General Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo |
| Ctrl + A | Select all |
| Ctrl + D | Delete selected item (Recycle Bin) |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create new folder |
| Ctrl + P | |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps |
| Alt + F4 | Close current app/window |
| F2 | Rename selected item |
| F5 | Refresh window |
| Ctrl + S | Save |
Window Management
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + D | Show/hide desktop |
| Win + , | Peek at desktop |
| Win + M | Minimize all windows |
| Win + Shift + M | Restore minimized windows |
| Win + Arrow Keys | Snap window (left, right, up, down) |
| Win + Tab | Open Task View |
| Win + Home | Minimize all except active window |
| Win + Shift + S | Screenshot (Snipping Tool) |
| Win + PrtScn | Screenshot (save to Pictures) |
| Alt + Space | Open window menu (move, resize) |
Virtual Desktops
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + Ctrl + D | Create new virtual desktop |
| Win + Ctrl + Left/Right | Switch between virtual desktops |
| Win + Ctrl + F4 | Close current virtual desktop |
Taskbar Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + T | Cycle through taskbar apps |
| Win + Number (1-9) | Open pinned app (position-based) |
| Shift + Click on Taskbar | Open new instance of app |
| Ctrl + Shift + Click | Open app with admin privileges |
| Win + Alt + Number | Open app jump list |
File Explorer Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + E | Open File Explorer |
| Alt + Up | Go to parent folder |
| Alt + Left/Right | Back/forward in File Explorer |
| Ctrl + N | Open new File Explorer window |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Expand all folders in sidebar |
| Ctrl + F | Search in File Explorer |
Settings and System
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + I | Open Settings |
| Win + K | Open Cast to Device |
| Win + P | Project (second screen) options |
| Win + L | Lock computer |
| Win + R | Open Run dialog |
| Win + U | Open Accessibility (Ease of Access) |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
| Win + Pause | Open System Properties |
| Win + V | Open Clipboard History |
Multimedia and Game Bar
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + G | Open Xbox Game Bar |
| Win + Alt + R | Start/Stop screen recording |
| Win + Alt + PrintScrn | Take screenshot of game |
| Win + L | Lock your PC |
| Win + Ctrl + Q | Open Quick Assist |
Web and Search
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + S | Open Search |
| Win + Q | Search via Cortana |
| Win + F | Open Feedback Hub |
| Ctrl + L | Highlight address bar in browser |
| Ctrl + T | Open new browser tab |
| Ctrl + W | Close current tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen last closed tab |
Clipboard and Emoji Panel
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + V | Open Clipboard History |
| Win + . (Period) | Open Emoji Panel |
| Ctrl + C | Copy selected text or item |
| Ctrl + X | Cut selected text or item |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
Accessibility Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + Ctrl + Enter | Enable Narrator |
| Win + Plus (+) | Zoom in (Magnifier) |
| Win + Minus (-) | Zoom out (Magnifier) |
| Win + Esc | Exit Magnifier |
| Win + A | Open Quick Settings (WiFi, Sound) |
Tips for Windows 11 Users
- Use Win + Tab to organize workspaces with Task View.
- Use Win + . to add emojis to any text field.
- Use Win + Shift + S to take a screenshot and directly copy it to the clipboard.
- Master virtual desktops with Win + Ctrl + D for multitasking.