Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows 11 introduces new keyboard shortcut keys that complement pre-existing Windows shortcuts, designed to enhance your work efficiency and speed. The majority of Windows 10 shortcuts continue to function in Windows 11, with additional shortcuts introduced to accommodate new features in this latest version.

Windows 11 shortcuts offer a wide range of commands, from navigation within Settings and executing commands on a command prompt, to alternating between snap layouts and interacting with dialog boxes. This article will provide a comprehensive list of crucial keyboard shortcut keys, otherwise known as Windows hotkeys, that every Windows 11 user should familiarize themselves with.

Shortcut Keys or Windows Hotkeys for Windows 11

Utilizing keyboard shortcuts on Windows 11 can greatly enhance your efficiency by accelerating your usual tasks. These shortcuts offer a more streamlined approach to task completion, often reducing the need for repetitive clicking and scrolling.

While the prospect of learning all available shortcuts may seem overwhelming, it's not necessary to memorize every single one. Instead, focusing on the shortcuts related to your most frequent tasks can significantly improve your speed and productivity.

New Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 11

Windows 11 brings a few Keyboard Shortcuts for accessing its cool new features such as widgets, snap layouts, action center, and quick settings.

FYI, Win key is the Windows Logo key on your keyboard.

Action	Shortcuts Keys
Open up the Widgets pane. It supplies you with the weather forecast, local traffic, news, and even your calendar.	`Win` + `W`
Toggle up the Quick Settings. It controls the Volume, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Brightness sliders, Focus Assist, and other settings.	`Win` + `A`
Bring up the Notification Center and Calendar. It shows all your notifications in the OS.	`Win` + `N`
Open the Snap Layouts flyout. It helps you organize apps and windows for multitasking.	`Win` + `Z`
Open Windows Copilot It's an AI-powered assistant that lets you do anything from generating text to creating AI images.	`Win` + `C`
Snap an active window to the top half of your display.	`Win` + `Up Arrow`
Snap an active window to the bottom half of your display.	`Win` + `Down Arrow`
Open Quick Cast settings.	`Win` + `K`
Launch Voice Typing	`Win` + `H`

General and Popular Shortcuts for Windows 11

Here are the most frequently used and essential keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11.

