Windows 11 Shortcut Keys

Windows 11 shortcut keys help users save considerable time, operate more quickly, and much simpler. Below is a list of Windows 11 shortcut keys to help you master the latest operating system version from Microsoft.

Read more: How to install Windows 11

Compilation of Windows 11 Shortcut Keys

List of Windows 11 Shortcut Keys

Newly Added Shortcut Keys on Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced additional shortcut keys on Windows 11 for users to access exciting new features like Widgets, Snap Layouts, Action Center, and Quick Settings.

- Windows + A: open Action Center.
- Windows + N: open Notification Center.
- Windows + W: open Widgets dashboard.
- Windows + Z: access Snap Layout.
- Windows + C: open Microsoft Teams.

2. Text Editing Shortcut Keys

Text editing and formatting are fundamental tasks for office workers as well as students. Below is a list of dedicated shortcut keys for these operations:

- Ctrl + X: cut selected item.
- Ctrl + C: copy selected item.
- Ctrl + V: paste selected item.
- Ctrl + B: bold selected text.
- Ctrl + I: italicize selected text.
- Ctrl + U: underline selected text.
- Home: move cursor to beginning of current line.
- End: move cursor to end of current line.

3. General Shortcut Keys

- Alt + Tab: switch between open apps.
- Alt + F4: close or exit current app.
- Windows + L: lock PC.
- Windows + D: show desktop on Windows 11.
- Alt + underlined letter: execute command for underlined letter.
- Alt + Enter: display properties for selected item.
- Alt + Spacebar: open shortcut menu for active window.
- Alt + Left arrow: go back.
- Alt + Right arrow: go forward.
- Alt + Page Up: scroll up one screen.
- Alt + Page Down: scroll down one screen.
- Ctrl + F4: close active document.
- Ctrl + A: select all items in document/window.
- Ctrl + D: delete selected items and move to recycle bin.
- Ctrl + R: refresh active window.
- Ctrl + Y: redo an action.
- Ctrl + Right arrow: move cursor to next word.
- Ctrl + Left arrow: move cursor to previous word.

4. Function Shortcuts on Windows 11

Function keys on Windows 11 are assigned to specific tasks, enhancing user flexibility during operations.

- F2 Key: Rename selected item.
- F3 Key: Search for files or folders in File Explorer.
- F4 Key: Display the address bar list in File Explorer.
- F5 Key: Refresh the active window.
- F6 Key: Navigate through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
- F10 Key: Activate the menu bar in the active app.
- F11 Key: Toggle full-screen mode for the active window.

5. File Explorer Shortcuts on Windows 11

- Alt + D: Select address bar.
- Ctrl + E: Select search box.
- Ctrl + N: Open new window.
- Ctrl + W: Close active window.
- Ctrl + mouse scroll: Change size and layout of file and folder icons.
- Ctrl + Shift + E: Show all folders above the selected folder.
- Ctrl + Shift + N: Create new folder.
- Num Lock + asterisk (*) key: Show all subfolders within the selected folder.
- Num Lock + plus (+) key: Show contents of the selected folder.
- Num Lock + minus (-) key: Collapse selected folder.
- Alt + P: Show preview pane
- Alt + Enter: Open Properties dialog for selected items.
- Alt + Right arrow: View next folder.
- Alt + Up arrow: Go back to the parent folder.
- Alt + Left arrow or Backspace: View the previous folder.
- Right arrow: Show current selection.
- End Key: Show end of active window.
- Home Key: Show top of active window.

6. Taskbar Shortcuts on Windows 11

These shortcuts help users maximize the use of the Windows 11 Taskbar:

- Shift + left-click on app icon: Open app or quickly open another instance of the app.
- Ctrl + Shift + left-click on app icon: Open app as Admin.
- Shift + right-click on app icon: Show app window menu.
- Windows + T: Cycle through apps on Taskbar.
- Windows + number key: Open app in Taskbar based on its pinned order.
- Ctrl + click on grouped Taskbar button: Cycle through windows of the group.

7. Windows 11 Settings Shortcuts

Similarly, the shortcuts below help users navigate the Settings app on Windows 11 more easily.

- Windows + I: Open Settings window.
- Backspace: Go back to main Settings window.

8. Shortcuts for Windows 11 Virtual Desktops

- Windows + Tab: Open Task View.
- Windows + Ctrl + D: Add a virtual desktop.
- Windows + Ctrl + Right Arrow: Switch between created virtual desktops on the right.
- Windows + Ctrl + Left Arrow: Switch between created virtual desktops on the left.
- Windows + Ctrl + F4: Close the active virtual desktop.

9. Windows 11 Game Bar Shortcuts

- Win + G: Open Game Bar.
- Win + Alt + PrtSc: Take a screenshot of the current game screen.
- Win + Alt + G: Record the last 30 seconds of gameplay.
- Win + Alt + R: Start/Stop recording gameplay video.
- Win + Alt + T: Show/Hide recording timer during gameplay video recording.

10. Windows 11 Browser Shortcuts

The Windows 11 shortcuts listed below work across major browsers including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and more.

- Ctrl + F: Find on page.
- Alt + D: Select URL in the address bar for editing.
- Win + U: Open Ease of Access in Settings window.
- Ctrl + H: Open web browsing history.
- Ctrl + J: Open downloads window in a new tab.
- Ctrl + N: Open a new window.
-Ctrl + P: Print the current page.
- Ctrl + R: Reload the current page.
- Ctrl + T: Open a new tab in the browser and switch to it.

11. Command Prompt Shortcuts in Windows 11

- Ctrl + C: Copy selected text.
- Ctrl + V: Paste selected text.
-Ctrl + M: Access mark mode.
- Arrow keys: Move cursor in the direction of the specified arrow keys.
- Ctrl + Home: Move cursor to the beginning of the buffer.
- Ctrl + End: Move cursor to the end of the buffer.

12. Windows 11 Dialog Box Shortcuts

- F4 Key: Show the list of active items.
- Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Move back through tabs.
- Ctrl + Number (1 - 9): Move to the nth tab.
- Tab: Move between options.
- Alt + Underlined letter: Perform the command (or select the option) used with that character.
- Spacebar: Select or clear the check box if the active option is a checkbox.
- Backspace: Open a folder if the folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.
- Arrow keys: Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.

13. Windows 11 Accessibility Shortcuts

- Windows + Plus Sign (+): Turn on Magnifier and Zoom.
- Windows + Minus Sign (-): Zoom out with Magnifier.
- Win + U: Open Ease of Access in Settings window.
- Win + Esc: Close Magnifier.
- Alt + Ctrl + D: Switch to docked mode in Magnifier.
- Alt + Ctrl + F: Switch to full screen mode in Magnifier.
- Press Shift key 5 times: Toggle Sticky Keys on or off.
- Alt + Ctrl + L: Switch to lens mode in Magnifier.
- Alt + Ctrl + I: Invert colors in Magnifier.
- Alt + Ctrl + M: Switch views in Magnifier.
- Alt + Ctrl + R: Resize the lens with mouse in Magnifier.
- Alt + Ctrl + Arrow keys: Rotate in Magnifier.
- Ctrl + Alt + mouse scroll: Zoom in or out.
- Win + Enter: Open Narrator.
- Press Num Lock key for 5 seconds: Toggle Toggle Keys on or off.
- Win + Ctrl + O: Open On-Screen Keyboard on Windows 11.
- Press and hold Shift key for 8 seconds: Toggle Filter Keys on or off.