Best Windows 11 Shortcuts: 50 Most Used Right Now

If you spend a lot of time on your computer using the keyboard, either for work or study, then knowing keyboard shortcuts gives you an edge to do things quickly and boosts your productivity.

Windows 11 is the latest operating system offered by Microsoft, and it sure does come with plenty of options that will enhance your productivity.

From resizing a window to minimizing it to closing a window to opening the Run command, etc., a keyboard shortcut is available for basically everything that will keep you from reaching for your mouse.

In this guide, we will share some of the best Windows 11 shortcuts that will help you swiftly navigate your Windows 11 PC simply by using keyboard combinations. So, let us check them out.

How do I create a shortcut in Windows 11?

Although Windows 11 comes with many keyboard shortcuts, most of which you won’t find the need to use, did you know that you can also create a keyboard shortcut of your own in Windows 11?

But there is a catch. Windows 11 doesn’t offer a native way of creating custom keyboard shortcuts. Instead, thanks to the versatility Windows OS provides, you can take the help of third-party software called WinHotKey.

If you are interested, check out the steps below to learn how to use WinHotKey to create Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts.

1. Download WinHotKey and install it on your PC.
2. Launch the program.
3. Click on the New Hotkey button on the top.
4. Type in the description for the hotkey.
5. Under I want WinHotKey to drop-down, select Launch an application.
6. Press Browse.
7. Select the app that you wish to open using the HotKey.
8. Click OK.
9. Select the keyboard shortcut from the drop-down list.
10. You can also select hotkeys such as Alt, Ctrl, Shift, or Windows along with your hotkey.
11. You can tweak the keyboard shortcut further by clicking the Advanced button.
12. Click OK to exit the Advanced window, and again press OK to add the new hotkey to the keyboard shortcut.

Using the WinHotKey application, you can set keyboard shortcuts to open third-party apps and Windows programs.

If interested, check out this guide to understand why the keyboard starts doing shortcuts on its own.

What are the most used Windows 11 shortcuts?

Newly added Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

Shortcut Key	Function
Win + N	Opens the notifications panel.
Win + A	Access Quick Settings (Earlier Action Center).
Win + W	Access Widgets.
Win + Z	Open Snap layout/templates.
Win + Up Arrow	Move the active window to the top half.
Win + Down Arrow	Move the active window to the bottom half.
Win + Left/Right Arrow	Move the active window to the left/right half.
Win + C	Open Microsoft Teams chat.

Windows key combo shortcuts

Shortcut Key	Function
Win	Opens the Start menu.
Win + F1	Opens Windows help and support.
Win + B	Show hidden icons in the action bar.
Win + D	Display the desktop.
Win + E	Opens the file explorer.
Win + H	Open the voice typing menu.
Win + I	Opens the Windows Settings menu.
Win + K	Open the casting menu.
Win + L	Locks your PC.
Win + M	Minimizes all windows.
Win + P	Choose a display to project.
Win + Q	Open the Windows Search menu.
Win + R	Opens the Run dialogue.
Win + T	Cycle through the apps on your Taskbar.
Win + U	Opens Accessibility settings.
Win + V	Opens Clipboard.
Win + X	Opens the Quick Settings menu.
Win + ,	Quickly peek at the desktop.
Win + Pause	Shows information about your PC.
Win + 0-9	Open pinned apps in the taskbar according to their number position.
Win + Ctrl + O	Opens the on-screen keyboard.
Win + Spacebar	Change the input language and keyboard layout.
Win + .	Opens the emoji picker.
Win + Shift + S	Opens the Windows Snip Tool
Win + Ctrl + D	Create a new virtual desktop.
Win + Ctrl + F4	Close the active virtual desktop.
Win + Tab	Opens the tasks view.

