Of course, there's also the famous Ctrl+Z/X/C/V shortcuts for undo, cut, copy, and paste commands that are universal across almost every app. Some of these Control key-based shortcuts vary by application, but there are some standard conventions that apply in many apps, such as Ctrl+B for making text bold and Ctrl+F for searching within an app. Windows+Z: Open Snap layouts (if a window is open).Windows+Y: Switch input between Windows Mixed Reality and desktop.Windows+X: Open the power user menu (like right-clicking Start button).
Windows+W: Open (or close) the Widgets menu.Windows+V: Open clipboard history ( if enabled).Windows+U: Open accessibility settings in the Settings app.Windows+T: Cycle through and focus on taskbar application icons.Windows+S: Open Search menu (yep, there's currently two of them).Windows+R: Open the Run dialog (for running commands).Windows+P: Open Project menu (for switching display modes).Windows+O: Lock screen rotation (orientation).Windows+N: Open notification center and calendar.Windows+K: Open Cast in Quick Settings ( for Miracast).Windows+J: Set focus to a Windows tip (if on screen).Windows+H: Open voice typing (speech dictation).Windows+D: Display (and hide) the desktop.Windows+B: Focus on the first icon in the Taskbar system tray.
At least seven of these shortcuts are new to Windows 11. Some of these go as far back as Windows 95, but newer editions of Windows have changed a few over time. In Windows 11, Microsoft uses shortcuts performed with the Windows key as universal shortcuts that work across all apps and control basic Windows functions. You've probably seen or used a few Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+C, but have you ever thought about what each letter in the alphabet does? For reference, we'll run through the entire list of 26 letters with both the Windows key and the Control key.