Best Windows 11 Shortcut Keys You Need to Know

Windows 11 offers a range of shortcut keys designed to streamline your workflow and enhance productivity. These shortcuts provide quick access to esse

Windows 11 offers a range of shortcut keys designed to streamline your workflow and enhance productivity. These shortcuts provide quick access to essential features, allowing you to navigate the operating system with ease. 

From managing windows and desktops to accessing settings and apps, mastering these key combinations can significantly boost your efficiency. Whether you're a seasoned user or new to Windows 11, knowing these shortcuts can help you perform tasks faster and more smoothly. 

In this blog post, we'll explore the most useful Windows 11 shortcut keys that can help you make the most of your computing experience. Get ready to discover how these shortcuts can simplify your daily tasks and improve your overall productivity.

Best Windows 11 Shortcut Keys You Need to Know

Windows 11 introduces a host of new features and enhancements, making it an exciting operating system for both productivity and entertainment. To navigate this updated interface more efficiently, mastering keyboard shortcuts is essential. These shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow and improve your overall user experience. Here’s a detailed look at some of the best Windows 11 shortcuts that you need to know.

• 1. Windows Key + S: Open Search
• 2. Windows Key + E: Open File Explorer
• 3. Windows Key + D: Show/Hide Desktop
• 4. Windows Key + Tab: Open Task View
• 5. Alt + Tab: Switch Between Open Apps
• 6. Windows Key + L: Lock Your PC
• 7. Windows Key + I: Open Settings
• 8. Windows Key + X: Open Quick Link Menu
• 9. Windows Key + A: Open Action Center
• 10. Windows Key + M: Minimize All Windows
• 11. Windows Key + Shift + S: Take a Screenshot
• 12. Windows Key + R: Open Run Dialog
• 13. Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a New Folder
• 14. Windows Key + Ctrl + D: Add a Virtual Desktop
• 15. Windows Key + Ctrl + F4: Close Current Virtual Desktop
• 16. Windows Key + G: Open Xbox Game Bar
• 17. Alt + F4: Close the Active Window
• 18. Windows Key + Shift + M: Restore Minimized Windows
• 19. Windows Key + Up Arrow: Maximize the Active Window
• 20. Windows Key + Left Arrow / Right Arrow: Snap Windows

ALSO READ: How to Optimize Windows 11 for Better Performance

All Important Windows 11 Shortcut Keys

Here is a comprehensive list of Windows 11 shortcut keys to help you navigate and utilize the operating system more efficiently:

Basic Shortcuts

1. Windows Key: Open Start Menu
2. Windows Key + A: Open Action Center
3. Windows Key + C: Open Microsoft Teams
4. Windows Key + D: Show/Hide Desktop
5. Windows Key + E: Open File Explorer
6. Windows Key + F: Open Feedback Hub
7. Windows Key + G: Open Xbox Game Bar
8. Windows Key + H: Open Dictation
9. Windows Key + I: Open Settings
10. Windows Key + K: Open Connect
11. Windows Key + L: Lock Your PC
12. Windows Key + M: Minimize All Windows
13. Windows Key + N: Open Notification Center
14. Windows Key + O: Lock Device Orientation
15. Windows Key + P: Open Projection Options
16. Windows Key + R: Open Run Dialog
17. Windows Key + S: Open Search
18. Windows Key + T: Cycle Through Taskbar Apps
19. Windows Key + U: Open Accessibility Settings
20. Windows Key + V: Open Clipboard History
21. Windows Key + W: Open Widgets
22. Windows Key + X: Open Quick Link Menu
23. Windows Key + Z: Open Snap Layouts
24. Windows Key + Plus (+): Open Magnifier
25. Windows Key + Minus (-): Zoom Out with Magnifier

Window Management

1. Windows Key + Arrow Up: Maximize the Active Window
2. Windows Key + Arrow Down: Minimize/Restore the Active Window
3. Windows Key + Arrow Left: Snap the Window to the Left Half of the Screen
4. Windows Key + Arrow Right: Snap the Window to the Right Half of the Screen
5. Windows Key + Shift + Left/Right Arrow: Move the Active Window to Another Monitor
6. Windows Key + Shift + Up Arrow: Stretch the Window to the Top Half of the Screen
7. Windows Key + Shift + Down Arrow: Restore the Window to its Original Size
8. Windows Key + Number (1-9): Open or Switch to the App in the Corresponding Taskbar Position

Task and Desktop Management

1. Windows Key + Tab: Open Task View
2. Windows Key + Ctrl + D: Add a Virtual Desktop
3. Windows Key + Ctrl + F4: Close the Current Virtual Desktop
4. Windows Key + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow: Switch Between Virtual Desktops

Accessibility and System Tools

1. Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager
2. Alt + F4: Close the Active Window
3. Alt + Tab: Switch Between Open Apps
4. Ctrl + W: Close the Current Tab or Window
5. Ctrl + N: Open a New Window
6. Ctrl + P: Open Print Dialog
7. Ctrl + S: Save the Current Document
8. Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a New Folder in File Explorer
9. Ctrl + D: Bookmark a Web Page (in browsers)
10. Alt + Enter: Show Properties for the Selected Item
11. F2: Rename the Selected Item
12. F5: Refresh the Current Window
13. Esc: Cancel the Current Task

