Windows 11, the latest installment from the tech giant Microsoft, is getting widely adopted across the globe. Although it received mixed responses upon its launch in 2021, reports estimate that over 400 million users now use this operating system. The number will likely rise until Microsoft launches Windows 12, which might happen in 2024.
The most recent Windows OS is high on productivity and multitasking, promoting faster and more efficient experiences during work and play. Keyboard shortcuts can be an effective way to get your stuff done more intuitively. It offers an alternate approach to doing something traditionally done with a mouse. It can be a solo key or a combination of two or more keys, including letters and numbers.
Logging in/out & Settings
Windows has been working on improving its responsiveness. You can usually access a Windows laptop via facial recognition, a fingerprint reader, etc. — faster approaches than the conventional password. In Windows 11, you also benefit from Quick Settings, an advanced settings menu with options for Bluetooth, volume control, Pencil, Wi-Fi, etc.
Windows continues to support some vintage features even now, like the Charms menu, originally a part of Windows 8 to let users access the Start menu, Settings, etc.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo | Open or close Start |
| Windows logo + Pause | Opens the About page for your system |
| Windows logo + I | Open settings |
| Windows logo + A | Open Quick Settings |
| Backspace | Go to the settings home page |
| Alt + A | Focus on the first icon among suggested actions |
| Type with the search box (works on any page) | See search settings |
| Windows logo + Shift + C | Open the charms menu |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + Shift + B | Wake your system |
| Alt + F8 | Show your password (if you are on the sign-in screen) |
| Ctrl + Esc | Open Start |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
| Windows logo + D | Hide or display your desktop |
| Windows logo + L | Lock your computer or switch your user account |
Using the File Explorer
Windows 11 made some significant changes to File Explorer to improve user-friendliness, accessibility, and modernity. It uses WinUI 3 and XAML for a richer experience with additional options like a Gallery folder and better web integration.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + E | Open File Explorer |
| Alt + D | Select the address bar |
| Ctrl + E/F | Select the search box |
| Ctrl + N | Open a fresh window |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a fresh folder |
| Num Lock + * | Show the subfolders inside the selected folder |
| Num Lock + + | Show the contents of the selected folder |
| Num Lock + – | Make the selected folder collapse |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | To show folders above the selected folder |
| Alt + Right arrow | See the next folder |
| Alt + ↑ | See the parent folder |
| Alt + ← or Backspace | See the previous folder |
| → | See the present selection or select the first subfolder. The current selection will open if it is collapsed |
| ← | Close the present selection if it is expanded. If it is collapsed, this shortcut will select the parent folder |
| Ctrl + T | Open to a fresh tab |
| Ctrl + Tab | Go to the subsequent tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Go to the previous tab |
| Ctrl + [Tab Number, e.g., 1, 2, etc.] | Move to the specified tab |
| Ctrl + W | Closes the active tab, also closing the window if it’s the only open tab |
| Ctrl + Mouse scroll (i.e., the wheel) | To magnify or zoom out, although you can also use this combo to edit the appearance of icons |
| Alt + P | Show the preview panel |
| Alt + Enter | Show the Properties dialog box for the chosen item |
| Shift + F10 | Show the shortcut menu for the chosen item |
| End | See the bottom of the active window |
| Home | See the top of the active window |
| Shift + Delete | Permanently delete the selected item |
Day-to-day Document Editing
In Windows 11, you can use the beloved Microsoft Word for your documenting needs and experience rich, immersive writing. WordPad, on the other hand, has retired. New Windows 11 updates have added features like new emojis for creative expression. The shortcuts below will hold you in good stead for everything from everyday note-taking during meetings to penning the next bestseller.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + A | Select the entire text in a document |
| Ctrl + Shift (with an arrow key) | Select the required text |
| Ctrl + X | Cut the selected text/item |
| Ctrl + C or Insert | Copy the selected text/item |
| Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert | Paste the selected text/item |
| Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste as plain text, i.e., without formatting |
| Windows logo + V | Open the clipboard history |
| Windows logo + Space | Change the input language and keyboard layout |
| Windows logo + / | Start IME (Input Method Editor) reconversion, facilitating text input for documents in other languages and fixing composition errors |
| Windows logo + Shift + Space | Cycle through the language and keyboard layout (backward) |
| Ctrl + → | Take the cursor to the start of the subsequent word. |
| Ctrl + ← | Take your cursor to the beginning of the previous word. |
| Ctrl + ↓ | Move the cursor to the start of the following para. |
| Ctrl + ↑ | Take your cursor to the beginning of the previous para. |
| Windows logo + ./; (i.e., period or semicolon) | Open the emoji panel |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the last action |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo the last action |
| Ctrl + F4 | Close the active document |
Windows is a natural vis-a-vis keyboard shortcuts that prioritize comfort and universality. For example, many of the above shortcuts also work in other apps or environments. You can use Ctrl with arrow keys to move up or down in the output history in the Command Prompt.
