Where to find and change keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11

Windows 11 lets you change most keyboard shortcuts through the Settings app, though the path depends on which program or feature you want to customize. For system-wide shortcuts — like switching between open windows or taking screenshots — you'll go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard. For shortcuts inside Microsoft apps like Outlook or Word, you'll usually find the option in that app's own settings menu. Some shortcuts, like the ones built into Windows itself, cannot be changed, but most others can.

The process takes about five minutes once you know where to look. You'll need to know the current shortcut you want to change and decide what new combination you want to use instead. Avoid shortcuts that Windows already uses for other tasks, or your new shortcut won't work.

Key Takeaways

  • System shortcuts like Alt+Tab and Win+V are changed in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Edit keyboard shortcuts.
  • App-specific shortcuts are usually found in that app's own settings or preferences menu, not in Windows Settings.
  • When you create a new shortcut, Windows will warn you if that combination is already in use by another function.
  • Some Windows shortcuts cannot be changed — if a shortcut doesn't appear in the edit menu, it's locked by the system.
  • Test your new shortcut right away to make sure it works and doesn't conflict with other programs you use.

Changing system shortcuts through Settings

Open Settings by pressing Win+I or clicking the Settings icon in your Start menu. Navigate to Accessibility on the left side, then select Keyboard from the submenu. Scroll down until you see "Edit keyboard shortcuts" and click it. A window will open showing all the system shortcuts you can modify.

Find the shortcut you want to change by scrolling through the list or using the search box at the top. Click on the shortcut name to select it, then click in the field next to it where the current key combination appears. Press the new key combination you want to use — for example, if you want to change the screenshot shortcut from Win+Shift+S to Ctrl+Alt+S, press those keys together. Windows will show you the new combination and ask you to confirm. Click Save, and the change takes effect when ready.

If Windows tells you the shortcut is already in use, you'll see a message saying which function already has that combination. Choose a different key combination and try again. Common unused combinations include Ctrl+Alt plus a number key, or Win plus a less common letter.

Changing shortcuts in Microsoft Office and other apps

Shortcuts for programs like Word, Excel, Outlook, and Notepad are changed inside those programs, not through Windows Settings. Open the app you want to customize. In Word and Excel, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, then look for "Keyboard Shortcuts" or "Customize Keyboard" near the bottom of the window. In Outlook, go to File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar.

The process varies slightly by app, but the general idea is the same: find the command or action you want to assign a shortcut to, then press the new key combination you want to use. The app will show you if that combination is already taken within that program. Once you save the change, it applies only to that app — the same shortcut can do something different in Word than it does in Excel.

If you can't find a keyboard shortcuts menu in an app, check the Help menu or search the app's settings for "keyboard" or "shortcuts." Some older or simpler programs don't allow customization at all.

Avoiding conflicts and testing your changes

Before you settle on a new shortcut, think about what you already use your keyboard for. If you use a program that has its own shortcuts, make sure your new Windows shortcut doesn't overlap with it. For example, Ctrl+S is almost always Save in any program, so avoid reassigning that combination to something else in Windows.

After you create a new shortcut, test it right away while you're still in Settings or the app you just changed. Press the new combination and confirm that it does what you expect. If it doesn't work, go back and check that you saved the change correctly. If it works but conflicts with another program you use often, change it again to something less common.

Keep a list of any custom shortcuts you create, especially if you change several at once. This helps you remember what you've changed and makes it easier to troubleshoot if something stops working after a Windows update.

Shortcuts that cannot be changed

Some Windows 11 shortcuts are locked and cannot be modified. These include Win+X (Quick Link menu), Win+I (Settings), and several others that are core to how Windows operates. If you try to change one of these and it doesn't appear in the edit menu, or if you see a message saying the shortcut is protected, that's why.

If a locked shortcut gets in your way, you have a few options. You can change the shortcut in the app you're using instead of in Windows — for example, if Win+I conflicts with something you do often, you might change that app's shortcut instead. You can also use third-party keyboard remapping software, though this requires more technical setup and can sometimes cause problems with Windows updates.

Resetting shortcuts to their defaults

If you change a shortcut and later want to go back to what Windows had originally, you can reset it. In Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Edit keyboard shortcuts, find the shortcut you changed and look for a Reset button or option next to it. Click Reset, and Windows will restore the original key combination.

If you've changed many shortcuts and want to start over completely, there's no single "reset all" button in Settings. Instead, you'll need to reset each shortcut individually by finding it in the list and clicking Reset. If you've customized shortcuts in individual apps like Word or Outlook, you'll need to reset those through each app's own settings menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same shortcut for two different things?

No. Windows and individual apps will prevent you from assigning the same shortcut to two different functions. If you try, you'll see a message saying the combination is already in use. You'll need to choose a different combination or remove the shortcut from the other function first.

What if my new shortcut doesn't work after I save it?

First, make sure you actually saved the change — look for a Save or Confirm button and click it. Second, restart the app or program where you made the change. If it's a system shortcut, restart your computer. If it still doesn't work, the shortcut may conflict with another program running in the background. Check what other programs you have open and try a different key combination.

Do custom shortcuts stay after a Windows update?

System shortcuts you change through Settings usually survive Windows updates, but app-specific shortcuts sometimes reset. After a major update, check your most important custom shortcuts to make sure they're still there. If they're gone, you can recreate them using the same steps.

Can I share my custom shortcuts with another computer?

Windows doesn't have a built-in way to export and import custom shortcuts. If you want the same shortcuts on another computer, you'll need to change them manually on that machine. For app-specific shortcuts in programs like Word, some apps let you save your customizations to a file you can move to another computer — check that app's documentation.

Why does my shortcut stop working sometimes?

A shortcut may stop working if another program you installed uses the same combination, or if a Windows update reset it. Some programs run in the background and "grab" shortcuts before Windows sees them. Try the shortcut when only a few programs are open. If it works then, a background program is the problem — check what you have running and disable or uninstall the one causing the conflict.