ACTION	SHORTCUTS KEYS
Open the Start menu.	`Win` or `Ctrl` + `Esc`
Select all contents	`Ctrl` + `A`
Copy the selected items	`Ctrl` + `C`
Cut the selected items	`Ctrl` + `X`
Paste the copied or cut items	`Ctrl` + `V`
Undo an action	`Ctrl` + `Z`
Redo an action	`Ctrl` + `Y`
Italicize selected text	`Ctrl` + `I`
Underline selected text	`Ctrl` + `U`
Bolden selected text	`Ctrl` + `B`
Opens new window/document	`Ctrl` + `N`
Switch between the running applications	`Alt` + `Tab`
Open Task View	`Win` + `Tab`
Close the active app or If you are on Desktop, open the Shutdown box to shut down, restart, log out or put your PC to sleep.	`Alt` + `F4`
Lock your screen or computer.	`Win` + `L`
Display and hide the desktop.	`Win` + `D`
Stop or leave the current task	`Esc`
Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.	`Ctrl` + `Delete`
Delete the selected item permanently.	`Shift` + `Delete`
Capture part of the screen with Snip & Sketch.	`Win` + `Shift` + `S`
Open the Start button context menu.	`Windows` + `X`
Rename the selected item.	`F2`
Refresh the active window.	`F5`
Open the Menu bar for the current app.	`F10`
Open the charms menu.	`Win` + `Shift` + `C`
Go back.	`Alt` + `Left arrow`
Go forward.	`Alt` + `Left arrow`
Move up one screen	`Alt` + `Page Up`
Move down one screen	`Alt` + `Page Down`
Open Task Manager.	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Esc`
Project a screen.	`Win` + `P`
Print the current page.	`Ctrl` + `P`
Select more than one item.	`Shift` + `Arrow keys`
Save the current file.	`Ctrl` + `S`
Save As	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `S`
Open a file in the current app.	`Ctrl` + `O`
Cycle through the apps on the taskbar in the order they were opened.	`Alt` + `Esc`
Display your password on the login screen	`Alt` + `F8`
Open the shortcut menu for the current window	`Alt` + `Spacebar`
Open properties for the selected item.	`Alt` + `Enter`
Open the classic/full context menu (right-click menu) for the selected item.	`Shift` + `F10`
Select multiple items between two mouse clicks.	`Shift` + Select with the mouse
When a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction specified.	`Alt` + `Shift` + `Arrow keys`
When a tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it into another tile to create a folder.	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `arrow keys`
Open Run command.	`Win` + `R`
Open a new program window of the current app	`Ctrl` + `N`
Take a screen clipping	`Win` + `Shift` + `S`
Open Windows 11 settings	`Win` + `I`
Go back to the Settings home page	`Backspace`
Stop or close the current task	`Esc`
Enter/Exit the full-screen mode	`F11`
Launch Emoji keyboard	`Win` + `period (.)` or `Win` + `semicolon (;)`
Request Remote Assistance	`Windows` + `Ctrl` + `Q`
Delete the last entered word	`Ctrl` + `Backspace`
Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word.	`Ctrl` + `Right arrow`
Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.	`Ctrl` + `Left arrow`
Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.	`Ctrl` + `Down arrow`
Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph.	`Ctrl` + `Up arrow`
Select multiple individual items in a window or desktop	`Ctrl` + `Arrow Keys` + `Space`
Open Search box	`Ctrl` + `F`
Launch Microsoft Office Apps	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Shift` + `Win`
Open OneNote desktop or web app	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Shift` + `Win` + `N`
Open a new File Explorer window with OneDrive selected	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Shift` + `Win` + `D`
Open the Outlook inbox	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Shift` + `Win` + `O`
Open a new slide on PowerPoint	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Shift` + `Win` + `P`
Open Microsoft Teams	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Shift` + `Win` + `T`
Open a blank Word document	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Shift` + `Win` + `W`
Open a blank Excel spreadsheet	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Shift` + `Win` + `X`
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.	`Left Arrow`
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.	`Right Arrow`
Set focus to a Windows tip when one is available.	`Win` + `J`
Open “how to get help in windows” Bing search in the default browser.	`Win` + `F1`
Search settings.	Type on any page with a search box

Keyboard Shortcuts For Taking Screenshots in Windows 11

Action	Shortcut keys
Capture a full screenshot and saves it in the clipboard or Open the screen snipping tool.	`PrtScn` or `Print`
Captures and saves a screenshot of the whole screen in the ‘Screen Captures’ folder	`Windows` + `Print`
Screenshot function for the selected area	`Windows` + `Shift` + `S`

Task Manager Shortcuts for Windows 11

Action	Shortcut keys
End the selected process	`Alt` + `E`
Open the Create new task dialog to run a new task.	`Alt` + `N`
Turn Efficiency Mode on or off.	`Alt` + `V`
Cycle through the tabs in the navigation area	`Ctrl` + `Tab`
Cycle through the tabs in the navigation area in reverse.	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Tab`

Desktop and Virtual Desktops Shortcuts for Windows 11

These simple shortcuts will help you navigate your desktop, virtual desktops, and Azure Virtual Desktop more smoothly.

