Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

Windows 11 is Microsoft's desktop operating system, and its Win-key shortcuts reach nearly every corner of the OS: snapping, virtual desktops, settings, screenshots, and the clipboard. System shortcuts work the same in every app, so they pay off all day long. These are the defaults on a standard Windows 11 install. This cheat sheet covers 69 default shortcuts.

System Essentials

Open or close Start menu	`Win`
Open Settings	`Win`+`I`
Open File Explorer	`Win`+`E`
Open Search	`Win`+`S`
Open Run dialog	`Win`+`R`
Open Quick Link (power user) menu	`Win`+`X`
Lock your PC	`Win`+`L`
Open Task Manager	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Esc`
Security options screen	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`Delete`
Open Quick Settings	`Win`+`A`
Open Notification Center and calendar	`Win`+`N`
Open Widgets	`Win`+`W`
Open Clipboard history	`Win`+`V`
Open emoji and symbol picker	`Win`+`.`
Start voice typing	`Win`+`H`
Open Game Bar	`Win`+`G`
Connect to wireless displays and audio	`Win`+`K`
Choose presentation display mode	`Win`+`P`
Open Accessibility settings	`Win`+`U`

Screenshots

Open Snipping Tool overlay (screen snip)	`Win`+`Shift`+`S`
Save full-screen screenshot to file	`Win`+`PrtScn`
Copy full screen to clipboard	`PrtScn`
Copy active window to clipboard	`Alt`+`PrtScn`

Window Management & Snapping

Snap window left / right	`Win`+`Left/Right`
Maximize window	`Win`+`Up`
Minimize / restore window	`Win`+`Down`
Open Snap Layouts flyout	`Win`+`Z`
Show desktop (minimize everything)	`Win`+`D`
Minimize all windows	`Win`+`M`
Restore minimized windows	`Win`+`Shift`+`M`
Minimize all except active window	`Win`+`Home`
Stretch window to full height	`Win`+`Shift`+`Up`
Move window to another monitor	`Win`+`Shift`+`Left/Right`
Close active window / app	`Alt`+`F4`
Switch between open apps	`Alt`+`Tab`
Switch between apps (reverse)	`Alt`+`Shift`+`Tab`

Virtual Desktops & Task View

Open Task View	`Win`+`Tab`
Create new virtual desktop	`Win`+`Ctrl`+`D`
Switch between virtual desktops	`Win`+`Ctrl`+`Left/Right`
Close current virtual desktop	`Win`+`Ctrl`+`F4`

Taskbar

Open app pinned in taskbar position 1-9	`Win`+`1-9`
Cycle through taskbar apps	`Win`+`T`
Focus first icon in system tray corner	`Win`+`B`
Open jump list of taskbar app 1-9	`Win`+`Alt`+`1-9`
Open new instance of taskbar app	`Shift`+`Click taskbar icon`
Run taskbar app as administrator	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Click taskbar icon`

File Explorer

New Explorer window	`Ctrl`+`N`
Close Explorer window	`Ctrl`+`W`
Create new folder	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`N`
Rename selected item	`F2`
Go up one folder level	`Alt`+`Up`
Go back / forward	`Alt`+`Left/Right`
Focus the address bar	`Ctrl`+`L`
Show properties of selected item	`Alt`+`Enter`
Refresh window	`F5`
Delete to Recycle Bin	`Delete`
Delete permanently (skip Recycle Bin)	`Shift`+`Delete`

Editing (Everywhere)

Copy	`Ctrl`+`C`
Cut	`Ctrl`+`X`
Paste	`Ctrl`+`V`
Undo	`Ctrl`+`Z`
Redo	`Ctrl`+`Y`
Select all	`Ctrl`+`A`
Move cursor one word left / right	`Ctrl`+`Left/Right`
Select word by word	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Left/Right`

Magnifier & Display

Open Magnifier / zoom in	`Win`+`Plus`
Zoom out with Magnifier	`Win`+`Minus`
Exit Magnifier	`Win`+`Esc`
Restart the graphics driver	`Win`+`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`B`

Put your top Windows 11 shortcuts on real keys

The five Windows 11 actions most worth binding to a physical macropad key:

Win+Shift+S Screen snip Screenshots for chats, docs, and bug reports are a many-times-daily action.

Win+V Clipboard history Turns the clipboard into a multi-slot tool; huge for repetitive copy-paste work.

Win+L Lock your PC One tap to lock every time you stand up; good security hygiene made effortless.

Win+Tab Open Task View The hub for windows and virtual desktops when juggling many tasks.

Ctrl+Shift+Esc Open Task Manager Instant access when an app hangs and you need to kill it now.

I hand-build small-batch programmable macropads (QMK/VIA) in Barcelona. One press, any shortcut, any app.

See the macropads

Windows 11 shortcut FAQs

How do I take a screenshot on Windows 11?

Press Win+Shift+S to open the Snipping Tool overlay and select a region, window, or full screen. Win+PrtScn saves the whole screen straight to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.

How do I snap windows side by side in Windows 11?

Press Win+Left or Win+Right to snap the active window to half the screen, or Win+Z to open Snap Layouts and pick a multi-window arrangement.

What is the shortcut for the clipboard history in Windows 11?

Win+V opens clipboard history, letting you paste any of your recent copies. The first time, you may need to click Turn On to enable it.

How do I switch between virtual desktops in Windows 11?

Win+Ctrl+Left and Win+Ctrl+Right move between desktops, Win+Ctrl+D creates a new one, and Win+Tab shows Task View with all desktops and windows.

How do I open Task Manager quickly?

Ctrl+Shift+Esc opens Task Manager directly, skipping the Ctrl+Alt+Delete security screen.