Keyboard shortcuts have been a feature of Windows since time immemorial, and once you try them, they’re hard to stop. The Windows key you see on most modern keyboards hasn’t always existed, and there are also multiple shortcuts that combine other types of letters.
However, the latest Microsoft operating systems have opted for the Windows key to increase the number of shortcuts , and some specifically facilitate the use of the system and its main functions , increasing user productivity by allowing quick and easy access to them
11 Windows Key Shortcuts You Should Know
While these shortcuts may seem archaic in a world of artificial intelligence, voice controls, and touchscreen interactions, nothing could be further from the truth, especially on desktop computers where we use keyboards and mice, or even laptops on the go. These combinations of two or more keys are still very, very useful . Focusing on the Windows key and its use in Windows 11, we’ve selected the ones we find most interesting.
Win + I. This is the fastest way to open System Preferences. It’s an essential tool for managing almost all system functions, preferences, and personalizing your Windows experience.
Win + A. Accessing the Settings tool to do something as simple as changing Wi-Fi networks, disabling Bluetooth, or activating airplane mode is excessive. The quick settings drop-down menu accessed with this combination is much simpler.
Win + R . Provides direct access to the ‘Run’ function, another important internal tool in Windows that, once the corresponding command name is entered, allows you to launch applications such as the console, registry, notepad, and a long list of other applications.
Win+E . Windows key combinations aren’t limited to accessing system tools; they also allow you to quickly launch common applications, such as the one with this shortcut: File Explorer. It opens in the Start view you have set in Explorer, which can also be customized.
Win + V. One of the most well-known keyboard shortcuts is Control + V, which pastes an item previously copied with Control + C. It works great and is widely used in text applications, but it’s very simple. If you want something more comprehensive, the shortcut we suggest directly accesses the clipboard history, allowing you to access a larger number of copied items, up to the last 25.
Win + D. Other shortcuts have to do with the interface, and in this case, showing or hiding the desktop. This is ideal when the desktop is covered by several windows, making it a difficult task to minimize everything to access it. This combination minimizes all open windows at once, and if you want to restore it, just press it again.
Win + Tab . Another interface-related shortcut, this one opens Task View, which is very useful when you need to view and manage windows and virtual desktops. It displays thumbnails of running applications so you can easily switch between them and use different workspaces.
Win + Left/Right . Pressing this key will instantly snap the active window to the corresponding side of the screen. This is useful when working with multiple windows side by side, for example, when comparing documents or multitasking between applications.
Win + L. If you’re in a shared environment, like an office or coffee shop, and want to step away from your computer, you can easily lock it by pressing this combination. This will instantly bring up the lock screen without having to go through the Start menu or press another of the most famous shortcuts: Ctrl+Alt+Del.
Win+Shift+S . This lets you quickly take a screenshot by opening the Snipping & Drawing tool and dragging the cursor over the area you want to capture. The image will be saved to your Screenshots folder, where you can edit or share it.
The above are perhaps the most interesting ones using the Windows key, but they’re not the only ones, as there are others like Win+. to insert emojis or Win+Ctrl+T to pin windows. And if you want more, you can check out this tutorial where we showed you all the ones available for Windows 11 and previous versions of Microsoft systems.
