Navigation Shortcuts
Compare Navigation keyboard shortcuts across Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, with actions, key combinations, and usage notes.
How to use this reference
Use this category reference to compare the same kind of task across your devices. Start with the section for your operating system, read the action and description, and try the shortcut in an appropriate application. Keys joined with a plus sign are held together; alternatives let you choose the combination that works on your keyboard. A gesture requires a compatible touchpad or touch screen rather than a physical keyboard.
Before practicing, check which window has focus. Text fields, browser tabs, terminal sessions, and system dialogs can interpret the same keys differently. Save any open work before testing commands that close a window, delete content, or change system settings. Accessibility commands may need to be enabled in settings first, and a laptop may require the Fn key for function keys. If a combination is intercepted by an application or a custom keymap, consult its built-in help and your operating system settings. Follow the full platform guide for related commands and additional context.
Windows 11
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Find / Search | Ctrl + F | Open the find/search dialog in the current app |
| Find Next | F3 | Jump to the next search result |
| Find Previous | Shift + F3 | Jump to the previous search result |
| Go to Address Bar | Alt + D | Focus the address bar in File Explorer or browser |
| Back | Alt + Left | Navigate back in File Explorer or browser history |
| Forward | Alt + Right | Navigate forward in File Explorer or browser history |
| Refresh | F5 | Reload the current page or folder |
| Switch Tabs | Ctrl + Tab | Cycle through open tabs |
| Switch Apps | Alt + Tab | Cycle through open application windows |
| Switch Apps (reverse) | Alt + Shift + Tab | Cycle through open windows in reverse order |
| Open Task View | Win + Tab | View all open windows and virtual desktops |
| Virtual Desktop Left | Ctrl + Win + Left | Switch to the virtual desktop on the left |
| Virtual Desktop Right | Ctrl + Win + Right | Switch to the virtual desktop on the right |
| New Virtual Desktop | Ctrl + Win + D | Create a new virtual desktop |
| Close Virtual Desktop | Ctrl + Win + F4 | Close the current virtual desktop |
macOS
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Spotlight Search | Cmd + Space | Open Spotlight to search your Mac, the web, and apps |
| Find in App | Cmd + F | Open the Find bar in the current app |
| Find Next | Cmd + G | Jump to the next search result |
| Find Previous | Cmd + Shift + G | Jump to the previous search result |
| Switch Apps | Cmd + Tab | Cycle through open applications |
| Switch Windows (same app) | Cmd + ` | Cycle through windows of the current application |
| Switch Tabs | Ctrl + Tab | Move to the next tab |
| Go Back | Cmd + [ | Navigate back in Finder or browser |
| Go Forward | Cmd + ] | Navigate forward in Finder or browser |
| Mission Control | Ctrl + Up | Show all open windows across all apps |
| App Expose | Ctrl + Down | Show all windows of the current app |
| Move to Next Space | Ctrl + Right | Switch to the next Space (virtual desktop) |
| Move to Previous Space | Ctrl + Left | Switch to the previous Space |
| Show Desktop | Fn + F11 | Move all windows aside to reveal the desktop |
Ubuntu Linux
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Find / Search | Ctrl + F | Open the search bar in the current application |
| Activities Overview | Super | Open the GNOME Activities overview to search apps, files, and windows |
| App Search | Super | Type immediately after pressing Super to search for applications |
| Switch Apps | Alt + Tab | Cycle through running applications |
| Switch Windows (same app) | Alt + ` | Cycle through windows of the same application |
| Switch Tabs | Ctrl + Tab | Switch between tabs in the current app |
| Go Back | Alt + Left | Navigate back in Files or browser |
| Go Forward | Alt + Right | Navigate forward in Files or browser |
| Switch Workspace Left | Ctrl + Alt + Left | Move to the workspace on the left |
| Switch Workspace Right | Ctrl + Alt + Right | Move to the workspace on the right |
| Move Window to Workspace Left | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Left | Move the active window to the workspace on the left |
| Move Window to Workspace Right | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Right | Move the active window to the workspace on the right |
| Show all Windows (Overview) | Super + W | Show all open windows in the current workspace |
ChromeOS
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Find on Page | Ctrl + F | Open the Find bar to search within the current page |
| Open Launcher | Search | Open the Launcher (equivalent to Start menu / Spotlight) |
| Switch Apps | Alt + Tab | Cycle through open application windows |
| Switch Windows | Alt + ~ | Cycle through windows of the same app |
| Switch Tabs (next) | Ctrl + Tab | Switch to the next tab in Chrome |
| Switch Tabs (previous) | Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Switch to the previous tab in Chrome |
| Go Back | Alt + Left | Navigate back in the browser |
| Go Forward | Alt + Right | Navigate forward in the browser |
| Address Bar | Ctrl + L | Focus the browser address bar |
| Switch to Desk 1-4 | Search + 1-4 | Switch to virtual desk 1, 2, 3, or 4 |
| Create New Desk | Shift + Search + + | Create a new virtual desk |
| Close Current Desk | Shift + Search + - | Close the current virtual desk |
| Move Window to Next Desk | Shift + Search + ] | Move the active window to the next desk |
Windows 10
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Find / Search | Ctrl + F | Open the find/search dialog in the current app |
| Windows Search | Win + S | Open Windows Search |
| Cortana | Win + C | Open Cortana (if enabled) |
| Switch Apps | Alt + Tab | Cycle through open application windows |
| Open Task View | Win + Tab | View all open windows and virtual desktops |
| Virtual Desktop Left | Ctrl + Win + Left | Switch to the virtual desktop on the left |
| Virtual Desktop Right | Ctrl + Win + Right | Switch to the virtual desktop on the right |
| New Virtual Desktop | Ctrl + Win + D | Create a new virtual desktop |
| Go Back | Alt + Left | Navigate back in File Explorer or browser |
| Go Forward | Alt + Right | Navigate forward in File Explorer or browser |