# Windows 11 Keyboard shortcuts

Shortcuts in Windows 11 allow you to open Windows Settings or perform actions without using a mouse or touchpad. Although many important shortcuts remained unchanged in the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, some new changes have been implemented, such as \[Windows\] + \[W\] (for new Widgets), \[Windows\] + \[Z\] (for Snap Assistant), and \[Windows\] + \[A\] (for Quick Settings).

## New Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

Windows keyboard shortcuts have been around since Windows 95. Each new version of Windows has added helpful shortcuts that perform new actions **without using a mouse or touchpad**. The following keyboard shortcuts were added with the introduction of Windows 11:

- **\[Windows\] + \[A\]:** Opens the Windows 11 Quick Settings
- **\[Windows\] + \[N\]:** Opens the Windows 11 Notification Center (Info Center) + Calendar
- **\[Windows\] + \[W\]:** Opens Web widgets
- **\[Windows\] + \[Z\]:** Opens the Snap Assistant/Window Manager for the layout and arrangement of open windows (e.g. as split screen)

## Using Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts with the Windows Key

If you’re not familiar with Windows shortcuts, you’re missing out on all the helpful features that can be used with the [Windows key](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/windows-button/ "Windows button"). The following Windows keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11 are essential:

- **\[Windows\] + \[C\]:** Opens the Microsoft Teams chat
- **\[Windows\] + \[D\]:** Navigates from current window to the desktop (and back to current window by pressing it again)
- **\[Windows\] + \[E\]:** Opens Windows Explorer
- **\[Windows\] + \[F\]:** Opens Windows Feedback Hub
- **\[Windows\] + \[G\]:** Opens Gaming Menu for recording games
- **\[Windows\] + \[H\]:** Starts Voice Recognition
- **\[Windows\] + \[I\]:** Opens Windows Settings
- **\[Windows\] + \[K\]:** Connects to wireless display/audio devices
- **\[Windows\] + \[L\]:** Locks the screen of the device (log in again with password)
- **\[Windows\] + \[M\]:** Minimizes all currently open windows/programs
- **\[Windows\] + \[N\]:** Opens Notification Center (Info Center) and Calendar
- **\[Windows\] + \[P\]:** Projects device output to another screen
- **\[Windows\] + \[Q\] / \[Windows\] + \[S\]:** Opens Windows Search
- **\[Windows\] + \[Ctrl\] + \[Q\]:** Requests Remote Assistance
- **\[Windows\] + \[R\]:** Opens the “Run” dialog box
- **\[Windows\] + \[Shift\] + \[S\]:** Screenshot function for selected area
- **\[Windows\] + \[U\]:** Opens “Accessibility” settings
- **\[Windows\] + \[X\]:** Opens the administrative menu/quick link menu with functions such as Device Manager, PowerShell, Apps & Features, or System
- **\[Windows\] + \[.\]:** Opens the emoji menu
- **\[Windows\] + \[+\]:** Opens the screen magnifier (deactivate with \[Windows\] + \[Esc\])
- **\[Windows\] + \[Print\]:** Creates and saves a screenshot of the whole screen in the “Screen Captures” folder
- **\[Windows\] + \[Space\]:** Switches between installed languages

**Window management:**

- **\[Windows\] + \[Arrow keys\]:** Splits open windows/apps as split screen with \[Windows\] + \[Arrow key left/right\] or shows up to four windows simultaneously on screen. \[Windows\] + 2x \[Arrow down\] minimizes the selected window
- **\[Windows\] + \[Ctrl\] + \[Arrow left/right\]:** Switches between existing virtual desktops
- **\[Windows\] + \[Tab\]:** Switches to the overview of all the open windows and programs
- **\[Windows\] + \[Z\]:** Opens snap layouts for arranging apps and windows (e.g. as split screen)

## Other helpful Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

Other useful functions are available with the following key combinations:

- [Alt key](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/alt-key/)
- [AltGr key](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/alt-gr-key/)
- [Crtl/Ctrl key](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/ctrl-key/)
- Shift or [shift key](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/shift-key/)

The following shortcuts are also available:

- **\[Ctrl\] + \[A\]:** Selects entire text/page content
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[C\]:** Copies all selected elements/content
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[X\]:** Cuts selected elements/content
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[V\]:** Pastes all cut or copied elements/content
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[Esc\]:** Opens the start menu
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[Shift\]:** Switches between keyboard layouts
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[Shift\] + \[V\]:** Pastes cut/copied elements without formatting
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[Shift\] + \[Esc\]:** Opens Task Manager
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[Alt\] + \[Del\]:** Displays the security options
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[Z\]:** Undoes last action/entry
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[Y\]:** Repeats last action/entry
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[W\]:** Closes current window
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[N\]:** Opens new window/document
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[Shift\] + \[N\]:** Creates a new folder
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[F\]:** Searches within an Explorer folder
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[Back\]:** Deletes the last entered word
- **\[Ctrl\] + \[Shift\] + click on taskbar:** Opens apps with Administrator Rights
- **\[Alt\] + \[Tab\]:** Switches between currently open apps
- **\[Alt\] + \[Enter\]:** Shows the properties of a selected item
- **\[Alt\] + \[Arrow left/right\]:** Navigates back or forward
- **\[AltGr\] + keys with third party mapping:** Uses the third-party mapping of other keys


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/windows-11-keyboard-shortcuts/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/windows-11-keyboard-shortcuts/) for AI/LLM consumption.