Last updated: 26 September 2026
Keyboard shortcuts are one of the quickest ways to work faster in Windows 11. These are the ones our engineers use most and recommend to staff. In the shortcuts below, Win means the Windows logo key.
Essential everyday shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win | Open the Start menu |
| Win + E | Open File Explorer |
| Win + I | Open Settings |
| Win + L | Lock your PC (always do this when you leave your desk) |
| Win + D | Show or hide the desktop |
| Win + A | Open Quick Settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume and brightness |
| Win + N | Open notifications and the calendar |
| Win + X | Open the quick link menu (Device Manager, Terminal, Task Manager and more) |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager directly |
Windows and multitasking
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + Z | Open Snap Layouts to arrange windows side by side |
| Win + Left / Right arrow | Snap the current window to one side of the screen |
| Win + Up / Down arrow | Maximise or restore the current window |
| Win + Shift + Left / Right arrow | Move the current window to another monitor |
| Win + M | Minimise all windows |
| Win + Shift + M | Restore minimised windows |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open apps |
| Win + Tab | Open Task View |
Virtual desktops
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + Ctrl + D | Create a new virtual desktop |
| Win + Ctrl + Left / Right arrow | Switch between virtual desktops |
| Win + Ctrl + F4 | Close the current virtual desktop |
Screenshots and recording
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + Shift + S | Open the Snipping Tool to capture part of the screen |
| Win + Print Screen | Capture the whole screen and save it to Pictures > Screenshots |
| Win + Alt + R | Start or stop recording the current app (Xbox Game Bar) |
| Win + G | Open the Xbox Game Bar |
Typing and productivity
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + V | Open clipboard history (switch it on the first time) |
| Win + . (full stop) | Open the emoji, symbol and GIF panel |
| Win + H | Start voice typing |
| Win + K | Connect to a wireless display or audio device |
| Win + P | Choose a display mode when presenting (duplicate, extend and so on) |
| Win + W | Open Widgets |
| Win + Pause | Open the About page with your PC name and specification |
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn on clipboard history?
Press Win + V and select Turn on, or go to Settings > System > Clipboard. It then keeps a list of recently copied items that you can paste again.
Why doesn’t a shortcut work on my PC?
Some shortcuts depend on your Windows 11 version, keyboard or company policies. Make sure Windows is up to date. If you are managed by your IT provider, some features may be switched off for security.
Need help with Windows 11?
ABCOM supports businesses across Sussex with Windows 11 upgrades, training and day-to-day IT support. See our Windows 11 upgrade guide, our managed IT services or contact our team.
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