Keyboard shortcuts are keys or key combinations that you can press on the keyboard to perform various tasks.
Using keyboard shortcuts is often faster than using a mouse because you can do it without moving your hand to the mouse.
In Windows 11, keyboard shortcuts are a quick way to navigate and perform actions using one or more key combinations.
Windows 11 has a lot of keyboard shortcuts, but you don’t need to remember all of them. You only need to remember what can help you make your life easier and increase productivity
That’s why it’s important to know as many shortcuts as possible for the operating system you’re using. Following are the most used keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11.
Keyboard shortcut | Usage |
Open Start Menu or Screen. | |
+ E | Open File Explorer. |
+ C | Open Chat. |
+ S or + Q | Open Search (online and offline). |
+ I | Open Settings app. |
+ A | Open Action Center. |
+ N | Open Notification Center. |
+ H | Start voice typing. |
+ F | Open Feedback hub. |
+ W | Open Widgets. |
+ K | Connect to wireless displays and audio devices. |
+ X | Open Start context menu. |
+ G | Open Game bar. |
+ [1][2][3][…] | Open programs that are pinned to task bar. |
+ Space | Switch keyboard input language (only if 2 or more than 2 languages present). |
+ R | Open Run. |
+ P | Project current screen. |
+ L | Lock your Windows 11. |
+ D | Show Windows Desktop. |
+ V | Show Clipboard history. |
+ O | Change orientation. |
+ M | Minimize all open windows. |
+ , | Take a peek look at the desktop until you release the key. |
+ Shift + S | Capture part of the screen with Snip & Sketch. |
+ U | Open Accessibility settings. |
+ ; or . | Open Emoji viewer. |
+ B | Highlight the first item in the Notification Area and use the Arrow key switch between the items. |
+ PrtScr or + Fn + PrtScr | Take screenshot of current screen and saves it to Screenshots directory under Pictures library. |
+ T | Cycle through apps on taskbar. |
+ Tab | Open Task View. |
+ Ctrl + Left / Right | Switch to the virtual desktop on the left/right. |
+ Down | Snap current window to the bottom of the screen. |
+ Up | Snap current window to the top of the screen. |
+ Right | Snap current window the the right side of the screen. |
+ Left | Snap current window to the left side of the screen. |
+ Ctrl + D | Create a new virtual desktop and switch to it. |
+ Ctrl + F4 | Close the current virtual desktop. |