If you’ve made the transition to Windows 11, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the keyboard shortcuts that can enhance your computing experience.
Below, you’ll find a convenient list of the most valuable keyboard shortcuts for navigating Windows 11. You don’t need to memorize them all, but there are undoubtedly a handful that can greatly enhance your Windows workflow, boosting your overall productivity. Additionally, if you’re interested in exploring more hidden features of Windows 11 or want to make it behave more like Windows 10, we’ve also included information on that.
☄️Essential Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts ☄️
Ctrl + A: Select all items in a window.
Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy the selected or highlighted item (text, images, and more).
Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste the selected or highlighted item.
Ctrl + X: Cut the selected or highlighted item.
Ctrl + Z: Undo the previous action.
Ctrl + Y: Redo the last action.
Ctrl + N: In File Explorer, open a new window with the same folder path as the current window.
Windows key + F1: Open a Bing search for “how to get help in Windows” in your default browser.
Alt + F4: Close the current app or window.
Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps or windows.
Shift + Delete: Permanently delete the selected item (bypassing the Recycle Bin). Mute/Unmute Mic Directly from the Taskbar
☄️Here are the shortcuts to efficiently manage the Start menu and taskbar☄️
Windows key or Ctrl + Esc: Open the Start menu.
Windows key + X: Access the secret Start menu.
Windows key + T: Cycle through apps on the taskbar, including pinned ones.
Windows key + [Number]: Open the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar. For instance, if Edge is pinned in the first position, Windows key + 1 opens Edge. If the app is already open, a new instance or window will appear.
Windows key + Alt + [Number]: Open the right-click menu for the app in the [number] position on the taskbar.
Windows key + D: Show or hide the desktop (Windows key + , briefly displays the desktop). Weather Widget in the Taskbar
☄️Windows 11 offers multiple ways to take screenshots, including three distinct keyboard shortcuts☄️
PrtScn: Capture a screenshot of your entire screen and save it to your clipboard.
Windows key + PrtScn: Capture a screenshot of your entire desktop and save it to a folder on your computer.
Windows key + Shift + S: Open the Snipping Tool menu to capture a screenshot of a specific screen section. Share Any Window from the Taskbar
☄️These shortcuts allow you to manage individual windows on your desktop, including virtual desktops☄️
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 maintaining 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 for 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. Voice Typing with Punctuation Support
☄️These shortcuts utilize the Windows logo key for various tasks, including launching Windows and third-party apps☄️
Windows key + A: Open the Action Center.
Windows key + S: Open Cortana in text mode, allowing you to type in the search bar (equivalent to Windows key + Q).
Windows key + C: Open Cortana in listening mode (similar to saying “Hey, Cortana”).
Windows key + E: Open File Explorer.
Windows key + F: Access the Windows 10 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 the 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. Access Folders in the Start Menu
☄️The function keys at the top of your keyboard serve various functions when used in combination with other keys, but they also have standalone utility☄️
F2: Rename a selected item.
F3: Conduct a quick search for files in File Explorer.
F4: Highlight the address bar in File Explorer.
F5: Refresh your active window.
F6: Cycle through elements like tabs, buttons, and search bars in a window or on your desktop.
Alt + F8: Display the login password on the start screen.
F10: Activate the menu bar in the active window. Shake to Minimize (Aero Shake)
☄️These keyboard shortcuts can be employed 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 there’s no text, it selects all text within the Command Prompt).
Ctrl + Up or Down: Move the screen one line up or down.
Ctrl + F: Search within the Command Prompt via the Find window.
Ctrl + M: Enter Mark mode, allowing text selection with the mouse. Once Mark mode is active, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor.
Shift + Up or Down: Move the cursor up or down one line while selecting text.
Shift + Left or Right: Move the cursor one character left or right while selecting text.
Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right: Move the cursor one word left or right while selecting text.
Shift + Page Up or Page Down: Move the cursor up or down one screen while selecting 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, including the beginning or end of the Command Prompt’s output.
With these comprehensive keyboard shortcuts at your fingertips, you can navigate Windows 11 with ease and efficiency, enhancing your overall computing experience. Manage Volume for Individual Apps, Advanced Gesture Controls, Clipboard Sync, DNS Over HTTPS, Windows Backup