Windows 11 is hardly new anymore. Windows 10 support officially ends on Oct. 14, 2025, though, so you’re going to want to make sure you’re ready to use its predecessor. But when you switch to a new operating system, you’re always bound to have a few growing pains. That’s why it’s good news that Windows 11 has some great ways to accelerate the process and master your workflow: a massive library of keyboard shortcuts.
You’re probably already familiar with staples like Ctrl+C for copying and Ctrl+V for pasting, but those barely scratch the surface. Windows 11 is actually packed with dozens of lesser-known key combinations that unlock advanced functionality. From expertly managing snap layouts to instantly calling up hidden system menus, the right shortcut can transform your efficiency. If your goal is to minimize time spent navigating menus and maximize productivity, mastering these key combos is essential.
First off, let’s be clear. Even if you’ve never used Windows 11 before, you can easily use it to surf the web, watch videos, listen to all those important podcasts and play music. It’s not incredibly difficult. That said, if you want to be a Windows 11 pro, knowing the keyboard shortcuts is the way to go.
If you’re struggling on picking out the keyboard shortcuts for yourself, don’t worry — we’re here to help. Many of them carry over from earlier versions of Microsoft’s operating system, including Windows 10. Some of these shortcuts are rather basic, such as undoing a previous action, but we’ve made to ensure our guide also includes lesser-known shortcuts, too.
Don’t miss any of CNET’s unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome.
Windows 11 basic shortcuts
To start, here are the Windows 11 hotkeys you’ll probably use most often.
- Ctrl + A: Select all items in a window.
- Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected or highlighted item (text, images and so on).
- Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste selected or highlighted item.
- Ctrl + X: Cut selected or highlighted item.
- Ctrl + Z: Undo previous action.
- Ctrl + Y: Redo action.
- Ctrl + N: When File Explorer is your current window, open a new File Explorer window with the same folder path as the current window.
- Windows key + F1: Open “how to get help in windows” Bing search in default browser.
- Alt + F4: Close the current app or window.
- Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps or windows.
- Shift + Delete: Delete selected item permanently (skip the Recycle Bin).
Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar shortcuts
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to open, close and otherwise control the Start menu and the taskbar.
- Windows key or Ctrl + Esc: Open Start menu.
- Windows key + X: Open the secret Start menu.
- Windows key + T: Cycle through the apps (including pinned apps) on the taskbar.
- Windows key + [Number]: Open the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar. For example, if you have Edge pinned in the first position on the taskbar and you click Windows key + 1, Edge will open. If the app is already open, a new instance or window will open.
- Windows key + Alt + [Number]: Open the right-click menu for the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar.
- Windows key + D: Show or hide desktop (Windows key + , will display the desktop briefly).
Windows 11 screenshots shortcuts
Windows 11 also has several ways to take a screenshot, including three different keyboard shortcuts.
- PrtScn: Take a screenshot of your entire screen and save it to your clipboard.
- Windows key + PrtScn: Take a screenshot of your entire desktop and save it to a folder on your computer.
- Windows key + Shift + S: Open the Snipping Tool menu to take a screenshot of only a section of your screen.
Windows 11 emoji shortcuts: Add emojis, GIFs, and symbols with emoji panel
These shortcuts are activated any time you are in a text entry field.
- Windows key + . (period): Bring up the emoji keyboard
- Select emojis with the mouse or search for a specific emoji to add to text input screen
- Tap the GIF button to search for and add GIFs to your text input screen
Windows 11 desktop shortcuts: Snap Assist and virtual desktops
These shortcuts control how individual windows act on your desktop, including virtual desktops.
- Windows key + M: Minimize all open windows.
- Windows key + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows.
- Windows key + Home: Minimize all windows except the selected or currently active window.
- Windows key + Up arrow: Maximize selected window.
- Windows key + Shift + Up arrow: Maximizes the active window vertically while maintaining its width.
- Windows key + Down arrow: Minimize selected window.
- Windows key + Left arrow: Snap selected window to the left half of the screen.
- Windows key + Right arrow: Snap selected window to the right half of the screen.
- Windows key + Alt + Up: Snap selected window to top half of the screen.
- Windows key + Alt + Down: Snap selected window to bottom half of the screen.
- Windows key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow: Move selected window to the left or right monitor.
- Windows key + Tab: Open Task view (virtual desktops).
- Windows key + Ctrl + D: Add new virtual desktop.
- Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow: Move to the next virtual desktop (to the right).
- Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow: Move to the previous virtual desktop (to the left).
- Windows key + Ctrl + F4: Close current virtual desktop.
All the Windows 11 shortcuts using the Windows key
These keyboard shortcuts use the Windows logo key to perform various tasks, such as launching both Windows and third-party apps.
- Windows key + A: Open the Action Center.
- Windows key + S: Open Cortana in text mode, so you can type in the search bar. (Windows key + Q does the same thing.)
- Windows key + C: Open Microsoft Copilot
- Windows key + E: Open File Explorer.
- Windows key + F: Open the Windows 10 Feedback Hub.
- Windows key + Ctrl + F: Search for PCs on a network.
- Windows key + G: Open the Game bar.
- Windows key + H: Open the Share sidebar.
- Windows key + I: Open the Settings menu.
- Windows key + K: Open the Connect sidebar (for connecting to new Bluetooth devices or Miracast).
- Windows key + L: Lock your computer.
- Windows key + O: Lock screen orientation.
- Windows key + P: Open presentation or projection sidebar.
- Windows key + R: Open the Run window.
- Windows key + U: Open Ease of Access center.
- Windows key + W: Open the Windows Ink Workspace for scribbling on tablets or touchscreen laptops.
- Windows key + (+) or (-): Zoom in and out with magnifier.
- Windows key + Esc: Exit magnifier.
Windows 11 shortcuts using the F keys
The F keys at the top of your keyboard can perform a number of actions when used with other keys, but they’re also useful on their own.
- F2: Rename a selected item.
- F3: Quickly search for files in File Explorer.
- F4: Highlight the address bar in File Explorer.
- F5: Refresh your active window.
- F6: Cycle through elements (tab, buttons, search bar, etc.) in a window or your desktop.
- Alt + F8: Show login password on the start screen.
- F10: Activate the menu bar in the active window.
Windows 11 shortcuts for the Windows Command Prompt
You can use these keyboard shortcuts inside the Windows Command Prompt.
- Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected text to the clipboard.
- Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste copied text inside the Command Prompt.
- Ctrl + A: Select all text on the current line. (If the current line has no text, all text inside the Command Prompt will be selected.)
- Ctrl + Up or Down: Move screen one line up or down.
- Ctrl + F: Search Command Prompt via Find window.
- Ctrl + M: Enter Mark mode (allows you to select text with mouse). Once Mark mode is enabled, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor around.
- Shift + Up or Down: Move cursor up or down one line and select text.
- Shift + Left or Right: Move cursor left or right one character and select text.
- Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right: Move cursor left or right one word and select text.
- Shift + Page Up or Page Down: Move cursor up or down one screen and select text.
- Shift + Home or End: Move cursor to beginning or end of current line and select text.
- Ctrl + Shift + Home/End: Move cursor to beginning or end of screen buffer and select text and beginning or end of Command Prompt’s output.
Read the full article here