Core Troubleshooting Shortcuts

Win + Ctrl + Shift + B

Reset graphics driver

  • Reinitializes the GPU driver (screen may flicker)
  • Fixes black screens, frozen displays, driver crashes
  • Emits a short beep after reset

Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Open Task Manager (direct)

  • Works even when Explorer is frozen
  • Kill hung apps or restart Explorer

Ctrl + Alt + Del

Secure system menu

  • Access Task Manager, Sign out, Lock, Switch user
  • Works when the shell is unstable

Alt + F4

Close current application

  • If no app is focused → Shut Down Windows dialog
  • Useful when UI barely responds

Explorer & Shell Recovery

Win + X

Power User Menu

  • Device Manager, Event Viewer, Terminal, Settings
  • Essential diagnostics hub

Win + R

Run dialog Common recovery commands:

  • taskmgr
  • eventvwr
  • devmgmt.msc
  • services.msc
  • msconfig
  • control

Win + E

Open File Explorer

  • Can revive Explorer after a crash

Display & Desktop Issues

Win + P

Switch display mode

  • Fixes wrong monitor / projector mode
  • Cycle Duplicate / Extend / Second Screen Only

Win + Ctrl + D

Create new virtual desktop

  • Escape a frozen or broken desktop

Win + Ctrl + ← / →

Switch virtual desktops

  • Bypass unresponsive apps

Win + Ctrl + Shift + ← / →

Move window between desktops

  • Rescue apps stuck on a dead desktop

Audio & Input Troubleshooting

Win + Ctrl + V

Sound output selector

  • Fixes no-sound issues caused by wrong device

Win + Space

Switch input language / keyboard

  • Fixes incorrect characters while typing

Diagnostics & Accessibility

Win + Ctrl + Enter

Toggle Narrator

  • Recover usability when display rendering fails

Win + Ctrl + C

Toggle color filters

  • Fix accidental grayscale or inverted colors

Win + + / −

Magnifier

  • Diagnose scaling or DPI issues

Recovery & Restart

Shift + Restart

Advanced Recovery

  • Safe Mode
  • Startup Repair
  • System Restore
  • Command Prompt

Hold Power Button (10s)

Hard power-off

  • Last-resort kernel reset

Lesser-Known Helpers

Win + Ctrl + O

On-Screen Keyboard

  • Diagnose keyboard driver or hardware issues

Quick Playbook

  1. Display glitch? → Win + Ctrl + Shift + B
  2. App frozen? → Ctrl + Shift + Esc
  3. Desktop broken? → Win + Ctrl + D
  4. No audio? → Win + Ctrl + V
  5. Wrong monitor? → Win + P
  6. System unstable? → Ctrl + Alt + Del → Restart