Boost Your Productivity with These Essential Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts
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Mastering keyboard shortcuts is a surefire way to become a Windows power user and streamline your daily tasks. Whether you're navigating the Start menu, taking screenshots, or managing your virtual desktops, these handy shortcuts can save you time and boost your overall productivity.
Keyboard shortcuts
Essential Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts
Shortcut
Action
Ctrl + A
Select all items in a window
Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert
Copy selected or highlighted item
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
Open a new File Explorer window
Windows key + F1
Open "how to get help in windows" Bing search
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)
Mastering the Start Menu and Taskbar
Quickly access the Start menu, open apps, and manage your taskbar with these handy shortcuts:
Shortcut
Action
Windows key or Ctrl + Esc
Open Start menu
Windows key + X
Open the secret Start menu
Windows key + T
Cycle through the apps on the taskbar
Windows key + [Number]
Open the app pinned in the [number] position on the taskbar
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
Capturing Screenshots with Ease
Windows 11 offers several ways to take screenshots, including these keyboard shortcuts:
Shortcut
Action
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 Snipping Tool menu to take a screenshot of only a section of your screen
Mastering Window Management
Quickly snap, maximize, and minimize windows with these handy shortcuts:
Shortcut
Action
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
Maximize 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
Navigating Virtual Desktops
Easily manage your virtual desktops with these shortcuts:
Shortcut
Action
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)
