Comply with ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Home windows has a protracted checklist of keyboard shortcuts that carry out useful actions in Home windows 11.
- For instance, hitting the CTRL and C keys collectively permits customers to repeat textual content or information.
- Mastering these shortcuts might help enhance your general productiveness, however most individuals solely know a number of.
Keyboard shortcuts have been a staple characteristic in Home windows for many years, however most customers solely know the fundamentals. At first look, they do not appear all that helpful since you too can do these actions along with your mouse, however I problem you to attempt them over the course of a workday; you simply may discover a lift in productiveness.
Additionally: How much RAM does your PC really need in 2025? I did the math for Windows and Mac users
There are many various kinds of shortcuts in Windows 11, however the most effective ones prevent time by changing the necessity to click on by way of completely different context menus. Just a few of those are common throughout purposes and platforms. Ctrl + C, for instance, copies textual content or information in any app, from Microsoft Phrase to images in Google Drive.
Here is a listing of greater than 40 Windows PC keyboard shortcuts it is best to know.
Productiveness shortcuts
Productiveness shortcuts are the important thing combos you may end up utilizing probably the most. They’re simple to make use of and show you how to handle your work. Over time, these keystrokes change into second nature.
- Ctrl + C — Copy highlighted textual content or a file.
- Ctrl + V — Paste no matter you simply copied. Retains the textual content’s format.
- Ctrl + Shift + V – Paste no matter you copied, however it removes the formatting.
- Home windows key (Win, for brief) + V — Opens the Clipboard instrument, which accommodates a listing of beforehand copied textual content. This helps in conditions the place you may’ve “erased” the earlier copied merchandise.
- Ctrl + X — Cuts the highlighted merchandise. Ctrl + V restores it.
- Ctrl + Z — Undoes the final motion, akin to restoring deleted textual content or returning a moved file.
- Ctrl + Y — Redoes the motion that was simply undone.
- Ctrl + F — Opens the Discover instrument, so you’ll be able to seek for particular phrases or phrases.
- Ctrl + A — Spotlight each single merchandise in a window or textual content in a doc.
- Ctrl + S — Fast save your work.
- Ctrl + Backspace — Delete the complete earlier phrase
- Ctrl + Delete — Delete the complete subsequent phrase.
Accessibility shortcuts
Home windows 11 has varied accessibility shortcuts that make the OS simpler to make use of. These shortcuts assist folks with motion limitations or circumstances which will prohibit their utilization of Home windows. That mentioned, anyone can use them to enhance their expertise.
- Win + Plus (+) — Prompts the Magnifier instrument and robotically zooms in on the display.
- Win + Minus (-) — Zooms out whereas the Magnifier instrument is activated. Hitting Win + Esc exits out of Magnifier.
- Win + Ctrl + Enter — Launches Narrator, a text-to-speech perform that verbally describes what’s on display.
- Press the Shift key 5 instances in succession — Activates Sticky keys, which change how shortcuts work so you do not have to press and maintain a number of keys to set off them. For instance, beneath Sticky Keys, double-tapping Ctrl then C has the identical impact as Ctrl + C.
- Left Shift + Left Alt + Print Display — Toggles excessive distinction mode for simpler readability.
- Win + Ctrl + C — Toggles shade filters like grayscale. The filters may be modified within the Accessibility menu to invert colours or assist folks with deuteranopia (also referred to as red-green shade blindness).
- Win + U — Opens the Accessibility menu in Settings, the place you’ll be able to activate or deactivate accessibility-related options.
- Win + Ctrl + O — Opens the on-screen keyboard.
Navigation shortcuts
Navigation shortcuts enable customers to maneuver round completely different apps on Home windows 11 with out ever needing to raise their palms off the keyboard. They’re particularly helpful for multitaskers juggling a number of applications without delay. When you grasp them, navigating your PC will really feel seamless.
- Ctrl + Alt + Tab — Reveals all open apps. Use the arrow keys to hop from one to the opposite.
- Win + S — Opens Home windows Search.
- Win + Tab — Opens Activity View, revealing all open home windows and all open desktops.
- Win + D — Hides each window in your desktop. Urgent the keys once more reveals them.
- Win + Left or Proper Directional Arrow — Snaps the present window to the aspect of the display that the arrow is pointing to.
- Win + Up Arrow — Maximizes a window.
- Win + Down Arrow — Minimizes the identical window.
- Win + Ctrl + D — Create a brand new desktop.
- Win + Ctrl + F4 — Closes a desktop.
- Win + Quantity Key — Opens a taskbar app pinned to that quantity. For instance, Win + 3 might open Microsoft Edge whereas Win + 4 opens the Microsoft Retailer.
Additionally: Finally, a Windows laptop that I wouldn’t mind putting away my MacBook for
File Administration shortcuts
The Home windows 11 File Explorer has its personal set of keyboard shortcuts to assist customers reorganize folders and information. As a substitute of right-clicking by way of menus or dragging gadgets round to wash up muddle, these easy key presses make managing paperwork a breeze.
- Win + E — Opens File Explorer.
- F2 — Rename the chosen file or folder. Relying on the keyboard, you might also have to carry Fn.
- Shift + Delete — Completely deletes an merchandise. Hitting simply Delete solely sends the file to the recycling bin.
- Ctrl + N — Opens a brand new File Explorer window. It stays on the web page of the earlier window.
- Ctrl + Shift + N — Create a brand new folder.
- Alt + Enter — Opens the Properties window for a file and folder.
- Alt + Left or Proper Arrow — Transfer ahead or backward by way of your File Explorer Historical past.
- Alt + Up Arrow — Return one folder stage.
Additionally: Best early Labor Day laptop deals: Sales on Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and more
Browser shortcuts
Browser shortcuts are much like Productiveness shortcuts in that they do related issues, like copying and pasting gadgets or highlighting complete paperwork. Nonetheless, there are a number of distinctive instruments, like the flexibility to create tabs. The next have been examined and confirmed to work throughout varied browsers: Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
- Ctrl + T — Open a brand new tab.
- Ctrl + Shift + T — Reopen the final closed tab. (This one is large!)
- Ctrl + W — Shut the present tab.
- Ctrl + Tab — Transfer proper by way of tabs.
- Ctrl + Shift + Tab — Transfer left by way of the tabs.
- Ctrl + Shift + N — Open new non-public looking window. On Firefox, that is Ctrl + Shift + P.
- Alt + Left or Proper Arrow — Transfer backwards and forwards by way of tab historical past.
- Ctrl + D — Bookmark web page.
- Ctrl + H — Open browser historical past.
- Ctrl + N — Open a model new browser window.
I have been writing about software program and client electronics for nearly 10 years. In that point, I’ve labored in many alternative settings, from the normal workplace to the house workplace and even somebody’s yard. Through the years, I’ve picked up a number of methods to assist me get by way of my day-to-day duties.
Additionally: I tested the best antivirus software for Windows: Here’s what I’d use to protect my PC
Lots of the shortcuts on this information I exploit on daily basis, even once I’m not working. CTRL + Z has virtually change into my finest good friend as a result of I exploit it so typically. A few of these shortcuts I discovered about for the primary time whereas researching this piece. I did not know that the File Supervisor has so many shortcuts beneath its toolbelt, however as soon as I began utilizing them, I instantly noticed their worth to professional and informal customers alike.
