Most people know the keyboard as an equipment used for typing. However, experienced users use the keyboard in the best possible manner to perform a variety of tasks. Keyboard shortcuts can do numerous things from simple text copying to taking screenshots and opening a variety of programs on PC. Windows 11 includes a plethora of keyboard shortcuts to help you with just that. So, in this article, let us discuss Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts that everyone should know.
Keyboard shortcuts are the key combinations that can execute various tasks such as copying a text, opening the command prompt, various programs, taking screenshots, etc.
Also Read: Windows Key Not Working – Fixed
Table of contents
- Shortcuts For Windows 11 features/apps
- General Keyboard shortcuts
Windows 11 Keyboard shortcuts that everyone should know!
Keyboard shortcuts can make your windows/PC experience better and save you a lot of time. So here, we have compiled a list of Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts that everyone should know.
1. Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts for Apps and Features
Windows key + A: Opens Quick Settings ( WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.)
Windows key + C: Shows Microsoft Teams Chat Window.
Windows key + D: Displays and exits the Desktop.
Windows key + E: Opens Files Explorer.
Windows key + G: Displays Xbox Game bar (an in-built tool for screen recording and doing much more during gameplay)
Windows key + Alt + R: Directly starts screen recording of the current app/game (Xbox game bar)
Windows key + H: Quickly launches shortcut for voice typing. Let your PC type for you with this option.
Windows key + I: Launch system settings of your PC or device.
Windows key + K: Open Cast window on your PC. This lets you connect your device to wireless displays such as.
Windows key + L: lock your PC within seconds.
Windows key + M: Minimizes all the currently opened Windows.
Windows key + N: Shows notification panel and the calendar. This is a newly added shortcut in Windows 11.
Windows key + R: Quickly open the Run dialogue box on your screen. With this, you can quickly open programs, files, documents, etc on your PC if you know their name.
Windows key + S: Open the search window on your PC. You can use this tool to Search apps and programs on your PC.
Windows key + Shift + S: Take a screenshot through the snipping tool. The snipping tool is an inbuilt tool on Windows. It allows you to effectively take screenshots. There are various options available. You can even adjust the capture area.
Windows key + U: Launch Accessibility tab of settings.
Windows key + V: Launches your clipboard history.
Windows key + W: Launch the widgets panel on your Windows 11 device.
Windows key + X: Open the WinX menu on your Windows 11 device.
Windows key + Z: Launches snap layouts panel. This allows you to use multiple windows on your screen simultaneously.
Windows key + Spacebar: Switch between languages ( In case you have downloaded and enabled multiple languages on your device)
Windows key + Ctrl+ Enter: Turns the Narrator feature on.
Ctrl + Esc:Display start menu.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc:Launch the task manager.
Also Read: How To Increase VRAM In Windows 11
2. General keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11
| Press this key | To do this |
| Ctrl + X | Cut the selected item. |
| Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) | Copy the selected item. |
| Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) | Paste the selected item. |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo an action. |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps. |
| Alt + F4 | Close the active item, or exit the active app. |
| Windows logo key + L | Lock your PC. |
| Windows logo key + D | Display and hide the desktop. |
| F2 | Rename the selected item. |
| F3 | Search for a file or folder in File Explorer. |
| F4 | Display the address bar list in File Explorer. |
| F5 | Refresh the active window. |
| F6 | Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. |
| F10 | Activate the Menu bar in the active app. |
| Alt + F8 | Show your password on the sign-in screen. |
| Alt + Esc | Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened. |
| Alt + underlined letter | Perform the command for that letter. |
| Alt + Enter | Display properties for the selected item. |
| Alt + Spacebar | Open the shortcut menu for the active window. |
| Alt + Left arrow | Go back. |
| Alt + Right arrow | Go forward. |
| Alt + Page Up | Move up one screen. |
| Alt + Page Down | Move down one screen. |
| Ctrl + F4 | Close the active document (in apps that are full-screen and let you have multiple documents open at the same time). |
| Ctrl + A | Select all items in a document or window. |
| Ctrl + D (or Delete) | Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin. |
| Ctrl + E | Open Search (in most apps). |
| Ctrl + R (or F5) | Refresh the active window. |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo an action. |
| Ctrl + Right arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word. |
| Ctrl + Left arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word. |
| Ctrl + Down arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph. |
| Ctrl + Up arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph. |
| Ctrl + Alt + Tab | Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps. |
| Alt + Shift + arrow keys | When a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction specified. |
| Ctrl + Shift + arrow keys | When a tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it into another tile to create a folder. |
| Ctrl + arrow keys | Resize the Start menu when it’s open. |
| Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an item) + Spacebar | Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop. |
| Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key | Select a block of text. |
| Ctrl + Esc | Open Start. |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager. |
| Ctrl + Shift | Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available. |
| Ctrl + Spacebar | Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off. |
| Shift + F10 | Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. |
| Shift with any arrow key | Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document. |
| Shift + Delete | Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first. |
| Right arrow | Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu. |
| Left arrow | Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu. |
| Esc | Stop or leave the current task. |
| PrtScn | Take a screenshot of your whole screen and copy it to the clipboard. |
This Snippet is taken from support.microsoft.com
Also Read: 10 Best Tips And Tricks For Windows 11
CONCLUSION
So, that’s it! These are some of the best Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts that everyone should know. Keyboard shortcuts are super helpful and can save a lot of time. Also, a proficient user utilizes the keyboard in the best possible manner to make things easier. So, next time you want your PC to perform a task, use shortcuts!
