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 | |
| Search | ⌘Space (Spotlight) | Win+S | |
| Run dialog | (n/a) | Win+R | |
| Quick Link (power user) menu | (n/a) | Win+X | |
| Snap window left / right | (n/a) | Win+← / → | |
| Snap Layouts menu | (n/a) | Win+Z | |
| Maximise window | ⌃⌘F (fullscreen) | Win+↑ | |
| Minimise window | ⌘M | Win+↓ | |
| Move window to other monitor | (n/a) | Win+Shift+← / → | |
| Minimise all but active | (n/a) | Win+Home | |
| Task View | ⌃↑ (Mission Control) | Win+Tab | |
| New virtual desktop | ⌃↑ then + | Win+Ctrl+D | |
| Switch virtual desktop | ⌃← / → | Win+Ctrl+← / → | |
| Close virtual desktop | (n/a) | Win+Ctrl+F4 | |
| Minimise all / show desktop | F11 | Win+D | |
| Peek at desktop | F11 | Win+, | |
| Lock PC | ⌃⌘Q | Win+L | |
| Switch apps | ⌘Tab | Alt+Tab | |
| Cycle taskbar apps | (n/a) | Win+T | |
| Open taskbar app by position | (n/a) | Win+1–9 | |
| Screenshot region (Snip) | ⌘⇧4 | Win+Shift+S | |
| Screenshot whole screen | ⌘⇧3 | PrtScn | |
| Open Settings | ⌘, (app prefs) | Win+I | |
| Quick Settings panel | (n/a) | Win+A | |
| Notification Center | (n/a) | Win+N | |
| Widgets | (n/a) | Win+W | |
| Emoji picker | ⌃⌘Space | Win+. | |
| Clipboard history | (n/a) | Win+V | |
| File Explorer | ⌥⌘Space (Finder) | Win+E | |
| New folder | ⇧⌘N | Ctrl+Shift+N | |
| Rename item | Return | F2 | |
| File/item properties | ⌘I (Get Info) | Alt+Enter | |
| Address / path bar | ⇧⌘G (Go to Folder) | Ctrl+L | |
| Project / display mode | (n/a) | Win+P | |
| Connect (cast / Bluetooth) | (n/a) | Win+K | |
| Magnifier zoom in / out | ⌥⌘+ / ⌥⌘- | Win++ / Win+- | |
| Dictation (voice typing) | fn fn | Win+H | |
| Switch keyboard layout | ⌃⌥Space | Win+Space | |
| Task Manager | ⌥⌘Esc (Force Quit) | Ctrl+Shift+Esc | |
| Open Game Bar | (n/a) | Win+G |
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.
How do I open Task Manager in Windows 11?
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager directly. On a Mac the closest equivalent is ⌥⌘Esc, which opens the Force Quit window.
How do I snap a window to a quarter of the screen in Windows 11?
First snap it to a half with Win+← or Win+→, then press Win+↑ or Win+↓ to push it into a corner. Win+Z opens Snap Layouts for one-step quarter and thirds arrangements.