Latest news with #keyboardshortcuts
CNET
21 hours ago
- CNET
These 73 Keyboard Shortcuts Changed How I Use Windows 11 Forever
If you want to actually master Windows 11 and not just muddle through menus, you're going to need more than a mouse. Keyboard shortcuts are the secret weapon of power users, and once you get the hang of them, there's no going back. Whether you're working on a laptop or desktop, these quick keystrokes can save you time, reduce repetitive clicks and make your workflow smoother. You probably already use a few basics like Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V, but Windows 11 has dozens of hidden shortcuts that most people never touch. From snapping windows like a pro to accessing hidden menus and system tools, the right combo can instantly boost your efficiency. If you want to spend less time digging through settings and more time getting things done, these must-know shortcuts are a game changer. 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. For more information on Windows 11, you should check out our guides. From default Windows 11 settings that you should probably change to learning seven different ways of taking a screenshot in Windows 11, we've got something for everyone. 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. Select all items in a window. Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected or highlighted item (text, images and so on). or Copy selected or highlighted item (text, images and so on). Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste selected or highlighted item. or Paste selected or highlighted item. Ctrl + X: Cut selected or highlighted item. Cut selected or highlighted item. Ctrl + Z: Undo previous action. Undo previous action. Ctrl + Y: Redo action. 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. 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. Open "how to get help in windows" Bing search in default browser. Alt + F4: Close the current app or window. Close the current app or window. Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps or windows. 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. Open Start menu. Windows key + X: Open the secret Start menu. Open the secret Start menu. Windows key + T: Cycle through the apps (including pinned apps) on the taskbar. 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. 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 , 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. 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). Now Playing: Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features 05:19 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. : 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. 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. Watch this: Windows 11: 4 quick ways to take a screenshot on your PC 01:20 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. Minimize all open windows. Windows key + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows. Restore minimized windows. Windows key + Home: Minimize all windows except the selected or currently active window. Minimize all windows except the selected or currently active window. Windows key + Up arrow: Maximize selected window. Maximize selected window. Windows key + Shift + Up arrow: Maximizes the active window vertically while maintaining its width. Maximizes the active window vertically while maintaining its width. Windows key + Down arrow: Minimize selected window. Minimize selected window. Windows key + Left arrow: Snap selected window to the left half of the screen. Snap selected window to the left half of the screen. Windows key + Right arrow: Snap selected window to the right half of the screen. Snap selected window to the right half of the screen. Windows key + Alt + Up : Snap selected window to top half of the screen. : Snap selected window to top half of the screen. Windows key + Alt + Down : Snap selected window to bottom half of the screen. : 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. or Move selected window to the left or right monitor. Windows key + Tab: Open Task view ( virtual desktops Open Task view ( Windows key + Ctrl + D: Add new virtual desktop. Add new virtual desktop. Windows key + Ctrl + Right arrow: Move to the next virtual desktop (to the right). Move to the next virtual desktop (to the right). Windows key + Ctrl + Left arrow: Move to the previous virtual desktop (to the left). 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 Open the Windows key + S: Open Cortana in text mode, so you can type in the search bar. ( Windows key + Q does the same thing.) Open Cortana in text mode, so you can type in the search bar. ( does the same thing.) Windows key + C: Open Microsoft Copilot Open Microsoft Copilot Windows key + E: Open File Explorer Open Windows key + F: Open the Windows 10 Feedback Hub. Open the Windows 10 Feedback Hub. Windows key + Ctrl + F: Search for PCs on a network. Search for PCs on a network. Windows key + G: Open the Game bar Open the Windows key + H: Open the Share sidebar. Open the Share sidebar. Windows key + I: Open the Settings menu Open the Windows key + K: Open the Connect sidebar (for connecting to new Bluetooth devices or Miracast). Open the Connect sidebar (for connecting to new Bluetooth devices or Miracast). Windows key + L: Lock your computer. Lock your computer. Windows key + O: Lock screen orientation. Lock screen orientation. Windows key + P: Open presentation or projection sidebar. Open presentation or projection sidebar. Windows key + R: Open the Run window. Open the Run window. Windows key + U: Open Ease of Access Open Windows key + W: Open the Windows Ink Workspace Open the Windows key + (+) or (-): Zoom in and out with magnifier. 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. Rename a selected item. F3: Quickly search for files in File Explorer. Quickly search for files in File Explorer. F4: Highlight the address bar in File Explorer. Highlight the address bar in File Explorer. F5: Refresh your active window. Refresh your active window. F6: Cycle through elements (tab, buttons, search bar, etc.) in a window or your desktop. Cycle through elements (tab, buttons, search bar, etc.) in a window or your desktop. Alt + F8: Show login password on the start screen. 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.
Fast Company
27-05-2025
- Fast Company
These 10 Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts will boost your productivity
Keyboard shortcuts are efficiency's greatest secret weapon. Yes, they can take a bit to learn and yes, sometimes you've got to—gasp!—take your hand off your mouse to reach all the keys. But man, oh man, once you've mastered the best ones, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. If you want to navigate Windows 11 faster, work smarter, and minimize unnecessary clicks, these are the 10 shortcuts worth memorizing. Alt + Tab: Switch Between Open Apps As far as most shortcut experts are concerned, this is the Windows shortcut to rule all shortcuts. This venerable classic lets you cycle through open applications with ease. Hold Alt and tap Tab to jump between the windows you've got open. It's perfect for multitasking without losing momentum. Win + E: Open File Explorer Instantly No more hunting for the File Explorer icon: just press Win + E, and all your files are right there. Whether you're accessing documents, downloads, or external drives, this shortcut is a must-learn. Win + D: Show the Desktop I'm not ashamed to admit that sometimes I have so many projects going at once that I get overwhelmed by my own mess of windows, apps, and settings. Sometimes you just need a clean slate, you know? Press Win + D, and all your open windows will minimize, revealing the desktop instantly. Take a breath, and then tap it again to restore everything right where you left it. Win + V: Access Clipboard History Something of a dark horse in the handy shortcuts competition: Ever copied something only to lose it moments later? Win + V saves the day by opening the Clipboard history, allowing you to retrieve text or images you've copied earlier. Alt + Spacebar: Open Copilot Now for a relative newcomer. For quick assistance, answers, and creative ideas, Alt + Spacebar launches a little Copilot search box, making it easy to get help directly within Windows. Use it to look stuff up on the web, launch programs, or open folders, all with a quick keyboard combo. Win + I: Open Settings Tired of digging through menus just to get to Settings? Why did they bury it so deep?! Press Win + I to open Settings instantly, letting you tweak stuff much more quickly than navigating there by mouse. Win + Shift + S: Take a Screenshot When you need to capture something on your screen, the excellent Snipping Tool is your best friend. Win + Shift + S opens it, letting you select and save any part of your display. Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager Slow? Laggy? Chugging along? Keep tabs on your system performance by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. This shortcut opens Task Manager immediately, letting you manage RAM-hogging apps and CPU-taxing processes with ease. Win + L: Lock Your Computer This one's especially handy for those of you who've been summoned back to the office. When you step away from your desk, pressing Win + L locks your screen instantly, securing your work and keeping prying eyes out. Win + Period (.) or Win + Semicolon (;): Open Emoji Panel Here's one for the youths out there. Spice up your messages with emojis and GIFs. Press Win + . or Win + ; to open the emoji panel and add some flair to your messages.
