New Window Shortcut (Ctrl+N / ⌘N)
Open a new window: ⌘N on Mac, Ctrl+N on Windows. Here it is with incognito and new tab.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New window | ⌘N | Ctrl+N | |
| New incognito / private window | ⌘⇧N | Ctrl+Shift+N | |
| New tab | ⌘T | Ctrl+T | |
| Move tab to new window | (drag tab) | (drag tab) | |
| Cycle app windows | ⌘` | Alt+Tab | |
| Close window | ⌘⇧W | Ctrl+Shift+W or Alt+F4 | |
| New private window (Firefox) | ⌘⇧P | Ctrl+Shift+P | |
| Reopen last closed window | ⌘⇧T | Ctrl+Shift+T |
A fresh window
⌘N (Mac) or Ctrl+N (Windows) opens a new window — a new browser window, a new document in Word, a new Finder/Explorer window. It's the app-agnostic "start something new" shortcut.
Private and multiple windows
Add Shift for a private/incognito window: ⌘⇧N / Ctrl+Shift+N. To cycle between open windows of the same app, use ⌘` on the Mac or Alt+Tab on Windows.
Troubleshooting: Ctrl+N opens a document, not a window
In Office apps (Word, Excel) Ctrl+N creates a new blank document, not an app window — that is expected. In browsers and Finder/Explorer it opens a new window. If you want a private window use Ctrl+Shift+N (Chrome/Edge) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Firefox). On Mac, ⌘N opens a new window in the frontmost app.
Manage the windows you open
Once you have several windows open, arrange them with split screen, jump between desktops using virtual desktops or Task View, and clear the clutter by minimizing all windows at once.
FAQ
What is the new window shortcut?
Press ⌘N on the Mac or Ctrl+N on Windows to open a new window in the current app.
What's the difference between a new window and a new tab?
A new tab (⌘T / Ctrl+T) stays inside the current window; a new window (⌘N / Ctrl+N) is a separate window you can place side by side.
How do I open a private/incognito window?
Press ⌘⇧N (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) in Chrome or Edge; Firefox uses ⌘⇧P / Ctrl+Shift+P.
What is the shortcut for a new incognito window?
Ctrl+Shift+N (⌘⇧N on Mac) in Chrome and Edge; Firefox uses Ctrl+Shift+P (⌘⇧P) for a private window.
How do I reopen a window I just closed?
Press Ctrl+Shift+T (⌘⇧T on Mac). Repeat it to reopen earlier closed tabs and windows in order.