Why does Zoom use Alt instead of Ctrl on Windows?

This is Zoom's own design decision. Most Windows applications use Ctrl for keyboard shortcuts, but Zoom uses Alt for its call controls. There's no technical reason it couldn't use Ctrl, it's simply how Zoom chose to implement its shortcut set on Windows.

Does push to talk work in Zoom on Windows?

Yes. While muted, hold Space to temporarily unmute. Release Space to mute again. Push to talk requires no setup, it's available by default on Windows.

Are the Zoom shortcuts the same on Windows and Linux?

Yes. Both use Alt as the primary modifier and the same keyboard combinations. The shortcut set is identical between the two platforms.

Zoom Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows

Keyboard shortcuts for Zoom on Windows. Mute and unmute, manage participants, share your screen, and run chat. Zoom on Windows uses Alt, not Ctrl.

Change focus to Zoom Meeting controls (on top when sharing screen): Ctrl+Alt+Shift
View the previous page of video participants in gallery view: Pg Up
View the next page of video participants in gallery view: Pg Dn
Toggle the option Always show meeting controls in General settings: Alt
Switch to Speaker view: Alt+F1
Switch to Gallery view: Alt+F2
Close the current window: Alt+F4
Start/stop video: Alt+V
Mute/unmute audio: Alt+A
Mute/unmute audio for everyone except host (for host only): Alt+M
Open share screen window or stop screen share if already sharing: Alt+S
Show/hide windows and applications available to share: Alt+Shift+S
Pause or resume screen share: Alt+T
Start/stop computer recording: Alt+R
Start/stop cloud recording: Alt+C
Pause/resume recording: Alt+P
Switch camera: Alt+N
Enter or exit full screen mode: Alt+F
Show/hide in-meeting chat panel: Alt+H
Show/hide participants panel: Alt+U
Open invite window: Alt+I
Copy invitation link: Alt+Shift+I

Raise/lower hand: Alt+Y
Display prompt to end or leave meeting: Alt+Q
Begin remote control: Alt+Shift+R
Revoke/give up remote control permission: Alt+Shift+G
Read active speaker name: Ctrl+2
Show/hide floating meeting controls: Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H
Increase chat display size: Ctrl+=
Decrease chat display size: Ctrl+-
Focus input field (only usable when in chat window): Alt+Shift+E
Focus last received parent message in the chat history (only usable when in the chat window): Ctrl+Shift+U
Focus list of chats (only usable when in the chat window): Ctrl+L
Jump to start of unread messages (only usable when in the chat window): Ctrl+Shift+N
Start new chat with meeting participants (only usable when in the chat window): Ctrl+N
Open the AI Companion window (only opens the in-meeting chat AI Companion): Ctrl+Shift+O
Open Reactions panel: Ctrl+Shift+Y
Send audible clap: Alt+Shift+4
Send thumbs up: Alt+Shift+5
Send heart: Alt+Shift+6
Send joy: Alt+Shift+7
Send open mouth: Alt+Shift+8
Send tada: Alt+Shift+9

Screenshot: Alt+Shift+T
Hide current chat session: Ctrl+W
Go to previous chat: Ctrl+Up
Go to next chat: Ctrl+Down
Back in chat history: Alt+Left
Forward in chat history: Alt+Right

Start a new chat: Ctrl+N
Focus to list of all chats and channels: Ctrl+L
Focus keyboard to latest message in current group chat or channel: Ctrl+Shift+U
Add member to current group chat or channel: Ctrl+Alt+I
Jump to start of new messages in the current group chat or channel: Alt+N
Insert a hyperlink: Ctrl+K

Call highlighted phone number: Ctrl+P
Accept inbound call: Ctrl+Shift+A
End current call: Ctrl+Shift+E
Decline inbound call: Ctrl+Shift+D

Mute/unmute call: Ctrl+Shift+M
Hold/unhold call: Ctrl+Shift+H
Transfer call: Ctrl+Shift+T

Open the AI Companion panel (out of meeting): Ctrl+Shift+O
Open the Calendar panel: Ctrl+Shift+J
Close current window: Alt+F4
Search: Ctrl+F
Navigate among Zoom popup windows: F6
Switch to next product tab: Ctrl+Tab

Switch to previous product tab: Ctrl+Shift+Tab
Switch to the specified product tab: Ctrl+<1-8>
Switch to the last product tab: Ctrl+9
Switch between Portrait and Landscape views: Alt+L
Start network diagnostic: Ctrl+Alt+Shift+D

Intro

Zoom on Windows uses Alt as its primary modifier for call control shortcuts, not Ctrl, which is what most Windows applications use. If you've tried Ctrl combinations in Zoom and they haven't worked, this is why. Alt+A is the mute shortcut. Alt applies throughout the Zoom call control shortcut set.

Windows-specific shortcut notes

Alt modifier throughout. Zoom's call control shortcuts use Alt on Windows. This is consistent across mute, video, sharing, hand raise, and meeting controls.

Mute and unmute. Alt+A toggles the microphone. This is the shortcut to memorize first.

Push to talk. While muted, hold the Space bar to temporarily unmute. Speak, then release Space. Push to talk is available on Windows without any configuration and works alongside the Alt+A toggle.

Video on/off. Alt+V starts and stops the camera.

Screen sharing. Alt+S starts and stops screen sharing. Alt+T pauses and resumes an active screen share.

Chat and participants. Alt+H toggles the chat window. Alt+U opens the participants panel.

Raise hand. Alt+Y raises or lowers your hand in a meeting.

Full screen. Alt+F enters and exits full-screen mode.

Printable PDF

The Zoom Windows shortcut list is available as a printable PDF. The Alt-based pattern is worth printing during the initial adjustment period, particularly if you regularly use other Windows communication tools that use Ctrl and need a quick reminder of Zoom's different convention.

FAQ

Need more than shortcuts?
Visit the Zoom app page for an overview and helpful links.

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