Windows
Get Windows 11
From organizing to collaborating, Windows 11 shortcuts were made to make the everyday easier. Get to know the key combos below—and live life on easy street.
Windows11 comes with built-in capabilities that make your life easier. Learn how to use Windows11 to boost your productivity, organize your desktop, personalize your device, enable accessibility settings, and more. Follow these Windows tips and tricks to get the most out of using your device.
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Connect to your Pride
Learn how
Connect to your Pride
Turn on your Pride in select Microsoft 365 apps5 and celebrate with the special theme inspired by the flags of the LGBTQI+ communities. You can turn on Pride themes in Outlook in Settings > Appearance or by visiting Settings in all other apps.
Make a desktop for every project for easier multitasking
Easily personalize your multiple desktops with names and backgrounds so you always know where you are, instantly. Having multiple desktops designated by theme or task can help you compartmentalize your digital life, and switch between them instantly.
Learn how
Make a desktop for every project for easier multitasking
Easily personalize your multiple desktops with names and backgrounds so you always know where you are, instantly. Having multiple desktops designated by theme or task can help you compartmentalize your digital life, and switch between them instantly.
Learn more
Talk instead of type
Learn how
Talk instead of type
Press Windows logo key + H to use speech recognition to convert spoken words into text anywhere on your PC.
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Quickly change settings
Learn how
Quickly change settings
Press Windows logo key + A to get to commonly used settings like volume, brightness, and Wi-Fi. Find your Accessibility settings here, too.
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Open Xbox Game Bar over your game
Learn how
Open Xbox Game Bar over your game
Press Windows logo key + G to open Game Bar and see achievements, chat with friends, and capture your favorite gaming moments.
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Stay up-to-date with Windows 11 continuous innovation
Learn how
Stay up-to-date with Windows 11 continuous innovation
Windows 11 updates help to provide you with the best experiences year-round. You can also manually check for updates that help maximize performance and security by going to
Make your PC more accessible
Learn how
Make your PC more accessible
Make your mouse pointer, text cursor, and even the words on your screen a different size or color in Settings > Accessibility.
Quickly organize open apps
Learn how
Quickly organize open apps
Hover over a window's maximize button or press Windows logo key + Z, then choose a snap layout to optimize your screen space and your productivity.
Add widgets to a board
Open the widget settings by selecting your avatar. Under Add widget, select the Plus sign (+) next to any widget to add it to your board.
Keep your kids safer online
Learn how
Keep your kids safer online
Open Microsoft Edge, select your profile, and choose
Manage passwords with Microsoft Edge
Learn how
Manage passwords with Microsoft Edge
When signing in to sites, Microsoft Edge will offer to save your passwords and automatically fill them in for you. To manage your saved passwords, select Settings and more > Settings > Profiles > Passwords.
Digitize your physical files
Learn how
Digitize your physical files
Scan your paper docs into digital files and stay organized with OneDrive.
Scan your PC for viruses
Learn how
Scan your PC for viruses
Select
Search for anything
Learn how
Search for anything
Press Windows logo key + S to get personalized search results for people, email, and files in local and shared sites, or from the web.
Help protect your online passwords
Learn how
Help protect your online passwords
Microsoft Edge has a built-in Password Monitor that checks your saved passwords against data breaches and sends you an alert if a password is unsafe, so that you can change it immediately.
Take a screenshot
Learn how
Take a screenshot
Press
Open the widgets board
Learn how
Open the widgets board
Press
Get to your files
Learn how
Get to your files
Press Windows logo key + E to open File Explorer and find the files and folders you need, including those on OneDrive.
Make text bigger
Learn how
Make text bigger
To increase the size of the text on your screen, go to Start > Settings > Accessibility > Text size.
Customize your captions
Learn how
Customize your captions
Use a recommended caption style, or create a custom style, by going to Start > Settings > Accessibility > Captions.
Make the widget board your own
Learn how
Make the widget board your own
Change your widget board to reflect your interests and show the info you want. To customize, select a widget and go to More > Customize widget.
Snap Windows side by side
Learn how
Snap Windows side by side
Press Windows logo key + Right or left arrow to perfectly snap windows to the sides of your screen automatically – no manual resizing or positioning needed.
Take Microsoft 365 on the go2
Learn how
Take Microsoft 365 on the go2
Download mobile apps to work seamlessly across your devices.
Unique passwords protect your data
Learn how
Unique passwords protect your data
MicrosoftEdge Password Generator can suggest and remember strong and unique passwords for you. When passwords are exposed in a data breach, criminals will try to use those passwords on other sites in hopes that you've reused them.
Save PC storage with the cloud
Learn how
Save PC storage with the cloud
Store your files in OneDrive instead of locally to save storage space on this device.
Navigate with touch3
Learn how
Navigate with touch3
Touch, swipe, and zoom with your fingers-no mouse necessary.
Get the OneDrive app on mobile
Learn how
Get the OneDrive app on mobile
Take your digital life with you wherever you go. Access, edit, or share your photos and files anywhere, anytime with the OneDrive mobile app.
Create more with templates
Learn how
Create more with templates
Bring your vision to life with premium templates and content in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Clear window clutter
Learn how
Clear window clutter
Press
Swipe to change desktops3
Learn how
Swipe to change desktops3
Swipe four fingers left or right on your touch screen to switch to another desktop.
