I’m still getting used to keyboard shortcuts and want to understand how to cut and paste on a keyboard efficiently. Do the shortcuts differ between Windows and macOS, and are there alternative methods if the usual commands don’t work?
The easiest way is to just memorize the basics: Ctrl + X, Ctrl + C, and Ctrl + V on Windows. On macOS, it’s Command instead of Ctrl. Once you use them daily, muscle memory kicks in pretty fast.
On Windows and Linux, cut and paste relies on the Control key, while macOS uses the Command key due to its Unix-based interface design. Most applications respect these system-level shortcuts unless overridden.
Honestly, I used to forget them all the time. I stuck a small note near my keyboard for a week, and after that it just clicked. Practice really helps more than reading about it.
If keyboard shortcuts didn’t exist, we’d all still be right-clicking like it’s 2005. But yeah, Ctrl/Command + V basically runs the modern world at this point.
If shortcuts don’t work, check whether the app uses custom bindings. Some IDEs and design tools override default behavior. You can usually reset shortcuts in the settings menu.
I struggled at first because I was using a laptop without realizing the Fn key changes behavior. Once I figured that out, everything started working normally.
