Windows productivity shortcuts and performance troubleshooting tools

Users of Windows 10 and 11 can improve productivity and troubleshoot system performance using various built-in shortcuts and free third-party tools.

Key keyboard shortcuts to increase efficiency include Win+V for clipboard history, Win+Shift+S for screen captures, and Win+D to quickly show the desktop. Other useful commands include Win+L to lock the computer, Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager directly, and Win+Arrow keys for window snapping.

To address system slowdowns, several free tools can help diagnose issues. CrystalDiskInfo can be used to check the health and temperature of HDDs or SSDs via S.M.A.R.T. data. AppControl allows for managing which applications are authorized to run, while WinDirStat helps identify files occupying excessive disk space. Additionally, Autoruns can be utilized to see which programs are configured to start automatically with the operating system.