Windows 11 Shortcut Keys

Essential Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl + A Select all items in a document or window

Ctrl + F Find / Open search

Ctrl + S Save a document

Ctrl + C Copy selected item

Ctrl + X Cut selected item

Ctrl + V Paste the copied / cut item

*Or the more powerful cousin: Win + V

Ctrl + Z Undo an action

Ctrl + Y Redo an action

Ctrl + B Bold text

Ctrl + I Italicize text

Ctrl + U Underline text

Ctrl + K Insert hyperlink

Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open Task Manager

Ctrl + Home (End) Move the cursor to the beginning / end of the buffer

Ctrl shortcuts

Win + A Open Quick Settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, display, sound, brightness)

Win + C Open Windows Copilot (updated in Windows 11)

Win + D Display and hide desktop

Win + E Open File Explorer

Win + H Open dictation / voice typing

Win + I Open Settings

Win + L Lock computer or switch accounts

Win + M Minimize all windows

Win + N Open notification center & calendar

Win + P Open display / projection options

Win + R Open Run dialog box

Win + S Open Search

Win + Shift + S Capture part of the screen (screenshot tool)

Win + T Cycle through apps on the taskbar

Win + V Open clipboard history

Win + W Open Widgets (updated in Windows 11)

Win + X Open the Quick Link menu

Win + Z Open the snap layouts (updated in Windows 11)

Win + 1 (2, 3, …) Start or switch to the pinned taskbar app at the number position

Win + ➞ (or ⬅) Snap window to the right / left side of screen

Win + ⬆ (or ⬇) Maximize / minimize the window

Win + Alt + ⬆ (or ⬇) Snap window to top / bottom half of screen (new with Windows 11)

Win + Period (.) Open emoji panel

Win + PrtScn Save full screen screenshot to file

Win + Plus / Minus Open Magnifier and zoom in / out

Win + Tab Open Task View (switch between apps & desktops)

Win + Spacebar Switch input language and keyboard layout

Windows key shortcuts

Alt + D Select the address bar in File Explorer

Alt + F Open File menu

Alt + P Open the preview panel

Alt + Tab Switch between open apps

Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active app

Alt + F8 Show your password on the sign-in screen

Alt + Enter Display properties for the selected item

Alt + Esc Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened

Alt shortcuts

F2 Rename the selected item

F3 Search for a file or folder in File Explorer

F4 Display the items in the active list / address bar

F5 Refresh the active window

F6 Cycle through elements in a window / desktop

F10 (or Alt) Activate the Menu bar in the active app

F11 Maximize or minimize the active window

Shift + F10 Display the shortcut menu for the selected item

Ctrl + F4 Close the active document

Function keys

Please note that some keyboards, in particular laptop keyboards, may require 

pressing the Fn key together with the F-keys to activate them.