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.

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

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.

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

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.

Tags: #System
Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

How to Clear NVIDIA Shader Cache on Windows

How to Clear NVIDIA Shader Cache on Windows

Clearing the NVIDIA Shader Cache will reset the system, forcing it to rebuild with new data. Here are instructions for clearing the NVIDIA Shader Cache.

Summary of some simple ways to disable USB ports on Windows computers

Summary of some simple ways to disable USB ports on Windows computers

Unlocking USB ports in BIOS is not difficult. However, how to lock computer USB ports? Let's find out with Quantrimang.com!

Extremely simple tips to change IP without VPN

Extremely simple tips to change IP without VPN

Being blocked online can be frustrating, whether it's a forum lockout, a game ban, or a temporary IP restriction. The good news is that you don't always need a VPN to get around these restrictions.

How to Take Advantage of the Performance Tab in Task Manager

How to Take Advantage of the Performance Tab in Task Manager

When your computer crashes, seeing how everything is running can help you troubleshoot. And when everything is working, this information can also help you optimize your system.

5 tips to help your Windows 11 laptop battery last all day

5 tips to help your Windows 11 laptop battery last all day

Windows laptops aren't known for their battery life, at least not without some tweaking. But these tips will help your laptop last all day without having to find a power outlet.

Enable or disable the built-in Administrator account on Windows

Enable or disable the built-in Administrator account on Windows

Windows 10/11 includes a hidden Administrator account that you can use to manage all the important data on your computer. Let's see how to enable or disable the built-in Administrator account on Windows 10/11!

Instructions to fix System Service Exception error on Windows

Instructions to fix System Service Exception error on Windows

System Service Exception or SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION is one of the BSOD errors (blue screen of death errors). System Service Exceptions errors occur quite commonly and continuously.

Recover Deleted Data with Recuva Portable in Windows 7

Recover Deleted Data with Recuva Portable in Windows 7

In the following article, we will present the basic operations to recover deleted data in Windows 7 with the support tool Recuva Portable. With Recuva Portable, you can store it in any convenient USB, and use it whenever needed. The tool is compact, simple, easy to use with some of the following features:

How to delete duplicate files to save computer memory using CCleaner

How to delete duplicate files to save computer memory using CCleaner

CCleaner scans for duplicate files in just a few minutes, then lets you decide which ones are safe to delete.

10 Windows Settings You Should Never Leave as Default

10 Windows Settings You Should Never Leave as Default

Windows doesn't come with security set up by default, which means there are some default settings you need to change.

How to Download, Update, and Troubleshoot USB Drivers on Windows 10

How to Download, Update, and Troubleshoot USB Drivers on Windows 10

USB devices have become indispensable in everyday life, allowing us to connect a wide variety of essential hardware to our PCs.

How to Lock Guest Wi-Fi Network So No One Can Spy

How to Lock Guest Wi-Fi Network So No One Can Spy

If you properly lock down your guest Wi-Fi network, you can share your Internet connection with any visitors without sharing any other information.

Lost Admin rights on Windows 10, heres how to fix it

Lost Admin rights on Windows 10, heres how to fix it

For some reason, your Windows 10 computer lost Admin rights, every time you open an application on the screen you receive an error message. So how to restore lost Admin rights, please refer to the article below of WebTech360.

3 ways to turn off Windows 11 firewall

3 ways to turn off Windows 11 firewall

In this article, WebTech360 will guide you how to turn off the firewall on Windows 11.

Windows 11 22H2: Moment 1 update with many notable features

Windows 11 22H2: Moment 1 update with many notable features

After a long wait, the first major update of Windows 11 has officially been released.

How to Clear NVIDIA Shader Cache on Windows

How to Clear NVIDIA Shader Cache on Windows

Clearing the NVIDIA Shader Cache will reset the system, forcing it to rebuild with new data. Here are instructions for clearing the NVIDIA Shader Cache.

Summary of some simple ways to disable USB ports on Windows computers

Summary of some simple ways to disable USB ports on Windows computers

Unlocking USB ports in BIOS is not difficult. However, how to lock computer USB ports? Let's find out with Quantrimang.com!

Extremely simple tips to change IP without VPN

Extremely simple tips to change IP without VPN

Being blocked online can be frustrating, whether it's a forum lockout, a game ban, or a temporary IP restriction. The good news is that you don't always need a VPN to get around these restrictions.

How to Take Advantage of the Performance Tab in Task Manager

How to Take Advantage of the Performance Tab in Task Manager

When your computer crashes, seeing how everything is running can help you troubleshoot. And when everything is working, this information can also help you optimize your system.

5 tips to help your Windows 11 laptop battery last all day

5 tips to help your Windows 11 laptop battery last all day

Windows laptops aren't known for their battery life, at least not without some tweaking. But these tips will help your laptop last all day without having to find a power outlet.

Enable or disable the built-in Administrator account on Windows

Enable or disable the built-in Administrator account on Windows

Windows 10/11 includes a hidden Administrator account that you can use to manage all the important data on your computer. Let's see how to enable or disable the built-in Administrator account on Windows 10/11!

Instructions to fix System Service Exception error on Windows

Instructions to fix System Service Exception error on Windows

System Service Exception or SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION is one of the BSOD errors (blue screen of death errors). System Service Exceptions errors occur quite commonly and continuously.

Recover Deleted Data with Recuva Portable in Windows 7

Recover Deleted Data with Recuva Portable in Windows 7

In the following article, we will present the basic operations to recover deleted data in Windows 7 with the support tool Recuva Portable. With Recuva Portable, you can store it in any convenient USB, and use it whenever needed. The tool is compact, simple, easy to use with some of the following features:

How to delete duplicate files to save computer memory using CCleaner

How to delete duplicate files to save computer memory using CCleaner

CCleaner scans for duplicate files in just a few minutes, then lets you decide which ones are safe to delete.

10 Windows Settings You Should Never Leave as Default

10 Windows Settings You Should Never Leave as Default

Windows doesn't come with security set up by default, which means there are some default settings you need to change.

How to Download, Update, and Troubleshoot USB Drivers on Windows 10

How to Download, Update, and Troubleshoot USB Drivers on Windows 10

USB devices have become indispensable in everyday life, allowing us to connect a wide variety of essential hardware to our PCs.

How to Lock Guest Wi-Fi Network So No One Can Spy

How to Lock Guest Wi-Fi Network So No One Can Spy

If you properly lock down your guest Wi-Fi network, you can share your Internet connection with any visitors without sharing any other information.

Lost Admin rights on Windows 10, heres how to fix it

Lost Admin rights on Windows 10, heres how to fix it

For some reason, your Windows 10 computer lost Admin rights, every time you open an application on the screen you receive an error message. So how to restore lost Admin rights, please refer to the article below of WebTech360.

3 ways to turn off Windows 11 firewall

3 ways to turn off Windows 11 firewall

In this article, WebTech360 will guide you how to turn off the firewall on Windows 11.

Windows 11 22H2: Moment 1 update with many notable features

Windows 11 22H2: Moment 1 update with many notable features

After a long wait, the first major update of Windows 11 has officially been released.