Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcut Keys List

List of Keyboard Shortcut Keys for Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This tutorial will show you a list of all keyboard shortcuts in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

See also: Keyboard shortcuts - Microsoft Windows Help

[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-700][TR][TD]
Shortcut
[/TD]
[TD]
Description
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Windows Key :winkey:
[/TD]
[TD]
Toggle between the Start screen and the last-opened Windows Store app or the desktop.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + 1, :winkey: + 2, etc....
[/TD]
[TD]
Switch to the desktop and launch the “nth”application in the taskbar. For example, :winkey:+1 launches whichever application is first in the list, from left to right.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + SHIFT + 1
:winkey: + SHIFT + 2
etc.
[/TD]
[TD]
Launch a new instance of the application located at the “nth” position on the taskbar.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + B
[/TD]
[TD]
Switch to the desktop and set the focus to the tray notification area.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + C
[/TD]
[TD]
Display the charms and time/date/notification/battery overlay.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + D
[/TD]
[TD]
Switch to the desktop and toggle Show Desktop (hides/shows any applications and other windows).
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + E
[/TD]
[TD]
Switch to the desktop and launch File Explorer with the Computer tab displayed.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + F
[/TD]
[TD]
Search using the Files search scope.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + H
[/TD]
[TD]
Open the Share charm.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + I
[/TD]
[TD]
Open the Settings charm.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + J
[/TD]
[TD]
Swap the foreground between the snapped and filled apps. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + K
[/TD]
[TD]
Open the Devices charm.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + L
[/TD]
[TD]
Lock the PC and go to the Lock screen.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + M
[/TD]
[TD]
Switch to the desktop and minimize all open windows.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + SHIFT + M
[/TD]
[TD]
Switch to the desktop and restore all minimized windows.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + O
[/TD]
[TD]
Switch between landscape and portrait orientation on slate and tablet PCs.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + P
[/TD]
[TD]
Display the Second screen pane to choose between available projection options.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + Q
[/TD]
[TD]
(Windows 8) = Search using the Apps search scope.
(Windows 8.1) = Search using "Everything" search scope.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + R
[/TD]
[TD]
Switch to the desktop and display the Run dialog box.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + T
[/TD]
[TD]
Set the focus to the taskbar and cycle through programs.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + U
[/TD]
[TD]
Switch to the desktop and launch the Ease of Access Center.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + V
[/TD]
[TD]
Cycle through toast notifications (transient messages).
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + W
[/TD]
[TD]
Search using the Settings search scope.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + SHIFT + V
[/TD]
[TD]
Cycle through toast notifications in reverse order.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + X
[/TD]
[TD]
Open the advanced context menu (power user task menu) in the lower-left corner of the screen.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + Z
[/TD]
[TD]
Open the app-specific bar of commands at the bottom of the screen.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]

[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + F1
[/TD]
[TD]
Opens Windows Help and Support
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]

[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + ENTER
[/TD]
[TD]
Launch Narrator.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + SPACEBAR
[/TD]
[TD]
Switch input language and keyboard layout.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + TAB
[/TD]
[TD]
Display app thumbnails of open Windows Store apps and cycle through apps.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + SHIFT + TAB
[/TD]
[TD]
Display app thumbnails of open Windows Store apps and cycle through apps in reverse order.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + CTRL + TAB
[/TD]
[TD]
Cycle through apps, snapping them as you go. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey:+ CTRL + F
[/TD]
[TD]
Opens Find Computers dialog.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + ,
[/TD]
[TD]
Peek at the desktop.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + .
(Windows 8)
[/TD]
[TD]
Snap application to the left. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey:+ . + Left Arrow
(Windows 8.1)
[/TD]
[TD]
Snap application to the left. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + SHIFT + .
(Windows 8)
[/TD]
[TD]
Snap application to the right. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey:+ . + Right Arrow
(Windows 8.1)
[/TD]
[TD]
Snap application to the right. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + PGUP
[/TD]
[TD]
If you have multiple monitors, move the Start screen to the left monitor.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + PGDN
[/TD]
[TD]
If you have multiple monitors, move the Start screen to the right monitor.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + Plus Sign
[/TD]
[TD]
Zoom in.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + Minus Sign
[/TD]
[TD]
Zoom out.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + ESCAPE
[/TD]
[TD]
Close the Magnifier.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]

[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + LEFT ARROW
[/TD]
[TD]
Snaps the active window or modern app to the left half of the screen.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + RIGHT ARROW
[/TD]
[TD]
Snaps the active window or modern app to the right half of the screen.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + UP ARROW
[/TD]
[TD]
Maximize the active window or modern app.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + DOWN ARROW
[/TD]
[TD]

• On desktop = Restore/minimize the active window.
• In modern app = closes

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + SHIFT + UP ARROW
[/TD]
[TD]

• On desktop = Maximize the active window vertically,maintaining the width.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW
[/TD]
[TD]

• On desktop = Restore/minimize the active window vertically, maintaining the width.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + SHIFT + LEFT ARROW
[/TD]
[TD]

• On desktop = For multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the left.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW
[/TD]
[TD]

• On desktop = For multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the right.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]

