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