Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts Every User Should Know
- 15 steps
- Needs administrator rights
- Includes a restart or sign-out
Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts are key combinations that trigger an action without the mouse, such as Win+E for File Explorer or Win+Shift+S for a screenshot. The ten shortcuts in the numbered list below cover most daily work. The tables after it hold the full reference.
Every shortcut here works on current Windows 11 unless the table says otherwise. Microsoft Support also publishes an official list. This page groups the shortcuts by task, so you can find the one you need without scanning a long alphabetical table.
For a shorter list, see Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 11.
Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts are key combinations that run an action without the mouse. The most useful are Win+E to open File Explorer, Win+D to show the desktop, Alt+Tab to switch windows, Win+V for Clipboard history, and Win+Shift+S to capture part of the screen.
The 10 🪟 Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts Every User Should Know
These steps walk through the Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts every user should know, in the order that saves the most time. Try each one as you read.
- Press Win+E to open File Explorer. A new File Explorer window opens, which is the fastest way to reach your files and folders.
- Press Win+D to show the desktop. Every open window minimizes. Press the same keys again to bring them back.
- Press Alt+Tab to switch between open windows. Hold Alt and tap Tab to move through the thumbnails. Release both keys to switch to the one highlighted.
- Press Win+V to open Clipboard history. This panel lists the last items you copied, so you can paste older ones. The first time, Windows asks you to turn the feature on. Click Turn on.
- Press Win+Shift+S to capture part of the screen. The screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top. Drag to select an area. The image goes to the clipboard, and a notification offers to open it in Snipping Tool.
- Press Win+L to lock the PC. The lock screen appears. Your apps keep running, and you sign back in to continue.
- Press Win+I to open Settings. The Settings app opens on the System page.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Use it to close an app that has stopped responding. It opens directly, with no security screen in between.
- Press Win+Z to open snap layouts. A layout picker (a set of zones that arrange windows side by side) appears in the screen corner. Press the number shown on a zone to place the current window.
- Press Windows + . (period) to open the emoji panel. Pick an emoji, symbol or kaomoji (a text-based face). Windows + ; (semicolon) opens the same panel.
Windows Key Shortcuts
The Win shortcuts control the shell itself: Start, Search, Settings and the panels on the taskbar. Hold the Win, then press the second key listed for each shortcut in the table.
Open Apps, Settings and System Panels
This table lists the shortcuts that open a built-in tool or panel. For Microsoft’s own list of these features, see Every Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcut for Built-In Features.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows | Opens or closes the Start menu |
| Win+S | Opens Search |
| Win+E | Opens File Explorer |
| Win+I | Opens Settings |
| Win+R | Opens the Run dialog box (a small window where you type a program name or command) |
| Win+X | Opens the Quick Link menu (a list of admin tools, also reached by right-clicking Start) |
| Win+A | Opens Quick Settings (Wi-Fi, volume, brightness and similar toggles) |
| Win+N | Opens the notification center and calendar |
| Win+W | Opens Widgets |
| Win+P | Opens the Project panel for choosing how to use a second display |
| Win+K | Opens Cast, which sends your screen to a wireless display |
| Win+G | Opens Xbox Game Bar |
| Win+F | Opens Feedback Hub |
| Win+Pause | Opens the About page in Settings, which lists your Windows edition and version |
Win+X opens a small menu of tools. Press Win+X, then A to open Terminal as administrator. This requires administrator privileges. Windows shows a User Account Control prompt (the “Do you want to allow this app to make changes” box), and you click Yes.
Screenshots, Clipboard and Typing Helpers
These shortcuts capture the screen or help you enter text. Win+Shift+S and Win+V are the two most useful.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win+Shift+S | Starts a screen capture with the Snipping Tool toolbar |
| Windows + Print Screen | Saves a full-screen screenshot to the Screenshots folder inside Pictures |
| Print Screen | Opens screen capture, if the matching Accessibility setting is on |
| Win+V | Opens Clipboard history |
| Windows + . or Windows + ; | Opens the emoji panel |
| Win+H | Starts voice typing, which turns speech into text in the active field |
| Win+Space | Switches between installed keyboard layouts or input languages |
If Print Screen does not open the capture toolbar, go to Settings Accessibility Keyboard and look for the option Use the Print screen button to open screen capture. Turn it on. When it is off, Print Screen only copies the full screen to the clipboard.
