Continuum for phones is a fantastic new feature that Microsoft is including in Windows 10 Mobile. The feature allows you to transform your phone easily into a computer-like experience by using the Microsoft Display Dock or Miracast to connect the handset to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Once you have set up Continuum, you can easily go to the Start screen to open and work on any Universal Windows app. Although, Continuum isn't exactly the same experience like working with the desktop version of Windows 10, it's very similar, and you can get a lot of work done when you're not near to your main computer.

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In addition to the familiar user interface and being able to work on the same Universal Windows apps, you can use on the desktop version of the operating system using Continuum, you can also get a lot of work done faster using keyboard shortcuts to navigate and perform different tasks.

As you probably already know, Continuum in Windows 10 Mobile supports many of the keyboard shortcuts you can use in Windows 10 for PC, but not every shortcut is supported. Here's what is supported in the Continuum experience:

Keyboard shortcut Action
Keyboard shortcut Action
Windows Key Open/Close Start screen
Windows Key + A Open Action Center
Windows Key + C Open Cortana in listening mode
Windows Key + E Open File Explorer
Windows Key + I Open Settings
Windows Key + K Open the Connect quick action
Windows Key + L Lock your handset
Windows Key + O Lock device orientation
Windows Key + P Open display settings
Windows Key + S Open search (Cortana in search mode)
Windows Key + U Open Ease of Access Center
Windows Key + Tab Open Task view
Windows Key + Backspace Go back
Windows Key + Spacebar Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows Key + Print Screen Take a screenshot. However, you need a keyboard that includes the Print Screen key. If not, you can't take screenshots on the external display
Alt + Tab Switch between open apps

It's worth pointing out that a few other Windows shortcuts may work as well, but we're listing only the shortcuts officially supported in Windows 10 Mobile using Continuum. For example, Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V shortcuts to cut and paste content work inside of apps, but they are not fully supported across Continuum in places like File Explorer (you cannot cut and paste files with these shortcuts, for example).

Also, note that in order to use Continuum for phones, you need a new handset, such as Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. Older Windows phones do not support the feature due to hardware limitations, even once they're updated to Windows 10 Mobile

Do you have any specific shortcut you like to use with Continuum for phones? Tell us in the comments below.

More resources

If you want to read more about Windows phones, make sure you check these resources:

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