Laptop Keyboard Shortcut Keys and Typing Tips for Beginners
The laptop shortcut keys you will use every day are Ctrl + C to copy, Ctrl + V to paste, Ctrl + Z to undo, Ctrl + A to select all and Alt + Tab to switch apps. On a MacBook the same shortcuts use the Command key. This guide explains how to type on a laptop for the first time, how to type symbols like @, the Fn key, keyboard backlight, and what to do if the laptop keyboard stops working.
Updated 8 November 2026
How to type on a laptop: the basics
If you are new to laptops, open Notepad or Word from the Start menu and click inside the page. The blinking line is where your text appears.
- Shift + a letter types a capital letter. Caps Lock turns capitals on until you press it again.
- Space bar adds a space, Enter starts a new line, Backspace deletes to the left and Delete removes to the right.
- Arrow keys move the cursor without deleting.
- Shift + a number key types the symbol shown above it, such as ! or #.
To write in Urdu, add the Urdu keyboard in Settings > Time and language > Language and region, then switch with Windows + Space.
Copy, paste and select: the most used shortcuts
- Ctrl + C: copy the selected text, file or picture.
- Ctrl + X: cut (move) it.
- Ctrl + V: paste.
- Ctrl + A: select all.
- Ctrl + Z: undo, and Ctrl + Y: redo.
- Ctrl + S: save, and Ctrl + P: print.
- Ctrl + F: find a word on a page.
- Shift + arrow keys: select text letter by letter; Ctrl + Shift + arrow selects word by word.
To copy and paste with the touchpad, tap with two fingers (right-click) and choose Copy or Paste. Windows + V opens clipboard history, so you can paste something you copied earlier.
How to type @ and other symbols
On a normal US layout laptop keyboard, the @ sign is Shift + 2. On a UK layout keyboard, which many imported laptops have, @ is Shift + the apostrophe key next to Enter, and the double quote moves to Shift + 2.
Other handy symbols:
- Rupee or other special characters: press Windows + . (full stop) to open the emoji and symbol panel.
- Emojis: Windows + . as well, or Control + Command + Space on a Mac.
- If the symbols you type do not match the keys, Windows may be set to the wrong layout. Our keyboard layout guide explains how to fix it.
Windows shortcut keys list
- Windows key: open Start. Windows + D: show desktop.
- Alt + Tab: switch between open apps.
- Windows + L: lock the laptop.
- Windows + E: open File Explorer.
- Windows + I: open Settings.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: open Task Manager.
- F5 or Ctrl + R: refresh a page or folder.
- F11: full screen in a browser.
- Windows + Shift + S: screenshot.
- Ctrl + plus or minus: zoom in or out in a browser.
- Alt + F4: close the current app, or on the desktop, open the shut down menu.
- Windows + P: choose how to show the screen on a projector or LED TV.
The Fn key and the top row
Laptops put brightness, volume, mute, keyboard light, Wi-Fi and webcam controls on the F1 to F12 keys. Depending on the laptop, you press them directly or with the Fn key.
- If F5 changes volume instead of refreshing, press Fn + F5, or turn on Fn Lock (often Fn + Esc).
- Brightness keys usually show a sun icon. Volume keys show a speaker.
- On HP, Dell, Lenovo and Asus laptops, you can switch the default in the BIOS or the brand app (HP's Action Keys, Dell's Function Key Behavior, Lenovo Vantage, MyASUS).
How to turn on the laptop keyboard light
Most backlit keyboards turn on with a key on the top row or space bar that shows a small keyboard with light rays.
- HP: often F5 or F4, or Fn + that key.
- Dell: Fn + F10 or F5 on many Latitude and Inspiron models.
- Lenovo ThinkPad: Fn + Space bar cycles off, low and high. IdeaPads also use Fn + Space.
- Asus and Acer: Fn + F7 or F8 on many models, or Fn + up arrow on some gaming laptops.
- MacBook: the brightness of the keyboard is in Control Centre, and it adjusts automatically in low light.
If no key has the light icon, your model does not have a backlit keyboard. Many business laptops like the Dell Latitude 7440 and HP EliteBook 840 G10 come with backlight on most configurations; check the listing for the exact unit.
Laptop keyboard not working? Fixes
- Restart the laptop. A frozen driver is the most common cause.
- Check Num Lock and Fn Lock: on some laptops the right side of the keyboard types numbers when Num Lock is on.
- Turn off Filter Keys and Sticky Keys in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
- Update or reinstall the keyboard driver in Device Manager.
- If the keyboard works in the BIOS but not in Windows, the problem is software.
- If keys stopped after a spill, shut the laptop down, unplug it, turn it upside down and get it checked. Do not keep using it.
A USB or Bluetooth keyboard is a quick temporary fix. For repair costs, see our laptop repair cost guide.
How to type faster on a laptop
- Learn touch typing: keep your fingers on the home row (A S D F and J K L ;) and use all ten fingers.
- Practise 15 minutes a day on a free typing website.
- Look at the screen, not the keys.
- Use a laptop with a good keyboard. ThinkPad and EliteBook keyboards are known for comfortable key travel, which helps students and freelancers who type all day.