Search and Clipboard

1. Windows Key + S: Open Search
2. Windows Key + V: Open Clipboard History
3. Windows Key + Ctrl + V: Open Clipboard History (Directly)

Screenshot and Snipping

1. Windows Key + Shift + S: Open Snip & Sketch Tool for Screenshots
2. PrtScn (Double Tap): Capture Full-Screen Screenshot
3. Alt + PrtScn: Capture Screenshot of the Active Window
4. Windows Key + PrtScn: Capture a Full-Screen Screenshot and Save it to Pictures

File Explorer Shortcuts

1. Windows Key + E: Open File Explorer
2. Alt + D: Focus Address Bar in File Explorer
3. Ctrl + Shift + E: Expand All Folders in the Navigation Pane

System and Settings

1. Windows Key + I: Open Settings
2. Windows Key + R: Open Run Dialog
3. Windows Key + L: Lock PC

Additional Basic Shortcuts

1. Windows Key + F1: Open the Help Menu (in some applications)
2. Windows Key + X: Open the Quick Link Menu (for system tools and settings)

Additional Window Management

1. Windows Key + Shift + C: Open the Compact View in Task View
2. Windows Key + Shift + M: Restore Minimized Windows
3. Windows Key + Ctrl + F: Search for PCs on a Network (if on a network)

Additional Task and Desktop Management

1. Windows Key + Ctrl + D: Add a New Virtual Desktop
2. Windows Key + Ctrl + F4: Close the Current Virtual Desktop
3. Windows Key + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow: Switch Between Virtual Desktops
4. Windows Key + Ctrl + F: Search for Devices on the Network

Additional Accessibility and System Tools

1. Windows Key + Ctrl + C: Toggle Color Filters
2. Windows Key + Ctrl + N: Open Narrator Settings
3. Windows Key + Ctrl + L: Open Lock Screen (similar to Windows Key + L)
4. Windows Key + Ctrl + S: Open Speech Recognition

Additional Search and Clipboard

1. Windows Key + Shift + V: Cycle Through Clipboard History (in some versions)
2. Ctrl + C: Copy the Selected Item
3. Ctrl + X: Cut the Selected Item
4. Ctrl + V: Paste the Copied/Cut Item

Additional Screenshot and Snipping

1. Windows Key + Print Screen: Capture Full-Screen Screenshot and Save it to the Pictures Folder
2. Alt + Print Screen: Capture Screenshot of the Active Window
3. Windows Key + Shift + S: Open Snip & Sketch Tool for Customized Screenshots
4. Windows Key + G: Open Xbox Game Bar for Screenshot and Screen Recording

Additional File Explorer Shortcuts

1. Windows Key + 1-9: Open or Switch to the App Pinned to the Taskbar in the Corresponding Position
2. Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a New Folder
3. Ctrl + E: Select the Search Box
4. Ctrl + Shift + 7: Display the Navigation Pane

Additional System and Settings

1. Windows Key + I: Open Settings
2. Windows Key + U: Open Accessibility Settings
3. Ctrl + Alt + Del: Open the Security Screen for Lock, Switch User, Sign Out, or Task Manager
4. Alt + Esc: Cycle Through Items in the Order They Were Opened

Additional Miscellaneous Shortcuts

1. Ctrl + Alt + F: Switch to Full-Screen Mode (in some applications)
2. Ctrl + Alt + Tab: Open Task Switcher (without holding Ctrl)
3. Ctrl + D: Delete the Selected Item and Move to the Recycle Bin
4. Alt + F8: Show/Hide Password in a Password Field

Touchscreen Shortcuts

1. Swipe Down: Minimize All Windows
2. Swipe Up: Open Task View
3. Pinch In/Out: Zoom In or Out on the Desktop or in Apps

These shortcuts are designed to help you navigate Windows 11 more efficiently, enhancing productivity and streamlining common tasks. Mastering these can significantly improve your computing experience.

Windows 11 Shortcut Keys for MS Office

• Ctrl + N: New Document
• Ctrl + O: Open Document
• Ctrl + S: Save Document
• Ctrl + P: Print Document
• Ctrl + C: Copy Selected Item
• Ctrl + X: Cut Selected Item
• Ctrl + V: Paste Copied/Cut Item
• Ctrl + Z: Undo Action
• Ctrl + Y: Redo Action
• Ctrl + A: Select All

Windows 11 Shortcut Keys for MS Excel

• Ctrl + N: New Workbook
• Ctrl + O: Open Workbook
• Ctrl + S: Save Workbook
• Ctrl + P: Print Workbook
• Ctrl + C: Copy Selected Cells
• Ctrl + X: Cut Selected Cells
• Ctrl + V: Paste Copied/Cut Cells
• Ctrl + Z: Undo Action
• Ctrl + Y: Redo Action
• Ctrl + Arrow Keys: Navigate to the Edge of Data Region
• Ctrl + Shift + L: Toggle Filters
• F2: Edit Active Cell
• Alt + =: AutoSum

