Keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11
Quick, practical shortcuts to fly around Windows 11. A mix of everyday and power-user tricks
Essentials you might have missed
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|
Shift + Right-click | Extended context menu in File Explorer/desktop (make default via reg) |
Windows + V | Clipboard history (enable in Settings → System → Clipboard) |
Windows + . | Emoji, GIFs, symbols, Kaomoji |
Windows + L | Lock PC |
Windows + A | Quick Settings (Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, volume) |
Windows + X | Quick Link menu (power user menu) |
Windows + D | Show desktop |
Windows + R | Run dialog |
Windows + E | File Explorer |
Windows + I | Settings |
Windows + K | Cast/Connect (wireless display/audio) |
Windows + P | Change display output mode (duplicate/extend) |
Windows + H | Voice typing |
Windows + Tab | Task View (multi‑desktop overview) |
Alt + Tab | Switch apps (hold Shift to go backward) |
Ctrl + Tab | Switch tabs/documents |
Tab / Shift + Tab | Move forward/backward through form fields |
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
Ctrl + F5 | Hard refresh in browsers (ignores cache) |
Shift + Delete | Permanently delete (bypass Recycle Bin) |
F2 | Rename selected file/item |
Ctrl + C (on an error dialog) | Copy error text |
Windows + Pause/Break | Open System/About settings |
Taskbar and windowing (Windows 11)
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|
Windows + [1–9, 0] | Open/switch to the pinned app at that taskbar position |
Shift + click taskbar icon | Open a new instance |
Middle-click taskbar icon | Open a new instance |
Middle-click a taskbar thumbnail | Close that window/tab (where supported) |
Windows + Arrow keys | Snap left/right/top/bottom; maximize/restore/minimize |
Windows + Z | Snap Layouts menu for current window |
Windows + Shift + Left/Right | Move window to next monitor |
Windows + P | Project to a display (duplicate/extend/second screen only) |
Windows + G | Xbox Game Bar (record, performance widgets) |
Windows + Ctrl + D | New virtual desktop |
Windows + Ctrl + Left/Right | Switch virtual desktops |
Windows + Ctrl + F4 | Close current virtual desktop |
Windows + Tab | Task View (manage virtual desktops and timelines) |
Windows + Home | Minimize all windows except the active one |
Ctrl + Shift + N | New folder in File Explorer |
Windows + + / Windows + - | Magnifier zoom in/out |
- The key to the right of the space bar (sometimes to the right of AltGr) opens the context menu for the current selection.
- Great for fixing typos via spellcheck menus, renaming files, and accessing Properties without the mouse.
- After opening the menu, use underlined letters to trigger commands: m = Rename, r = Properties, n = Send to, d = Delete.
Useful run commands (Windows + R)
| Command | Opens |
|---|
resmon | Resource Monitor (CPU, disk, network) |
perfmon | Performance Monitor |
cmd | Command Prompt |
powershell | Windows PowerShell |
wt | Windows Terminal (if installed) |
control userpasswords2 | Advanced user accounts dialog |
dxdiag | DirectX diagnostics (hardware info) |
msinfo32 | System Information |
regedit | Registry Editor |
msconfig | System Configuration |
services.msc | Services management console |
compmgmt.msc | Computer Management |
eventvwr | Event Viewer |
appwiz.cpl | Programs and Features |
charmap | Character Map |
Text, navigation, and screen capture
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|
Drag with right-click | Choose copy/move/create shortcut when dropping |
Esc | Dismiss dialog or exit mode |
Ctrl + Shift + Left/Right | Select a word at a time |
Ctrl + Backspace / Ctrl + Delete | Delete previous/next word |
Double-click window title | Maximize/restore |
Space | Toggle checkbox, activate focused button, or scroll |
Ctrl + Left/Right | Move caret by word (hold Shift to select) |
Ctrl + Up/Down | Move caret by paragraph (hold Shift to select) |
Page Up/Down | Scroll one page |
Home / End | Jump to start/end of line or page (depends on app) |
F5 | Refresh page/folder/dialog |
Alt + Left/Right | Back/Forward in browsers and File Explorer |
Ctrl + Enter | Insert a line break (app‑dependent) |
Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y | Undo / Redo (use Ctrl + Shift + Z in Adobe apps) |
Ctrl + X / Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V | Cut / Copy / Paste |
Ctrl + S / Ctrl + F / Ctrl + A | Save / Find / Select all |
Shift + click in lists | Select a range |
Ctrl + click in lists | Select multiple individual items |
Ctrl + B / Ctrl + I / Ctrl + U | Bold / Italic / Underline |
Windows + Shift + S | Snipping Tool capture (region/screen/window) |
Alt + Print Screen | Copy current window to clipboard |
Windows + Print Screen | Save full screenshot to Pictures/Screenshots |
Bonus tips
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|
Windows + U | Open Accessibility settings |
Windows + Space | Switch input language/keyboard (if multiple installed) |
Middle-click a favorites/bookmarks folder | Open all links in new tabs (browser‑dependent) |
Ctrl + Alt + [1–6] | Apply heading levels in many word processors (Ctrl + [1–9] in many web apps) |
Windows + C | Copilot (if available in your build) |
Windows + Ctrl + Q | Quick Assist |
Lost a window? Try Windows + Arrow keys to snap it back, or Windows + Home to minimize others.