Important Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts You Must Know

Here is the Full List of Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts. Boost Productivity with these Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for PC.

You could be a veteran Windows OS user or a newbie exploring Microsoft’s popular operating system. To seamlessly and swiftly use the various Windows 11 features, you must learn the keyboard shortcuts that the system offers.

This guide explains various Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts used to manage actions in the interface, accessibility settings, File Explorer, Gamebar, dialog box, and browser. Instead of holding the mouse and clicking around, use the keyboard shortcuts to quickly complete a specific task.

Common Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts

Here are some general keyboard shortcuts that are widely used by Windows users.

Shortcut KeysAction
Windows KeyView Start Menu
Windows + ILaunch Windows Settings
Windows + AOpen Action Center
Windows + EOpen File Explorer
Windows + VView the Clipboard History
Windows + MMinimize All Windows
Windows + SLaunch the Windows Search
Windows + WLaunch Windows Widget
Windows + ZView Snap Layout
Windows + TabLaunch Task View
Windows +. (period)Open Emoji Repository
Windows + Ctrl + DAdd a Virtual Desktop
Windows + Ctrl + F4Close the Virtual Desktop
Ctrl + Shift + EscLaunch Task Manager
Ctrl + Alt + DeleteOpen Task Manager
Windows + XView the Power User menu
Windows + ZLaunch Game Bar
Windows + Shift + SSnip and Sketch
Windows + DView/Hide Desktop
Windows + LLock the PC/View lock screen
Alt + TabSwitch Between the Active Apps
Ctrl +ShiftChange Keyboard Layout
Alt + F4Shutdown PC
Ctrl + F4Close a Document (that you have opened)
Alt + EnterView Properties of the Selected Element
Alt + SpacebarOpen the Shortcut Menu for Active Window
Alt + Right Arrow keyGo forward
Alt + Left Arrow keyGo Back
Alt + Page UpGo Up One Screen
Alt + Page DownGo Down One Screen
PrtScTake a screenshot/Print Screen
Ctrl + Alt + TabSwitch Between Open Apps
Ctrl +ShiftChange Keyboard Layout
Ctrl + ASelect All Items
Shift + DeletePermanent Deletion of Selected Items
Ctrl + RRefresh the Active Window
Alt + Shift + Left/Right Arrow KeysNavigate elements in the Start menu
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow KeysGroup the Start menu elements

File Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts

File Explorer is an important element of the Windows operating system. These keyboard shortcuts are very useful to go through the hard drive, directories, and folders to access the files in them.

Shortcut KeysAction
Alt + PDisplay Preview Panel
Alt + DSelect the Address Bar
Ctrl + NOpen a New File Explorer Window
Ctrl + EHighlight the File Explorer search
Ctrl + WClose the Current File Explorer Window
Ctrl + Mouse ScrollChange the Size of the File/Folder Icons
Ctrl + Shift + NCreate a New Folder
Ctrl +Shift + EDisplay All Folders above Selected Folders
Num Lock + AsteriskView Subfolders within a Specific Folder
Alt + Right Arrow keyView the Next Folder
Alt + Left Arrow keyView the Previous Folder
Home keyDisplay the Top of the Current File Explorer Window
End KeyDisplay the Bottom of the Current File Explorer Window

Taskbar Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 11

The Windows taskbar needs no introduction. It houses widgets, specific apps for quick access, a notification center, date, time, and start menu. Use these keyboard shortcuts to efficiently use the Taskbar to your advantage.

Shortcut KeysAction
Shift + Left ClickLaunch the Windows Start menu app list
Shift + Right ClickView the menu for an app
Windows + TSwitch between taskbar app icons
Windows + Number keyLaunch Taskbar apps based on Pinned number
Ctrl +Shift +Left-clickOpen an app as an administrator

Windows 11 Function Keys

Windows computers come with the F key lineup on the keyboard. These are called Function Keys. Pressing these keys will execute a specific action.

You can refer to your computer’s keyboard layout to know which Function key is assigned what exact role. I have included the keyboard shortcut for the actions commonly assigned to Function keys.

Shortcut KeysAction
F1Turn on/off Sound
F2Decrease the Volume
F3Increase the Volume
F4Turn off Microphone
F5Refresh the Window
F6Move focus to the Address bar
F7Enable flight Mode
F8Turn off the Web Camera
F9Lock the Computer
F10Screen Cast
F11Decrease Brightness
F12Increase Brightness

Windows 11 Dialog Box Shortcuts

Dialog boxes are common throughout the Windows operating system. They appear temporarily to accept user input and execute an action. A dialog box offers various options, lists, and buttons. Knowing these keyboard shortcuts will help you use them swiftly.