ACTION	SHORTCUTS KEYS
Open Start menu	`Window logo key (Win)`
Switch keyboard layout	`Ctrl` + `Shift`
View all open apps	`Alt` + `Tab`
Select more than one item on the desktop	`Ctrl` + `Arrow keys` + `Spacebar`
Minimize all open windows	`Win` + `M`
Maximize all minimized windows on the desktop.	`Win` + `Shift` + `M`
Minimize or maximize all but the active window	`Win` + `Home`
Snap the current app or window to the Left half of your display	`Win` + `Left Arrow Key`
Snap the current app or window to the Right half of your display.	`Win` + `Right Arrow Key`
Stretch the active window to the top and bottom of the screen.	`Win` + `Shift` + `Up arrow key`
Restore or minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width.	`Win` + `Shift` + `Down arrow key`
Open Desktop view	`Win` + `Tab`
Add a new virtual desktop	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `D`
Close the active virtual desktop.	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `F4`
Toggle or switch to the virtual desktops you’ve created on the Right	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `Right arrow`
Toggle or switch to the virtual desktops you’ve created on the Left	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `Left arrow`
Create a shortcut	`CTRL` + `SHIFT` while dragging an icon or file
Open Windows Search	`Win` + `S` or `Win` + `Q`
Take a peek look at the desktop until you release the WINDOWS key.	`Win` + `Comma (,)`
Activate the connection bar in a remote desktop seassion.	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Home`
Switch the client between full-screen and window mode in Remote Desktop	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Break`
Switch between programs from left to right.	`Alt` + `Page Up`
Switch between programs from right to left.	`Alt` + `Page Down`
Cycle through the programs in the order they were started.	`Alt` + `Insert`
Store a snapshot of the active window, within the client, on the clipboard	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Minus Sign (-)`
Store a snapshot of the entire client windows area, within the client, on the clipboard	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Plus Sign (+)`

Taskbar Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 11

You can use below keyboard shortcuts to take control of your taskbar:

ACTION	SHORTCUTS KEYS
Run an app as administrator from the taskbar	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Left Click` app button or icon
Open the app in the first position on your taskbar.	`Win` + `1`
Open the app in the number position from the taskbar.	`Win` + `Number (0 - 9)`
Cycle through apps in the taskbar.	`Win` + `T`
View Date and Time from the taskbar	`Win` + `Alt` + `D`
Open another instance of an app from the taskbar.	`Shift` + `Left Click app button`
Show the window menu for the app from the taskbar.	`Shift` + `Right-click grouped app icon`
Highlight the first item in the Notification Area and use the Arrow key to switch between the item	`Win` + `B`
Open the application’s menu on the taskbar	`Alt` + `Windows key` + `number keys`
Show the hidden icons in Taskbar Corner Overflow/System tray	`Win` + `B` and hit `Enter`

File Explorer (with Tabs) Shortcuts for Windows 11

These keyboard shortcuts can help you navigate your Windows filesystem more quickly than ever:

ACTION	SHORTCUTS KEYS
Open the File Explorer.	`Win` + `E`
Open New Tab	`Ctrl` + `T`
Switch to the next tab (or Cycle through tabs left to right)	`Ctrl` + `Tab`
Switch to the previous tab (or Cycle through tabs right to left)	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Tab`
Jump to one of the first nine tabs from left to right	`Ctrl` + `1` to `9`
Close the active tab	`Ctrl` + `W`
Open the search in most apps including file explorer.	`Ctrl` + `E` or `F3`
Open the current window in a new window.	`Ctrl` + `N`
Close active window.	`Ctrl` + `W`
Start the mark mode	`Ctrl` + `M`
Change the file and folder view.	`Ctrl` + `Mouse Scroll`
Cycle through screen elements in a window or desktop	`F6`
Create a new folder.	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `N`
Expand all subfolders in the navigation pane on the left.	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `E`
Select the address bar of File Explorer.	`Alt` + `D`
Changes folder view.	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Number key(1-8)`
Display the preview panel.	`Alt` + `P`
Open the Properties settings for the selected item.	`Alt` + `Enter`
Expand the selected drive or folder	`Num Lock` + `plus (+)`
Collapse the selected drive or folder.	`Num Lock` + `minus (-)`
Expand all the subfolders under the selected drive or folder.	`Num Lock` + `asterisk (*)`
Go to the next folder.	`Alt` + `Right arrow`
Go to the previous folder	`Alt` + `Left arrow (or Backspace)`
Go to the parent folder the folder was in.	`Alt` + `Up arrow`
Switch focus to address bar.	`F4`
Refresh the active window	`F5`
Expand the current folder tree or select the first subfolder (if it’s expanded) in the left pane.	`Right Arrow key`
Collapse the current folder tree or select the parent folder (if it’s collapsed) in the left pane.	`Left Arrow Key`
Move to the top of the active window.	`Home`
Move to the bottom of the active window.	`End`
Go back to the previous folder	`BackSpace`

