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Become a Windows 11 Master With These 70+ Keyboard Shortcuts – CNET

Even if you’ve never used Windows 11 before, you can quickly boot up the computer and easily use it to surf the web, watch videos and play music. All you really need is your mouse to get to where you need — but if you want to be a Windows power user, and not just a Windows novice, you need to know keyboard shortcuts.

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The desktop: Windows, Snap Assist and virtual desktops

These shortcuts control how individual windows act on your desktop, including virtual desktops.

  • 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: Maximizes 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.
  • 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).
  • Windows key + Ctrl + F4: Close current virtual desktop.

The Windows key

These keyboard shortcuts use the Windows logo key to perform various tasks, such as launching both Windows and third-party apps.

  • Windows key + A: Open the Action Center.
  • Windows key + S: Open Cortana in text mode, so you can type in the search bar. (Windows key + Q does the same thing.)
  • Windows key + C: Open Cortana in listening mode (similar to saying “Hey, Cortana“).
  • Windows key + E: Open File Explorer.
  • Windows key + F: Open the Windows 10 Feedback Hub.
  • Windows key + Ctrl + F: Search for PCs on a network.
  • Windows key + G: Open the Game bar.
  • Windows key + H: Open the Share sidebar.
  • Windows key + I: Open the Settings menu.
  • Windows key + K: Open the Connect sidebar (for connecting to new Bluetooth devices or Miracast).
  • Windows key + L: Lock your computer.
  • Windows key + O: Lock screen orientation.
  • Windows key + P: Open presentation or projection sidebar.
  • Windows key + R: Open the Run window.
  • Windows key + U: Open Ease of Access center.
  • Windows key + W: Open the Windows Ink Workspace for scribbling on tablets or touchscreen laptops.
  • Windows key + (+) or (-): Zoom in and out with magnifier.
  • Windows key + Esc: Exit magnifier.

The F keys

The F keys at the top of your keyboard can perform a number of actions when used with other keys, but they’re also useful on their own.

  • F2: Rename a selected item.
  • F3: Quickly search for files in File Explorer. 
  • F4: Highlight the address bar in File Explorer.
  • F5: Refresh your active window.
  • F6: Cycle through elements (tab, buttons, search bar, etc.) in a window or your desktop.
  • Alt + F8: Show login password on the start screen.
  • F10: Activate the menu bar in the active window.

Windows Command Prompt

You can use these keyboard shortcuts inside the Windows Command Prompt.

  • Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected text to the clipboard.
  • Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste copied text inside the Command Prompt.
  • Ctrl + A: Select all text on current line. (If the current line has no text, all text inside the Command Prompt will be selected.)
  • Ctrl + Up or Down: Move screen one line up or down.
  • Ctrl + F: Search Command Prompt via Find window.
  • Ctrl + M: Enter Mark mode (allows you to select text with mouse). Once Mark mode is enabled, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor around.
  • Shift + Up or Down: Move cursor up or down one line and select text.
  • Shift + Left or Right: Move cursor left or right one character and select text.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right: Move cursor left or right one word and select text.
  • Shift + Page Up or Page Down: Move cursor up or down one screen and select text.
  • Shift + Home or End: Move cursor to beginning or end of current line and select text.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Home/End: Move cursor to beginning or end of screen buffer and select text and beginning or end of Command Prompt’s output.
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