What is a hotkey? It’s a special key or key combo on your keyboard that lets you do things super fast—like copy, paste, or open apps in a snap. Hotkeys help you skip the mouse and save time, whether you’re doing homework or playing games.

Knowing what a hotkey is can speed up your work. You don’t have to dig through menus or grab the mouse every time. Windows, macOS, Linux—they all support hotkeys. Tons of programs even let you set up your own for whatever you do most.

Honestly, these shortcuts aren’t just for techies. Anyone can use them to save time and maybe look like a wizard in front of coworkers.

Try out a few, and you’ll start to realize how much smoother your day can go.

What Is a Hotkey?

A hotkey, sometimes called a keyboard shortcut, is a single key or a set of keys you press on your keyboard to carry out a specific action or command in a program or your operating system. It’s basically a faster way to get things done compared to using a mouse or typing out full instructions.

Your computer recognizes the combo and does the job right away. You’ll find hotkeys built into Windows, macOS, Linux, and most software.

Programs love hotkeys for things like saving files (Ctrl + S) or undoing mistakes (Ctrl + Z). Some hotkeys even launch apps or tools instantly.

It’s usually possible to tweak or create your own hotkeys for certain things. Maybe you want a hotkey to open your favorite app or mute the sound in a flash.

Once you get used to them, hotkeys really speed things up and make your computer feel a bit more like it’s working for you—not the other way around.

Hotkeys vs. Shortcut Keys: What’s the Difference?

Hotkeys and shortcut keys sort of overlap, but they’re not quite the same. Both let you skip the mouse, but they’re used differently.

Shortcut keys are combos that help you reach menu options or commands. You’ll see underlined letters in menus—like Alt + F for File. These usually only work when you’re in a certain menu or window.

Hotkeys tend to work everywhere, or at least in more places. You could set up a hotkey to open a program anytime, no matter what’s on screen. Hotkeys almost always use a modifier key like Ctrl, Alt, or Shift; shortcut keys might just be one key.

It’s handy to know the difference. If you want to move faster, learning a few basic hotkeys can make a real difference.

If you love using hotkeys, a compact layout can help. Check out our 75% layout keyboards collection for space-saving designs packed with shortcut power.

Why Use Hotkeys?

Hotkeys exist to save you time and effort. If you’re on a computer a lot—work, school, home—they’re honestly a lifesaver.

Productivity, Efficiency, and Accessibility Benefits

Hotkeys let you zip through tasks. Press a couple of keys and you’re done, instead of clicking around. Like, Ctrl + C for copy—way faster than right-clicking and picking from a menu.

People who use certain programs all the time can launch them or do stuff almost instantly. Graphic designers, writers, coders—they all lean on hotkeys. Sometimes it’s just expected in certain jobs.

Hotkeys also help with accessibility. If using a mouse is tough, keyboard shortcuts give you more control. It’s a big deal for folks with motor challenges or even just a sore wrist.

Common Hotkey Examples and Everyday Uses

Here are some hotkeys you’ll probably use a lot:

Every OS and app has its own quirks. For example, Windows key + D shows your desktop, while Command + Space on a Mac pops up Spotlight search.

In browsers, Ctrl + T opens a new tab. Learning a few of these means you won’t have to take your hands off the keyboard as much.

The feel of your hotkeys depends on your switches. See all your options in our Keychron mechanical keyboard switches collection and find your perfect match.

How To Set Up and Customize Hotkeys

Hotkeys let you get things done with a quick combo instead of endless mouse clicks. If you know the handy ones—and how to make your own—you’ll get through work faster and probably avoid a few headaches.

Most Useful Hotkeys for Beginners

Just starting out? Try these for daily stuff:

Stuff like Ctrl + S (save) or Alt + Tab (switch apps) is a real time-saver. Mastering these basics makes a big difference.

Setting Up & Managing Hotkeys with Keychron Launcher

Keychron Launcher is Keychron’s official web-based configurator (supports QMK/ZMK). It lets you effortlessly define:

• Custom hotkeys & key combos
• Macros (e.g., assign one key to send Shift+Command+4)
• Layered shortcuts, LED lighting settings, knob behavior, and more

Understanding hotkeys is just the beginning. Want to make your keyboard work exactly the way you like? Read How to Customize Your Keyboard’s Feel, Look, and Function for easy tips!

Using Keychron Launcher to Customize Hotkeys

1. Connect & Pick Up

• Attach your keyboard via USB and visit launcher.keychron.com in a Chromium-based browser.
• Click Connect+, choose your keyboard model, and hit Connect .

2. Remap Keys

• Navigate to Keymap, select a key, and choose its new function from categories like Basic, Media, Macro, Special, Layer, Lighting, or Custom.

3. Build Macros

• Open the Macro tab, select a slot, and Record a sequence (e.g., Shift+Cmd+4 for screenshot). Submit it, then assign it to any key.

4. Harness Layers

• Keychron supports four layers. Assign layer switches—like MO(n) momentary, TG(n) toggle, TT(n) tap-toggle, and others—to keys so holding or tapping changes layers.

5. Tweak HE Mode (for Q HE series)

• In HE Mode, customize per‑key actuation distance, rapid‑trigger sensitivity, release threshold, analog curves, and LED behavior.

6. Save, Export, Flash

• Save your configuration and export a JSON backup.
• Launcher can also flash firmware directly via your browser.

Bringing It All Together

Hotkeys are more than just time-savers—they’re personalized gateways to workflows. Keychron Launcher transforms your keyboard into an optimized command center:

Final Thoughts

Hotkeys are simple tools that can make using your computer much faster and easier. By learning just a few key combos, you can save time and get more done every day.

Whether you’re new to computers or want to work smarter, hotkeys are a quick way to boost your skills. Try using some today and see how much easier your digital life can be!

Hotkeys can make your typing faster, but the right keyboard makes it even better. Discover how to pick the perfect one in our guide, How to Choose A Custom Mechanical Keyboard?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hotkey mode on a laptop?

Hotkey mode lets function keys (F1–F12) perform system actions—like adjusting volume or brightness—without holding the Fn key. On many laptops, you toggle this in BIOS or system settings.

With a Keychron keyboard, you can achieve the same functionality (and more) by remapping function keys through the Keychron Launcher, assigning custom actions, media controls, or shortcuts with ease.

What is the Launcher utility?

Keychron Launcher is a browser-based configuration tool that lets you customize your keyboard layout without any software installation. You can remap keys, set up macros, switch layers, and even flash firmware—right from your browser. It works best in Chrome, Edge, or Opera and is available at launcher.keychron.com. It’s the fastest way to take full control of your keyboard’s behavior.

What is a hotkey in gaming?

In gaming, hotkeys trigger quick actions like using skills, opening maps, or switching weapons. Keychron Launcher makes it easy to assign these commands to specific keys or macros, helping you play more efficiently. You can even create separate layers for gaming, so your layout stays clean and responsive while you play.

How do hotkeys improve productivity?

Hotkeys save time by letting you perform actions instantly—no clicking through menus. With Launcher, you can map complex commands to a single key, switch between work modes with layers, or automate frequent tasks with macros. Over time, those seconds saved with each shortcut really add up.

How do I turn off hotkeys on my laptop?

On most laptops, you disable or change hotkeys through BIOS or manufacturer settings. With Keychron keyboards, simply open Launcher and delete or remap any unwanted shortcut. You have full control, without needing extra software.

How do I refresh a window on a laptop?

Pressing F5 refreshes most browsers and windows. If your laptop uses hotkey mode, you might need to press Fn + F5. With Keychron, you can assign a refresh macro to any key using Launcher, so reloading is just one tap—no Fn key needed.