Windows 11 has far more built-in shortcuts, window controls, accessibility tools, and device features than its default desktop suggests. Here are 37 practical ones, grouped by what they help you do, with the steps and important limits for using them.
Shortcuts that get you around Windows faster
1. Open Settings
Press Windows+I to open Settings directly.
2. Open File Explorer
Press Windows+E to open a File Explorer window.
3. See open windows and desktops
Press Windows+Tab to open Task View, where you can switch between open windows and virtual desktops.
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4. Jump to accessibility settings
Press Windows+U to open Accessibility in Settings.
5. Capture part of the screen
Press Windows+Shift+S, then select a screen region using the snipping controls. The capture is copied to the clipboard; available options can vary with Windows version and settings.
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6. Open Quick Settings
Press Windows+A to open the Quick Settings panel, which gives access to common controls such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and brightness when supported by the device.
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7. Open notifications and calendar
Press Windows+N to open the notification center and calendar view.
8. Lock your PC
Press Windows+L to lock the current session.
9. Open the emoji panel
Press Windows+. (period) to open the emoji and symbols panel in supported text fields.
10. Start voice typing
Press Windows+H in a text field to start voice typing. This is dictation; it is distinct from Voice access, which can control more of the PC.
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Press Windows+R to open Run and enter a program name, folder path, or supported command.
12. Find a setting or app
Press the Windows key and start typing to search for apps, settings, and files. Search results depend on indexing and your configuration.
13. Show the desktop
Press Windows+D to minimize or restore open windows and show the desktop.
14. Open the power-user menu
Press Windows+X to open the Start button’s context menu, which links to system tools such as Terminal, Device Manager, and Disk Management. The menu’s contents can vary by Windows version.
15. Switch between open apps
Hold Alt and press Tab to cycle through open windows. Release Alt to switch to the selected window.
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16. Choose a Snap layout
Hover over a window’s maximize button or press Windows+Z to show available Snap layouts. Select a position to place the window; the layouts offered can depend on display size.
17. Snap a window with the keyboard
With a window active, press Windows plus an arrow key to move it toward a screen edge or corner. The exact placement depends on the key sequence and available display space.
18. Fill the remaining Snap space
After snapping a window, choose another open window from Snap Assist to fill an available area. Snap Assist suggestions and other Snap behaviors can be adjusted at Settings > System > Multitasking.
19. Return to a Snap group
When you arrange windows together, Windows can treat them as a Snap group. Select a grouped app from the taskbar or Task View to return to that arrangement. Snap group behavior can be configured under Settings > System > Multitasking.
20. Create another virtual desktop
Press Windows+Tab and select New desktop to separate workspaces, such as one for work and another for personal tasks.
21. Move between virtual desktops
Press Windows+Ctrl+Left arrow or Windows+Ctrl+Right arrow to switch desktops. Use Task View to rename desktops or move windows between them.
22. Minimize everything except the active window
Hold the title bar of the active window and shake it to minimize other windows, if the feature is enabled. Look under Settings > System > Multitasking for the title-bar shake option; its availability depends on Windows configuration.
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Focus and notification controls
23. Start a Focus session
Start Focus from the taskbar notification area, Settings > System > Focus, or the Clock app. A session can turn on Do not disturb, hide taskbar badges, and stop taskbar app flashing.
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24. Set a session duration and timer display
In Focus settings, adjust the session duration and whether the Clock timer is shown. Clock integrations with Spotify and Microsoft To Do are optional, not requirements for a session.
25. Keep Do not disturb behavior in mind
If Do not disturb was already on before you begin a Focus session, it remains on after that session ends. Check the notification controls if alerts do not resume as expected.
Clipboard and text entry
26. Turn on clipboard history
Press Windows+V and select Turn on when prompted. Press Windows+V again to view and reuse copied items. Microsoft Support documents a limit of 25 entries and 4 MB per item; clipboard history clears on restart except for pinned items.
27. Pin clipboard items you want to keep
Open clipboard history with Windows+V and pin an item to retain it through a restart. Pinned items remain until you remove them or clear clipboard data.
28. Choose whether clipboard data syncs
Go to Settings > System > Clipboard to manage clipboard history and optional cross-device sync. Sync is linked to the same Microsoft or work account on your devices; turn it off there if you do not want copied text shared across them.
Accessibility and voice control
29. Control Windows with Voice access
Voice access lets you control the PC and author text with spoken commands without an internet connection. Microsoft lists it for Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. Find it under Settings > Accessibility > Speech, then turn it on and follow setup prompts.
30. Press or release keys by voice
Voice access includes commands to press a key or key combination, repeat a key, hold a key, and release a key. These are keyboard-action commands within Voice access, not the same thing as voice typing.
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31. Turn on Magnifier
Press Windows++ (Windows plus the plus key) to start Magnifier and zoom in. Press Windows+Esc to close it; use Windows+- to zoom out while Magnifier is active.
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32. Start the On-Screen Keyboard
Press Windows+Ctrl+O to open or close the On-Screen Keyboard. It can be useful when a physical key is unavailable or for touch input.
33. Switch on live captions
Press Windows+Ctrl+L to open live captions when supported by your Windows build and language settings. Check the on-screen prompts to download any required speech components.
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34. Use Phone Link for selected phone content
Phone Link can display selected phone notifications, messages, photos, app lists, and related content on a Windows PC. Set it up from the Phone Link app and follow the pairing instructions for your phone. Available features vary by phone model and configuration, so not every phone exposes the same content.
35. Find a device with Find My Device
Find My Device requires an administrator sign-in with a Microsoft account and location enabled. Configure it under Settings > Privacy & security > Find my device. Location depends on available device signals, so accuracy is not identical across devices.
36. Get help from another person with Quick Assist
Search for Quick Assist in Start and open the app to request or provide remote assistance. Both people must follow the app’s connection and permission prompts; only share a session code with someone you trust.
37. Adjust display projection
Press Windows+P to choose how Windows uses a connected display, such as extending or duplicating the desktop. The available choices depend on the displays and connection detected by the PC.
Where to verify shortcuts and settings
Microsoft’s Windows keyboard shortcut reference documents the system shortcuts and notes when a shortcut depends on a setting or app: Windows keyboard shortcuts. See Microsoft’s instructions for Snap your windows, Focus, Voice access keyboard commands, and using the clipboard. Microsoft also explains its essential services and connected experiences.
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