Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts List: The Ultimate Guide

Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts

It’s been a while since Microsoft released Windows 11 publicly. If you’re still using Windows 10, then you should definitely upgrade it. Or, you can clean install by downloading Windows 11 Stable ISO File. Windows 11 offers many new and useful features and UI changes like, snap layout, widgets, center taskbar icons, new settings app, and much more. Even, now you can run Android Apps on Windows 11, just install WSA with Play Store. Along with these new features, Microsoft also introduced some new Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts or Hotkeys. You can increase your productivity with these new keyboard shortcut keys.

Well, no worries, all Windows 10 shortcuts still work with Windows 11. Microsoft just added more shortcut keys. With the help of Keyboard Shortcuts, you will be able to do everything in Windows 11. And, in this article along with new Windows 11 shortcuts, you will get to know taskbar keyboard shortcuts, file explorer shortcuts, command prompt shortcuts, dialog box shortcuts, accessibility keyboard shortcuts, and, many other useful shortcuts.

Windows Hotkeys or Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 11.

Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts will not only save you time but, also will help you to do many tasks easily. This means, no need to go through multiple settings to access what you want. Yes, memorizing all shortcuts will not gonna be easy. Although, you can learn shortcuts to tasks that you frequently do. That way, keyboard shortcuts will be more useful for you. In this article first I will tell you about new Windows 11 shortcuts. After that, you will get to know about universal Windows shortcuts, which will work even with Windows 10. You can also turn off Camera and Microphone using Keyboard Shortcuts.

New Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts.

Windows 11 comes with new keyboard shortcuts to access its new cool features like voice typing, snap layout, widgets, action center, and quick settings.

Voice Typing – Win + H Shortcut.

In Windows 11, Microsoft released a voice typing feature. Which you can quickly access anywhere. Just press the Windows + H key simultaneously. You can also manage its settings by going into Settings > Accessibility > Speech.

Windows 11 Voice Typing

Widgets – Win + W Shortcut.

In Windows 11, a dedicated widgets panel was added. Which gives you access to the latest news, weather reports, Onedrive, and much more. You can also customize the widgets panel by adding or removing widgets. By default, the widget’s icon appears in the taskbar. Although, alternatively you can access widgets by pressing Windows + W key. Also, you can hide the widget’s icon by going into Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.

Windows 11 Widgets

Action Center – Win + A Shortcut.

Action center is quite similar to Android’s quick settings menu. Although, Windows 11 action center is a little bit different from Windows 10. In Windows 10, this shortcut will open the control center with a notification panel. But, in Windows 11, this Windows + A shortcut will open the action center with the quick settings panel. This means the Action center and notification panel are now separated.

Windows 11 Action Center

Calander with Notifications Panel – Win + N Shortcut.

As I mentioned, the notification panel is now separated from the action center. So, the keyboard shortcut is also different now. You have to press the Windows + N shortcut key to open the calendar and notification panel.

Windows 11 Notification Panel

Snap Layout – Win + Z Shortcut.

Snap Layout in Windows 11 is a completely new feature. Although, it is an improvement over Windows 10’s snap window management feature. When you press Windows + Z shortcut key, a popup will appear in the upper right corner of your Window. And, from it, you can choose a layout to work with.

Windows 11 Snap Layout

Teams Chat App – Win + C Shortcut.

Teams chat is an instant messenger program app. Basically, it is kinda a skype alternative. Well, you can quickly launch it by pressing Windows + C shortcut key.

Windows 11 Teams Chat App

More Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts

Apart from new shortcuts of new features on Windows 11, there are some other keyboard shortcuts. That you can use to enhance your workflow and productivity.