[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + HOME
[/TD]
[TD]

• On desktop = Minimize all non-active windows; restore on second keystroke.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + BREAK
[/TD]
[TD]
Display the System dialog box.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + PRNT SCRN
[/TD]
[TD]
Takes a picture of the screen and places it in the Pictures folder.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]

[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Alt + Tab
(release Tab, repeat)
[/TD]
[TD]
Opens Flip 2D to rotate through opened Apps. Desktop apps each have one place in rotation.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Ctrl + Alt + Tab
[/TD]
[TD]
Keeps open Flip 2D to rotate through opened Apps. Desktop apps each have one place in rotation.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Ctrl + -
[/TD]
[TD]

• On Start and Apps screens = Semantic Zoom out

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Ctrl + =
[/TD]
[TD]

• On Start and Apps screens = Semantic Zoom back In

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Ctrl + Alt + Del
[/TD]
[TD]
Access to Lock, Switch User, Sign out, Change a password, Task Manager, Ease of Access, and Power down choices.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]

[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Arrows, Space, Tab
[/TD]
[TD]
Move active tile, Select, move Focus
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
HOME
[/TD]
[TD]

• On Start screen = Selects the first tile in the Start screen.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
END
[/TD]
[TD]

• On Start screen = Selects the last tile in the Start screen.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
PAGE UP
[/TD]
[TD]

• On Start screen = Moves the tile selection up by a page in the view.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
PAGE DOWN
[/TD]
[TD]

• On Start screen = Moves the tile selection down by a page in the view.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
SPACEBAR
[/TD]
[TD]

• On Start screen = Selects the first tile in the Start screen and displays options at the bottom of the screen.

[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Type on Start screen
[/TD]
[TD]
Search Apps.
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]








Windows Explorer Hotkeys (Press ALT Key + the below combination)

A – to open the “special features”

C F – copy the folder (use the drop-down list)

C O – to copy the selected items.

C P – copy the path to the file / folder.

D – delete the selected.

E – edit the selected files.

H – to show the history of file versions.

M – move the files (using the drop-down list).

N – Create a new folder.

P E – Open With …, select the application again using a drop-down list.

P S – insert label

P R – open properties.

R – rename a selected file (s).

S A – select all.

S I – invert the selection.

S N – deselect.

T – cut

V – to paste.

W – to create a new document, choose the template – using the drop-down list.





A Guy

Related Tutorials

---

• List of Touch Gestures for Windows 8 and 8.1
• CLSID Key (GUID) Shortcuts List for Windows 8
• List of Windows 8 Shell Commands
• Download: Work Smart: Windows 8 Shortcut Keys - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details
• Windows 8 Cheat Sheet: Get Started Easily! - Dr. Doris Chen's Blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs
• How to Create a Shortcut of a File, Folder, Drive, or Program in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Assign a Shortcut Key to Open a Shortcut in Windows 8
• Keyboard Shortcuts for Mail app in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1

 

[karlsnooks]

WIN + T Taskbar
WIN + F1 Help & support---just a stub right now.

 

[vrosa]

Thanks for the list

 

[Dave76]

Nice list, thanks.

 

[JaidynM]

Thanks, Bill.

 

[Jaydon]

Great guide! Although some of them appear to do nothing. It may just be my computer.

 

[mikedl]

Nah, you just don't have a tablet. It's all there. Give it time.

Remember, this is a pre-beta (Win8 8102) and all of the keyboeard shortcuts aren't going to work out of the gate except for the intended target platform which, as of right now, is a tablet.

 

[xKrNMBoYx]

I was expecting only around 10 shortcuts..I'll need to read these later..but thanks they are going to be useful

 

[neerajjalutharia]

thanx for the list A Guy.

 

[A Guy]

Welcome to Eight Forums neerajjalutharia. A Guy

 

[lattimus]

Thanks for the shortcuts A Guy. It can be tricky trying to get to the settings to shutdown the computer.

 

[CB]

Just read it now. Will pick some I mostly need and memorize it.

Thanks A Guy.

 

[MadeOke]

anks for the list.
very helpful

 

[whs]

Desktop shortcuts

These are the desktop shortcuts I am currently using. There are a lot more, but some are not really common. Many of the 'old' ones also work - e.g. Win+right arrow or Win+R.

Desktop --- Win+D
Metro --- CTL+ESC
Charms --- Win+C
Explorer --- Win+E
Search --- Win+F
Settings --- Win+I
App Bar --- Win+Z
Closing Apps --- Windows + CTRL + TAB

Maybe you have some useful ones to add.

 

[whs]

Bill, that is a great list - thanks. Beats my modest little list. But now I have to boil it down to the ones I would use.

 

[A Guy]

Lol, just realized mods attached yours to this thread. A Guy

 

[area 66]

Thanks for the list. I'm gone try to learn one everyday, of not week , lol

 

[whs]

What I do is print the important ones on a piece of cardstock (in landscape mode) from the wife's cafting supplies and hang that under the screen

 

[CB]

Win+P (screen selection mode) is the most combination key I have to hit everyday. Need to extend the screen to LCD TV on the other corner of the room for movies or when my kid begs me for some cartoon clips.

 

[Burgurne]

Alt+F4 for PC Shut Down options