If you use Windows 11 every day, knowing a few keyboard shortcuts can really make things easier. They help you move around faster, take screenshots quickly, switch between apps, and handle everyday tasks without clicking too much.
Below is a simple list of useful shortcuts for navigation, multitasking, File Explorer, the taskbar, virtual desktops, and accessibility features.
Keyboard shortcuts with the Windows logo key
- Win: Toggle the Start Menu
- Win + A: Open Quick Settings
- Win + D: Show or hide the desktop
- Win + E: Open File Explorer
- Win + G: Open Xbox Game Bar
- Win + H: Launch voice typing
- Win + I: Open the Settings app
- Win + L: Lock your PC or switch accounts
- Win + N: Open Notification Center and Calendar
- Win + R: Open the Run dialog box
- Win + S: Open Windows Search
- Win + Shift + S: Take a screenshot using Snipping Tool
- Win + V: Open Clipboard history (must be enabled in Settings)
- Win + W: Open Widgets
- Win + X: Open the Quick Link menu
- Win + Z: Open Snap Layouts
- Win + PrtScn: Save a full-screen screenshot to a file
General keyboard shortcuts
- Ctrl + X: Cut the selected item
- Ctrl + C: Copy the selected item
- Ctrl + V: Paste the selected item
- Ctrl + Z: Undo an action
- Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps
- Alt + F4: Close the active window or app
- Ctrl + A: Select all items in a window or document
- Ctrl + D: Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager
- PrtScn: Take a screenshot and copy it to the clipboard
File Explorer shortcuts
- Alt + D: Select the address bar
- Ctrl + E: Select the search box
- Ctrl + N: Open a new File Explorer window
- Ctrl + W: Close the active window
- Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder
- Alt + Enter: Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
Taskbar shortcuts
- Shift + Click on a taskbar app: Open a new instance of the app
- Ctrl + Shift + Click on a taskbar app: Open the app as an administrator
- Win + T: Cycle through apps on the taskbar
- Win + (number): Open the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Virtual Desktop shortcuts
- Win + Tab: Open Task View
- Win + Ctrl + D: Add a new virtual desktop
- Win + Ctrl + Left Arrow / Right Arrow: Switch between virtual desktops
- Win + Ctrl + F4: Close the current virtual desktop
Accessibility shortcuts
- Win + U: Open Accessibility Settings
- Win + Plus (+): Open Magnifier and zoom in
- Win + Minus (-): Zoom out in Magnifier
- Win + Esc: Close Magnifier
- Win + Ctrl + Enter: Turn on Narrator