ActionKeyboard Shortcuts
Close Current Active Window, Open Shut Down WindowsAlt + F4
Switch between multiple running windows (applications)Alt + Tab
Delete and Move selected file or folder to Recycle Bin (Ctrl + Right-Click to Delete)Ctrl +Delete
Delete Selected File Permanently (Shift + Right-Click to Delete)Shift + Delete
Display or Hide DesktopWin + D
Open Task View or Create new DesktopWin + Tab
Lock ComputerWin + L
Open Start Button Context MenuWin + X
Project a ScreenWin + P
Open Settings AppWin + I
Open Run WindowWin + R
Print Current PageCtrl + P
Open Emoji KeyboardWin +.
Win +;
Undo an ActionCtrl + Z
Redo an ActionCtrl + Y
Stop or Close the Running TaskEsc
Enter/Exit into Full-Screen ModeF11
Rename Select ItemF2
Refresh Desktop or Active WindowF5
Open Menu Bar in the Some AppsF10
Open Task ManagerCtrl + Shift + Esc
Open Windows SearchWin + S
Win + Q
Display Password on Login ScreenAlt + F8
Open Shortcut Menu of Current WindowAlt + Spacebar
Switch between active apps in TaskbarAlt + Esc
Open Properties of the selected itemAlt + Enter
Open the context menu (right-click menu) of the selected itemAlt + F10
Open new program window of the active windowCtrl + N
Select more than one itemShift + Arrow keys
Save the Current FileCtrl + S
Save AsCtrl + Shift + S
Open a file in the current appCtrl + O
Move up one screenAlt + Pg Up
Move down one screenAlt + Pg Dn
Select all Items (File and Folders)Ctrl + A
Copy Selected Items (File and Folders)Ctrl + C
Cut Selected Items (File and Folders)Ctrl + X
Paste Copied or Cut Items (File and Folders)Ctrl + V
Go back to the Settings home pageBackspace
Start IME ReconversionWin + /
Open Feedback HubWin + F
Open Cast Settings or Connect quick settingsWin + K
Lock Device OrientationWin + O
Display System PropertiesWin + Pause
Search for PCs if you’re on NetworkWin + Ctrl + F
Move an app or window from one monitor to another (for dual monitor setup)Win + Shift + Left and Right Arrow Key
Switch between Keyboard LayoutWin + Spacebar
Open Clipboard HistoryWin + V
Switch input between Mixed Reality and your desktopWin + Y

Windows 11 Shortcuts to take Screenshots

Like macOS, Windows 11 has also its own shortcut keys to take screenshots. Windows 11 uses a snipping tool to take screenshots. You can also use other tools if you want.

Action Keyboard Shortcuts to Take Screenshots
Take Screenshot (Check Screenshots Folder in Pictures)Windows + Prt Scr
Alt + Print Screen
Take a Screenshot of the Entire Screen and Paste it anywherePrt Scr/ Print Screen
Capture any part of the screen with Snip & SketchWin + Shift + S

Windows 11 Taskbar Shortcuts

With these shortcuts, you can easily get complete control over your Taskbar.

Action Taskbar Keyboard Shortcuts
Run App as Administrator from the Taskbar or Open Another Instance of AppCtrl + Shift + Left-click on app icon
Win + Ctrl + Shift + Number key
Cycle through apps in the taskbarWin + T
Select the Windows System TrayWin + B
Open the app in the number position from the TaskbarWin + Number (0 – 9)
Open the first App in TaskbarWin + 1
Open another instance of App pinned in TaskBarShift + Left Click on App Icon
Win + Shift + Number key (0-9)
Show Window menu of group apps in the taskbarShift + Right-click grouped app icon
Open Taskbar Application MenuAlt + Windows key + number keys
View Date and Time from the Taskbar (Doesn’t work in Win11)Win + Alt + D
Switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbarWin + Ctrl + Number key (0-9)
Open Jump List of the Pinned App in TaskBarWin + Alt + Number key (0-9)

Windows 11 File Explorer Shortcuts.

Yes, even only with keyboard shortcuts you can easily navigate in your Windows filesystem or file explorer.

