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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Windows has a long list of keyboard shortcuts that perform helpful actions in Windows 11.
- For example, hitting the CTRL and C keys together allows users to copy text or files.
- Mastering these shortcuts can help boost your overall productivity, but most people only know a few.
Keyboard shortcuts have been a staple feature in Windows for decades, but most users only know the basics. At first glance, they don’t seem all that useful since you can also do these actions with your mouse, but I challenge you to try them over the course of a workday; you just might notice a boost in productivity.
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There are lots of different types of shortcuts in Windows 11, but the best ones save you time by replacing the need to click through different context menus. A few of these are universal across applications and platforms. Ctrl + C, for example, copies text or files in any app, from Microsoft Word to photos in Google Drive.
Here’s a list of more than 40 Windows PC keyboard shortcuts you should know.
Productivity shortcuts
Screenshot by Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
Productivity shortcuts are the key combos you’ll find yourself using the most. They’re easy to use and help you manage your work. Over time, these keystrokes become second nature.
- Ctrl + C — Copy highlighted text or a file.
- Ctrl + V — Paste whatever you just copied. Keeps the text’s format.
- Ctrl + Shift + V – Paste whatever you copied, but it removes the formatting.
- Windows key (Win, for short) + V — Opens the Clipboard tool, which contains a list of previously copied text. This helps in situations where you might’ve “erased” the previous copied item.
- Ctrl + X — Cuts the highlighted item. Ctrl + V restores it.
- Ctrl + Z — Undoes the last action, such as restoring deleted text or returning a moved file.
- Ctrl + Y — Redoes the action that was just undone.
- Ctrl + F — Opens the Find tool, so you can search for specific words or phrases.
- Ctrl + A — Highlight every single item in a window or text in a document.
- Ctrl + S — Quick save your work.
- Ctrl + Backspace — Delete the entire previous word
- Ctrl + Delete — Delete the entire next word.
Accessibility shortcuts
Screenshot by Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
Windows 11 has various accessibility shortcuts that make the OS easier to use. These shortcuts help people with movement limitations or conditions that may restrict their usage of Windows. That said, anybody can use them to improve their experience.
- Win + Plus (+) — Activates the Magnifier tool and automatically zooms in on the screen.
- Win + Minus (-) — Zooms out while the Magnifier tool is activated. Hitting Win + Esc exits out of Magnifier.
- Win + Ctrl + Enter — Launches Narrator, a text-to-speech function that verbally describes what is on screen.
- Press the Shift key five times in succession — Turns on Sticky keys, which change how shortcuts work so you don’t have to press and hold multiple keys to trigger them. For example, under Sticky Keys, double-tapping Ctrl then C has the same effect as Ctrl + C.
- Left Shift + Left Alt + Print Screen — Toggles high contrast mode for easier readability.
- Win + Ctrl + C — Toggles color filters like grayscale. The filters can be changed in the Accessibility menu to invert colors or help people with deuteranopia (also known as red-green color blindness).
- Win + U — Opens the Accessibility menu in Settings, where you can activate or deactivate accessibility-related features.
- Win + Ctrl + O — Opens the on-screen keyboard.
Navigation shortcuts
Screenshot by Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
Navigation shortcuts allow users to move around different apps on Windows 11 without ever needing to lift their hands off the keyboard. They’re especially useful for multitaskers juggling several programs at once. Once you master them, navigating your PC will feel seamless.
- Ctrl + Alt + Tab — Shows all open apps. Use the arrow keys to hop from one to the other.
- Win + S — Opens Windows Search.
- Win + Tab — Opens Task View, revealing all open windows and all open desktops.
- Win + D — Hides every window on your desktop. Pressing the keys again reveals them.
- Win + Left or Right Directional Arrow — Snaps the current window to the side of the screen that the arrow is pointing to.
- Win + Up Arrow — Maximizes a window.
- Win + Down Arrow — Minimizes the same window.
- Win + Ctrl + D — Create a new desktop.
- Win + Ctrl + F4 — Closes a desktop.
- Win + Number Key — Opens a taskbar app pinned to that number. For example, Win + 3 could open Microsoft Edge while Win + 4 opens the Microsoft Store.
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File Management shortcuts
Screenshot by Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
The Windows 11 File Explorer has its own set of keyboard shortcuts to help users reorganize folders and files. Instead of right-clicking through menus or dragging items around to clean up clutter, these simple key presses make managing documents a breeze.
- Win + E — Opens File Explorer.
- F2 — Rename the selected file or folder. Depending on the keyboard, you may also have to hold Fn.
- Shift + Delete — Permanently deletes an item. Hitting just Delete only sends the file to the recycling bin.
- Ctrl + N — Opens a new File Explorer window. It stays on the page of the previous window.
- Ctrl + Shift + N — Create a new folder.
- Alt + Enter — Opens the Properties window for a file and folder.
- Alt + Left or Right Arrow — Move forward or backward through your File Explorer History.
- Alt + Up Arrow — Go back one folder level.
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Browser shortcuts
Screenshot by Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
Browser shortcuts are similar to Productivity shortcuts in that they do similar things, like copying and pasting items or highlighting entire documents. However, there are a few unique tools, like the ability to create tabs. The following were tested and confirmed to work across various browsers: Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
- Ctrl + T — Open a new tab.
- Ctrl + Shift + T — Reopen the last closed tab. (This one is huge!)
- Ctrl + W — Close the current tab.
- Ctrl + Tab — Move right through tabs.
- Ctrl + Shift + Tab — Move left through the tabs.
- Ctrl + Shift + N — Open new private browsing window. On Firefox, this is Ctrl + Shift + P.
- Alt + Left or Right Arrow — Move back and forth through tab history.
- Ctrl + D — Bookmark page.
- Ctrl + H — Open browser history.
- Ctrl + N — Open a brand new browser window.
I’ve been writing about software and consumer electronics for almost 10 years. In that time, I’ve worked in many different settings, from the traditional office to the home office and even someone’s backyard. Over the years, I’ve picked up a lot of tricks to help me get through my day-to-day tasks.
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Many of the shortcuts in this guide I use every day, even when I’m not working. CTRL + Z has practically become my best friend because I use it so often. Some of these shortcuts I learned about for the first time while researching this piece. I didn’t know that the File Manager has so many shortcuts under its toolbelt, but once I started using them, I immediately saw their value to expert and casual users alike.
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