Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts — Complete Cheatsheet
Windows 11 offers a sleek and efficient user experience, and mastering its keyboard shortcuts is key to unlocking peak productivity. These shortcuts allow you to navigate, manage, and interact with your system much faster than relying solely on your mouse.
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Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy selected item | Ctrl+C | Cmd+C | General |
| Cut selected item | Ctrl+X | Cmd+X | General |
| Paste selected item | Ctrl+V | Cmd+V | General |
| Undo an action | Ctrl+Z | Cmd+Z | General |
| Redo an action | Ctrl+Y | Cmd+Shift+Z | General |
| Select all items in a document or window | Ctrl+A | Cmd+A | General |
| Save current file | Ctrl+S | Cmd+S | General |
| Open File Explorer | Win+E | N/A | System Navigation |
| Open Settings | Win+I | Cmd+, | System Navigation |
| Minimize all windows | Win+D | Cmd+F3 | Window Management |
| Lock your computer | Win+L | Cmd+Ctrl+Q | System Navigation |
| Open Task View | Win+Tab | Ctrl+Up Arrow | Window Management |
| Snap window to a side of the screen | Win+Left/Right Arrow | N/A | Window Management |
| Open Quick Settings | Win+A | N/A | System Navigation |
| Open Notification Center | Win+N | N/A | System Navigation |
| Open Emoji panel | Win+. | Ctrl+Cmd+Space | Text Input |
| Take a screenshot of a portion of the screen | Win+Shift+S | Cmd+Shift+4 | Screenshot |
| Open Run dialog | Win+R | Cmd+Space (then type app name) | System Navigation |
| Open Task Manager | Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Cmd+Option+Esc | System Management |
| Switch between open apps | Alt+Tab | Cmd+Tab | Window Management |
| Close the active window | Alt+F4 | Cmd+W | Window Management |
| Open search | Win+S | Cmd+Space | System Navigation |
| Show/Hide the desktop | Win+D | Cmd+F3 | Window Management |
Tips
- Start by memorizing 3-5 shortcuts you use most frequently and gradually add more to your repertoire.
- Practice makes perfect! Consciously try to use shortcuts instead of your mouse for a week to build muscle memory.
- Many applications have their own specific shortcuts. Explore the 'Help' or 'Settings' menu within your favorite apps to discover them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I see all Windows 11 shortcuts?
While there isn't one single 'master list' within Windows 11 itself, you can find comprehensive lists online from Microsoft's official documentation or reputable tech sites. The 'Settings' app (Win+I) also provides some shortcut information within specific sections.
Can I customise Windows 11 shortcuts?
Windows 11 offers limited built-in customization for system-wide shortcuts. However, many individual applications allow you to customize their internal shortcuts. For more advanced system-wide customization, third-party tools like AutoHotkey can be used.