Windows 10 comes with dozens of keyboard shortcuts, but it doesn’t have a single settings page for changing them. Instead, you have a few tools depending on what you want: assign your own shortcut keys to open apps, change the keys that switch input languages, remap any key or shortcut with Microsoft PowerToys, or customize shortcuts inside individual apps. This guide covers each approach.
Quick Answer
To create a shortcut that opens an app, right-click the app’s desktop shortcut, choose Properties, click the Shortcut key box, press a key (Windows adds Ctrl + Alt), and click OK. To remap existing shortcuts, install Microsoft PowerToys and use Keyboard Manager > Remap a shortcut.
Method 1: Create Shortcut Keys to Open Apps
- Find the app’s shortcut on the desktop. If there isn’t one, open Start, drag the app to the desktop, or right-click it > More > Open file location and use the shortcut there.
- Right-click the shortcut and choose Properties.
- On the Shortcut tab, click in the Shortcut key box.
- Press a letter or number. Windows turns it into Ctrl + Alt + [key]. You can also press Ctrl + Shift + a key, or a function key on its own.
- Click OK. Approve the administrator prompt if one appears.
Shortcut keys work only for shortcuts on the desktop or in the Start menu folders. Avoid combinations that apps already use, such as Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
Method 2: Remap Keys and Shortcuts with PowerToys
PowerToys is a free Microsoft utility that adds a Keyboard Manager for remapping.
- Install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or its official GitHub page.
- Open PowerToys and select Keyboard Manager. Make sure Enable Keyboard Manager is on.
- To change a single key (for example, make Caps Lock act as Ctrl), click Remap a key, click +, choose the original key and the new key, and click OK.
- To change a shortcut (for example, make Ctrl + Shift + S open the Snipping Tool, or swap Ctrl + C with another combination), click Remap a shortcut, click +, enter the original shortcut and the new one, optionally limit it to a specific app, and click OK.
Remaps work while PowerToys is running. To undo, delete the row in Keyboard Manager or turn it off.
Method 3: Change Language-Switching Shortcuts
- Open Settings > Devices > Typing.
- Click Advanced keyboard settings, then Input language hot keys.
- Select Between input languages and click Change Key Sequence.
- Choose Left Alt + Shift, Ctrl + Shift, Grave Accent, or Not Assigned, then click OK.
This is the fix if pressing Ctrl + Shift or Alt + Shift keeps switching your keyboard layout by accident.
Method 4: Use Print Screen for Screen Snipping
Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and turn on Use the PrtScn button to open screen snipping. Pressing Print Screen then opens the snipping toolbar instead of copying the full screen.
Method 5: Customize Shortcuts in Individual Apps
- Microsoft Word, Excel, and other Office apps: File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Keyboard shortcuts: Customize (Word). Excel has limited options, but you can add commands to the Quick Access Toolbar and use Alt + number.
- Chrome and Edge: extension shortcuts are set at chrome://extensions/shortcuts or edge://extensions/shortcuts.
- Games and creative apps usually have a Controls or Keyboard section in their settings.
Turn Off Annoying Shortcuts
- Sticky Keys (Shift pressed five times): Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard, and turn off Allow the shortcut key to start Sticky Keys.
- Filter Keys (holding right Shift): same page, turn off the Filter Keys shortcut.
- Any Windows key shortcut: use PowerToys to remap it to Disable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change built-in Windows shortcuts like Windows + E without extra software?
Not through Settings. You’d need PowerToys or edit the registry, and PowerToys is the safer, easily reversible option.
Why doesn’t my new shortcut key work?
The shortcut must be on the desktop or in the Start menu, and another app might already use that combination. Try a different key.
How do I reset keyboard shortcuts to default?
Delete your custom shortcut keys in each shortcut’s Properties, remove PowerToys remaps, and reset language hot keys to Left Alt + Shift.
Summary
- Assign app shortcuts in Properties > Shortcut key.
- Remap keys and shortcuts with PowerToys Keyboard Manager.
- Change language-switch keys in Advanced keyboard settings.
- Customize app-specific shortcuts inside each app.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.