Meet Windows 11: The basics

Try it!

Get to know your way around Windows 11, from where to search to how to stay organized.

Universal search

Select Search on the taskbar or press Windows logo key + S, then type what you want to find. You’ll get personalized search results for people, email, and files in local and shared sites, or from the web.

Desktop groups

Use desktops to keep different tasks organized or for different parts of your life, like work and home. To create a new desktop, select Task view > New desktop. To switch between desktops, select Task view .

To change a background on a desktop, in Task view, right-click (or press and hold) on the desktop and select Choose background.

Microsoft account

Your Microsoft account is your free all-access pass to Microsoft’s premier services. Sign in with your Microsoft account to access passwords, files, and more across your devices.

Learn more about Microsoft accounts

Keyboard shortcuts

No mouse? No problem! Keyboard shortcuts provide alternate ways to do something you’d typically do with a mouse.

Press this	To do this
Windows logo key + Left arrow	Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen
Windows logo key + V	Open the clipboard history
Windows logo key + semicolon (;)	Open emoji panel
Windows logo key + H	Open voice typing
Windows logo key + S	Open Search

Learn more keyboard shortcuts

OneDrive

Save your photos and files in the cloud with OneDrive and access them from any device, anywhere. 5 GB of free OneDrive storage comes with your Microsoft account.

Learn more about OneDrive