Windows 11 is a great operating system, but it can be a little daunting for newcomers to try and figure out all the ins and outs. That’s where keyboard shortcuts come in; by learning a few of them, you can speed up your workflow.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of some crucial keyboard shortcuts you should know so that you can get started right away!
Apps and Features
| Windows key + A |
Open the quick settings panel |
↑This allows you to control the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your device and adjust the brightness of your screen, volume, and more.
| Windows key + C |
Open chat with Microsoft Teams |
↑This new feature in Windows allows you to have a quick panel so that you can see your recent messages and contacts in Microsoft Teams. You can also start meetings and calls directly from this panel.
| Windows key + D |
Show/hide the desktop |
↑Hiding the shortcut to the desktop means all your apps are hidden, and showing the desktop restores all your apps in their original position
| Windows key + E |
Open File Explorer |
| Windows key + F |
Open the Feedback Hub to take an instant screenshot |
| Windows key + G |
Open the Xbox Game bar |
↑With these shortcuts, you can record videos, access multiple features while playing a game, and take screenshots.
| Windows key + Alt + B |
Turn HDR On or Off |
↑This demands an HDR-compatible monitor and the latest Xbox Game Bar app edition.
| Windows key + Alt + R |
Record a video of your app or game with Xbox game bar. |
| Windows key + H |
Launch voice typing |
↑This lets you dictate text instead of writing it by hand.
| Windows key + I |
Open the Settings app. |
| Windows key + Pause |
Open the About Page in settings |
| Windows key + K |
Open the Cast panel |
| Windows key + L |
Lock your PC |
| Windows key + M |
Minimize all your Windows. |
| Windows key + N |
Display the Notification Center and Calendar |
| Windows key + O |
Lock device orientation |
↑This stops your PC screen from rotating when you rotate your convertible or tablet PC.
| Windows key + P |
Switch the display mode for several monitors |
| Windows key + Q |
Open Quick Assist |
| Windows key + R |
Open the Run dialog |
| Windows key + S |
Open Windows search |
| Windows key + Shift + S |
Take a Screenshot with the Snipping Tool |
| Windows key + U |
Open the Accessibility Settings page. |
| Windows key + Ctrl + C |
Turn Color Filters On/Off |
| Windows key + V |
Open your Clipboard history |
↑You can use this to see multiple items you’ve copied, including text and links. You can also turn this feature on from here.
| Windows key + W |
Open the widgets panel |
↑This new Windows 11 feature includes widgets for weather, calendar, OneDrive photos, and more.
| Windows key + Z |
Open the snap layouts panel |
↑This feature of Windows 11 makes it easier to combine app windows on your screen.
| Windows + . or ; |
Open the Emoji Panel |
| Windows key+ Ctrl + F |
Explore PCs on your network |
| Ctrl + Shift |
Move to a different keyboard layout |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Enter |
Turn on Narrator |
| Windows key + + (plus) |
Switch on the Magnifier and zoom into the screen |
| Windows key + [(minus) |
Zoom out with the Magnifier |
| Windows key + Esc |
Close the Magnifier |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B |
Wake up your PC from a blank or black screen |
| Windows key + PrtScr (Represented differently on distinct keyboards) |
Take a full-screen screenshot and save it to a file |
| Ctrl + Esc |
Open the start menu |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc |
Open the Task Manager |
Window Management and Multitasking
| Windows key + Tab |
Open Task View |
| Alt + Tab |
Go to your last opened Window |
| Alt + Esc |
Move through Windows in the sequence they were opened |
| Ctrl + Alt + Tab |
See all the open apps to pick one with the keyboard Arrows |
| Alt + F4 |
Close the running app or Window |
| Windows key + Up arrow |
Maximize the Running Window to See it On the Entire Desktop |
| Windows key + Alt + Up arrow |
Snap the running Window to the upper Half of your monitor |
| Windows key + Left arrow |
Snap the running Window to the left half of your monitor |
| Windows key + Right arrow |
Snap the running Window to the right half of your monitor |
| Windows key + Home |
Minimize all Windows besides the active Window |
| Windows key + Shift + Right arrow, or Left arrow |
Shift the Active Window to a separate monitor |
| Windows key + Ctrl + D |
Build a new virtual desktop |
File Explorer
| Alt + D |
Select the Address Bar] |
| Ctrl + F or Ctrl + E, or F3 |
Fixed Focus to the Search Bar |
| Ctrl + N |
Open a new Window |
| Ctrl + W |
Close the running Window |
| Ctrl + Shift + N |
Create a new folder |
| Alt + Enter |
See properties of the chosen file or folder. |
| Alt + P |
Display the preview panel |
| Alt + Left arrow, or Backspace |
Go back one page |
| Alt + Right arrow |
Go forward one page |
| Alt + Up arrow |
See the parent folder of the active folder |
| Ctrl + (arrow) |
Navigate the items on the existing page without Choosing them |
| Ctrl + Spacebar |
Choose personal items While Navigating |
| Shift + (arrow) |
Pick consecutive items beginning from the currently chosen one |
| Right arrow (On navigation sidebar) |
Extend a collapsed folder or move to the first subfolder of an expanded folder |
| Left arrow |
Collapse an extended folder or choose the parent folder of the presently chosen one |
| F4, or Backspace |
Display Objects in an Active List |
| Ctrl + Tab |
Switch through multiple tabs |
| Ctrl + Shift + Tab |
Move backwards through tabs |
| Tab |
Switch Through Choices on the Active Page |
| Shift + Tab |
Move backward through the options available on the current page |
Taskbar
| Windows key + T |
Cycle through applications on the taskbar |
| Windows key + Shift + 1-9: |
Open a fresh app instance pinned to the taskbar in the position shown by the number |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + 1-9: |
Start a new app instance at the given location on the taskbar as an Administrator |
| Shift + left mouse click |
Start a new instance of the chosen app |
| Ctrl + Shift + left mouse click |
Start the chosen app as an administrator |
| Shift + right mouse click |
Open the Window menu for the chosen app |
Other Windows 11 Shortcuts
| Ctrl + A |
Choose all text or items in a document, window, or page |
| Ctrl + D |
Remove the selected item or text |
| Ctrl + X |
Cut the chosen item or text |
| Ctrl + C |
Copy the selected text or item |
| Ctrl + V |
Paste cut or copied content from the clipboard |
| Ctrl + Z |
Undo your last action |
| Ctrl + Y |
Redo an undone action |
| F2 |
Rename the chosen file or folder |
| F4 |
Display the address bar list in File Explorer |
| F5 or Ctrl + R |
Refresh the active window or page |
| F6 |
Process through screen elements of the active desktop or window |
| F10 |
Activate the menu bar in the running window or app |
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned Windows user or just starting out, there are sure to be times when you need to use keyboard shortcuts. In this article, we’ve put together a list of some useful Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts that will help you get the most out of your computer.
From adjusting your window settings to controlling your web browser, these shortcuts can come in handy in various situations. So whether you’re looking for quick and easy ways to work on your computer or manage your day-to-day tasks, this list has something for you.