Windows 11 Shortcut Keys
Snap Layouts & Window Control
WIN + Z
Open Snap Layouts menu
WIN + LEFT / RIGHT
Snap window to left or right half
WIN + UP ARROW
Maximize current window
WIN + DOWN ARROW
Restore down or minimize window
WIN + D
Show or hide the Desktop
WIN + M
Minimize all open windows
WIN + HOME
Minimize all except active window
Virtual Desktops & Task View
WIN + TAB
Open Task View (All desktops)
WIN + CTRL + D
Create new Virtual Desktop
WIN + CTRL + LEFT / RIGHT
Switch between Virtual Desktops
WIN + CTRL + F4
Close current Virtual Desktop
ALT + TAB
Quick switch between active apps
Quick Settings & Action Center
WIN + A
Open Quick Settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Audio)
WIN + N
Open Notification Center & Calendar
WIN + W
Open Widgets board (Weather, News)
WIN + K
Open Cast menu (Wireless displays)
WIN + P
Choose presentation display mode
Screenshots & Screen Capture
WIN + SHIFT + S
Open Snipping Tool (Area screenshot)
WIN + PRTSCN
Capture full screen to Pictures folder
ALT + PRTSCN
Screenshot only active window to clipboard
WIN + ALT + R
Record screen video (Xbox Game Bar)
WIN + G
Open Xbox Game Bar overlay
Clipboard History & Smart Typing
WIN + V
Open Clipboard History (Multi-paste)
WIN + . (or Win + ;)
Open Emoji, GIF & Kaomoji panel
WIN + H
Open Voice Typing (Speech-to-Text)
WIN + SHIFT + V
Cycle through notifications (PowerToys Advanced Paste rebinds this)
System Navigation & Power
WIN + I
Open Windows Settings app
WIN + E
Open File Explorer
WIN + X
Open Power User Menu (Terminal/Disk Mgmt)
WIN + L
Lock PC immediately
WIN + R
Open Run dialog box
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC
Open Task Manager directly
Accessibility & Magnifier
WIN + + (Plus)
Turn on Magnifier and Zoom in
WIN + - (Minus)
Zoom out with Magnifier
WIN + ESC
Exit Magnifier
WIN + CTRL + L
Toggle Live Captions on audio
WIN + CTRL + ENTER
Toggle Narrator screen reader
Taskbar & Pinned Apps
WIN + 1 to 9
Launch / Switch to pinned app 1-9
WIN + SHIFT + 1 to 9
Open new instance of pinned app
WIN + T
Cycle focus through Taskbar apps
WIN + B
Set focus to System Tray (Hidden icons)
WIN + , (Comma)
Temporarily peek at Desktop
File Explorer Tabs & Controls
CTRL + T (in Explorer)
Open new tab in File Explorer
CTRL + W (in Explorer)
Close active tab in File Explorer
CTRL + TAB (in Explorer)
Switch to next Explorer tab
ALT + P
Toggle Preview pane
ALT + SHIFT + P
Toggle Details pane
CTRL + SHIFT + N
Create new folder
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