Windows keyboard shortcuts
Windows 11 keeps most shortcuts from Windows 10 and adds a few new ones such as snap layouts (Win+Z). The Windows logo key is the hub: almost every system-level shortcut starts with it, while Ctrl combinations belong to the app you are working in.
Practise Windows shortcuts
45 Windows shortcuts for Windows. You get 10 prompts: press the real keys on your keyboard (or pick from four answers on a phone). Anything you miss comes back sooner in your daily review.
Windows shortcut cheat sheet
Editing
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Copy | CtrlC |
| Cut | CtrlX |
| Paste | CtrlV |
| Open clipboard history | ⊞winV |
| Undo | CtrlZ |
| Redo | CtrlY |
| Select all | CtrlA |
| Find | CtrlF |
| Save | CtrlS |
| CtrlP | |
| Open emoji panel | ⊞win. |
Screenshots
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Open Snipping Tool (screen snip) | ⊞winShiftS |
| Capture full screen to Screenshots folder | ⊞winPrtScn |
| Screenshot active window to clipboard | AltPrtScn |
| Start screen recording in Snipping Tool | ⊞winShiftR |
Windows & desktop
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Switch between open apps | AltTab |
| Open Task View | ⊞winTab |
| Show or hide the desktop | ⊞winD |
| Minimize all windows | ⊞winM |
| Maximize window | ⊞win↑ |
| Minimize or restore window | ⊞win↓ |
| Snap window left | ⊞win← |
| Snap window right | ⊞win→ |
| Open snap layouts | ⊞winZ |
| Close the active window or app | AltF4 |
| New virtual desktop | ⊞winCtrlD |
| Switch virtual desktopWin+Ctrl+Left goes the other way | ⊞winCtrl→ |
| Move window to other monitor | ⊞winShift→ |
System
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Lock the PC | ⊞winL |
| Open Task Manager | CtrlShiftEsc |
| Security options (lock, sign out, Task Manager) | CtrlAltDelete |
| Open Settings | ⊞winI |
| Open File Explorer | ⊞winE |
| Open Run dialog | ⊞winR |
| Open search | ⊞winS |
| Open quick link (power user) menu | ⊞winX |
| Open quick settings | ⊞winA |
| Open notifications and calendar | ⊞winN |
| Project to a second screen | ⊞winP |
| Start voice typing | ⊞winH |
File Explorer
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Rename selected file | F2 |
| Create new folder | CtrlShiftN |
| Show file properties | AltEnter |
| Delete permanently (skip Recycle Bin) | ShiftDelete |
| Refresh window | F5 |
Source: Microsoft Support: Keyboard shortcuts in Windows. Defaults for the current version as documented by Microsoft; custom keymaps and non-US keyboard layouts can differ.
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Quick answers
Windows shortcut questions
What is the shortcut to take a screenshot on Windows 11?
Press Win+Shift+S to snip part of the screen with Snipping Tool, Win+PrtScn to save the whole screen to Pictures > Screenshots, or Alt+PrtScn to copy only the active window.
How do I open Task Manager with the keyboard?
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager directly. Ctrl+Alt+Delete opens the security screen, where Task Manager is one of the options.
Do these shortcuts work on Windows 10?
Nearly all of them do. Snap layouts (Win+Z), quick settings (Win+A) and the Snipping Tool recording shortcut are Windows 11 additions.
Also practise: Mac · Excel · Word · PowerPoint · Outlook