em dash Archives

Winsage

May 4, 2026

20 must-know shortcuts for Windows laptops

Windows is the leading operating system for personal computers. Many users are unaware of keyboard shortcuts that can improve productivity. Essential keyboard shortcuts for Windows laptops include: - Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Opens Task Manager. - Win + . (Period): Accesses the emoji picker. - Win + V: Displays Clipboard History. - Win + Shift + S / Win + PrtScn: Snipping Tool for screen captures / captures the entire screen. - Win + D: Minimizes all open windows. - Alt + Enter: Displays properties of a selected file or folder. - Win + Arrow Keys: Snaps the active window to sides or corners of the screen. - Fn + F11: Enables fullscreen mode. - Win + G: Launches the Xbox Game Bar. - Alt + 0150/0151 (Number Pad): Types an en dash or em dash. - Win + P: Projects, duplicates, or extends display to additional monitors. - Win + R: Activates the Run tool. - Ctrl + Win + Shift + B: Restarts the GPU driver. - Win + K: Displays connected devices. - Win + Home: Minimizes all windows except the active one. - Shift + Fn + F10: Opens a context menu. - Win + L: Locks the computer. - Ctrl + Shift + T (Browser): Reopens recently closed browser tabs. - Ctrl + Shift + N: Creates a new folder. - Win + PauseBreak: Opens the system properties window.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Microsoft is finally adding a real em-dash shortcut to Windows 11 – just as AI made you want to stop using it

Microsoft has introduced a new keyboard shortcut for Windows 11 users to easily access the em dash, part of the September preview update. The shortcut allows users to input an em dash with a simple three-key combination, improving efficiency compared to previous methods that required the Alt key and a series of numbers or navigating through the emoji panel. This update addresses the inconvenience faced by users of tenkeyless keyboards, who found previous methods particularly cumbersome.

Winsage

October 23, 2025

Microsoft just made em dashes easier in Windows 11 — Forget AI critics claiming it’s become synonymous with ChatGPT-generated content

Windows introduced a keyboard shortcut for inserting an em dash as part of the Windows 11 patch KB5065789, applicable to OS Builds 26200.6725 and 26100.6725. Users can insert an em dash by pressing Windows logo key + Shift + Minus (-), while an en dash can be inserted using Windows logo key + Minus (-). The em dash has been a topic of discussion regarding its association with AI-generated content, although it has been used by writers for centuries.

Winsage

September 7, 2025

Microsoft makes it easier for Windows 11 users to type em and en dashes with keyboard shortcuts

Recent updates in the Insider builds of Windows 11 have introduced new keyboard shortcuts for inserting em dashes and en dashes. These shortcuts are available in Windows 11 Dev build 26200.5761 or higher and Windows 11 Beta build 26120.5770 or higher. Users need to enable these features using a tool called ViVeTool by running the command vivetool /enable /id:58422150. The new shortcuts are as follows: Windows key + dash key (-) for en dash and Windows key + Shift + dash key (-) for em dash.

Winsage

September 7, 2025

Windows tests em and en dash shortcuts in Insider builds

Writers can now easily type em dashes (—) and en dashes (–) on Windows using new keyboard shortcuts introduced in the latest Insider builds. The shortcuts are: - Windows key + dash key (-) for an en dash - Windows key + Shift + dash key (-) for an em dash These shortcuts are available in Dev channel build 26200.5761 or higher and Beta channel build 26120.5770 or higher. Users must enable these shortcuts via ViveTool, a utility for activating hidden Windows features. To do this, users need to download ViveTool, extract it, and run a command in an elevated command prompt. For those not using Insider builds, alternative methods include using ALT codes with a number pad: - ALT + 0150 for an en dash - ALT + 0151 for an em dash Users without a numeric keypad can install Microsoft PowerToys and enable the Quick Accent feature to select dashes visually.