Keyboard shortcuts let you open apps, switch windows and edit text without reaching for the mouse. Windows 11 has well over a hundred, but you only need a handful to feel faster. This cheat sheet groups them by task, and Win means the Windows logo key.
The 10 shortcuts to learn first
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V | Copy / paste |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Win + V | Open clipboard history |
| Win + Shift + S | Screenshot of a region |
| Win + E | Open File Explorer |
| Win + D | Show or hide the desktop |
| Win + L | Lock your PC |
| Win + Z | Open snap layouts |
| Win + Tab | Open Task View |
| Win + I | Open Settings |
General shortcuts (copy, paste, select)
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + A | Select all |
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps |
| Alt + F4 | Close the active app |
| F5 | Refresh the active window |
| F11 | Full-screen on or off in many apps |
Windows key shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win | Open or close Start |
| Win + A | Open Quick Settings |
| Win + D | Show or hide the desktop |
| Win + E | Open File Explorer |
| Win + H | Start voice typing |
| Win + I | Open Settings |
| Win + K | Open Cast |
| Win + L | Lock your PC or switch accounts |
| Win + M | Minimize all windows |
| Win + N | Open notification center and calendar |
| Win + P | Choose a presentation display mode |
| Win + R | Open the Run dialog |
| Win + S | Open Search |
| Win + V | Open clipboard history |
| Win + W | Open Widgets |
| Win + X | Open the Quick Link menu |
| Win + . (period) | Open the emoji, symbol and GIF panel |
| Win + , (comma) | Peek at the desktop |
Clipboard history asks you to turn it on the first time you press Win + V. You can also enable it in Settings > System > Clipboard.
Window management and snap layouts
Snap layouts arrange two, three or four windows on one screen. Press Win + Z to open the picker, then press the number shown on the layout you want.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + Z | Open snap layouts |
| Win + Left / Right arrow | Snap the window to the left or right half |
| Win + Up arrow | Maximize the window |
| Win + Down arrow | Restore a maximized window, or minimize it |
| Win + Alt + Up / Down arrow | Snap the window to the top or bottom half |
| Win + Home | Minimize all windows except the active one |
| Win + Shift + Left / Right arrow | Move a window to another monitor |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps |
| Win + Tab | Open Task View |
If windows move in ways you do not like, adjust individual snap options in Settings > System > Multitasking instead of turning everything off.
Virtual desktops
Virtual desktops are separate workspaces, for example one for work and one for personal use.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + Tab | Open Task View |
| Win + Ctrl + D | Create a new virtual desktop |
| Win + Ctrl + Left / Right arrow | Switch to the desktop on the left or right |
| Win + Ctrl + F4 | Close the current virtual desktop |
Taskbar shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + 1, 2, 3… | Open or switch to the app pinned at that position on the taskbar |
| Win + T | Cycle through apps on the taskbar |
| Win + B | Move focus to the taskbar corner icons |
| Win + Alt + Enter (with a taskbar item focused) | Open taskbar settings |
System panels
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + A | Quick Settings (Wi-Fi, volume, brightness) |
| Win + N | Notification center and calendar |
| Win + W | Widgets |
| Win + X | Quick Link menu (Device Manager, Terminal and more) |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
| Ctrl + Alt + Del | Security options screen |
File Explorer shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + E | Open File Explorer |
| Alt + D | Select the address bar |
| Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F | Go to the search box |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder |
| F2 | Rename the selected item |
| Alt + Left / Right arrow | Go back / forward |
| Alt + Up arrow | Go up one folder level |
| Alt + Enter | Show properties of the selected item |
| Shift + Delete | Delete permanently without using the Recycle Bin |
Be careful with Shift + Delete, because it skips the Recycle Bin.
Screenshot shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + Shift + S | Capture a region with the Snipping Tool; the image is copied to the clipboard |
| PrtScn | Copy a screenshot of the whole screen to the clipboard |
After Win + Shift + S, drag over the area you want, let go and paste with Ctrl + V.
Text editing shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Left / Right arrow | Move the cursor one word |
| Ctrl + Shift + Left / Right arrow | Select one word at a time |
| Home / End | Go to the start / end of a line |
| Ctrl + Home / End | Go to the start / end of a document |
| Ctrl + B / I / U | Bold / italic / underline in most editors |
| Ctrl + S | Save |
| Win + H | Dictate text with voice typing |
Tips for learning shortcuts
- Learn five at a time. Start with the table at the top and add a new one each week.
- Use Win + Z once. Open the snap picker and place a window. The layout makes sense quickly.
- Turn on clipboard history. Win + V is the shortcut people miss most.
- Make your own. Right-click a desktop app shortcut, choose Properties and set the Shortcut key field.
- Shortcuts differ by app. Apps like Excel, Word and browsers add their own, so check their help menus.
FAQ
What are the most useful Windows 11 shortcuts? Ctrl + C and V, Win + V for clipboard history, Win + Shift + S for screenshots, Win + Z for snap layouts and Win + L to lock your PC.
How do I take a screenshot on Windows 11? Press Win + Shift + S, drag over the area, and paste it with Ctrl + V. PrtScn copies the full screen.
How do I open snap layouts with the keyboard? Press Win + Z, then the number shown on the layout you want.
How do I create a new virtual desktop? Press Win + Ctrl + D. Switch between desktops with Win + Ctrl + Left or Right arrow.
How do I turn on clipboard history? Press Win + V and choose Turn on, or enable it in Settings > System > Clipboard.
Can I make custom shortcuts? Yes, for desktop apps, through the Shortcut key field in the app shortcut’s Properties.
Sources
- Eleven Forum: Keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11
- Geek Rewind: Essential keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11
- Computing for Geeks: Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts
- TechRadar: Windows 11 virtual desktops and shortcuts
- Microsoft: Windows keyboard shortcuts
Checked 7 November 2026. A few shortcuts vary by Windows version and PC maker.
About the Author
Aman Ullah Hridoy
Founder & Content Creator
I’m Aman Ullah Hridoy, the founder of Technolozia. I write about technology, software, gadgets and practical how-to guides to help readers understand tech and make smarter digital choices.
