + S lets you take a screenshot or clip a specific area instantly. Perfect for sharing information, reporting issues, or saving content.

These shortcuts might seem small on their own, but when you use them daily, they save a surprising amount of time and effort. In tech especially, efficiency is everything—and mastering simple tools like these can make a big difference.

If you’re not already using these, give them a try. You’ll probably wonder how you ever worked without them.