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The Complete Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts

This article is republished from the original at Microsoft.com.

Shortcut Matters

Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Copilot key  The Microsoft Copilot icon.Copilot key  The Microsoft Copilot icon.
(Copilot in Windows not available or disabled)
Open or close Copilot in Windows.Open or close Windows search.

Copy, Paste, and Other General Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Ctrl + XCut the selected item.
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)Copy the selected item.
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)Paste the selected item.
Ctrl + Shift + VPaste as plain text
Ctrl + ZUndo an action.
Alt + TabSwitch between open apps.
Alt + F4Close the active item, or exit the active app.
Windows logo key  + LLock your PC.
Windows logo key  + DDisplay and hide the desktop.
F2Rename the selected item.
F3Search for a file or folder in File Explorer.
F4Display the address bar list in File Explorer.
F5Refresh the active window.
F6Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
F10Activate the Menu bar in the active app.
Alt + ASet focus to the first icon in the Suggested actions menu.
Alt + F8Show your password on the sign-in screen.
Alt + EscCycle through items in the order in which they were opened.
Alt + underlined letterPerform the command for that letter.
Alt + EnterDisplay properties for the selected item.
Alt + SpacebarOpen the shortcut menu for the active window.
Alt + Left arrowGo back.
Alt + Right arrowGo forward.
Alt + Page UpMove up one screen.
Alt + Page DownMove down one screen.
Ctrl + F4Close the active document (in apps that are full-screen and let you have multiple documents open at the same time).
Ctrl + ASelect all items in a document or window.
Ctrl + D (or Delete)Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.
Ctrl + EOpen Search (in most apps).
Ctrl + R (or F5)Refresh the active window.
Ctrl + YRedo an action.
Ctrl + Right arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the next word.
Ctrl + Left arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the previous word.
Ctrl + Down arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.
Ctrl + Up arrowMove the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
Ctrl + Alt + TabUse the arrow keys to switch between all open apps.
Alt + Shift + arrow keysWhen a group or tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it in the direction specified.
Ctrl + Shift + arrow keysWhen a tile is in focus on the Start menu, move it into another tile to create a folder.
Ctrl + arrow keysResize the Start menu when it’s open.
Ctrl + arrow key (to move to an item) + SpacebarSelect multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop.
Ctrl + Shift with an arrow keySelect a block of text.
Ctrl + EscOpen Start.
Ctrl + Shift + EscOpen Task Manager.
Ctrl + ShiftSwitch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available.
Ctrl + SpacebarTurn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off.
Shift + F10Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
Shift with any arrow keySelect more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document.
Shift + DeleteDelete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first.
Right arrowOpen the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
Left arrowOpen the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.
EscStop or leave the current task.
PrtScnTake a screenshot of your whole screen and copy it to the clipboard. Note: You can change this shortcut so it also opens screen snipping, which lets you edit your screenshot. Select Start  > Settings  > Accessibility  > Keyboard , and set Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping to On.

Windows Logo Key Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Windows logo key Open or close Start.
Windows logo key  + AOpen Quick Settings. Updated in Windows 11.
Windows logo key  + BSet focus to the first icon in the Taskbar corner.
Windows logo key  + COpen Windows Copilot. Updated in Windows 11.
Windows logo key  + Shift + COpen the charms menu.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + CTurn on color filters (enable this shortcut first in Color Filter settings).
Windows logo key  + DDisplay and hide the desktop.
Windows logo key  + EOpen File Explorer.
Windows logo key  + FOpen Feedback Hub and take a screenshot.
Windows logo key  + GOpen Xbox Game Bar when a game is open.
Windows logo key  + Alt + BTurn HDR on or off.Note: Applies to the Xbox Game Bar app version 5.721.7292.0 or newer. To update your Xbox Game Bar, go to the Microsoft Store app and check for updates.
Windows logo key  + HLaunch voice typing. Updated in Windows 11.
Windows logo key  + IOpen Settings.
Windows logo key  + JSet focus to a Windows tip when one is available.