Accessibility & Productivity
With Windows 11, you can use a natural narrator, improved voice recognition, a magnifier, and live captions to streamline your user experience. It also supports eye control and AI-powered voice typing, with more features in the offing. Microsoft has updated the Notification Center to club settings and updates for frequently used apps. The latest OS supports Widgets — small cards with dynamic content from your favorite apps, like the weather and breaking news.
One of the hallmark productivity-boosting features in Windows 11 is snap layouts, letting you ‘snap’ windows for more organized multitasking. There’s also Copilot, a centralized tool for AI assistance.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Alt + Page Up/Down | Move up/down one screen |
| Alt + ←/→ | Go back/forward |
| Alt + Esc | Move through items in the order you opened them |
| Windows logo + S | Open search |
| Windows logo + R | Open run |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + Enter | Enable Narrator |
| Windows logo + + | Open Magnifier |
| Windows logo + – | Zoom out Magnifier |
| Windows logo + Esc | Close Magnifier |
| Windows logo + Z | Open snap layouts |
| Windows logo + W | Open Widgets |
| Windows logo + H | Start voice typing |
| Windows logo + C | Open Copilot |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + Q | Open Quick Assist |
| Windows logo + N | Open notification center and calendar |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + F | Search for other PCs on a network |
| Windows logo + J | Focus on a Windows tip, if available |
| Windows logo + K | Open Cast |
| Windows logo + U | Open Accessibility Settings |
| Windows logo + X | Open the Quick Link menu |
Function Keys
Good old Fn keys are as nifty as ever for quick tasks like activating or refreshing a window or inspecting item details.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| F2 | Rename an item |
| F3 | Search in File Explorer |
| F4 | Display the address bar list (in File Explorer) Display the items in the active list in a dialog box |
| F5 | Refresh the current window |
| F6 | Move through entities in a window or on your desktop |
| F10 | Make the Menu bar active |
| F11 | Maximize or minimize your active window |
Keyboard Shortcuts for Taskbar & Dialog Boxes
The taskbar, i.e., the strip of icons showing currently open or active windows, is a helpful design element for productivity. The shortcuts below let you quickly access apps or make choices in dialog boxes.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo key + B | Focus on the first icon in the taskbar |
| Shift + Taskbar button | Open an app [You can also open a fresh instance.] |
| Ctrl + Shift + Taskbar button | Open an app as an Admin |
| Windows logo + number | Open the app in the specified position |
| Windows logo + Shift + number | Start a fresh instance of the app in the specified position |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + number | Open the last active window of the app in the stated place |
| Windows logo + Alt + number | Open the Jump List for the app in the stated place |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + Shift + number | Open a fresh instance of the app at the stated position as an Admin |
| Ctrl + Click a Grouped taskbar button | Move through all the windows in the group |
| Windows logo + Alt + Enter | Open taskbar settings |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open applications |
| Alt + F4 | Close the active app |
| Tab/ Shift + Tab | Move through options (forward/backward) |
| Arrow keys | Select the required button |
| Alt + Underlined letter | Execute the command for the selected letter |
| Spacebar | It works when the active option is a checkbox (selecting or clearing it) |
| Backspace | Open the parent folder for Save As or Open dialog boxes |
Window Management Shortcuts