ActionFile Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts
Open File ExplorerWin + E
Access search boxCtrl + E
Open Current Explorer Window in a New WindowCtrl + N
Close Active Explorer WindowCtrl + W
Create New FolderCtrl + Shift + N
Display Preview PanelAlt + P
Open Properties Settings of the Selected ItemAlt + Enter
Go to the next folder.Alt + Right arrow key
Go to the previous folderAlt + Left arrow key (or Backspace)
Go to the Parent FolderAlt + Up arrow
Access Address Bar or Switch focus to address barF4
Refresh File ExplorerF5
Start Mark ModeCtrl + M
Change File and Folder ViewCtrl + Mouse Scroll
Switch Between PanesF6
Expand all subfolders in the left Navigation PaneCtrl + Shift + E
Select Address BarAlt + D
Changes file folder viewCtrl + Shift + Number (1-8)
Expand the selected drive or folder in the left navigation paneNum Lock + Plus (+)
Collapse the selected drive or folder in the left navigation paneNum Lock + minus (-)
Expand all the subfolders under the selected drive or folder at once.Num Lock + Asterisk (*)
Expand first selected subfolderRight Arrow key
Collapse first selected subfolderLeft Arrow Key
Move to the Top of the active WindowHome
Move to the bottom of the active WindowEnd

Windows 11 Command Prompt (CMD) Shortcuts

If you’re using a command prompt then you can use these shortcuts. Although these shortcuts are for CMD, hopefully, will work for Windows Terminal windows PowerShell.

ActionCMD/Windows Terminal/Windows PowerShell Shortcuts
Open Find Window in CMDCtrl + F
Enable or Enter Mark ModeCtrl + M
Move Cursor up a PagePg Up
Move Cursor down a PagePg Dn
Scroll to the top of the Command PromptCtrl + Home
Scroll to the bottom of the Command PromptCtrl + End
Select Command that you’re runningCtrl + A
Move Cursor to the beginning of the buffer when you’re in mark modeCtrl + Home
Move Cursor to the End of the buffer when you’re in mark modeCtrl + End
Cycle through command history of current active sessionUp and Down Arrow Keys
Move Cursor Left or Right in current CommandLeft and Right Arrow Keys
Move the cursor to the start of the current command lineShift + Home
Move the cursor to the end of the current command lineShift + End
Move the cursor one line up, and select textShift + Up
Move the cursor one line down, and select textShift + Down
Move the cursor one word at a timeCtrl + Shift + Left Right Arrow Keys
Move the cursor up one screen, and select textShift + Page Up
Move the cursor down one screen, and select textShift + Page Down
Move the screen up one line in the output historyCtrl + Up Arrow Key
Move the screen down one line in the output historyCtrl + Down Arrow Key

Windows 11 Xbox Game Bar Shortcuts

Action Xbox Game Bar Shortcuts
Open Xbox Game BarWin + G
Start or Stop Recording GameWin + Alt + R
Record the last 30 seconds of the Active GameWin + Alt + G
Take a Screenshot of the game you’re playingWin + Alt + PrtSc
Show or Hide recording timer of the gameWin + Alt + T

Windows 11 Dialog Box Shortcuts

With these shortcuts, you can easily navigate to the Dialog Box of any Windows Application.

ActionDialog Box Shortcuts
Switch to the nth tabCtrl + N (number 1–9)
Show Items in the Current Active ListF4
Move forward through Options of Dialog BoxTab
Move back through Options of the Dialog BoxShift + Tab
Execute the command used with the underlined letterAlt + underlined letter
Check or Uncheck the check box, if it’s selectedSpacebar
Move forward through tabsCtrl + Tab
Move back through tabsCtrl + Shift + Tab
Select or move to a button (In a group of active buttons)Arrow Keys
Open Parent Folder (When Open or Save As dialog box window is open.)Backspace

Browser Shortcuts for Windows 11

These Shortcuts will work with all major browsers. Like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera Browser.

