Shortcuts save clicks. Hold the first key (or keys), tap the last one, then let go. On a Mac, use Command where Windows uses Ctrl.
| What it does | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Ctrl + C | Command + C |
| Cut | Ctrl + X | Command + X |
| Paste | Ctrl + V | Command + V |
| Undo a mistake | Ctrl + Z | Command + Z |
| Select everything | Ctrl + A | Command + A |
| Find a word on the page | Ctrl + F | Command + F |
| Switch between open apps | Alt + Tab | Command + Tab |
| Show the desktop | Windows logo key + D | Command + Mission Control key (on some keyboards, Fn + H or Fn + F11) |
| Lock your screen | Windows logo key + L | Control + Command + Q |
| Screenshot of part of the screen | Windows logo key + Shift + S | Shift + Command + 4 |
Mac top-row keys differ by keyboard model. If one doesn't work, try another.
- Start with the first three: copy, cut and paste.
- Add undo. It rescues most mistakes.
- Get in the habit of locking your screen when you step away.
If that didn't work: Some apps use their own shortcuts, and Apple notes a shortcut that works in one app may not work in another. Still stuck? tell us what you’re stuck on.
Sources
Last reviewed: October 2026.