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- Windows has lots of keyboard shortcuts for helpful tasks in Windows 11.
- Most people only know the basics: CTRL and C to copy text.
- Mastering these shortcuts can help increase your overall productivity with fewer clicks and faster navigation.
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 that useful since you can also perform these actions with your mouse, but I challenge you to try them during the workday; I am sure you will see an increase in productivity.
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There are a lot of different types of shortcuts in Windows 11, but the best shortcuts save you time by replacing the need to click on various context menus. Some of these are universal across applications and platforms. For example, Ctrl + C copies text or files in any app, from Microsoft Word to Photos in Google Drive.
Here is a list of over 50 Windows PC keyboard shortcuts you should know.
Productivity Shortcuts
Productivity shortcuts are the key combinations you’ll find yourself using the most. They are easy to use and help you manage your work. Over time, these keystrokes become second nature.
- Ctrl + C – Copy the highlighted text or file.
- Ctrl+V – Paste whatever you just copied. Maintains the format of the text.
- Ctrl + Shift + V – Paste what you copied, but this 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 have “erased” a previously copied item.
- Ctrl+X — Cuts the highlighted item. Ctrl+V restores it.
- Ctrl+Z – Undoes the last action, such as restoring deleted text or reverting a moved file.
- Ctrl+Y — Redoes the action that was just undone.
- Ctrl+F –Opens the Find tool, so you can search for a specific word or phrase.
- Ctrl+A –Highlight text in each item in a window or document.
- Ctrl+S –Quickly save your work.
- Ctrl + Backspace – remove the previous complete word
- Ctrl + Delete – Delete the next complete word.
accessibility shortcuts
Windows 11 has various accessibility shortcuts that make the OS easier to use. These shortcuts help people who have limited mobility or have conditions that may restrict their use of Windows. That said, anyone can use them to improve their experience.
- Win + Plus (+) – Activates the Magnifier tool and automatically zooms the screen.
- Win + Minus (-) – Zooms out when the Magnifier tool is activated. Hitting Win + ESC exits the Magnifier.
- Win + Ctrl + Enter – Launched Narrator, a text-to-speech function that verbally describes what is on the screen.
- Press the Shift key five times in a row – Turns on Sticky Keys, which changes the way shortcuts work so you don’t have to press and hold multiple keys to trigger them. For example, under Sticky Keys, double tapping Ctrl and then C has the same effect as Ctrl + C.
- Ctrl+E –Opens the search bar. It works on Windows 11 and web browser apps.
- Left Shift + Left Alt + Print Screen – Toggles high contrast mode for easier readability.
- Left Shift + Left Alt + Num Lock – Toggles Mouse Keys, which lets you control the cursor using the numeric keypad.
- Win + Ctrl + C – Toggles color filters like grayscale. 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.
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navigation shortcuts
Navigation shortcuts allow users to visit different apps on Windows 11 without needing to lift their hands from the keyboard. They are especially useful for multitaskers running multiple programs simultaneously. Once you master them, navigating your PC will feel intuitive.
- Ctrl + Alt + Tab – Shows all open apps. Use the arrow keys to move from one to another.
- Win + S –Opens Windows Search.
- Win + Tab – Opens Task View, showing all open windows and all open desktops.
- Win + D – Hides every window on your desktop. Pressing the keys again makes them appear.
- Win + left or right directional arrows – Snaps the current window to the side of the screen 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 can open Microsoft Edge while Win + 4 can open the Microsoft Store.
file management shortcuts
Windows 11 File Explorer has its own set of keyboard shortcuts to help users rearrange folders and files. Instead of right-clicking menus or dragging items around to clear out clutter, these simple key presses make it easy to manage documents.
- Win + E –Opens File Explorer.
- F2 – Rename selected file or folder. Depending on the keyboard, you may also have to hold down Fn.
- F3 –Opens the search bar to locate files.
- F4 – Selects the address bar at the top.
- F5 – Refresh the window.
- F6 — Cycle through parts of an active window.
- shift + delete — Permanently deletes an item. Pressing Delete simply sends the file to the recycling bin.
- Shift + F10 – Open the context menu for the selected item.
- Ctrl+N -Opens a new file explorer window. It remains on the previous window’s page.
- Ctrl + Shift + N — create a new folder.
- Alt + Enter – Opens the properties window for the 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
Browser shortcuts are similar to productivity shortcuts in that they perform similar functions, such as copying and pasting items or highlighting entire documents. However, there are some unique tools, such as the ability to create tabs. The following were tested and confirmed to work on different browsers: Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
- Ctrl+T — Open a new tab.
- Ctrl+Shift+T – Reopen the last closed tab. (It’s huge!)
- Ctrl+W -Close the current tab.
- Ctrl+Tab – Go through the tabs to the right.
- Ctrl + Shift + Tab – Go through the tabs to the left.
- Ctrl + Shift + N – Open new private browsing window. On Firefox, it’s Ctrl + Shift + P.
- Alt + left or right arrow –Move back and forth in 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 a traditional office to a home office and even someone’s backyard. Over the years, I have picked up a lot of tricks to help me accomplish my day-to-day tasks.
Also: Stop Using Google Docs Like a Newbie: 10+ Useful Tricks to Increase Your Productivity
Many of the shortcuts in this guide are ones I use every day, even when I’m not working. CTRL + Z has practically become my best friend because I use it so often. I first learned about some of these shortcuts while researching this piece. I had no idea there were so many shortcuts under a file manager’s toolbelt, but once I started using them, I immediately saw their importance to expert and general users alike.
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