Make the text cursor and mouse pointer easier to see
Learn how
Make the text cursor and mouse pointer easier to see
To change the size and color of your text cursor and mouse pointer, go to Start > Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch and Text cursor.
Keep your files protected and backed up
Learn how
Keep your files protected and backed up
With your files in OneDrive cloud storage, you don’t have to worry about losing them if something happens to your device.4
Connect with anyone from the taskbar1
Learn how
Connect with anyone from the taskbar1
Select Chat on the taskbar to start a call or chat. If they're on iOS, Android, or Mac, it's easy to send a link so they can join in (select Meet > Copy meeting link).
Access clipboard history
Learn how
Access clipboard history
Press Windows logo key + V to save recent copied or cut items on the clipboard so you can paste them in other apps or sync across devices.
Save money while you shop online
Learn how
Save money while you shop online
Microsoft Edge has built-in tools for getting the best deal, coupon alerts, price comparison, cash back rewards with Bing rebates and more—all for free.
Get PowerPoint design ideas
Learn how
Get PowerPoint design ideas
In PowerPoint, select
Switch between open Windows
Learn how
Switch between open Windows
Press Windows logo key + Tab to show and switch between open windows, apps, or virtual desktops.
Stay safer when browsing the web
Learn how
Stay safer when browsing the web
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in Microsoft Edge automatically checks links you open to spot harmful sites that may be phishing, scams, or hosting malware.
Lock your screen
Learn how
Lock your screen
Press
Frequently asked questions
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Windows 11 has three built-in methods for taking screenshots. To take a screenshot on Windows 11, you can:
- Use the Snipping Tool in your Start menu.
- Press and hold the Windows logo key + Shift + S button on your keyboard.
- Press Win + G on your keyboard to open the Xbox Game Bar and use the Capture area function.
If you want to record activity happening on your screen, Windows 11 has built-in screen recording capabilities. To screen record on your Windows 11 device:
- Open the Snipping Tool in the Start menu.
- Press the Record button and select New.
- Select Start after specifying which part of your screen you want to record.
You can also screen record in Windows 11 using the Xbox Game Bar. Press Win + G on your keyboard to open the app and click Record to start recording your screen.
Windows 11 allows you to keep the taskbar in the bottom center of your screen or move it to the center left of the screen. If you want to move your taskbar:
- Right-click on the taskbar to open Taskbar settings.
- Expand the Taskbar behaviors section.
- Change the Taskbar alignment dropdown selection from Center to Left.
If you don’t want the taskbar showing on your screen, Windows 11 allows you to access the taskbar only when you need it. To hide your taskbar in Windows 11:
- Right-click on the taskbar to open Taskbar settings.
- Expand the Taskbar behaviors section.
- Check the box next to Automatically hide the taskbar.
Windows 11 makes it easy to change your username. To change your local account’s username in Windows 11:
- Open the Control Panel > User Accounts.
- Select the profile whose username you want to change.
- Select Change your/the account name.
If your Windows 11 device is connected to a Microsoft account, you’ll have to edit the name on an external webpage. Go to your device’s Settings > Accounts > Your info > Manage my accounts. Once the new webpage opens, expand the Your info tab, and select Edit name.
Windows 11 gives you the option to use multiple monitors with your PC. To connect your Windows 11 PC to multiple monitors:
- With the cables for the new monitor(s) properly connected, open Settings.
- From the System menu, select Display. Your device should detect the new monitors automatically. If it doesn’t, select Multiple displays and then Detect.
- Select how you want your screen to display from the dropdown list.
- Select Apply.
To access and adjust power and sleep settings in Windows 11:
- Select Start.
- Select Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Power and battery.
- Select Screen and sleep.
Screen allows you to adjust how long your screen stays on while you’re not using your device. Sleep allows you to adjust how long your device waits before falling asleep when not in use.
To turn Bluetooth on and off on your Windows 11 PC:
- Select Start.
- Select Settings.
- Select Bluetooth and devices.
- From this screen, you can turn Bluetooth on or off.
You can also turn Bluetooth on and off on your Windows 11 PC from your quick settings if your device automatically detects a Bluetooth adapter.
Taking a screenshot allows you to print what’s displayed on your device’s screen. To take a screenshot in Windows 11 using a keyboard shortcut, select and hold down the PrtSc key. If your device doesn’t have a Print Screen button, use Fn + Windows logo key + Space bar to capture your screen. To view the captured image, paste it into Microsoft Word, Paint, or Paint 3D. The screenshots may also auto-populate to the Pictures folder in File Explorer.
You can use the Snipping Tool on Windows 11 to capture a screenshot. To use the Snipping Tool with a mouse and keyboard:
- Press Windows logo key + Shift + S.
- Use your mouse to select the area for your screenshot.
To use the Snipping Tool with only a mouse:
- Select Start and search for the Snipping Tool.
- Select New.
- Use your mouse to select the area for your screenshot.
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- 1 Certain features require specific hardware, see Windows11 Specifications. Chatting via SMS is available in limited countries and will be made available to other geos on a rolling basis. Please refer to this page for more details. Internet access required; ISP fees may apply.
- 2 Screens simulated. Features and app availabilitymay vary by region.
- 3 Requires a PC with touchscreen capability.
- 4 Internet access required. Fees may apply.
- 5 Show your Pride is available in the following apps:
iOS: Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Office, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Android: Outlook and Teams
Mac: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote
