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Windows 11: Managing Your Open Programs with Shortcut Keys

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The Beauty of Using Windows Shortcut Keys

Woman's fingers on Windows laptop keyboard

If you aren’t already taking advantage of the many Windows shortcut keys available to you, here’s your chance to get started! Shortcut keys offer a quicker method of navigating or executing commands on your computer in lieu of using your mouse.

This tip will show you how to open programs from your taskbar, switch among programs, and view all the programs you already have open—all with shortcut keys.

NOTE: These shortcut keys also work in earlier versions of Windows, but may present slightly different results.

Managing Open Windows 11 Programs with Shortcut Keys

Open Programs from Your Taskbar

One useful shortcut key helps you quickly open the applications saved to your taskbar. Simply hold down the Windows key and select the number that corresponds to your desired application’s location on the taskbar (not including the Start button). In the example taskbar below, you would press Windows + 3 to open Outlook and Windows + 5 to open Excel.

Six application icons are in the Windows taskbar, with numbers marking their order from the Start icon: Folders (1), Chrome (2), Outlook (3), OneNote (4), Excel (5), Captivate (6). Combining the Windows key + the order number allows you to open that applications

Tab from One Program to Another

A popular Windows shortcut key is Alt + Tab, which allows you to switch between all of your open programs. While continuing to hold down the Alt key, choose the program you want to open by clicking Tab until the correct application is highlighted, then release both keys. To navigate your applications in the opposite direction (right to left), use Alt + Shift + Tab. Hold Alt and Shift at the same time while clicking Tab to move from one application to next.

Program screens lined up on a desktop: Website, Outlook, SnagIt picture editor, and OneNote program screens display with content and are lined up and adjacent to each other. Outlook selection is noted by a box around the Outlook screen.

View All Open Programs

A lesser known, but similar shortcut key is Windows + Tab. Using this shortcut key will display all of your open applications in a larger view. From this view, use your arrow keys to select the appropriate application. Once you’ve highlighted the correct window, you can open it by pressing Enter or close it by pressing Delete.

Screen shot showing various programs, along with two Desktop views. Here, the user could navigate from HipChat, Outlook Excel, OneNote and Skype on Desktop 1. The user could also navigate to Desktop 2.

This Only Scratches the Surface on Windows 11!

Curious about why there are two Desktop views at the bottom of the last image? You can also Create Multiple Virtual Desktops With Task View. Microassist invites you to learn much more about Windows and other Microsoft products: Visit our Course Schedule to find a class that will really advance your skills!

Last updated 12/29/2023


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