Desktop, Taskbar and Virtual Desktops
Virtual desktops are separate desktop spaces you can use to group apps, such as one for work and one for personal browsing. These shortcuts manage them and the taskbar.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win+D | Shows or hides the desktop |
| Win+M | Minimizes all windows |
| Win+Shift+M | Restores windows you minimized |
| Win+Home | Minimizes everything except the active window |
| Windows + , (comma) | Takes a temporary peek at the desktop while you hold the keys |
| Win+Tab | Opens Task View, which shows open windows and your virtual desktops |
| Win+Ctrl+D | Creates a new virtual desktop and switches to it |
| Win+Ctrl+← or Right arrow | Switches to the previous or next virtual desktop |
| Win+Ctrl+F4 | Closes the current virtual desktop. Its windows move to the desktop beside it |
| Win+1 to 9 | Opens or switches to the app pinned in that position on the taskbar |
| Win+T | Cycles through the apps on the taskbar |
| Win+B | Moves focus to the notification area (the icons at the right end of the taskbar) |
Win+1 opens the first app on the taskbar after Start, Search, Task View and Widgets. If that app is already open, it switches to it instead of opening a second copy.
Window Snapping and Multi-Monitor Shortcuts
Snapping (fitting a window into part of the screen) places a window on one half or one quarter of the screen. These shortcuts work with the keyboard only, so you do not have to drag a window to the screen edge.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win+← arrow | Snaps the active window to the left half |
| Win+→ arrow | Snaps the active window to the right half |
| Win+↑ arrow | Maximizes the window |
| Win+↓ arrow | Restores a maximized window. Press again to minimize it |
| Win+Z | Opens snap layouts |
| Win+Shift+← or Right arrow | Moves the active window to the monitor on that side |
To snap to a quarter of the screen, press Win+← or Right, then Win+↑ or Down. For every combination, including layouts, see Every Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcut for Window Snapping.
Everyday Editing and App Shortcuts
The Ctrl and Alt shortcuts below work in most apps, including Notepad, Word, Edge and File Explorer. They have not changed meaning in Windows 11.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+C | Copies the selected item |
| Ctrl+X | Cuts the selected item |
| Ctrl+V | Pastes the copied or cut item |
| Ctrl+Z | Undoes the last action |
| Ctrl+Y | Redoes an action you undid |
| Ctrl+A | Selects everything in the window or field |
| Ctrl+F | Opens find in most apps |
| Ctrl+S | Saves the current file |
| Ctrl+P | Opens the print dialog |
| Ctrl+⌫ | Deletes the word before the cursor in most text fields |
| Ctrl+← or Right arrow | Moves the cursor one word at a time |
| Ctrl+Shift+← or Right arrow | Selects one word at a time |
| Alt+Tab | Switches between open windows |
| Alt+F4 | Closes the active window. On the desktop with nothing open, it opens the Shut Down Windows box |
| Alt+Space | Opens the window menu with Restore, Move, Size and Close |
| F11 | Toggles full-screen mode in many apps and browsers |
Ctrl+Shift+V pastes without formatting in many apps, but not all. Test it in the app you use before you rely on it.
File Explorer Shortcuts
File Explorer is the app where shortcuts save the most clicks. The tab shortcuts apply only if your version of File Explorer has tabs. Tabs arrived with version 22H2, a Windows 11 update from 2022, and in later updates.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+N | Opens a new File Explorer window |
| Ctrl+Shift+N | Creates a new folder |
| Ctrl+T | Opens a new tab |
| Ctrl+Tab | Moves to the next tab |
| Ctrl+W | Closes the current tab or window |
| F2 | Renames the selected item |
| F5 | Refreshes the folder |
| Ctrl+E | Moves focus to the search box |
| Alt+D or Ctrl+L | Selects the address bar |
| Alt+← arrow | Goes back to the previous folder |
| Alt+→ arrow | Goes forward |
| Alt+↑ arrow | Goes up one folder level |
| Alt+Enter | Opens Properties for the selected item |
| Alt+P | Shows or hides the preview pane |
| Shift+F10 | Opens the right-click menu for the selected item |
System and Troubleshooting Shortcuts
These shortcuts help when an app freezes or the display misbehaves. They work even when the mouse does not.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Opens Task Manager directly |
| Ctrl+Alt+Del | Opens the security screen with Lock, Switch user, Sign out and Task Manager |
| Win+Ctrl+Shift+B | Restarts the graphics driver. The screen flickers and you hear a beep |
| Win+L | Locks the PC |
Win+Ctrl+Shift+B is the one to try when the screen goes black or frozen but the PC still responds to sound or keys. It does not close your apps.
One more shortcut needs administrator rights. Type an app name in Start or Search, then press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open the result as administrator. This requires administrator privileges.