This operating system lets you manage active windows for a clean workspace, maximizing, stretching, etc., aligned with your workflow.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + Alt + ↑ | Take the window in focus to the top half of the screen |
| Windows logo + Alt + ↓ | Take the window in focus to the bottom half of the screen |
| Windows logo + ← | Maximize the window to the left side |
| Windows logo + → | Maximize the window to the right side |
| Windows logo + Shift + ↑ | Lets you stretch the current window |
| Windows logo + Shift + ↓ | Minimize the window vertically [the width remains unchanged] |
| Windows logo key + Shift + →/← | Move the window from one monitor to another [when multiple monitors are connected] |
| Windows logo + ↓ | Minimize the desktop window |
| Windows logo + Home | Minimize all the windows except the active one |
| Windows logo + M | Minimize all windows. |
| Windows logo + Shift + M | Restore minimized windows |
| Windows logo + , | Peek at the desktop |
| Alt + Spacebar | Access the shortcut menu for the present window |
Working with a Virtual Desktop
Windows 11 has a well-planned virtual desktop utility to let you work on multiple things on one screen, enhancing organization and multitasking. You can choose different wallpapers and settings for virtual desktops, effectively enhancing a single-monitor setup to get more stuff done.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + Tab | Open Task view. |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + D | Add a virtual desktop. |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + ← | Toggle between the virtual desktops to the left. |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + → | Toggle between the virtual desktops on the right. |
| Windows logo + Ctrl + F4 | Close the current virtual desktop. |
Executing Tasks on the Command Prompt
The command prompt — straightforward to access in Windows 11 by typing ‘cmd’ in the Search field — helps execute batch files and perform advanced administrative tasks. These shortcuts will help you work faster while running automated scripts or troubleshooting.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + M | Enter the Mark mode |
| Alt + Selection key | Start selection as a block |
| Page up | Move the cursor one page up |
| Page down | Move the cursor one page down |
| Ctrl + Home | Take your cursor to the beginning of the buffer |
| Ctrl + End | Take the cursor to the end of the buffer |
| Ctrl + Home | The viewport moves to the top of the buffer (if the command line is empty) or all the characters to the left get deleted. |
| Ctrl + End | The viewport moves to the command line if it is empty or all the characters to the right get deleted. |
Shortcuts for Gamers & Multimedia Users
Windows continues to be the preferred operating system for gamers, offering several features to triumph in the arena and supporting most modern AAA titles and multimedia editing applications like Adobe Creative Suite.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows logo + G | Open the Xbox Game Bar |
| Windows logo + Alt + B | Turn HDR on or off |
| Windows logo + Alt + K | Microphone mute toggling |
| Windows logo + Alt + R | Record a video of the active game window |
| Windows logo + Shift + S | Take a partial screenshot |
| PrtScn | Take a full screenshot |
| Windows logo + PrtScn | Save a full screenshot |
| Windows logo + Alt + PrtScn | Save a screenshot of the game window |
| Windows logo + O | Lock the device orientation |
| Windows logo + P | Choose a display mode |
| Ctrl + Shift | Switch keyboard layouts (in case of multiple available options) |
| Windows logo + Y | Switch between Windows Mixed Reality and the desktop (dated platform for augmented and virtual reality) |
Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcut Keys PDF Download
Here’s hoping this list is handy for everyone who finds using the keyboard faster and more intuitive. Knowing these shortcuts can also be super convenient if your mouse calls in sick!