Command Prompt Shortcuts for Windows 11

If you are a Command Prompt user, then these shortcuts will come in handy:

ACTION	SHORTCUTS KEYS
Scroll to the top of the Command Prompt (cmd).	`Ctrl` + `Home`
Scroll to the bottom of the cmd.	`Ctrl` + `End`
Select everything on the current line	`Ctrl` + `A`
Move the cursor up a page	`Page Up`
Move the cursor down a page	`Page Down`
Enter Mark mode.	`Ctrl` + `M`
Clear everything you have typed at once.	`Esc`
Move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer.	`Ctrl` + `Home (in Mark mode)`
Move the cursor to the end of the buffer.	`Ctrl` + `End (in Mark mode)`
Cycle through command history of active session	`Up` or `Down arrow keys`
Move the cursor left or right in the current command line.	`Left` or `Right arrow keys`
Move your cursor to the start of the current line	`Shift` + `Home`
Move your cursor to the end of the current line	`Shift` + `End`
Move the cursor up one screen and select text.	`Shift` + `Page Up`
Move the cursor down one screen and select text.	`Shift` + `Page Down`
Move the screen up one line in the output history.	`Ctrl` + `Up arrow`
Move the screen down one line in the output history.	`Ctrl` + `Down arrow`
Move the cursor up one line and select the text.	`Shift` + `Up`
Move the cursor down one line and select the text.	`Shift` + `Down`
Move the cursor one word at a time.	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Arrow Keys`
Begin selection in block mode	`Alt` + `selection key`
Open search for Command Prompt.	`Ctrl` + `F`

Dialog box Shortcuts for Windows 11

Use the following Windows hotkeys to navigate the Dialog box of any application easily:

ACTION	SHORTCUTS KEYS
Move forward through tabs.	`Ctrl` + `Tab`
Move back through tabs.	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Tab`
Switch or Jump to the nth tab.	`Ctrl` + `number key 1–9`
Show the items in the active list.	`F4`
Move forward through options of the dialog box	`Tab`
Move back through options of the dialog box	`Shift` + `Tab`
Execute the command (or select the option) that is used with the underlined letter.	`Alt` + `underlined letter`
Check or Uncheck the check box if the active option is a check box.	`Spacebar`
Select or move to a button in a group of active buttons.	`Arrow keys`
Open the parent folder if a folder is selected in the Open or Save As dialog box.	`Backspace`

Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 11

Windows 11 provides these keyboard shortcuts to make your computer more accessible and easier to use for everyone:

ACTION	SHORTCUTS KEYS
Open Ease of Access Centre	`Win` + `U`
Turn on Magnifier and Zoom in	`Win` + `plus (+)`
Zoom out using Magnifier	`Win` + `minus (-)`
Exit Magnifier	`Win` + `Esc`
Switch to the docked mode in Magnifier	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `D`
Switch to full-screen mode in Magnifier	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `F`
Switch to lens mode in Magnifier	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `L`
Invert colors in Magnifier	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `I`
Cycle through views in Magnifier	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `M`
Resize the lens with the mouse in Magnifier.	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `R`
Pan in the direction of the arrow keys in Magnifier.	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `arrow keys`
Zoom in or out using mouse	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `mouse scroll`
Open Narrator	`Win` + `Enter`
Open on-screen keyboard	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `O`
Turn Filter Keys on and off	Press `Right Shift` for eight seconds
Turn High Contrast on or off	`Left Alt` + `left Shift` + `PrtSc`
Turn Mouse Keys on or off	`Left Alt` + `left Shift` + `Num Lock`
Turn Sticky Keys on or off	Press `Shift` five times
Turn Toggle Keys on or off	Press `Num Lock` for five seconds
Open Action Center	`Win` + `A`
Turn Color Filters On/Off	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `C`

