Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts reduce the number of keystrokes needed to perform a task. They are like an elevator for your hands. They save you time, speed up your work process, and reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries on your hands and wrists.
This article goes into some of the basics of Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts. Here’s everything you need to know to enhance your workflow and productivity:
Edit Tasks Like a Pro Using Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts
In this section we’ll mainly focus on Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts that will help edit your tasks easier thus promoting efficiency and effectiveness:
- Ctrl + A: Select all content.
- F11: Enter full-screen mode.
- Ctrl+C: Copy selected content.
- Ctrl+V: Paste copied content.
- Ctrl+B: Bold selected text.
- Ctrl+I: Italicize selected text.
- Ctrl+U: Underline selected text.
- Ctrl+Shift + V: Paste as plain text.
- Ctrl+Del: Delete the word to the right of the cursor.
- Ctrl+X: Copy and delete the selected text.
- Ctrl+Z: Undo changes made.
- Ctrl+Y: Redo changes made.
- Ctrl+S: Save your work.
- Ctrl+P: Print the current display on the screen.
- Ctrl+F: Find a specific word or text on the open page using the search tool.
- Ctrl+R: Refresh screen.
- Alt+F4: Close a program.
- Esc: Stop or close a prompt or process.
Navigate Through The File Explorer Quickly
Microsoft has been pushing significant updates to File Explorer in Windows 11 for some time now geared toward enhancing its user experience. You should therefore equip yourself with nifty tips and tricks that will allow you to find and manage your files and folders with ease. Here’s everything you need to know:
- Win + E: Launch File Explorer.
- Ctrl + N: Launch a new window while the File Explorer is still open.
- Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder.
- Alt + Left/Right Arrow: Move to the next or previous folder.
- Ctrl + E: Engage the search tool.
- Ctrl + Mouse Scroll: Alter the appearance of both file and folder view (in terms of size).
- Ctrl + W: Close window in the display.
- F4: Change address bar.
- Shift + F10: View classic context menu for selected item.
- Num Lock + Plus (+): Expand selected folder.
- Num Lock + Minus (-): Collapse selected folder.
- F6: Transition to left/right pane.
- Alt + D: Select address bar for the File Explorer.
- Alt + P: Hide preview panel.
- Alt + Enter: Launch selected item’s properties menu.
- Alt + Up arrow: Switch to the parent folder.
- F5: Refresh File Explorer.
Enhance Your Web Browsing Experience
While the normal use of the mouse and keyboard might do the trick and help you browse through the internet, you can leverage the use of Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts to improve your experience.
- Ctrl+T: Launch a new tab.
- Ctrl+W: Close the active tab.
- Ctrl+Shift+T: Relaunch ta recently closed tab.
- Ctrl+[number]: Switch to the tab in that position from the left.
- Ctrl+F5: Refresh the page.
- Ctrl+J: View recent downloads.
- Ctrl+H: View your browser history.
- Ctrl+E: Search using the default search engine.
- Alt+[Left or Right]: Go back or forward a page.
- Ctrl+Mouse scroll: Alter the size of the text on the page.
- Ctrl+Link: Open the link in a new tab.
- Ctrl+Enter: Used to add .com at the end of the text in the address bar and go to the page.
Better Accessibility With Keyboard Shortcuts
If you make use of the Accessibility features in Windows 11 then these neat tips and tricks will elevate your experience with them to another level.
- Win + U: Launch Accessibility Center in Windows 11.
- Ctrl + Alt + L: Enable lens mode in Magnifier.
- Win + +/- or Ctrl + Alt + Mouse scroll: Zoom in and out using the Magnifier.
- Ctrl + Alt + D: Activate docked mode in Magnifier.
- Ctrl + Alt + F: Enter Magnifier full-screen mode.
- Alt + Ctrl + Arrow keys: Pan in Magnifier.
- Win + Esc: Close Magnifier.
- Win + Ctrl + O: Launch the on-screen keyboard.
- Win + Enter: Launch Narrator.
- Alt + Shift + Prntsc: Enable/disable High Contrast.
- Alt + Shift + Num Lock: Enable/disable Mouse Keys.
Bonus Tips and Tricks
- Win + Pause: Check your PC’s information.
- Win + Spacebar: Change the input language and keyboard layout.
- Win + . : Opens the emoji picker.
- Alt + Tab: Switch between running apps.
- Ctrl + N: Open a new window in the current app.
- Alt + F8: Show your password on the login screen.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager.
- Ctrl + Del: Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.
- Shift + Select with the mouse: Select multiple items.
- Alt + F4: Close the active window.
That’s it folks! We also invite you to check out our separate post that covers more general Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts. Be sure to also check out our dedicated guides that will help you take screenshots, and use Microsoft Teams as well as OneNote with keyboard shortcuts.
Do More With Less
Keyboard shortcuts are the “cheat codes” for using a computer. You know, those sequences that you can use to do things like — hold down the Alt key and type a few letters and numbers to bring up a particular window, or press Ctrl and then “S” for save, or hit Win for start/stop? They make all kinds of actions easier to perform.