What does Ctrl+O do?
In Windows 11, Ctrl+O means: Open an existing file.
Last verified: 2026-10-10 (latest recorded check on at least one row; rows without their own date remain pending).
Where this shortcut applies
| App | Platform | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Windows | Open an existing file Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Open an existing file Verification pending |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Open an existing file Latest recorded check: 2026-10-10 · Source |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Open an existing file Verification pending |
| Microsoft Word | Windows | Open an existing document Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Photoshop | Platform not independently verified | Open an existing image file Verification pending |
| Microsoft Teams | Platform not independently verified | Open the file attach dialog Verification pending |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | Platform not independently verified | Open an existing Premiere Pro project Verification pending |
| Obsidian | Platform not independently verified | Type part of a note title to jump to it instantly Verification pending |
| Notepad++ | Platform not independently verified | Open a file from disk Verification pending |
Full shortcut pages
Frequently asked questions
- What does Ctrl+O do?
- In Windows 11, Ctrl+O means: Open an existing file.
- Does this shortcut work the same way in every app?
- No. The listed contexts include Windows 11, Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS, ChromeOS Flex / Stable, Windows 10, Microsoft Word, Photoshop, Microsoft Teams, Adobe Premiere Pro, Obsidian, Notepad++. Check the table for each application and platform: the active window, keyboard layout and application settings determine which command receives the key press. An application being available on an operating system is not evidence that this exact binding works there.
- What should I use on a Mac?
- Use a macOS binding shown in the table, if one is recorded for your task and application. This page does not assume that replacing Ctrl with Cmd produces a working Mac shortcut. When an equivalent has not been independently verified, open the linked application reference and check its documented context before relying on it.