Microsoft Photos Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 11 and 10
The most useful Microsoft Photos shortcuts are Ctrl + R to rotate, Ctrl + plus / minus to zoom, Ctrl + 0 to reset zoom, Left / Right arrows to move between photos, F5 to start a slideshow, Ctrl + Z to undo an edit, Ctrl + S to save, and Esc to go back.
Microsoft Photos is the free photo viewer and editor built into Windows 11 and Windows 10. It replaced the classic Windows Photo Viewer and opens JPG, PNG, HEIC and other image files by default. Below you will find every working shortcut, grouped by task, with a clear note on which ones only work in the older Photos Legacy app.
Quick answer: the 10 Microsoft Photos shortcuts you will use most
| Shortcut | What it does |
| Ctrl + R | Rotate the photo 90 degrees clockwise |
| Ctrl + plus (+) | Zoom in |
| Ctrl + minus (-) | Zoom out |
| Ctrl + 0 | Reset zoom |
| Right / Left arrow | Next or previous photo |
| F5 | Start a slideshow |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo an edit |
| Ctrl + S | Save |
| Alt + Enter | View file info |
| Esc | Return to the previous screen |
Viewing and navigation shortcuts
These keys work when a photo is open in the viewer or when you are browsing your gallery. They cover the actions most people repeat dozens of times a day: moving between photos, copying, printing and checking file details.
| Shortcut | What it does | Where it works |
| Right arrow | Show the next photo (also in a slideshow) | Viewer, slideshow |
| Left arrow | Show the previous photo (also in a slideshow) | Viewer, slideshow |
| Spacebar | Show or hide the command bar | Viewer |
| Esc | Return to the previous screen or exit a slideshow | Everywhere |
| Ctrl + C | Copy the current photo | Viewer |
| Ctrl + P | Print the photo | Viewer |
| Ctrl + S | Save | Viewer, editor |
| Alt + Enter | View file info (date, size, camera details) | Viewer |
| Ctrl + L | Set the photo as your lock screen | Viewer |
| Delete | Delete the current photo (asks for confirmation) | Viewer, gallery |
Tip: Ctrl + C copies the image itself, so you can paste it straight into an email, a chat window, Word or PowerPoint without saving a new file first.
Zoom and pan shortcuts
Zooming by keyboard is faster and more precise than scrolling with the mouse wheel. Once you are zoomed in, the arrow keys change job: they pan around the photo instead of switching to the next one.
| Shortcut | What it does |
| Ctrl + plus (+) | Zoom in |
| Ctrl + minus (-) | Zoom out |
| Ctrl + 0 (zero) | Reset zoom to fit the window |
| Arrow keys (on a zoomed photo) | Move around inside the photo |
| Ctrl + mouse wheel | Zoom in or out smoothly |
Note: Use the zero key, not the letter O. On many laptops the plus key needs no Shift: Ctrl + = works the same as Ctrl + plus.
Editing shortcuts: crop, rotate, enhance and undo
Open a photo and select Edit image (or press Ctrl + E) to reach the editor. The shortcuts below let you crop and correct a photo without reaching for the mouse.
| Shortcut | What it does | Where it works |
| Ctrl + E | Open the photo in the editor | Viewer |
| Ctrl + R | Rotate 90 degrees clockwise | Viewer, editor |
| E | Auto enhance the photo | Viewer |
| Shift + arrow keys | Resize the crop area | Editor |
| Ctrl + arrow keys | Move the crop area | Editor |
| Ctrl + / | Compare with the original photo | Editor |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the last change | Editor |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo a change you undid | Editor |
| Ctrl + S | Save your edits | Editor |
How to rotate counterclockwise: Microsoft Photos has no dedicated shortcut for rotating left. Press Ctrl + R three times to turn the photo 270 degrees clockwise, which lands in the same position as one counterclockwise turn.
Save or save a copy? In the Windows 11 editor, the Save options button lets you choose Save (overwrite the original) or Save as copy (keep the original untouched). If the photo matters, save a copy.
Slideshow and video playback shortcuts
Microsoft Photos can play a full-screen slideshow of a folder and play video clips. Video editing is a different story, covered further down.
| Shortcut | What it does |
| F5 | Start a slideshow from the current photo |
| Right / Left arrow | Next or previous slide |
| Esc | Stop the slideshow |
| Spacebar (while a video plays) | Play or pause the video |
Tip: Open the first photo of a folder, then press F5. The slideshow runs through the rest of that folder in order, which is handy for showing holiday photos on a TV connected with Windows + K.
Gallery, selection and album shortcuts
The gallery (called Collection in older versions) shows all your photos as a grid. These keys help you scroll, pick several photos at once and, in Photos Legacy, manage albums.
| Shortcut | What it does | Where it works |
| Arrow keys | Scroll up, down, left or right through the grid | Gallery |
| Enter | Open the selected photo | Gallery |
| Spacebar | Select a photo and enter Selection mode | Gallery |
| Enter (in Selection mode) | Select or deselect the highlighted photo | Selection mode |
| Page Up / Page Down | Scroll one screen up or down | Gallery |
| Ctrl + Home / Ctrl + End | Jump to the newest or oldest photos | Gallery |
| Ctrl + N | Create a new album | Photos Legacy (Albums view) |
| Ctrl + D | Add selected photos to an album | Photos Legacy |
| Ctrl + U | Remove selected photos from an album | Photos Legacy |
| Ctrl + R (in Albums view) | Remove the album | Photos Legacy (Albums view) |
Why the album keys may not work for you: the redesigned Windows 11 Photos app dropped the old album and slideshow maker features, so these four shortcuts only apply to Photos Legacy.
