You have to love a good keyboard shortcut. They're efficient, and training yourself to use a new one will pay dividends in the future, saving seconds of time over and over again.
Windows 11, Microsoft's latest version of the operating system, includes a handful of new keyboard shortcuts tied to new functionality.
Microsoft lists all of its keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11 on its site (opens in new tab). Below, we're highlighting the ones that will be new to you if you're upgraded to Windows 11 or have done a clean install of Windows 11 for the first time.
Some of these adapt shortcuts that used to be used in PowerToys (largely for the snap zones) and it's nice to see them make their way to Windows proper.
Keyboard shortcuts new to Windows 11
There are two brand new shortcuts, combining the Windows key, alt, and the up and down arrow, which allow you to snap the focused window to the top or bottom of the screen.
Previously, you could only snap side-to-side with short cuts (using the Windows key and left and right arrow).
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Windows key + Alt + Up arrow | Snap active window to top half of screen |
| Windows key + Alt + down arrow | Snap active window to bottom half of screen |
Keyboard shortcuts updated in Windows 11
Many of the updated settings are around features that were upgraded, prioritized or are part of the changes to Windows 11's UI.
For instance, these focus on updating widgets, launching chat in Microsoft teams, opening Snap layouts and notifications.
Some of these have changed functionality since the Windows 10 days. For instance, Windows key + A used to open the Action Center, and now it launches Quick Settings.
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Windows key + A | Open Quick Settings |
| Windows key + C | Open Chat from Microsoft Teams |
| Windows key + H | Launch voice typing |
| Windows key + K | Open Cast from Quick Settings |
| Windows key + N | Open notification center and calendar |
| Windows key + W | Open Widgets |
| Windows key + Z | Open snap layouts |
