Skip to main content

Windows 10 and 11: The best keyboard shortcuts

Windows 10 and 11: The best keyboard shortcuts


 Here we show the most important keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11 and 10. Most of them also work for older Windows versions. In Windows 11, not much has changed with the keyboard shortcuts. The most important are still shortcuts for window management and working with virtual desktops.


In Windows 11, Microsoft has especially improved the window management. The new functions "Snap Layouts" and "Snap Groups" automatically arrange windows according to certain specifications and remember the respective window positions on one or more screens. Otherwise, as in Windows 10, windows can be positioned in the corners of the screen with the correct key combinations. So on large screens you can see up to four windows at once, which are equally large and symmetrically distributed.


The most important keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11 and 10

The following basic shortcuts are available in Windows 11 and 10:

Windows shortcutsWhat the shortcut does
WindowsOpens the start menu
Windows + XOpens the start menu context menu
Windows + TabOpens task view with an overview of all open windows and virtual desktops
Windows + iOpen settings
Windows + AOpen the info center
Windows + N
(Windows 11 only)
Open notifications and calendar
Windows + EOpens Windows Explorer
Windows + LLock Windows / open lockscreen
Windows + GOpens the Windows game bar to start screenshots and screen recordings for games and programs
Windows + ROpens the run dialog

Window management

In Windows 10, windows and apps can no longer only be arranged on the left and right edge of the screen, but now also in every corner, i.e. quarter by quarter if necessary. These are the most important window management shortcuts :

Window management shortcutsWhat the shortcut does
Windows + TabSwitches through open programs and windows
Windows + DShows the desktop, pressing it again shows programs / windows again
Windows + up arrowMaximizes the current window
Windows + down arrowMinimizes current window OR restores maximized window
Windows + LinksPositions the current window on the left edge of the screen
Windows + RightPositions the current window on the right edge of the screen
Alt + F4Closes the current program / window
Windows + Shift + LeftMove window to left screen (if multiple monitors are connected)
Windows + Shift + RightMove window to right screen (if multiple monitors are connected)

Tip: If you have arranged a window with the key combination [ Windows ] + [ Left ] or [ Windows ] + [ Right ], you can arrange it in the upper or lower left or right corner by pressing the key combination [ Windows ] + [ Up ] or [ Windows ] + [ Down ].

Virtual desktops

Virtual desktops are an effective way to divide windows into different work areas. This is how you use them:

The new virtual desktops can be easily created and deleted with shortcuts under Windows 11 and 10. In addition, you can quickly switch between them using a keyboard shortcut, these are the most important:

Virtual desktop shortcutsWhat the shortcut does
Windows + TabOpens task view with an overview of all virtual desktops
Windows + Ctrl + DCreates a new virtual desktop
Windows + Ctrl + F4Closes the current virtual desktop
Windows + Ctrl + LeftSwitches a virtual desktop to the left
Windows + Ctrl + RightSwitches a virtual desktop to the right

Cortana (Windows 10 only)

There are also shortcuts for the digital voice assistant to call them up more quickly. You choose between voice command and keyboard input:

Cortana shortcutsWhat the shortcut does
Windows + QWindows and web search with Cortana (voice input). In Windows 11 only start menu search.
Windows + SWindows and web search with Cortana (keyboard entry). In Windows 11 only start menu search.

Special Windows keyboard shortcuts

Last but not least, there are also special shortcuts in Windows 11 and 10, which, however, should only rarely be used:

Special shortcutsWhat the shortcut does
Ctrl + Shift + NCreate a new folder
Windows + HShare content (if the current app supports it)
Windows + KConnect to wireless display and audio devices
Windows + space barChanges the keyboard layout to another language if several have been added
Windows + AltOpens menu to move, resize, minimize, maximize or close windows and programs
Windows + PProject the output of the PC onto another screen

Comments