ActionBrowser Shortcuts
Open New TabCtrl + T
Open New Browser WindowCtrl + N
Open Incongito WindowCtrl + Shift + N
Open Recently Closed WindowCtrl + Shift + T
Move Back to the Previous WebpageAlt + Left Arrow Key
Move Forward to WebpageAlt + Right Arrow Key
Save WebPageCtrl + S
Open Find WindowCtrl + F
Move Between TabsCtrl + Numbers
Move to the Right TabCtrl + Tab
Move to the Left TabCtrl + Shift + Tab
Close Current Active TabCtrl + W
Print or Save Webpage as PDFCtrl + P
Open Search HistoryCtrl + H
Create BookmarkCtrl + D
Open Source Code of WebpageCtrl + U
Open Downloads PageCtrl + J

Windows 11 Desktop Shorcuts

With these keyboard shortcuts you will able to navigate through your desktop without even using Mouse. These shortcuts will also work on virtual desktops.

ActionDesktop Shortcuts
Open Windows 11 Start MenuWindows Key
Select more than one item on the desktopCtrl + Arrow keys + Spacebar
Minimize all open windowsWin + M
Maximize all Minimized WindowsWin + Shift + M
View all Open WindowAlt + Tab
Minimize or Maximize all Window Except Active WindowWin + Home
Snap Current Active WindowWindows + Left Arrow Key
Windows + Right Arrow Key
Stretch Active Window to the top and bottom of the screenWin + Shift + Up arrow key
Restore or minimize active desktop windows verticallyWin + Shift + Down arrow key
Open Desktop viewWin + Tab
Create or Add a new virtual desktopWin + Ctrl + D
Close the currently active virtual desktopWin + Ctrl + F4
Toggle or switch to the virtual desktops in left or rightWin key + Ctrl + Right arrow
Win key + Ctrl + Left arrow
Create a shortcutPress Ctrl + Shift and Drag a file or app from desktop
Open WIndows SearchWin + S
Win + Q

Windows 11 Notepad or other Text Editor Shortcuts

These shortcuts will work in all text editors and even in browser. Although some shortcuts (Text styling) will not work in notepad.

Action Text Editor Shortcuts
Select all TextCtrl + A
Copy Selected TextCtrl + C
Cut Selected TextCtrl + X
Paste Selected TextCtrl + V
Bold Selected Text (Rich Text Editors only)Ctrl + B
Italicize selected text (Rich Text Editors only)Ctrl + I
Underline selected text (Rich Text Editors only)Ctrl + U
Move the cursor to the startHome
Move the cursor to the endEnd

Windows 11 Accessibility Shortcuts

If you use Windows 11 Accessibility features, then these keyboard shortcuts will be worth trying.

Action Accessibility Shortcuts
Open Accessibility SettingsWin + U
Turn on Magnifier and ZoomWin + plus (+)
Zoom out using MagnifierWin + minus (-)
Exit MagnifierWin + Esc
Switch to the docked mode in Magnifier (Keep Magnifier Open)Alt + Ctrl + D
Switch to full-screen mode in MagnifierAlt + Ctrl + F
Switch to lens mode in MagnifierAlt + Ctrl + L
Invert colors in MagnifierAlt + Ctrl + I
Cycle through views in MagnifierAlt + Ctrl + M
Resize the lens with the mouse in MagnifierAlt + Ctrl + R
Pan in MagnifierAlt + Ctrl + Arrow keys
Zoom in or out in MagnifierCtrl + Alt + mouse scroll
Open Narrator in Windows 10Win + Enter
Open on-screen keyboardWin + Ctrl + O
Turn Filter Keys on and offHold down Right Shift Key for 8 Seconds
Turn High Contrast on or offLeft Alt + Left Shift + PrtSc
Turn Sticky Keys on or offPress Shift 5 times
Turn Toggle Keys on or offPress Num Lock for 5 seconds
Turn Mouse Keys on or offLeft Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock

Ok, so these were the keyboard shortcuts that you can use in Windows 11 and Windows 10 as well. Yes, some Windows 10 shortcuts work differently now in Windows 11. But overall, with these shortcuts, you can control your computer without using a mouse. Also, many of these shortcuts will help you to save time.