If you spend a lot of your time on your keyboard, knowing good keyboard shortcuts can help boost your productivity. Whether you want to resize an app window or move it across multiple displays, you can do so without lifting your hands from your keyboard.
While almost all the shortcuts supported in Windows 10 remain the same in Windows 11, the new iteration of Microsoft’s venerable OS comes with a bunch of new ones too. Here is a list of Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts to help you swiftly navigate Desktop, Command Prompt, File Explorer, Accessibility features and more.
New Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 11
Shortcut Key Function
Win + N Access the notifications panel.
Win + A Open Quick Settings (Earlier Action Center).
Win + W Open Widgets.
Win + Z Open Snap layout/templates. Use the arrow key to select a snap template.
Win + Up Arrow Snap active window to the top half of your display.
Win + Down Arrow Snap active window to the bottom half.
Win + Left/Right Arrow Snap active window to left/right half.
Win + C Open Microsoft Teams chat.
Win Key Combo Shortcuts in Windows 11
Press the Win key and it brings up the Start menu. However, there are many things you can do with the Windows key combo shortcuts. For example, Win + R opens the Run dialog, Win + S open the Windows search bar, and Win + L locks your computer.
Here is a full list of Windows key-enabled shortcuts.
Shortcut Key Function
Win Open the Start menu.
Win+ A Open the Quick Settings panel.
Win + E Open File Explorer.
Win + F Open Feedback Hub.
Win + J Launch voice typing.
Win + K Open Quick Cast settings.
Win + Tab Open the Task View.
Win + Ctrl + D Create a new virtual desktop.
Win+ Ctrl + F4 Close the active virtual desktop.
Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow Switch between previous and next virtual desktops in order of time created.
Win + Shift + Left/Right Arrow Move the active app window from one monitor to another.
Win + L Lock your screen.
Win + T Cycle through programs on the Taskbar.
Win + R Open the Run dialog.
Win + B and hit Enter Show hidden icons.
Win + S Open the Windows search bar.
Win + F4 Close the active window.
Win + D Display/hide the desktop.
Win + Comma (,) Show desktop temporarily. Release the Win key to restore active windows.
Win + Shift + S Open the Snip tool to capture a screenshot.
Win + X Open the WinX Menu.
Win + V Open Windows Clipboard History.
Win + (.) Open the Windows emoji picker.
Win + I Open Windows 11 Settings.
Win + P Open the Project screen.
Win + M Minimize all windows.
Win + U Open the Accessibility center.
Win + Home Minimize all windows except the active one.
Win + Shift + M Maximize all minimized windows.
Win + 0 – 9 Open pinned apps in the taskbar according to the number position.
Win + Ctrl + O Open the on-screen keyboard.
Win + Space bar Change the input language and keyboard layout.
File Explorer Shortcuts for Windows 11
file explorer keyboard shortcuts
File Explorer helps you find files you need quickly. These keyboard shortcuts can help you access and manage your files and folders efficiently.
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Best Windows File Explorer Tips For Speedy File Management
Shortcut key Function
Win + E Open File Explorer.
Ctrl + N Opens a new File Explorer window when in File Explorer.
Ctrl + E Access the File Explorer search bar.
Ctrl + W Close the active window.
Ctrl + Mouse Scroll Change the file and folder view.
F4 Switch to address/location bar.
F5 Refresh File Explorer.
F6 Switch between the right/left pane.
Alt + D Select address bar for the File Explorer.
Ctrl + Shift + N Create a new folder.
Alt + P Show/Hide preview panel in File Explorer.
Alt + Enter Open the Properties menu for the selected item.
Shift + F10 Show the classic context menu for the selected item.
Alt + Left/Right Arrow Go to the next or previous folder.
Alt + Up arrow Go to the parent folder/directory.
Num Lock + Plus (+) Expand the selected folder.
Num Lock + Minus (-) Collapse the selected folder.
Keyboard Shortcuts for the Xbox Game Bar
xbox game bar keyboard shortcuts windows 11
You can use Xbox Game Bar for more than just capturing screenshots in Windows. Here are a few Gamebar specific shortcuts to launch, and quickly perform other in-game tasks.
Shortcut key Function
Win + G Open the Xbox Game Bar.
Win + Alt + G Record the last 30 seconds of the active game.
Win + Alt + R Take an in-game screenshot.
Win + Alt + T Show/hide recording timer overlay.
General Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 11
Here are a few general keyboards shortcuts to perform the basic cut, copy, paste, access Clipboard history, and other tasks.
Shortcut key Function
Ctrl + A Select all items.
Ctrl + C Copy the selected item.
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item.
Ctrl + V Paste the copied item.
Ctrl + Z Undo changes.
Ctrl + Y Redo changes.
Ctrl + Shift + Drag the icon Create a shortcut.
Shift + Select with mouse Select multiple items.
Ctrl + O Open a file in the current app.
Ctrl + S Save the file or folder.
Ctrl + Shift + S Open the Save As prompt.
Ctrl + N Open the new window for the active app.
Alt + Tab Switch between running apps.
Alt + F4 Close the active window.
Alt + F8 Display your password on the login screen.
Shift + Delete Delete the selected item permanently.
Ctrl + Delete Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.
F5 Refresh the active window.
F10 Open the Menu Bar for the active app.
Ctrl + P Print the current screen.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open Task Manager.
F11 Enter/Exit full-screen mode.
Command Prompt Shortcuts for Windows 11
command prompt keyboard shortcuts windows 11
These Command Prompt keyboard shortcuts can help you quickly navigate the terminal window.
Shortcut key Function
Ctrl + A Select All.
Ctrl + M Enter Mark Mode.
Ctrl + F Open the Find dialog in Command Prompt.
Esc Clear everything you have typed at once.
Up/Down Arrow key Cycle through command history for the active session.
Page Up/Down Move the cursor up a page/down.
Ctrl + Up/Down Arrow key Move the screen up/down one line at a time.
Shift + Home Move the cursor to the start of the current line.
Accessibility Shortcuts for Windows 11
accessibility-features-keyboard-shortcuts-windows-11
If you use the Accessibility feature, these shortcuts can make it easier to find and use the Accessibility features Windows offers.
Shortcut key Function
Win + U Open Accessibility center.
Win + Minus/Plus (-/+) Zoom In/Out Magnifier.
Ctrl + Alt + L Access lens mode in Magnifier.
Ctrl + Alt + Mouse scroll Zoon in/out in Magnifier.
Alt + Ctrl + Arrow keys Pan in Magnifier.
Windows key + Esc Exit Magnifier.
Ctrl + Alt + D Switch Magnifier to docked mode.
Ctrl + Alt + F Restore Magnifier full screen mode.
Windows key + Enter Open Narrator.
Window key + Ctrl + O Open On-screen keyboard.
Press Shift Key fives times Turn Sticky Keys On/Off.
Press Num Lock Key fives times Turn Toggle Keys On/Off.
Hold Right Shift key for a few seconds Turn on Filter keys On/Off.
Alt + Shift + Prntsc Turn High Contrast On/Off.
Alt + Shift + Num Lock Turn Mouse Keys On/Off.
Expediate Common Tasks With These Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts
These are some of the most common keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11 that you can use to perform day-to-day operations. Needless to say, most of these keyboard shortcuts also work on Windows 10 and earlier versions. For application-specific shortcuts, look for them next to the menu items or hover over a button to display its keyboard shortcut.
If you have a hard time memorizing these keyboard shortcuts (we all do), take a printout and paste it on your wall. You can also use flashcard tools like Anki that uses the Spaced Repetition method to help you remember things easily.
Source: makeuseof