Windows + Number (1 to 9) Keyboard Shortcuts – Full Guide

The Windows + Number (1–9) keyboard shortcuts are incredibly efficient tools built into Windows that allow users to quickly launch or switch to applications pinned on the taskbar. Despite being lesser-known among casual users, these shortcuts can save countless clicks and seconds throughout the day.

In this article, we explore how the Windows+Number (1–9) shortcuts work, how they apply in Microsoft applications, third-party software, troubleshooting when they don’t work, and what the Mac alternatives are.

🔹 What Do Windows+Number (1 to 9) Shortcuts Do?

These shortcuts are designed to launch or switch to apps that are pinned to your Windows taskbar:

• Windows + 1 opens or focuses on the first pinned app.
• Windows + 2 opens or focuses on the second pinned app.
• …and so on, up to Windows + 9, which accesses the ninth pinned app.

If the app is already open, the shortcut will bring it to focus. If multiple windows of that app are open, tapping the shortcut cycles through them.

🔸 Use in Microsoft Applications

The effectiveness of these shortcuts shines when frequently using Microsoft apps pinned to the taskbar.

📝 Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

If you pin Word (e.g., as the 1st app), Windows + 1 will:

• Launch Word if it’s not open.
• Switch to Word if it’s already running.
• Cycle through open Word windows if more than one is open.

This is particularly helpful for switching between Office apps while multitasking.

📧 Microsoft Outlook

With Outlook pinned, you can quickly jump to your inbox using the appropriate shortcut (e.g., Windows + 2).

💬 Microsoft Teams

If Teams is pinned, Windows + 3 can instantly bring it to the front—no need to click or Alt+Tab.

📊 Power BI, Access

Pin tools like Power BI to the taskbar and use a numbered shortcut to call it up quickly during data analysis tasks.

🔹 Use in Other Applications

These shortcuts are equally useful across third-party software, browsers, and utilities.

🌐 Web Browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)

Most users pin their favorite browser to the taskbar. If Chrome is in the first position, pressing Windows + 1 opens it instantly.

Also works to:

• Open a new window with Shift + Windows + [number].
• Open a new incognito window in Chrome with Ctrl + Shift + N after launching.

🎨 Creative and Editing Tools (Photoshop, Adobe Premiere)

You can pin Photoshop, Lightroom, or any editor to the taskbar and use the number shortcut to instantly switch back during creative workflows.

🧰 Developer Tools (VS Code, GitHub Desktop)

Pin Visual Studio Code or your terminal as the 4th app and launch it with Windows + 4—fast and frictionless.

📁 File Explorer

If File Explorer is pinned, it becomes instantly accessible with Windows + [number].

⚠️ FAQs

There are some scenarios where Windows + (1–9) might not work as expected:

1. App Not Pinned to Taskbar

If the app isn’t pinned, the shortcut will do nothing. To fix this, right-click the app icon in the taskbar and select “Pin to taskbar.”

2. Wrong Order

These shortcuts are position-sensitive. The numbers correspond to left-to-right order on the taskbar, starting from the first app (excluding Start, Search, and Task View buttons).

3. Administrator Permissions

If the app requires administrator privileges, Windows may not switch to it unless manually confirmed or pinned with correct privileges.

4. Group Policy Restrictions

In managed environments, these shortcuts may be restricted by IT administrators.

🍎 Mac Equivalent

macOS does not offer a direct equivalent to Windows + (1–9), but here are some alternatives:

1. Command + Tab

Cycles between open apps, similar to Alt + Tab on Windows, but doesn’t launch pinned apps.

2. Dock + Keyboard Tools

Apps like Alfred, LaunchBar, or Raycast allow assigning shortcuts to specific apps, mimicking this behavior.

3. Mission Control + Hot Corners

While not keyboard shortcuts, these macOS features help with quick app switching.

✅ Summary Table

📝 Final Thoughts

The Windows+Number (1 through 9) shortcuts offer some of the most direct, time-saving controls for accessing and managing your workspace. Whether you’re juggling Office files, jumping between development tools, or switching from Outlook to Teams, these shortcuts bring speed and simplicity to multitasking.

Unlike Alt + Tab, which cycles through all open apps, Windows+Number (1–9) lets you jump directly to what matters, reducing errors and increasing productivity. For power users and casual multitaskers alike, mastering these shortcuts is a smart move.

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