The Most Useful Windows 11 Shortcuts

Some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11 users.

Bertie Atkinson

Here’s a categorized list of essential Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts to streamline your workflow, organized for quick reference:


General System Shortcuts

  • Win + E: Open File Explorer.
  • Win + D: Show/hide the desktop (minimize or restore all windows).
  • Win + L: Lock your PC instantly.
  • Alt + F4: Close the active app or shut down Windows (from the desktop).
  • Win + I: Open Settings.
  • Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V: Copy / Paste.
  • Ctrl + X: Cut.
  • Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y: Undo / Redo.
  • Win + A: Open Quick Settings (Wi-Fi, volume, brightness).
  • Win + S: Open Search (apps, files, web).

Window Management

  • Win + ← / → / ↑ / ↓: Snap windows to screen edges (left, right, maximize, or minimize).
  • Win + Z: Open Snap Layouts (choose multitasking layouts).
  • Win + Tab: Open Task View (switch between virtual desktops and apps).
  • Alt + Tab: Cycle through open apps.
  • Win + Ctrl + D: Create a new virtual desktop.
  • Win + Ctrl + ← / →: Switch between virtual desktops.
  • Win + Home: Minimize all windows except the active one.

Text Editing & Navigation

  • Ctrl + A: Select all.
  • Ctrl + F: Find text (in apps or browsers).
  • Ctrl + Backspace: Delete the previous word.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager directly.
  • Home / End: Jump to the start/end of a line.
  • Ctrl + Home / End: Jump to the top/bottom of a document.

File Explorer Shortcuts

  • Ctrl + N: Open a new File Explorer window.
  • Alt + Enter: Open Properties for the selected file.
  • F2: Rename the selected file/folder.
  • Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder.
  • Alt + D: Highlight the address bar.
  • Ctrl + Mouse Wheel: Change file/folder view (icons, list, details).

Taskbar & Desktop

  • Win + [1-9]: Open the app pinned to the taskbar in that position.
  • Shift + Win + [1-9]: Open a new instance of the pinned app.
  • Win + T: Cycle through taskbar apps.
  • Win + , (comma): Peek at the desktop (temporarily hide windows).

Accessibility & Display

  • Win + Ctrl + Q: Open Quick Assist (remote help).
  • Win + + / –: Zoom in/out with Magnifier.
  • Win + Ctrl + Enter: Turn on Narrator.
  • Win + Alt + B: Toggle HDR (if supported).
  • Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen: Enable/disable high contrast mode.

Power User Commands

  • Win + R: Open the Run dialog.
  • Win + X: Open the Power User Menu (Device Manager, Disk Management, etc.).
  • Win + Pause/Break: Open System Properties.
  • Win + Shift + S: Open Snipping Tool (partial/full screenshot).
  • Ctrl + Shift + Win + B: Restart graphics driver (fixes display issues).

Screenshot & Screen Recording

  • Win + PrtScn: Save a full-screen screenshot to Pictures/Screenshots.
  • Win + Alt + R: Start/stop screen recording (via Xbox Game Bar).
  • Win + Alt + PrtScn: Capture a screenshot of the active window.

Browser Shortcuts (Edge/Chrome)

  • Ctrl + T: New tab.
  • Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen the last closed tab.
  • Ctrl + W: Close the current tab.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Del: Open Clear Browsing Data menu.
  • Ctrl + L: Highlight the address bar.

Gaming & Media

  • Win + G: Open Xbox Game Bar (record clips, monitor performance).
  • Win + Alt + G: Record the last 30 seconds of gameplay.
  • Win + Alt + B: Toggle HDR for gaming.
  • Win + Ctrl + F: Open Fullscreen Magnifier.

Bonus Tips

  • Customize shortcuts: Many apps (e.g., Office, browsers) let you create custom shortcuts.
  • Third-party tools: Use PowerToys (Microsoft’s free tool) to remap keys or create advanced shortcuts.
  • Pin apps to the taskbar: Assign numbers (1-9) for lightning-fast access.

These shortcuts work on Windows 11 and most are backward-compatible with Windows 10.

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