Shortcut KeysAction
TabNavigate through the options
Ctrl +Shift + TabNavigate through the dialog box tabs
Arrow KeysSelect a button from a group of option buttons
Space barSelect or Clear the Checkbox
BackspaceOpen a folder one level up when a folder is selected in the Save As/Open dialog box
Ctrl + any number between 1 to 9Move to the x number of tabs depending on the number of tabs in the dialog box

Windows 11 Command Prompt Shortcuts

Command Prompt is a command-line interpreter popularly associated with the Windows operating system.

Normally, to make changes to the files, folders, and other system settings at the administrative level, commands are issued through the command prompt.

If you frequently use Command Prompt, learn these keyboard shortcuts to make your command shell experience more engaging.

Shortcut KeysAction
Page UpMove the cursor one page up
Page DownMove the cursor one page down
 Ctrl + HomePlace the cursor at the beginning of the buffer
Ctrl + EndPlace the cursor at the end of the buffer
Ctrl + Up ArrowMove up one line in the Output history
Ctrl + Down ArrowMove down one line in the Output history
Ctrl + CCopy a line of command
Ctrl + VPaste a command
Ctrl + MEnter the Mark mode
Arrow KeysMove left/right/up/down as per the key

Windows 11 Gambar Keyboard Shortcuts

Gamebar is an inbuilt feature that is available on Windows 11. It was introduced with Windows 10. When playing games, you can capture screenshots and record the video of gameplay. Know the keyboard shortcuts to manage the recording on the Gamebar smoothly.

Shortcut KeysAction
Windows + Alt + GRecord the Last 30 seconds of the active game
Windows + Alt + RStart/Stop Recording the Game
Windows + Alt + TShow/Hide the Recording timer of the game
Win + Alt + PrtscCapture a Screenshot of the Active Game

Windows 11 Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts

Accessibility features in Windows 11 help users with physical disabilities use the operating system easily. For such users, learning these keyboard shortcuts will be more beneficial.

Shortcut KeysActions
Windows + UOpen the Ease of Access Center in Windows Settings
Alt + Ctrl + DSwitch to the docked mode in magnifier
Alt + Ctrl + FSwitch to the full-screen mode in the magnifier
Windows + Plus KeyEnable the Magnifier and zoom in
Windows -Minus keyZoom out of the Magnifier
Shift Pressed Five TimesTurn on Sticky keys
Windows + EscExit the Magnifier
Windows + Enter keyOpen the Narrator
Alt + Ctrl + LSwitch to Lens Mode in Magnifier
Alt + Ctrl + IInvert Colors in Magnifier
Alt + Ctrl + MSwitch through Magnifier Views
Alt + Ctrl + RResize the Lens of the Magnifier
Windows + Ctrl + OLaunch the On-screen keyboard
Press the Right Shift KeyEnable/Disable Filter Keys
Press the Num LockTurn the Toggle keys on/off
Left Alt + left Shift + Num LockToggle the Mouse Keys on/off
Left Alt + Left Shift + PrtScHigh Contrast On/Off
Ctrl + Alt + scroll the mouseZoom-in or Zoom Out

Useful Browser Shortcuts in Windows 11

All of these shortcuts will work on all the prominent browsers to execute various actions quickly without depending on the mouse to scroll and click.

Shortcut KeysAction
Ctrl + JOpen the Downloads
Ctrl + HAccess the browsing history
Ctrl + TOpen a New Browser Tab
Ctrl + RRefresh the Page
Ctrl + PPrint the page currently viewing
Ctrl + NLaunch a New Tab
Ctrl + Shift + NOpen a New Incognito Window
Alt + DHighlight the address bar to edit the URL
Ctrl + FAccess Search and Find utility to search for words on a webpage
Ctrl +Shift +DeleteClear Browsing Data

Bottom Line

It may be overwhelming for you to remember all these keyboard shortcuts at once. Implement these shortcuts whenever possible while using your PC. Eventually, with practice, you will learn them all by heart. These Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts will vastly improve your user experience.

If you've any thoughts on Important Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts You Must Know, then feel free to drop in below comment box. Also, please subscribe to our DigitBin YouTube channel for videos tutorials. Cheers!

Share
Swayam Prakash
Swayam is a professional content creator with 6-years of experience in conceptualizing, creating, and managing tech-based content for notable online publishing firms. At DigitBin, he creates quality-rich and simple content related to Windows OS, Android, iOS, social media, cloud computing, and other general consumer technology. Contact Me on Linkedin

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *