What is the use of the shortcut Ctrl + Z on Windows? Probably more than you think

Ctrl + Z is an extremely popular key combination on Windows. However, not many people really know the full uses of this versatile shortcut. Let's learn about the great uses of the Ctrl + Z shortcut right after this.

If you are a regular Windows computer user, chances are you have never really taken full advantage of keyboard shortcuts. This is not a big problem. Even without using keyboard shortcuts, you can still use Windows as usual. However, taking advantage of keyboard shortcuts will help you use Windows more simply, productively and effectively.

Undo input or editing errors

Ctrl + Z basically lets you undo actions in all areas of Windows . A common use for this shortcut is to undo an action in tasks like typing, video editing, image editing, and many other types of software. Whether you're working in Word, email, a coding tool, a browser input field, or any other program on your Windows PC, simply press Ctrl + Z if you want to undo an action you just performed.

The same goes for third-party software that runs on Windows, like PhotoShop and InDesign. Just press Ctrl + Z to undo an action you just did.

Note that depending on the software, you may be able to repeatedly press Ctrl + Z to undo multiple actions. Each program has its own limits, but many will cap it at 20 undos. You will not be able to “go back further in time.”

Recover files and folders

Have you ever accidentally deleted a file or folder in Windows 10? In this situation, many people will have the habit of accessing the Recycle Bin and restoring it. But if you want to save time, just press Ctrl + Z to bring back the file you just deleted.

Redo everything with Ctrl + Y

It would be a big mistake to talk about Ctrl + Z without mentioning the Redo command. Anything you undo with Ctrl + Z can be redone with Ctrl + Y (or Ctrl + Shift + Z in some applications).

Sometimes you may have pressed Ctrl + Z too many times, or decided after some thought that you really wanted to delete that file. Just press Ctrl + Y to reverse the undo command.

Try deleting a bunch of text by pressing Ctrl + Z five times and you can get it all back by pressing Ctrl + Y five times.

Create file in command line

In the Windows command line, the Ctrl + Z shortcut has a very different use. One of the ways it works here is with the copy con command, which is used to create files via the command line.

To try, enter:

copy con testfile.txt
[Dòng này chứa văn bản bạn muốn xuất hiện trong tệp bạn đang tạo]

Once you have entered the text you want to appear in your newly created file, press Ctrl + Z (it will appear as ^Z in the command line). When you are finished, press Enter.

You can now browse to the directory in the command line and find the newly created file there.

Pause processes in command line

Another function of Ctrl + Z in the command line is to immediately pause the process you are running in the command line. This can be useful in case it is a long process, containing a specific part that you want to immediately check without having to wait for the whole process to finish.

Basically, when you press Ctrl + Z, a SIGTSTP signal  is sent. To resume the process, just press Ctrl + Z again.

That’s all you need to know about the Ctrl + Z shortcut. Remember, it works in any program – from word processors to Photoshop and video editing tools on Windows. Make good use of the shortcut and you’ll see a marked improvement in your productivity.