# Keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11

> Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts for power users. Comprehensive guide covering taskbar navigation, snap layouts, virtual desktops, run commands, text editing, and screen capture techniques.

Source: https://ali.id.au/platforms/cloud-it/windows-kb-shortcuts/ (last edited 2026-10-12)

## Essentials you might have missed

| Shortcut | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Shift + Right-click | Extended context menu in File Explorer/desktop ([make default via reg](https://learn.microsoft.com/answers/questions/2287432/\(article\)-restore-old-right-click-context-menu-in)) |
| Win + V | Clipboard history (enable in Settings → System → Clipboard) |
| Win + E | File Explorer |
| Win + . | Emoji, GIFs, symbols, Kaomoji |
| Win + L | Lock PC |
| Win + A | Quick Settings (Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, volume) |
| Win + X | Quick Link menu (power user menu) |
| Win + D | Show desktop |
| Win + R | Run dialog |
| Win + I | Settings |
| Win + K | Cast/Connect (wireless display/audio) |
| Win + P | Change display output mode (duplicate/extend) |
| Win + H | Voice typing |
| Win + Tab | Task View (multi‑desktop overview) |
| Alt + Tab | Switch apps (hold Shift to go backward) |
| Ctrl + Tab | Switch tabs/documents |
| Tab / Shift + Tab | Move forward/backward through form fields |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
| Ctrl + F5 | Hard refresh in browsers (ignores cache) |
| Shift + Delete | Permanently delete (bypass Recycle Bin) |
| F2 | Rename selected file/item |
| Ctrl + C (on an error dialog) | Copy error text |
| Win + Pause/Break | Open System/About settings |

## Taskbar and windowing (Windows 11)

| Shortcut | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Win + [1–9, 0] | Open/switch to the pinned app at that taskbar position |
| Shift + click taskbar icon | Open a new instance |
| Middle-click taskbar icon | Open a new instance |
| Middle-click a taskbar thumbnail | Close that window/tab (where supported) |
| Win + Arrow keys | Snap left/right/top/bottom; maximize/restore/minimize |
| Win + Z | Snap Layouts menu for current window |
| Win + Shift + Left/Right | Move window to next monitor |
| Win + P | Project to a display (duplicate/extend/second screen only) |
| Win + G | Xbox Game Bar (record, performance widgets) |
| Win + Ctrl + D | New virtual desktop |
| Win + Ctrl + Left/Right | Switch virtual desktops |
| Win + Ctrl + F4 | Close current virtual desktop |
| Win + Tab | Task View (manage virtual desktops and timelines) |
| Win + Home | Minimize all windows except the active one |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | New folder in File Explorer |
| Win + + / Win + - | Magnifier zoom in/out |

## Context menu key (Menu key)

- The key to the right of the space bar (sometimes to the right of AltGr) opens the context menu for the current selection.
- Great for fixing typos via spellcheck menus, renaming files, and accessing Properties without the mouse.
- After opening the menu, use underlined letters to trigger commands: m = Rename, r = Properties, n = Send to, d = Delete.

## Useful run commands (Win + R)

| Command | Opens |
| --- | --- |
| `resmon` | Resource Monitor (CPU, disk, network) |
| `perfmon` | Performance Monitor |
| `cmd` | Command Prompt |
| `powershell` | Windows PowerShell |
| `wt` | Windows Terminal (if installed) |
| `control userpasswords2` | Advanced user accounts dialog |
| `dxdiag` | DirectX diagnostics (hardware info) |
| `msinfo32` | System Information |
| `regedit` | Registry Editor |
| `msconfig` | System Configuration |
| `services.msc` | Services management console |
| `compmgmt.msc` | Computer Management |
| `eventvwr` | Event Viewer |
| `appwiz.cpl` | Programs and Features |
| `charmap` | Character Map |

## Text, navigation, and screen capture

| Shortcut | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Drag with right-click | Choose copy/move/create shortcut when dropping |
| Esc | Dismiss dialog or exit mode |
| Ctrl + Shift + Left/Right | Select a word at a time |
| Ctrl + Backspace / Ctrl + Delete | Delete previous/next word |
| Double-click window title | Maximize/restore |
| Space | Toggle checkbox, activate focused button, or scroll |
| Ctrl + Left/Right | Move caret by word (hold Shift to select) |
| Ctrl + Up/Down | Move caret by paragraph (hold Shift to select) |
| Page Up/Down | Scroll one page |
| Home / End | Jump to start/end of line or page (depends on app) |
| F5 | Refresh page/folder/dialog |
| Alt + Left/Right | Back/Forward in browsers and File Explorer |
| Ctrl + Enter | Insert a line break (app‑dependent) |
| Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y | Undo / Redo (use Ctrl + Shift + Z in Adobe apps) |
| Ctrl + X / Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V | Cut / Copy / Paste |
| Ctrl + S / Ctrl + F / Ctrl + A | Save / Find / Select all |
| Shift + click in lists | Select a range |
| Ctrl + click in lists | Select multiple individual items |
| Ctrl + B / Ctrl + I / Ctrl + U | Bold / Italic / Underline |
| Win + Shift + S | Snipping Tool capture (region/screen/window) |
| Alt + Print Screen | Copy current window to clipboard |
| Win + Print Screen | Save full screenshot to Pictures/Screenshots |

## Bonus tips

| Shortcut | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Win + U | Open Accessibility settings |
| Win + Space | Switch input language/keyboard (if multiple installed) |
| Middle-click a favorites/bookmarks folder | Open all links in new tabs (browser‑dependent) |
| Ctrl + Alt + [1–6] | Apply heading levels in many word processors (Ctrl + [1–9] in many web apps) |
| Win + C | Copilot (if available in your build) |
| Win + Ctrl + Q | Quick Assist |
| Win + Alt + Space | PowerToys Command Palette, if installed (replaced PowerToys Run) |

Lost a window? Try Win + Arrow keys to snap it back, or Win + Home to minimize others.

More @ [Microsoft's full shortcut list](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/keyboard-shortcuts-in-windows-dcc61a57-8ff0-cffe-9796-cb9706c75eec).