Xbox Game Bar Shortcuts for Windows 11

Here are some keyboard shortcuts for the Xbox Game Bar overlay in Windows 11 that can help you perform in-game tasks like capturing game clips, taking screenshots, and more.

ACTION	SHORTCUT KEYS
Open Game bar	`Win` + `G`
Record the last 30 seconds of the active game	`Win` + `Alt` + `G`
Start or stop recording the active game	`Win` + `Alt` + `R`
Take a screenshot of the active game	`Win` + `Alt` + `PrtSc`
Show/hide the recording timer of the game	`Win` + `Alt` + `T`
Turn Microphone recording on/off	`Win` + `Alt` + `M`
Turn HDR on or off	`Win` + `Alt` + `B`

Browser Shortcuts for Windows 11

You can use these shortcuts to navigate and use browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, etc.

Action	Shortcut KEYS
Find anything on the page	`Ctrl` + `F`
Open a new tab and switch to it	`Ctrl` + `T`
Close the active tab	`Ctrl` + `W` or `Ctrl` + `F4`
Select the URL in the address bar to edit	`Alt` + `D`
Open History	`Ctrl` + `H`
Open Downloads in a new tab	`Ctrl` + `J`
Open a new window	`Ctrl` + `N`
Close the active window	`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `W`
Print the current page	`Ctrl` + `P`
Reload the current page	`Ctrl` + `R`

Other Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 11

Action	Shortcut keys
Start IME reconversion	`Win` + `forward slash (/)`
Open Feedback Hub	`Win` + `F`
Open the Connect quick setting	`Win` + `K`
Lock your device orientation	`Win` + `O`
Display the System Properties Page	`Win` + `Pause`
Search for PCs (if you’re on a network)	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `F`
Move an app or window from one monitor to another	`Win` + `Shift` + `Left or Right arrow key`
Switch input language and keyboard layout	`Win` + `Spacebar`
Open Clipboard History	`Win` + `V`
Switch input between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop.	`Win` + `Y`
Launch Cortana app	`Win` + `C`
Open another instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the number position.	`Win` + `Shift` + `Number key (0-9)`
Switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the number position.	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `Number key (0-9)`
Open the right-click menu for the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar.	`Win` + `Alt` + `Number key (0-9)`
Open another instance as an administrator of the app pinned to the taskbar in the number position.	`Win` + `Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Number key (0-9)`

Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts for Any App

Not every app or program has shortcut keys to open it in Windows 11. In such cases, you can create your own keyboard shortcuts or keybinding to launch an application in Windows 11. Here’s how you can create custom keyboard shortcuts for an app in Windows 11:

First, open the Start menu and search for the app you want to create a keyboard shortcut for. Then, right-click the app from the search results and select ‘Open file location’ from the context menu.

This will open the Programs folder in the user files where you can see the desktop shortcuts for the app. Now right-click the desired shortcut icon and select ‘Properties’ from the context menu.

In the program Properties dialog box, switch to the ‘Shortcut’ tab and press the key combination you want for the shortcut in the ‘Shortcut key’ field. Then, click on ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’.

If an app doesn’t have a desktop shortcut, create one and add keyboard shortcuts to it. To do that, navigate to the folder where the app was installed and right-click on the application (.exe), and select ‘Show more options’.