Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts
Microsoft · 63 shortcuts63 Windows 11 shortcuts grouped by task. Click any row for the full answer page.
Essentials
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Copy selected item | Ctrl+CCtrlC |
| Cut selected item | Ctrl+XCtrlX |
| Paste from clipboard | Ctrl+VCtrlV |
| Undo an action | Ctrl+ZCtrlZ |
| Redo an action | Ctrl+YCtrlY |
| Select all items | Ctrl+ACtrlA |
| Find text | Ctrl+FCtrlF |
| Open Task Manager | Ctrl+Shift+EscCtrlShiftEsc |
| Open or close Start menu | WinWin |
| Lock the computer | Win+LWinL |
| Open Settings | Win+IWinI |
| Open File Explorer | Win+EWinE |
| Open Run dialog | Win+RWinR |
| Close active window | Alt+F4AltF4 |
| Switch between open windows | Alt+TabAlt⇥ |
| Open Quick Link menu | Win+XWinX |
Navigation
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Open search | Win+SWinS |
| Open Copilot | Win+CWinC |
| Open clipboard history | Win+VWinV |
| Open action center | Win+AWinA |
| Open notification center and calendar | Win+NWinN |
| Open emoji panel | Win+.Win. |
| Open Widgets | Win+WWinW |
| Cycle through taskbar apps | Win+TWinT |
| Display or hide the desktop | Win+DWinD |
| Peek at the desktop | Win+,Win, |
Windows & desktops
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Open Task View | Win+TabWin⇥ |
| Create a new virtual desktop | Win+Ctrl+DWinCtrlD |
| Switch to desktop on the right | Win+Ctrl+RightWinCtrl→ |
| Switch to desktop on the left | Win+Ctrl+LeftWinCtrl← |
| Close current virtual desktop | Win+Ctrl+F4WinCtrlF4 |
| Snap window to left side | Win+LeftWin← |
| Snap window to right side | Win+RightWin→ |
| Maximize active window | Win+UpWin↑ |
| Minimize active window | Win+DownWin↓ |
| Open snap layouts | Win+ZWinZ |
| Minimize all windows | Win+MWinM |
Screenshots
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Capture full screenshot and save to file | Win+PrtScnWinPrtScn |
| Capture screen region to clipboard | Win+Shift+SWinShiftS |
| Record a screen region as video | Win+Shift+RWinShiftR |
| Capture active window screenshot | Alt+PrtScnAltPrtScn |
| Select a region of screen to capture | PrtScnPrtScn |
File Explorer
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Open new File Explorer window | Ctrl+NCtrlN |
| Create new folder | Ctrl+Shift+NCtrlShiftN |
| Rename selected item | F2F2 |
| Delete item to Recycle Bin | DeleteDelete |
| Permanently delete item | Shift+DeleteShiftDelete |
| Open new tab in File Explorer | Ctrl+TCtrlT |
| Close active tab | Ctrl+WCtrlW |
| Search for a file or folder | F3F3 |
| Refresh active window | F5F5 |
System
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Access security screen | Ctrl+Alt+DeleteCtrlAltDelete |
| Open Accessibility settings | Win+UWinU |
| Toggle HDR on or off | Win+Alt+BWinAltB |
| Mute or unmute microphone | Win+Alt+KWinAltK |
| Open Quick Assist | Win+Ctrl+QWinCtrlQ |
Text editing
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Move cursor to document start | Ctrl+HomeCtrlHome |
| Move cursor to document end | Ctrl+EndCtrlEnd |
| Delete word to the left | Ctrl+BackspaceCtrl⌫ |
| Delete word to the right | Ctrl+DeleteCtrlDelete |
| Apply bold formatting | Ctrl+BCtrlB |
| Apply italic formatting | Ctrl+ICtrlI |
| Apply underline formatting | Ctrl+UCtrlU |
Ask your agent
Prompt
Make me a one-page Windows 11 cheat sheet from the 63 shortcuts at https://keyflowhub.com/shortcuts/windows, ordered by what I'm most likely to use, and point out any that clash with my current keybindings.
Paste into Claude Code and it will do the rest.
Questions
Windows: Ctrl + Z.
Windows: Ctrl + Y.
Windows: Win + PrtScn.
Windows: Ctrl + F.
Sources: support.microsoft.com