Here are more than 100 Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts combos, many of which you’ll want to add to your workflow to master Microsoft’s operating system.
Windows 11, the latest masterpiece by Microsoft, has taken computing to new heights with its sleek design, enhanced features, and seamless performance. To truly unlock its potential and become a computing ninja, you need to embrace the power of keyboard shortcuts. These time-saving combinations will revolutionize the way you interact with your computer, making your workflow smoother and more productive. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most useful and essential Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts across various categories. From copying and pasting to virtual desktops and taskbar management, we’ve got you covered!
01.Basic Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts
- Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) : Copy the selected item.
- Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) : Paste the selected item.
- Ctrl + X : Cut the selected item.
- Ctrl + A : Select all items in a document or window.
- Ctrl + Z : Undo an action.
- Ctrl + Y : Redo an action.
- Ctrl + D (or Delete) : Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.
- Esc : Stop or leave the current task.
- Alt + Tab : Switch between open apps.
- Windows logo key + L : Lock your PC.
- Windows logo key + D : Display and hide the desktop.
- Alt + A : Set focus to the first icon in the Suggested actions menu.
- Alt + Esc : Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened.
- Alt + Enter : Display properties for the selected item.
- Alt + Spacebar : Open the shortcut menu for the active window.
- Ctrl + F4 : Close the active document (in apps that are full-screen and let you have multiple documents open at the same time).
- Ctrl + E : Open Search (in most apps).
- Ctrl + R (or F5) : Refresh the active window.
- Ctrl + Alt + Tab : Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps.
- Ctrl + Esc : Open Start.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc : Open Task Manager.
- Ctrl + Shift : Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available.
- Ctrl + Spacebar : Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off.
- Shift + F10 : Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
- Shift with any arrow key : Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document.
- Shift + Delete : Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first.
02.Start menu and taskbar
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to open, close and otherwise control the Start menu and the taskbar.
- Windows key or Ctrl + Esc : Open Start menu.
- Windows key + X : Open the secret Start menu.
- Windows key + T : Cycle through the apps (including pinned apps) on the taskbar.
- Windows key + [Number] : Open the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar. For example, if you have Edge pinned in the first position on the taskbar and you click Windows key + 1, Edge will open. If the app is already open, a new instance or window will open.
- Windows key + Alt + [Number] : Open the right-click menu for the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar.
- Windows key + D : Show or hide desktop (Windows key + , will display the desktop briefly).
- Shift + click a taskbar button : Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app.
- Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar button : Open an app as an administrator.
- Shift + right-click a taskbar button : Show the window menu for the app.
- Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar button : Show the window menu for the group.
03.Screenshot shortcuts
In Windows 11, capturing screenshots is made easy with three different keyboard shortcuts:
- PrtScn : Capture the entire screen and save it to your clipboard.
- Windows key + PrtScn : Capture the entire desktop and save it to a folder on your computer.
- Windows key + Shift + S : Open the Snipping Tool menu to capture a specific section of your screen.
04.The desktop: Windows, Snap Assist and virtual desktops
Windows 11 offers various keyboard shortcuts to control individual windows and virtual desktops effectively:
- Windows key + M : Minimize all open windows.
- Windows key + Shift + M : Restore minimized windows.
- Windows key + Home : Minimize all windows except the selected or active window.
- Windows key + Up arrow : Maximize the selected window.
- Windows key + Shift + Up arrow : Maximize the active window vertically while preserving its width.
- Windows key + Down arrow : Minimize the selected window.
- Windows key + Left arrow : Snap the selected window to the left half of the screen.
- Windows key + Right arrow : Snap the selected window to the right half of the screen.
- Windows key + Alt + Up : Snap the selected window to the top half of the screen.
- Windows key + Alt + Down : Snap the selected window to the bottom half of the screen.
- Windows key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow : Move the selected window to the left or right monitor.
- Windows key + Tab : Open Task view (virtual desktops).
- Windows key + Ctrl + D : Add a new virtual desktop.
- Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow : Move to the next virtual desktop (to the right).
- Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow : Move to the previous virtual desktop (to the left).
- Windows key + Ctrl + F4 : Close the current virtual desktop.
05.The Windows logo key shortcuts
- Windows key + A : Open the Action Center.
- Windows key + S : Open Cortana in text mode for typing in the search bar. (Windows key + Q does the same thing.)
- Windows key + C : Open Cortana in listening mode (similar to saying “Hey, Cortana”).
- Windows key + E : Open File Explorer.
- Windows key + F : Open the Windows 11 Feedback Hub.
- Windows key + Ctrl + F : Search for PCs on a network.
- Windows key + G : Open the Game bar.
- Windows key + H : Open the Share sidebar.
- Windows key + I : Open the Settings menu.
- Windows key + K : Open the Connect sidebar for connecting to new Bluetooth devices or Miracast.
- Windows key + L : Lock your computer.
- Windows key + O : Lock screen orientation.
- Windows key + P : Open presentation or projection sidebar.
- Windows key + R : Open the Run window.
- Windows key + U : Open the Ease of Access center.
- Windows key + W : Open the Windows Ink Workspace for scribbling on tablets or touchscreen laptops.
- Windows key + (+) or (-) : Zoom in and out with the magnifier.
- Windows key + Esc : Exit the magnifier.
06.The F keys shortcuts
The function keys (F keys) located at the top of your keyboard can be quite useful even on their own. Here’s what each of them does individually:
- F2 : Rename a selected item.
- F3 : Quickly search for files in File Explorer.
- F4 : Highlight the address bar in File Explorer.
- F5 : Refresh your active window.
- F6 : Cycle through elements (tabs, buttons, search bar, etc.) in a window or your desktop.
- Alt + F8 : Show the login password on the start screen.
- F10 : Activate the menu bar in the active window.
07.Command Prompt keyboard shortcuts
You can utilize these keyboard shortcuts effectively within the Windows Command Prompt:
- Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert : Copy selected text to the clipboard.
- Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert : Paste copied text inside the Command Prompt.
- Ctrl + A : Select all text on the current line. (If the current line has no text, all text inside the Command Prompt will be selected.)
- Ctrl + Up or Down : Move the screen one line up or down.
- Ctrl + F : Search Command Prompt via Find window.
- Ctrl + M : Enter Mark mode (allows you to select text with the mouse). Once Mark mode is enabled, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor around.
- Shift + Up or Down : Move the cursor up or down one line and select text.
- Shift + Left or Right : Move the cursor left or right one character and select text.
- Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right : Move the cursor left or right one word and select text.
- Shift + Page Up or Page Down : Move the cursor up or down one screen and select text.
- Shift + Home or End : Move the cursor to the beginning or end of the current line and select text.
- Ctrl + Shift + Home/End : Move the cursor to the beginning or end of the screen buffer and select text and the beginning or end of Command Prompt’s output.
