We gathered the best Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts for you. Microsoft has added new keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11 to support the new features and changes implemented in the operating system. Added to those that already worked in Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 (mostly maintained) they form a very interesting set to facilitate the handling of the system and its main functions, increasing productivity.
The keyboard and mouse are the two main input peripherals of a PC and on computer desktops, we use them massively even if we have other forms of interaction such as touch screens or voice control. They are still the most intuitive methods.
Of course, in addition to data entry, the keyboard of a personal computer can be used as a means of controlling the system and applications. This is where these ‘shortcuts’ come in. As you know, they are combinations of two or more keys that as a general rule replicate the tasks we would do with a mouse or other pointing peripheral such as a laptop’s touchpad. However, they are very useful, as they save time and effort when performing certain actions. The truth is that once you get used to them, they are very useful.
Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts
These shortcuts are as old as the operating systems themselves and have been maintained despite the constant improvements in graphical interfaces, reinforced with everything that has come from the touch section used to fully handle mobiles or tablets, but not so useful on a personal computer.
Microsoft’s latest operating system supports most of the Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts, but with some new ones and others modified to respond to its new features. Their operation is, as usual, you press the corresponding keys and the system will respond by performing a certain task. There are hundreds of them covering the interface, the main internal tools of the system, and also applications. We leave you a selection of the most useful ones, differentiated by the main sections.
New shortcuts for Windows 11
| Win + W | Open the Widgets section |
| Win + A | Access the quick settings (Before it opened the Action Center) |
| Win + N | Access the notification panel |
| Win + Z | Open layout/window templates (Snap) |
| Win + Up key (Up) | Fit the active window to the top half of the screen |
| Win + Down key (Down) | Fit active window to the bottom half |
| Win + Left/Right Key | Fits the active window to the left/right half. |
| Win + C | Open the Microsoft Teams chat software |
Shortcuts for the desktop
| Windows key | Open and close the start menu |
| Win + D | Hide or show all applications and windows on your desktop |
| Win + I | Open the General Settings tool |
| Win + K | Open the networking tool |
| Win + L | Lock the device by activating the unlock screen |
| Win + M | Minimize all open desktop windows |
| Win + O | Lock screen orientation |
| Win + P | Opens the projector for connections to external displays and projectors |
| Win + R | Start the run tool |
| Win + X | Open the advanced menu, alternative to the start menu |
| Win + Print Screen | Take a screenshot (Saves in Images) |
| win + space bar | Switch between input languages and keyboard layouts |
General shortcuts in applications
| Control + A | Select all items |
| Control + C | Copy the selected item |
| Control + X | Cut the selected item |
| Control + V | Paste the copied item |
| Control + Z | undo the changes |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo the changes |
| Control + OR | Open a file in the current app |
| Control + S | Save the file or folder |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Open the task save as |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between running apps |
| Alt + F4 | Close the active window |
| Alt + F8 | Show password on the login screen |
| F5 | Update the active window |
| F10 | Open the menu bar of the active application |
| Ctrl + P | Print current screen |
For the file explorer
| Win + E | Open File Explorer |
| (Within the browser) Ctrl + N | Open a new window |
| Ctrl+E | Access the search bar |
| Control + W | Close the active sale |
| Ctrl + Mouse Scroll | Change the view of files and folders. |
| F4 | Switch to address/location bar |
| F5 | Refresh the browser |
| F6 | Switch between left/right panes |
| Alt + D | Select the address bar |
| Alt+P | Show/Hide preview pane |
| Alt + Enter | Opens the Properties menu of the selected item |
Other keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11
| For the game bar: | |
| Win + G | Open the Xbox game bar |
| Win + Alt + G | Record the last 30 seconds of the active game |
| Win + Alt + R | Take a screenshot in-game |
| Win + Alt + T | Show/hide record timer overlay |
| For the taskbar: | |
| Windows + Tab | Open the task view |
| Windows + 1, 2, 3… | Activate the first second, third application… |
| Windows + T | Highlight the first app on the taskbar |
| Windows + B | Highlight the first app in the system tray |
| For virtual desktops: | |
| Windows + Ctrl + D | Create a new virtual desktop |
| Windows + Ctrl + Left Arrow | Switch to the previous virtual desktop |
| Windows + Ctrl + Right Arrow | Switch to the next virtual desktop |
| Windows + Ctrl + F4 | Close the current virtual desktop. |
| For accessibility: | |
| Windows + U | Launch the Ease of Access Center |
| Windows + Enter | start the narrator |
| Windows + + | Launch the magnifying glass and zoom |
| Windows + – | Move the magnifying glass away if the app is open |
| Windows + Escape | close the magnifying glass |
These keyboard shortcuts are very useful. Once you learn them and start using them you won’t be able to stop using them. They can be activated with peripherals like a mouse, but it is a good way to save time and effort. The ones shown above are only a selection of the hundreds available. Although most of them carry over from one version to another, here is Microsoft’s list for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, or Windows 7.
And it’s not just the operating systems that have them. There is another large collection for almost all Windows applications as you can see in this guide. And not only Microsoft but there are also keyboard shortcuts for any kind of software like these for the Google Chrome browser.
