Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. Although many of its functions and settings are still the same as Windows 10, some new things have been added, including some unique keyboard shortcuts and key combinations that allow you to perform specified tasks faster when using your computer and improve overall work efficiency. This time, we have helped you organize the 73 most important shortcut keys, which you must understand carefully.
Be sure to understand! A collection of the 73 most important keyboard shortcuts and key combinations on Windows 11
In this article, I’ll take a look at the most important keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11, many of which have been passed down from generations of Windows 10 and earlier versions of the Microsoft operating system. These include basics like duplicating a highlighted project and canceling previous actions, as well as lesser-known shortcuts like aligning active windows.
Windows 11 Express basics – the parts you use most
- Ctrl + A: Select all content in the window (select all concept).
- Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy the selected content (text, image, etc.).
- Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste the selection
- Ctrl + X: Cut the selected content.
- Ctrl + Z: Resume the previous operation.
- Ctrl + Y: Redo the operation.
- Ctrl + N: When File Explorer is the window currently in use, open a new File Explorer window with the same path as the current window.
- Win + F1: Open the Bing search results page for “how to get help in windows 11” in your default browser.
- Alt + F4: Close the current application or window.
- Alt + Tab: Switch between open applications or windows.
- Shift + Delete: Permanently delete selected items. (That is, skip the step of throwing it into the resource recycling bucket and directly delete it permanently)
Start menu and taskbar
- Win key or Ctrl + Esc: Open the Start menu.
- Win + X: Open the text-based hidden start menu.
- Win + T: Cycle between applications in the taskbar (including pinned applications).
- Win + number keys: Open the application pinned to the taskbar. For example, if you pin the Edge browser to the first position on the taskbar, just press “Win + 1” to open the application; if the application is already open, a new window will open.
- Win + Alt + numeric keys: Open the right-click menu of the application pinned to the specified position on the taskbar. (The definition of the specified location is the same as the previous one)
- Win + D: Show or hide the desktop. (Win +, it will flash the desktop)
Screenshots – the three most commonly used
- PrtScn: Capture the entire screen display and save it to the clipboard.
- Win + PrtScn: Capture the entire screen display and save it to a folder on your computer.
- Win + Shift + S: Call the clipping tool quick menu and select the part you want to capture.
Desktop – Control of Windows, Snap Assistant, and virtual desktops
- Win + M: Minimize all open windows.
- Win + Shift + M: Restore minimized windows.
- Win + Home: Minimize all windows except the selected window or the currently active window.
- Win + ↑: Maximize the selected window.
- Win + Shift + ↑/↓: Stretch/shorten the length of the selected window while keeping the width unchanged.
- Win + ←: Place the selected window on the left half of the screen.
- Win + →: Place the selected window on the right half of the screen.
- Win + Alt + ↑: Place the selected window in the upper half of the screen.
- Win + Alt + ↓: Place the selected window in the lower half of the screen.
- Win + Tab: Turn on the virtual desktop view mode.
- Win + Ctrl + D: Add a new virtual desktop.
- Win + Ctrl + →: Move right to the next virtual desktop.
- Win + Ctrl + ←: Move left to the previous virtual desktop.
- Win + Ctrl + F4: Close the current virtual desktop.
Win key performs tasks
- Win + A: Open the quick settings panel.
- Win + S / Q: Open “Search”
- Win + C: Start chat (Microsoft Teams).
- Win + E: Open File Explorer.
- Win + F: Open the Windows Problem Feedback Hub.
- Win + Ctrl + F: Search the web for computers.
- Win + G: Open Xbox Game Bar.
- Win + H: Turn on Windows voice input.
- Win + I: Open the Settings app.
- Win + K: Open the cast panel.
- Win + L: Lock the computer.
- Win + O: Lock device orientation.
- Win + P: Select presentation display mode.
- Win + R: Open the execution window.
- Win + U: Open assistance tool settings.
- Win + W: Bring up the gadget tray.
- Win + + / -: Enlarge or reduce the screen display.
- Win + Esc: Close the magnifying glass.
Function key
- F2: Rename the selected file.
- F3: Quickly search for files in File Explorer.
- F4: Display the address column list in File Explorer.
- F5: Update active window.
- F6: Cycle between windows or elements on the desktop (tabs, buttons, search fields, etc.).
- Alt + F8: Display your password on the login screen.
- F10: Launch the menu bar of the application in use.
Command prompt character shortcut keys
- Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: Copy selected text to the clipboard.
- Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: Paste the copied text into the command prompt.
- Ctrl + A: Select all text on the current line. (If there is no text on the current line, all text under the command prompt character will be selected)
- Ctrl + ↑ / ↓: Move the screen one line up or down.
- Ctrl + F: Search for command prompt characters through the Find window.
- Ctrl + M: Enter mark mode (allowing you to select text with the mouse). When mark mode is enabled, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursor.
- Shift + ↑ / ↓: Move the cursor one line up or down and select text.
- Shift + ← / →: Move the cursor one character left or right and select text.
- Ctrl + Shift + ← / →: Move the cursor one word to the left or right and select text.
- Shift + PgUp / PgDn: Move the cursor up or down one screen scroll and select text.
- Shift + Home/End: Move the cursor to the beginning or end of the current line and select text.
- Ctrl + Shift + Home/End: Moves the cursor to the beginning or end of the screen buffer, then selects text and the beginning or end of the command prompt character output.
Source: KOCPC Chinese