When a Windows tip appears, bring focus to the Tip.  Pressing the keyboard shortcuts again to bring focus to the element on the screen to which the Windows tip is anchored.
Windows logo key  + KOpen Cast from Quick Settings. Updated in Windows 11.
Windows logo key  + Alt + KToggle microphone mute in apps that support Call Mute. Available starting in Windows 11, version 22H2.
Windows logo key  + LLock your PC or switch accounts.
Windows logo key  + MMinimize all windows.
Windows logo key  + Shift + MRestore minimized windows on the desktop.
Windows logo key  + NOpen notification center and calendar. Updated in Windows 11.
Windows logo key  + OLock device orientation.
Windows logo key  + PChoose a presentation display mode.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + QOpen Quick Assist.
Windows logo key  + ROpen the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key  + Alt + RRecord video of game window in focus (using Xbox Game Bar).
Windows logo key  + SOpen search.
Windows logo key  + Shift + STake a screenshot of part of your screen.
Windows logo key  + TCycle through apps on the taskbar.
Windows logo key  + UOpen Accessibility Settings.
Windows logo key  + VOpen the clipboard history. Note: Clipboard history isn’t turned on by default. If you’d like to turn it on, use this keyboard shortcut and then select the prompt to turn on history. Or you can select Start  > Settings  > System  > Clipboard , and set Clipboard history to On.
Windows logo key  + Shift + VSet focus to a notification.
Windows logo key  + WOpen Widgets. Updated in Windows 11.
Windows logo key  + XOpen the Quick Link menu.
Windows logo key  + YSwitch input between Windows Mixed Reality and your desktop.
Windows logo key  + ZOpen the snap layouts. Updated in Windows 11.
Windows logo key  + period (.) or semicolon (;)Open emoji panel.
Windows logo key  + comma (,)Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Windows logo key  + PauseOpens Start  > Settings  > System  > About .
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + FSearch for PCs (if you’re on a network).
Windows logo key  + numberOpen the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.
Windows logo key  + Shift + numberOpen the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + numberOpen the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows logo key  + Alt + numberOpen the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Shift + numberOpen the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator.
Windows logo key  + TabOpen Task view.
Windows logo key  + Up arrowMaximize the window.
Windows logo key  + Alt + Up arrowSnap window in focus to top half of screen. New with Windows 11.
Windows logo key  + Down arrowRemove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window.
Windows logo key  + Alt + Down arrowSnap window in focus to bottom half of screen. New with Windows 11.
Windows logo key  + Left arrowMaximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen.
Windows logo key  + Right arrowMaximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen.
Windows logo key  + HomeMinimize all except the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke).
Windows logo key  + Shift + Up arrowStretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows logo key  + Shift + Down arrowRestores the window if it is snapped or maximized.
Windows logo key  + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrowMove an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another.
Windows logo key  + Shift + SpacebarCycle backwards through language and keyboard layout.
Windows logo key  + SpacebarSwitch input language and keyboard layout.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + SpacebarChange to a previously selected input.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + EnterTurn on Narrator.
Windows logo key  + Plus (+)Open Magnifier and zoom in.
Windows logo key  + Minus (-)Zoom out in Magnifier.
Windows logo key  + EscClose Magnifier.
Windows logo key  + forward slash (/)Begin IME reconversion.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Shift + BWake PC from blank or black screen.
Windows logo key  + PrtScnSave full screen screenshot to file.
Windows logo key  + Alt + PrtScnSave screenshot of game window in focus to file (using Xbox Game Bar).
Windows logo key  + Alt + Enter (on taskbar item focus)Open taskbar settings.

Command Prompt Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)Copy the selected text.
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)Paste the selected text.
Ctrl + MEnter Mark mode.
Alt + selection keyBegin selection in block mode.
Arrow keysMove the cursor in the direction specified.
Page upMove the cursor by one page up.
Page downMove the cursor by one page down.
Ctrl + Home (Mark mode)Move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer.
Ctrl + End (Mark mode)Move the cursor to 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 + Home (History navigation)If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the top of the buffer. Otherwise, delete all the characters to the left of the cursor in the command line.
Ctrl + End (History navigation)If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the command line. Otherwise, delete all the characters to the right of the cursor in the command line.

Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
F4Display the items in the active list.
Ctrl + TabMove forward through tabs.
Ctrl + Shift + TabMove back through tabs.
Ctrl + 1, 2, 3,…Move to that tab number.
TabMove forward through options.
Shift + TabMove back through options.
Alt + underlined letterPerform the command (or select the option) that is used with that letter.
SpacebarSelect or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
BackspaceOpen a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.
Arrow keysSelect a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.

File Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Alt + DSelect the address bar.
Ctrl + ESelect the search box.
Ctrl + FSelect the search box.
Ctrl + NOpen a new window.
Ctrl + TOpen a new tab and switch to it. 
Ctrl + WCloses the active tab. Closes the window if there’s only one tab open.
Ctrl + TabMove to the next tab.
Ctrl + Shift + TabMove to the previous tab. 
Ctrl + Shift + Left ArrowDecrease column width. 
Ctrl + Shift + Right ArrowIncrease column width. 
Ctrl + 1, 2, 3,…Move to that tab number. 
Ctrl + mouse scroll wheelChange the size and appearance of file and folder icons.
Ctrl + Shift + EDisplay all folders above the selected folder.
Ctrl + Shift + NCreate a new folder.
Num Lock + asterisk (*)Display all subfolders under the selected folder.
Num Lock + plus (+)Display the contents of the selected folder.
Num Lock + minus (-)Collapse the selected folder.
Alt + PDisplay the preview panel.
Alt + EnterOpen the Properties dialog box for the selected item.
Alt + Right arrowView the next folder.
Alt + Up arrowView the folder that the folder was in.
Alt + Left arrowView the previous folder.
BackspaceView the previous folder.
Right arrowDisplay the current selection (if it’s collapsed), or select the first subfolder.
Left arrowCollapse the current selection (if it’s expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in.
EndDisplay the bottom of the active window.
HomeDisplay the top of the active window.
F11Maximize or minimize the active window.

Virtual Desktops Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Windows logo key  + TabOpen Task view.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + DAdd a virtual desktop.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Right arrowSwitch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the right.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Left arrowSwitch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the left.
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + F4Close the virtual desktop you’re using.

Taskbar Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Shift + click a taskbar buttonOpen an app or quickly open another instance of an app.
Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar buttonOpen an app as an administrator.
Shift + right-click a taskbar buttonShow the window menu for the app.
Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar buttonShow the window menu for the group.
Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar buttonCycle through the windows of the group.

Settings Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Windows logo key  + IOpen settings.
BackspaceGo back to the settings home page.
Type on any page with search boxSearch settings.

Accessibility shortcuts can help you use your PC with a keyboard or assistive device.

The following is a list of keyboard shortcuts for assistive technologies in Windows 11, including Magnifier, high contrast, and others.

Magnifier Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Windows logo key  + Plus sign (+)Turn Magnifier on
Windows logo key  + EscTurn Magnifier off
Windows logo key  + Plus sign (+) or Minus sign (-)When Magnifier is on, zoom in or out
Ctrl + Alt + mouse scroll wheelZoom in and out using the mouse scroll wheel
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + MOpen Magnifier settings
Ctrl + Alt + arrow keysPan in the direction of the arrow keys
Ctrl + Alt + IInvert colors
Ctrl + Alt + FSwitch to full screen view
Ctrl + Alt + LSwitch to lens view
Ctrl + Alt + DSwitch to docked view
Ctrl + Alt + MCycle through views
Ctrl + Alt + RResize the lens with the mouse
Shift + Alt + arrow keysResize the lens with the keyboard
Ctrl + Alt + SpacebarQuickly see the entire desktop when using full screen view

Magnifier Reading Commands

Press this keyTo do this
Windows logo key  + Plus sign (+)Turn Magnifier on
Start, pause, and resume readingModifier key + Enter
Stop readingAny key
Read from mouse pointerModifier key + Left Mouse click
Read previous sentenceModifier key + H
Read next sentenceModifier key + K

Additional Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts

Press this keyTo do this
Right Shift for eight secondsTurn Filter Keys on and off
Left Alt + left Shift + Print screenTurn High Contrast on or off
Left Alt + left Shift + Num lockTurn Mouse Keys on or off
Shift five timesTurn Sticky Keys on or off
Num lock for five secondsTurn Toggle Keys on or off
Ctrl + EOpen Search (in most apps)
Windows logo key  + AOpens Quick Settings
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + CTurn color filters on or off
Windows logo key  + HOpens voice typing
Windows logo key  + Alt + HMove keyboard focus to the voice typing dialogue
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + NOpen Narrator settings
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + STurn on Windows Speech Recognition
Windows logo key  + Ctrl + OTurn on the On-Screen Keyboard
Windows logo key  + UOpens Accessibility Settings
Windows logo key  + WOpens Widgets

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