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.

Most-used Windows shortcuts

  • Copy
  • Cut
  • Open Snipping Tool (screen snip)
  • Capture full screen to Screenshots folder
  • Switch between open apps
  • Open Task View
  • Lock the PC
  • Open Task Manager
  • Rename selected file
  • Create new folder

Practise Windows shortcuts

67 shortcuts on Windows · 10 prompts

Read the action, press the real keys. Combos your browser reserves switch to multiple choice. Misses come back sooner in your daily review.

Windows shortcut cheat sheet

67 shortcutsTap an action to copy its keys

Editing

ActionWindows
Copy
Cut
Paste
Open clipboard history
Undo
Redo
Select all
Find
Save
Print
Open emoji panel
Open the context (right-click) menu
Show the menu bar key tips in the active app

Screenshots

ActionWindows
Open Snipping Tool (screen snip)
Capture full screen to Screenshots folder
Screenshot active window to clipboard
Start screen recording in Snipping Tool

Windows & desktop

ActionWindows
Switch between open apps
Open Task View
Show or hide the desktop
Minimize all windows
Maximize window
Minimize or restore window
Snap window left
Snap window right
Open snap layouts
Close the active window or app
New virtual desktop
Switch virtual desktopWin+Ctrl+Left goes the other way
Move window to other monitor
Switch to the virtual desktop on the left
Close the current virtual desktop
Minimize all but the active window
Restore minimized windows

System

ActionWindows
Lock the PC
Open Task Manager
Security options (lock, sign out, Task Manager)
Open Settings
Open File Explorer
Open Run dialog
Open search
Open quick link (power user) menu
Open quick settings
Open notifications and calendar
Project to a second screen
Start voice typing
Open Xbox Game Bar
Open Cast to connect a wireless display

File Explorer

ActionWindows
Rename selected file
Create new folder
Show file properties
Delete permanently (skip Recycle Bin)
Refresh window
Go up one folder
Go back
Select the address bar
Select the search box
Open a new File Explorer window
Show the preview pane

Taskbar

ActionWindows
Open the app pinned at that taskbar positionUse Win+2, Win+3 and so on for the next pinned apps.
Cycle through taskbar apps
Focus the system tray (notification area)
Peek at the desktop

Accessibility

ActionWindows
Zoom in with Magnifier
Turn Magnifier off
Turn Narrator on or off
Open Accessibility settings

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.

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