If you've just got a Windows 11 PC or laptop, or you've recently switched from a Mac to Windows, you'll find a lot of great features in Microsoft's latest operating system. Accessing certain features can require multiple clicks, which can hinder productivity. This is where keyboard shortcuts come in handy. Windows 11 has several keyboard shortcuts that allow you to access menus or functions with multiple key presses. This saves you a lot of time, especially if you have to do this frequently.
Most of you are already familiar with the basics such as Ctrl + A to select all files in a window, Ctrl + C to copy files and Ctrl + V to paste them. We'll go a few steps further and show you 11 keyboard shortcuts that are extremely useful no matter how you use your PC.
• snipping Tool
If you don't already have this shortcut on your keyboard, Windows 11's Snipping Tool is simple, yet powerful for taking a screenshot or screen recording of a specific area on your screen. If you've successfully pressed the command, your screen should go black and you'll see three menus at the top. It defaults to taking a still image, but you can switch to video. You can also choose the type of selection you want, from a resizable rectangular window to the entire window. Screenshots are automatically saved to the Screenshots folder, in Pictures.
Command: Windows key + Shift + S
Also read: 5 best everyday laptops from Asus, Dell and other companies 50,000
• Hide all your windows at once
Sometimes, if you think someone is spying on your laptop or you don't want others to see what you are doing, you may need to quickly minimize everything on the screen. Using this combo, you can quickly hide all your open apps and get to the desktop. Press the combo again to restore everything. This shortcut is equivalent to clicking on the right corner of the taskbar.
Command: Windows key + D
• Launch Task Manager
This is a very useful app that you will definitely need when apps are unresponsive and pressing the 'X' button won't close them. The only option (apart from restarting the PC) is to end the process from the Task Manager. In most cases, the Task Manager app will work even if other apps have frozen. When you open it, the apps that are running and using resources will be at the top. Look for the apps that have high CPU usage as these are the ones causing your PC to choke. Select them and click 'End Task' in the menu above. Your PC should immediately work normally again. Keep in mind that you will lose any unsaved data when closing apps using this method.
Command: Ctrl+Shift+Esc
• Launch Copilot
If you use Copilot often, you may find it a bit tedious to click the icon on the right each time. Using this command, you can quickly bring up the Copilot window and start typing your query. Press Command again to minimize the Copilot menu.
Command – Windows key + C
Also read: Setup Windows 11 like a pro: 10 things you must do on your new laptop
• Cycle between browser tabs
When you're working or researching something, it's easy to end up with more than 10 tabs piling up in your browser, and switching between them can be a chore. This problem is even more pronounced on laptop screens, which are much smaller, and sometimes trying to click on a tab using the trackpad can accidentally close it. Use this simple keyboard combo to cycle between all open tabs in your browser. If you want to go counterclockwise, use Ctrl + Shift + Tab.
Command – Ctrl + Tab
• Permanently delete a file
Have you ever wondered why your laptop still has less storage space despite deleting a lot of unwanted files? This is because all deleted items go to the Recycle Bin where they stay for 30 days before they are emptied. If you want to free up space immediately, you can try permanently deleting a file that you will never need. This command will delete the file permanently and there is no way to get it back.
Command-Shift+Delete
• Undo an action
Sometimes, you may want to undo an action after copying or deleting a file incorrectly or while using the Paint app. This command lets you reverse time and undo your last action. In most creative apps, you can use this command to go back several steps in time to undo your actions.
Command – Ctrl+Z
Also read: Top 5 AI productivity tools you should try for text generation, image creation, and more
• Lock your PC
Depending on your laptop's power settings, simply closing the lid doesn't always mean that Windows is locked. This can be a huge privacy concern when working in an office or co-working space. Get in the habit of always locking your PC whenever you walk away from it. This quick shortcut should become muscle memory for you.
Command – Windows key + L
• Launch the emoji menu
When drafting emails or responding to messages in chat apps, you may want to quickly insert an emoji into the conversation. This little keyboard combo brings up the full range of Windows 11 emojis, some of which you may like better than your other apps. This menu also offers GIFs, ASCII emojis, and lets you access the last few files in your clipboard for easy copying and pasting.
Command – Windows key + . (period)
• View all windows + switch between desktops
It's easy to get lost when you have multiple windows open. This combo gives you a bird's-eye view of all your open apps as large thumbnails. This lets you easily see your content in each window, so you can confidently close the ones you don't need. This shortcut also lets you add new desktops, so you can have all your work apps open in one place, and other family member's apps in another, without having to switch between profiles.
Command – Windows key + Tab
• Activate 'Sticky Keys'
Sticky Keys is a very useful accessibility feature meant for users with low dexterity who have difficulty pressing multiple keys at once. Once you activate it, you'll be able to perform the same combo as Ctrl+Shift+Esc, but by pressing one key at a time. You'll also get a little audio cue when the command is successfully registered. Sticky Keys will automatically deactivate after a few seconds, and you can always access it again by performing the same command.
Press the Command-Shift key five times in a row
One more thing! We are now on WhatsApp channel! Follow us there so you don't miss any updates from the world of technology. To follow HT Tech channel on WhatsApp, click here to join now!