Windows shows a User Account Control prompt, and you click Yes. For the full set of tools that opens this way, see Every Windows 11 Administrative Tool Explained.
Accessibility Shortcuts
These shortcuts turn on tools for vision, hearing and typing support. They are worth knowing even if you do not use them daily, because one stray key press can trigger some of them.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win+U | Opens Accessibility settings |
| Win+Ctrl+Enter | Turns Narrator (the built-in screen reader) on or off |
| Windows + Plus (+) | Opens Magnifier and zooms in |
| Windows + Minus (-) | Zooms out in Magnifier |
| Win+Esc | Closes Magnifier |
| Shift pressed five times | Opens the Sticky Keys prompt |
Sticky Keys lets you press keys such as Shift, Ctrl and Windows one at a time, instead of holding them down together. Sticky Keys can pop up when you press Shift five times, for example while you play a game or type fast. Click No to dismiss it. Windows 11 also lets you control the Narrator shortcut, which is covered in How to Enable Narrator Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 11.
Why a 🪟 Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcut Does Not Work
When a shortcut does nothing, the cause is usually the keyboard, the app in focus or a recent update. Check these in order.
- Function keys behave differently on laptops. Many laptops have a key labelled Fn Lock. When it is on, the F1 to F12 keys control media and brightness instead of working as function keys. If F2 or F5 do not work as described, press Fn + Esc or the Fn Lock key on your keyboard.
- The Win is disabled. Some gaming keyboards have a Win lock or game mode switch. Check the keyboard’s software or look for a key with a padlock icon.
- The wrong window is active. The active window is the one that receives your key presses. Shortcuts such as Ctrl+F and Ctrl+T depend on the app. Click the app first, then try again.
- You are connected to another PC through Remote Desktop. In Remote Desktop, many shortcuts go to the remote PC, not your own. In the Remote Desktop window, open its settings and choose whether Win combinations go to your PC or the remote PC.
- The layout is different. Keyboard layouts for other languages move some symbols, so Windows + . or Windows + ; may sit on different keys.
- A known Windows issue is active. Microsoft lists a known issue with update KB5101650. Some built-in parts of Windows can briefly stop responding to certain shortcuts. The cause is a change to how Windows manages hotkeys, the key combinations assigned to actions.
For the KB5101650 issue, restart the affected app. Microsoft says this typically fixes it. If it does not, report the problem through Feedback Hub, which you can open with Win+F.
Create Your Own Keyboard Shortcut for an App
Windows lets you assign a key combination to a desktop shortcut, so one set of keys opens a favourite app. This works only for shortcut files, not for the app itself. If you need to make a shortcut first, see How to Create Desktop Shortcuts in Windows 11.
- Right-click the desktop shortcut. A menu appears.
- Click Properties. The Properties window opens on the Shortcut tab.
- Click the Shortcut key box. It shows None until you assign one.
- Press the letter or number you want. Windows adds Ctrl + Alt in front, so pressing G creates Ctrl+Alt+G.
- Click Apply, then click OK. Press the new combination to test it.
To undo this, open the same Shortcut key box, press ⌫ or Delete until it reads None, and click OK. The shortcut works only while its file stays in its original place. If you delete or move the file, the key combination stops working.
What to Do Next
Pick three shortcuts from the tables that match what you do most, and use them for a week before adding more. When you want a longer list organized by productivity gains, read Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts Masterclass: 50+ Shortcuts to Boost Productivity.
Frequently asked questions
How to manage user accounts in 🪟 Windows 11?
Open Settings, then select Accounts. Choose Other users to add, remove, or change an account. To change an account type, such as making someone an administrator, select the account, then select Change account type. You need an administrator account to make these changes.
How to get help in 🪟 Windows 11 keyboard sound?
If your keyboard beeps or makes sounds when you press keys, Windows may have Sticky Keys or Filter Keys turned on. Open Settings, select Accessibility, then Keyboard, and turn off the options you do not need. Press Shift five times to open Sticky Keys quickly.
How to set up the Windows keyboard for 🪟 Windows 11 for english?
Open Settings, select Time & language, then Language & region. Select English under Preferred languages, or add it with Add a language. To choose a layout, select English, then Language options, then Keyboards, and add the layout you want, such as US.
How do I make my keyboard bigger I cannot see it on laptop 🪟 Windows 11 10?
Press Win+Ctrl+O to open the On-screen keyboard. To make everything on screen larger, press Windows + Plus (+) to open Magnifier, which zooms in. You can also raise Text size in Settings under Accessibility, then Text size. Windows cannot resize the physical keys on a laptop.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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