Learning keyboard shortcuts can greatly improve your work speed and effectiveness when operating on Windows 10 and Windows 11. A lot of these shortcuts are the same for both versions, enabling you to move around and carry out tasks swiftly without depending just on a mouse. In this guide, we’ll showcase important keyboard shortcuts that function smoothly on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, giving you the tools to make your work process more efficient and maximize your computer usage.
Keyboard Shortcuts that Work on Both Windows 11 & Windows 10
| Category | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| General System Shortcuts | Win + D | Show or hide the desktop |
| Win + E | Open File Explorer | |
| Win + I | Open the Settings menu | |
| Win + L | Lock your computer | |
| Win + P | Choose a presentation display mode. | |
| Win + A | Open the Action Center | |
| Win + S | Open Search | |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open applications | |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager | |
| Alt + F4 | Close the current application or open the shutdown dialog |
| File Explorer Shortcuts | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Win + E | Open File Explorer | |
| Alt + Up Arrow | Go up a level in File Explorer | |
| Alt + Left Arrow / Right Arrow | Navigate backward or forward. | |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder | |
| F2 | Rename the selected file or folder. | |
| Shift + Delete | Permanently delete a file |
| Multitasking & Virtual Desktops | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Win + Tab | Open Task View | |
| 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 |
| Screenshot Shortcuts | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Win + PrtScn | Capture the entire screen and save it to the Screenshots folder | |
| Alt + PrtScn | Capture the active window and copy it to the clipboard | |
| Win + Shift + S | Open Snip & Sketch for custom screenshots |
| Window Management | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Win + Left / Right Arrow | Snap the window to the left or right half of the screen | |
| Win + Up / Down Arrow. | Maximize or minimize the active window. | |
| Win + M | Minimize all windows | |
| Win + Shift + M | Restore minimized windows |
| Accessibility Shortcuts | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Win + U | Open Ease of Access Center | |
| Win + Plus (+) | Zoom in with Magnifier | |
| Win + Minus (-) | Zoom out with Magnifier | |
| Win + H | Activate voice typing (Win 11) / Dictation (Win 10) |
| Clipboard & Emoji Shortcuts | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Win + V | Open Clipboard History (must be enabled in Settings) | |
| Win + Period (.) / Semicolon (;) | Open the Emoji panel |
Keyboard Shortcuts for Both Windows 11 & Windows 10 – FAQ’s
Are all shortcuts the same in Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Most essential shortcuts are the same, but Windows 11 introduced a few additional shortcuts, like Win + W for widgets and Win + C to open Microsoft Teams.
How can I enable Clipboard History in Windows?
Press Win + V, and a prompt will guide you to enable Clipboard History in Settings.
Is there a shortcut to shut down Windows quickly?
Press Alt + F4 on the desktop to open the shutdown dialog, or use Win + X to access the Power menu.
Can I customize keyboard shortcuts?
Windows doesn’t allow full customization of built-in shortcuts, but third-party tools like PowerToys can help create custom shortcuts.
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