Windows 11 adds new keyboard shortcuts to help type special characters faster

This week, Microsoft released a new batch of Windows 11 test builds, with a number of notable features. Among them, there is a small but very useful improvement for those who often type, especially when using a tenkeyless keyboard (without a separate number pad).

Microsoft has added two new keyboard shortcuts that make it easier to type the em dash (—) and en dash (–) characters.

Previously, typing em dash on Windows required pressing Alt + 0151 — a pretty awkward way to do it, especially on a laptop. While there are tools like Keyboard Manager in PowerToys that can simplify things, most people want a faster way. And Microsoft has finally solved that problem.

Starting with build 26200.5761 (Windows 11 version 25H2, Dev channel) and 26120.5770 (Beta channel), users can:

1. Press Win + Minus (-) to insert an en dash (–)
2. Press Win + Shift + Minus (-) to insert an em dash (—)

Microsoft notes that: if you have the Magnifier tool enabled, the Win + Minus (-) combination will still zoom out the screen instead of inserting an en dash.

In addition, new builds of Windows 11 also bring many other changes such as:

1. Multi-device experience sync feature with Android.
2. Click to Do improvements.
3. Redesigned battery icon set.
4. Ability to pin apps to the Share UI.
5. And many more features.

Notably, Microsoft has also released Windows 11 version 25H2 to Release Preview channel users, signaling that this major update is about to officially launch to the public.

Marvin Fry

Update 04 September 2025