Windows shortcuts that work with Microsoft Photos
Some of the fastest Photos tricks are Windows-wide shortcuts. Use them to open the app, capture images for it and manage its window.
| Shortcut | What it does |
Windows + R, type ms-photos:, Enter | Open the Photos app from the Run box |
| Windows + Shift + S | Capture part of the screen with Snipping Tool, then open it in Photos |
| Windows + PrtScn | Save a full screenshot to Pictures > Screenshots, visible in Photos |
| Windows + Up arrow | Maximize the Photos window |
| Windows + K | Cast to a TV or wireless display for a slideshow |
| Alt + F4 | Close the Photos window |
For the full list of Run commands like ms-photos:, see our Windows Run commands guide.
Wrong and outdated Photos shortcuts you will find online
Many shortcut lists still copy an old Windows 10 table. Here is what those lists get wrong, so you do not waste time pressing keys that do nothing.
| Claim you may see | What is actually true |
| Ctrl + A saves a photo as | Ctrl + A is Select all in Windows. Use the Save options button in the editor to save a copy. |
| Ctrl + F flips a photo | Not a Photos shortcut. Flip is a button in the editor’s crop and rotate panel. |
| Ctrl + D adds a photo to a creation | “Creations” belonged to the old app. In Photos Legacy, Ctrl + D adds photos to an album. |
| Ctrl + E enhances a photo | Ctrl + E opens the editor. The single key E runs auto enhance. |
| Ctrl + R removes an album | Only true inside the Albums view of Photos Legacy. Everywhere else Ctrl + R rotates. |
| J, K and L control the video editor | The Video Editor is no longer part of Photos (see below). |
What happened to the Video Editor?
The Windows 11 Photos app no longer includes a video editor. Microsoft moved video editing to Clipchamp, its built-in video editor, which adds trimming, splitting, transitions and animated text. If you open the old editor, Windows shows a message saying Video Editor is no longer available in Photos. Older video projects can still be opened by installing Microsoft Photos Legacy from the Microsoft Store.
So if you want keyboard shortcuts for trimming or splitting video, you need Clipchamp shortcuts, not Photos shortcuts.
Download the Microsoft Photos shortcuts PDF
Get every shortcut on this page as a one-page printable cheat sheet. Keep it next to your keyboard until the keys become habit.
Download the free Microsoft Photos shortcuts PDF
Microsoft Photos shortcuts not working? 6 fixes
Most shortcut problems come from the wrong screen, the wrong app version or a key clash. Work through these in order.
- Click inside the photo first. Shortcuts only reach Photos when its window has focus.
- Check which screen you are on. Crop keys work only in the editor; album keys work only in Photos Legacy.
- Check the zero key. Reset zoom is Ctrl + 0 (zero), not Ctrl + O.
- Update the app. Open Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates, then restart Photos.
- Look for key remapping tools. PowerToys Keyboard Manager, gaming keyboard software or laptop Fn Lock can change what a key sends.
- Reset or repair Photos. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Photos > Advanced options, then choose Repair, and Reset if Repair does not help.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut to rotate a photo in Microsoft Photos?
Press Ctrl + R to rotate a photo 90 degrees clockwise. It works in both the viewer and the editor. To rotate counterclockwise, press Ctrl + R three times, because Photos has no rotate-left shortcut.
How do I start a slideshow in the Photos app?
Open the first photo you want to show and press F5. Use the Left and Right arrow keys to move between slides, and press Esc to stop the slideshow.
How do I undo an edit in Microsoft Photos?
Press Ctrl + Z to undo the last change and Ctrl + Y to redo it. Press Ctrl + / at any time to compare your edit with the original photo.
How do I open the Photos app with a keyboard shortcut?
Press Windows + R, type ms-photos: and press Enter. You can also press the Windows key, type Photos and press Enter.
Does Microsoft Photos still have a video editor?
No. The Windows 11 Photos app no longer includes the Video Editor. Microsoft moved video editing to Clipchamp, and old projects can be opened in Microsoft Photos Legacy.
Is there a shortcut to delete a photo in Microsoft Photos?
Yes. Press the Delete key while viewing a photo or with a photo selected in the gallery. Photos asks you to confirm, and the file goes to the Recycle Bin.
Can I customize shortcuts in Microsoft Photos?
No. Photos has no setting for custom shortcuts. You can remap keys system-wide with the free Microsoft PowerToys Keyboard Manager, but that changes the key in every app.
Why do some shortcuts on other websites not work?
Many lists copy an old Windows 10 table with errors, such as Ctrl + A for Save As. Others list album and video editor keys that only work in Photos Legacy.
Key takeaways
- Ctrl + R rotates, Ctrl + plus and minus zoom, Ctrl + 0 resets zoom, and F5 starts a slideshow.
- Ctrl + E opens the editor, where Shift or Ctrl + arrow keys control the crop and Ctrl + Z undoes changes.
- Album shortcuts (Ctrl + N, Ctrl + D, Ctrl + U) only work in Photos Legacy.
- The Video Editor is gone from Photos; video editing now lives in Clipchamp.
- AI tools like Generative Erase have no shortcuts yet; open them from the editor.
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