Cheat sheets / Windows 11

Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts

72 Windows 11 shortcuts that save real time, grouped by what you are doing. Win is the key with the Windows logo. Type in the filter to find one fast.

This page also works as a hotkey overlay. Hold Ctrl+Space to see it, let go to hide it. What is this?

Everyday

  • Copy, cut, paste Ctrl+C/X/V
  • Undo, redo Ctrl+Z/Y
  • Select all Ctrl+A
  • Switch apps Alt+Tab
  • Close the app Alt+F4
  • Lock the PC Win+L

Snap and arrange windows

  • Snap to a side Win+←/→
  • Maximize / minimize Win+↑/↓
  • Snap layouts Win+Z
  • Move to other monitor Win+Shift+←/→
  • Show the desktop Win+D
  • Minimize all others Win+Home

Desktops and switching

  • Task View Win+Tab
  • New virtual desktop Win+Ctrl+D
  • Switch desktop Win+Ctrl+←/→
  • Close this desktop Win+Ctrl+F4
  • App switcher that stays Ctrl+Alt+Tab
  • Peek at the desktop Win+,

Screenshots and recording

  • Capture part of the screen Win+Shift+S
  • Whole screen, or Snipping Tool PrtSc
  • Save screen to Pictures Win+PrtSc
  • Copy the active window Alt+PrtSc
  • Record part of the screen Win+Shift+R
  • Record the app (Game Bar) Win+Alt+R

Clipboard and typing

  • Clipboard history Win+V
  • Emoji, GIFs and symbols Win+.
  • Voice typing Win+H
  • Switch keyboard language Win+Space
  • Paste as plain text (most apps) Ctrl+Shift+V
  • On-screen keyboard Win+Ctrl+O

Open things fast

  • File Explorer Win+E
  • Settings Win+I
  • Run Win+R
  • Search Win+S
  • Power user menu Win+X
  • Task Manager Ctrl+Shift+Esc

Taskbar and panels

  • Open that pinned app Win+1…9
  • Cycle through taskbar apps Win+T
  • Quick settings Win+A
  • Notifications and calendar Win+N
  • Widgets Win+W
  • Focus the system tray Win+B

File Explorer

  • New folder Ctrl+Shift+N
  • Rename F2
  • Up one folder Alt+↑
  • Address bar Ctrl+L
  • New tab / close tab Ctrl+T/W
  • Copy the file's path Ctrl+Shift+C

Files and folders

  • Properties Alt+Enter
  • Delete permanently Shift+Delete
  • Preview pane Alt+P
  • Full right-click menu Shift+F10
  • Search this folder Ctrl+E
  • Back / forward Alt+←/→

Edit text anywhere

  • Jump by word Ctrl+←/→
  • Select by word Ctrl+Shift+←/→
  • Delete previous word Ctrl+Backspace
  • Select to line start / end Shift+Home/End
  • Top / bottom of document Ctrl+Home/End
  • Find Ctrl+F

Display and screen

  • Projector / second screen mode Win+P
  • Cast to a wireless display Win+K
  • Zoom in / out (Magnifier) Win+Plus/Minus
  • Close Magnifier Win+Esc
  • Restart graphics driver Win+Ctrl+Shift+B
  • Game Bar Win+G

Power and accessibility

  • Security screen Ctrl+Alt+Del
  • Shut down Win+XthenUthenU
  • Restart Win+XthenUthenR
  • Sleep Win+XthenUthenS
  • Accessibility settings Win+U
  • Narrator on / off Win+Ctrl+Enter

Almost all of these work in Windows 10 too. The exceptions are the Windows 11 additions: Win+Z, Win+A, Win+N, Win+W, Win+Shift+R, File Explorer tabs and Ctrl+Shift+C.

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Keep this cheat sheet on a hotkey

BrainRAM is a small free app for Windows. Hold Ctrl+Space and this page appears on top of whatever you are doing. Let go and it's gone. Glance, let go, carry on.

Every group sits in the same place each time, so after a few days you stop reading and just glance at the spot.

  1. Download BrainRAM Free, no account, works offline. The installer isn't code-signed yet, so Windows shows a blue warning: click More info, then Run anyway.
  2. Add this page to BrainRAM Opens BrainRAM with this page ready to import.

BrainRAM runs on Windows today. The macOS and Linux versions are on the way.

Email me when mine is ready
This page as BrainRAM shows it while you hold the hotkey.

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