New Useful Keyboard Shortcuts Coming to Windows 11

Microsoft Enhances Windows 11 with New Keyboard Shortcuts

This week, Microsoft has rolled out several preview builds of Windows 11, introducing a variety of exciting features aimed at enhancing user productivity. Among these, a significant update will appeal particularly to users who frequently use keyboards without a numeric keypad. The company has announced two new keyboard shortcuts designed to simplify the input of essential typographic symbols: the en dash and em dash.

Ease of Typing with New Shortcuts

Traditionally, inserting an em dash in Windows required a somewhat cumbersome keystroke: Alt + 0151. This method can be particularly inconvenient for laptop users or those who prefer streamlined typing methods. Although tools like PowerToys’ Keyboard Manager can facilitate easier symbol insertion, the majority of users seek more straightforward approaches. Microsoft is now addressing this need with their latest updates.

Details on the New Shortcuts

Effective from the latest builds, specifically 26200.5761 for the Dev Channel (Windows 11 version 25H2) and 26120.5770 for the Beta Channel, users can easily type an en dash by pressing Win + Minus and an em dash with Win + Shift + Minus. As highlighted in the release notes for these builds:

We’re adding a new keyboard shortcut to make it easier for you to insert an En dash (–) or Em dash (—) while typing anywhere in Windows. Going forward, pressing WIN + Minus (-) will insert En dash, and WIN + Shift + Minus (-) will insert Em dash. Note – if you have Magnifier running, WIN + Minus (-) will still zoom out Magnifier, rather than inserting an En dash.

Additional Updates in Windows 11

Beyond the new keyboard shortcuts, the latest Dev and Beta builds of Windows 11 bring several enhancements. These include:

A refreshed cross-device experience tailored for Android users
Improvements to the Click to Do feature
A set of redesigned battery icons for better clarity
The capability to pin applications to the Share user interface

Furthermore, Windows 11 version 25H2 has been made available to users in the Release Preview channel, indicating that a broader public rollout may be imminent.

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