File Explorer shortcuts

Shortcut key	Function
Alt + D	Copy the Address bar.
Ctrl + N	Opens a new File Explorer window when inside a File Explorer.
Ctrl + E	Access the File Explorer search bar.
Ctrl + W	Closes the active window.
Ctrl + Mouse Scroll	Switch between the file and folder view.
F4	Switch to address/location bar.
F5	Refresh the File Explorer.
F6	Jump between the right/left pane.
Ctrl + Shift + N	Create a new folder.
Ctrl + Shift + E	Shows all folders above the selected folder
Alt + P	Show/Hide preview panel in File Explorer.
Alt + Enter	Displays the Properties menu box for the selected item.
Shift + F10	Show the classic context menu for the selected item.
Backspace	Go back to the previous folder.
Alt + Left/Right Arrow	Go to the next or previous folder.
Alt + Up arrow	Go to the parent folder/directory.
Home	Displays the top item of the active window.
End	Displays the bottom item of the active window.

Most useful keyboard shortcuts

Shortcut key	Function
Ctrl + A	Select all items.
Ctrl + C	Copy an item.
Ctrl + X	Cut an item.
Ctrl + V	Paste an item.
Ctrl + Z	Undo changes.
Ctrl + Y	Redo changes.
Ctrl + Shift + Drag the icon	Create a shortcut.
Shift + Select with the mouse.	Select multiple items.
Ctrl + O	Open a file in the current application.
Ctrl + S	Save the file.
Ctrl + Shift + S	Open Save As.
Ctrl + N	Open the new window for the current app.
Alt + Tab	Switch between running apps.
Alt + F4	Close the active window.
Alt + F8	Display your password on the login screen.
Shift + Del	Delete the selected item permanently.
Ctrl + Del	Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.
F5	Refresh the active window.
F10	Open the Menu Bar for the active app.
Ctrl + P	Displays the Print screen.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Open Task Manager.
F11	Enter or Exit full-screen mode.

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts

Shortcut key	Function
Win + U	Open Ease of Access center.
Win + -	Zoom out using Magnifier.
Win + +	Zoom in using Magnifier
Ctrl + Alt + D	Switch Magnifier to docked mode.
Ctrl + Alt + L	Switch lens mode in Magnifier.
Ctrl + Alt + F	Switch Magnifier to full-screen mode.
Ctrl + Alt + Mouse scroll	Zoon in/out in Magnifier.
Alt + Ctrl + Arrow keys	Pan in Magnifier.
Win + Esc	Exit Magnifier.
Win + Enter	Open Narrator.
Win + Ctrl + O	Open the on-screen keyboard.
Alt + Shift + Prntsc	Switch High Contrast On/Off.
Alt + Shift + Num Lock	Switch mouse Keys On/Off.

Read more about this topic

• Microsoft Edge may lock its Settings on Nonactivated Windows 
• Blast from the past: Windows 11 still uses legacy icons
• New Moment update is in the works, coming after Windows 11 24H2

How can I fix Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts not working?

While there are a plethora of keyboard shortcuts available to use in Windows 11, you may come across an issue that prevents you from using them.

There can be several reasons behind the Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts not working problem. However, below are some quick solutions that could help you fix the issue on your end.

• Run keyboard troubleshooter
  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Scroll down and select Troubleshoot.
  3. Click Other troubleshooters.
  4. Press the Run button for the Keyboard troubleshooter.

• Turn of Sticky Keys
  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Click on Accessibility from the right pane.
  3. Select Keyboard.
  4. Turn off the toggle for Sticky Keys.

• Update keyboard drivers: As always advised, keeping all of your PC drivers up to date ensures that you have access to all the latest features and fixes that come along with them. For example, a bug could conflict with the Windows OS, which you can quickly fix by updating your drivers.

If you want to add emojis to your Outlook email, read this guide to find step-by-step instructions.

When the Alt + Shift shortcut is not working, read this guide to fix it or to find alternatives.

That’s all from this guide. Let us know in the comments below which keyboard shortcuts are the ones that you make use of every day or commonly use.