Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows · Windows 11
About this list and its requirements
/ Checked / Updated
Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts let you switch between open windows, work with files in File Explorer, arrange windows, and open Settings. These default commands depend on context: some act on the active window, and their behavior or availability can vary between apps. The accompanying conditions clarify where a command applies.
This guide lists US and Japanese JIS layouts using logical key names; matching physical positions across layouts have not been verified. PrintScreen may appear as PrtScn on your keyboard, while model-specific Fn combinations fall outside the guide's scope. The guide records October 20, 2026 as its documentation review date; this record does not indicate testing on individual Windows devices.
These are the default Windows 11 shortcuts. Some apps may not support a shortcut or may give the same keys a different effect.
Keys are shown by their logical names. Matching positions on JIS and US keyboards and behavior on individual hardware models have not been verified.
PrintScreen is the key labeled PrtScn or a similar abbreviation on some keyboards. Model-specific Fn combinations are not included.
The recorded check date is October 20, 2026. The records for individual commands refer to checks against Microsoft’s official documentation, not tests on a Windows device.
Showing: Windows version：Windows 11
Loading your environment…
Apps and the screenOperating system
About this section
Find apps through [Start] or search, switch between open windows, and close them. This section also covers locking the screen when you step away.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+S Open search.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+T Cycle through apps in the taskbar.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Tab Open Task View.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Alt+Tab Switch between open windows.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Alt+F4 Close the active window. If no windows are open, prompt to shutdown.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+R Open the Run dialog box.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+L Lock the computer.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
FilesOperating system
About this section
Manage files and navigate folders in File Explorer, and open the parent folder in Open and Save dialogs. Conditions on individual items identify File Explorer-only commands.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+E Open File Explorer.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Alt+D Select the address bar.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Alt+Up arrow Move up a level in the folder path.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Alt+Left arrow Backspace Navigate to the previous folder.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Alt+Right arrow View the next folder.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+E Ctrl+F Select the search box.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+Shift+N Create a new folder.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗F2 Rename the selected item.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Alt+Enter Display properties for the selected item.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Delete Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Backspace Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — The selected-folder condition and Backspace command were checked against the dialog box section for Windows 11 in Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Settings and permissionsOperating system
About this section
Open [Settings] to find a setting. For app permissions, go to [Settings] › [Privacy & security], then choose the feature you want to check under [App permissions]. The permissions you can control in privacy settings depend on the app.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+I Open Settings.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+U Open the Settings app to the Accessibility section.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
EditingGeneral operationsIn an editable text field, when the app supports the standard shortcuts
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+A Select all text.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+X Cut the selected text.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+C Ctrl+Insert Copy the selected text.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+V Shift+Insert Paste the last item from the clipboard.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+Z Undo the last typing.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+Y Redo typing that was undone with Ctrl+Z.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Text and cursorGeneral operationsWhen the cursor is in an editable text field and the app supports the standard shortcuts
Official source
Official page ↗Home Move the cursor backward to the beginning of the line.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗End Move the cursor forward to the end of the line.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+Left arrow Move the cursor backward to the beginning of the previous word.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+Right arrow Move the cursor forward to the beginning of the next word.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Shift+Home Select text from the current cursor position to the beginning of the current line.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Shift+End Select text from the current cursor position to the end of the current line.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
WindowsGeneral operationsOn the Windows desktop
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Z Open the snap layouts.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Left arrow Snap the window to the left side of the screen.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Right arrow Snap the window to the right side of the screen.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Up arrow Maximize the active window.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+M Minimize all windows.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Shift+M Restore minimized windows.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Dialog boxesGeneral operationsWhen a dialog box is open
Official source
Official page ↗Tab Move forward through options.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Shift+Tab Move back through options.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Spacebar Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
ClipboardGeneral operations
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+V Open the clipboard history.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Tabs (File Explorer)FilesIn File Explorer
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+T Open a new tab and switch to it.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+Tab Move to the next tab.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+Shift+Tab Move to the previous tab.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+W Closes the active tab.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
DesktopsWindows
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+D Display and hide the desktop.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Ctrl+D Create another desktop.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Ctrl+Left arrow Switch between other desktops you've created on the left.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Ctrl+Right arrow Switch between other desktops you've created on the right.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Ctrl+F4 Close the desktop you're using.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
TaskbarWindows
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+B Set the focus to the first icon in the notification area of the taskbar.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
ScreenshotsWindows
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+Shift+S Select a region of the screen to capture a screenshot to the clipboard.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Alt+PrtScn Capture a screenshot of the active window and copy it to the clipboard.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+PrtScn Capture a full screen screenshot and save it to a file in the Screenshots subfolder of the Pictures folder.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Notifications and calendarWindows
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+N Open notification center and calendar.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
DisplayWindows
Official source
Official page ↗Windows key+P Open project settings to choose a presentation display mode.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
Task ManagerWindows
Official source
Official page ↗Ctrl+Shift+Esc Open Task Manager.
Source checked：Windows 11（2026-10-20） — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.