Windows 11 Shortcut Keys for MS Word

• Ctrl + N: New Document
• Ctrl + O: Open Document
• Ctrl + S: Save Document
• Ctrl + P: Print Document
• Ctrl + C: Copy Selected Text
• Ctrl + X: Cut Selected Text
• Ctrl + V: Paste Copied/Cut Text
• Ctrl + Z: Undo Action
• Ctrl + Y: Redo Action
• Ctrl + B: Bold Text
• Ctrl + I: Italicize Text
• Ctrl + U: Underline Text
• Ctrl + F: Find Text
• Ctrl + H: Replace Text
• Ctrl + A: Select All Text
• Ctrl + E: Center Align Text
• Ctrl + L: Left Align Text
• Ctrl + R: Right Align Text

Windows 11 Shortcut Keys for MS PowerPoint

• Ctrl + N: New Presentation
• Ctrl + O: Open Presentation
• Ctrl + S: Save Presentation
• Ctrl + P: Print Presentation
• Ctrl + C: Copy Selected Objects
• Ctrl + X: Cut Selected Objects
• Ctrl + V: Paste Copied/Cut Objects
• Ctrl + Z: Undo Action
• Ctrl + Y: Redo Action
• F5: Start Slideshow
• Shift + F5: Start Slideshow from Current Slide
• Ctrl + M: New Slide
• Ctrl + D: Duplicate Selected Slide

Windows 11 Shortcut Keys (F1 – F12) Uses

• F1: Open Help
• F2: Rename Selected File or Folder
• F3: Open Search Box
• F4: Open Address Bar in File Explorer
• F5: Refresh Current Window
• F6: Cycle Through Screen Elements
• F7: Open Spell Check
• F8: Access Safe Mode during Boot
• F9: Refresh Document (in Word) or Send/Receive (in Outlook)
• F10: Activate Menu Bar
• F11: Toggle Full-Screen Mode
• F12: Open Save As Dialog

Windows 11 Shortcut Keys for Special Characters

• Alt + 0150: En Dash (–)
• Alt + 0151: Em Dash (—)
• Alt + 0176: Degree Symbol (°)
• Alt + 0190: Fraction (¾)
• Alt + 0216: Ø (Diameter Symbol)
• Alt + 0231: ç (Cedilla)
• Alt + 0241: ñ (Tilde)
• Alt + 0247: ÷ (Division Sign)

Windows 11 Shortcut Keys for Gmail

• C: Compose New Email
• R: Reply to Email
• A: Reply All
• F: Forward Email
• E: Archive Email
• #: Delete Email
• G + I: Go to Inbox
• G + S: Go to Sent Mail
• U: Mark as Unread
• K: Move to Next Email
• J: Move to Previous Email

Windows 11 Shortcut Keys for YouTube

• K or Spacebar: Play/Pause Video
• J: Rewind 10 seconds
• L: Fast Forward 10 seconds
• M: Mute/Unmute Video
• Arrow Up: Increase Volume
• Arrow Down: Decrease Volume
• F: Enter/Exit Full Screen
• C: Toggle Closed Captions
• Shift + N: Next Video
• Shift + P: Previous Video

Windows 11 Shortcut Keys for Google Chrome

• Ctrl + T: Open New Tab
• Ctrl + W: Close Current Tab
• Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen Closed Tab
• Ctrl + Tab: Switch to Next Tab
• Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Switch to Previous Tab
• Ctrl + L: Focus Address Bar
• Ctrl + D: Bookmark Current Page
• Ctrl + J: Open Downloads
• Ctrl + H: Open History
• Ctrl + Shift + N: Open New Incognito Window

Windows 11 Shortcut Keys for Competitive Exams

• Ctrl + C: Copy Selected Text (for practice material)
• Ctrl + V: Paste Copied Text (for practice material)
• Ctrl + P: Print Practice Questions
• Ctrl + S: Save Study Notes
• Alt + Tab: Switch Between Study Resources
• Ctrl + F: Find Specific Information
• Ctrl + A: Select All Text
• F5: Refresh Page/Window (for online tests)

These shortcuts are designed to help you efficiently navigate various applications and improve your productivity. Mastering these can save you time and make your computer usage more efficient.

Windows 11 shortcut keys pdf download

Windows 11 introduces a range of shortcut keys designed to enhance productivity and streamline navigation. These shortcuts provide quick access to essential features, making it easier to manage windows, switch between tasks, and access system tools. 

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• Windows Shortcut Keys Pdf

For those looking to make the most of these shortcuts, having a handy reference can be incredibly useful. Downloading a PDF of Windows 11 shortcut keys is a practical way to keep all the commands organized and easily accessible. Whether you’re a new user or looking to optimize your workflow, a shortcut key PDF can help you efficiently navigate the new features and improve your overall computing experience.

Conclusion

Mastering these Windows 11 shortcuts can enhance your productivity and streamline your computing experience. Whether you're navigating between applications, managing virtual desktops, or taking screenshots, these shortcuts help you work more efficiently. Incorporate them into your daily routine to get the most out of Windows 11 and make your workflow smoother and faster.