Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts
Master the Windows key — the Windows 11 shortcuts that save the most time.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Start | ⌘ (n/a) | Win | |
| Snap window left / right | (n/a) | Win+← / → | |
| Snap Layouts menu | (n/a) | Win+Z | |
| Task View | (n/a) | Win+Tab | |
| New virtual desktop | (n/a) | Win+Ctrl+D | |
| Switch virtual desktop | (n/a) | Win+Ctrl+← / → | |
| Minimise all / show desktop | (n/a) | Win+D | |
| Lock PC | (n/a) | Win+L | |
| Screenshot region (Snip) | ⌘⇧4 | Win+Shift+S | |
| Open Settings | (n/a) | Win+I | |
| Emoji picker | (n/a) | Win+. | |
| File Explorer | (n/a) | Win+E | |
| Clipboard history | (n/a) | Win+V | |
| Switch apps | ⌘Tab | Alt+Tab |
The Windows key is the shortcut
Almost every Windows 11 power feature hangs off the Win key. Win+Shift+S starts a region screenshot straight to the clipboard; Win+V opens clipboard history so you can paste something you copied three items ago; and Win+. brings up the emoji and symbol picker in any text field.
Window management
Win+←/→ snaps the active window to half the screen, and Win+Z opens Snap Layouts for quarter and thirds arrangements. Win+Ctrl+←/→ flips between virtual desktops.
FAQ
What is the screenshot shortcut in Windows 11?
Press Win+Shift+S to open Snip & Sketch and capture a region to the clipboard, or PrtScn to copy the whole screen. On a Mac the equivalent region capture is ⌘⇧4.
How do I open clipboard history in Windows 11?
Press Win+V. Enable it the first time you use it, then paste any of your recent copies.
Is there a Mac equivalent for these Windows shortcuts?
Some map directly — Alt+Tab is ⌘Tab, and Win+Shift+S is ⌘⇧4 — but virtual-desktop and snapping shortcuts are Windows-specific and marked n/a here.