Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcut Keys List

List of Keyboard Shortcut Keys for Windows 8 and 8.1​


information   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 Share_Charm.jpg charm.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
:winkey: + I
[/TD]
[TD]
Open the Settings Settings_Charm.jpg 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 Devices_Charm.jpg 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

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Click to expand...
Seems like ctrl+tab takes you to the full Apps list if you're already in the Start Menu. Same as win+Q (I was expecting that to be some kind of quit)
 
Nice Shawn. Was thinking of reorganizing the list, but without 8 to confirm, wasn't sure I'd get it right. A Guy
 
Something I use on my smartsized remote 2560x1600 desktop often enough:
win + + to zoom in
win + - to zoom out
 
win + tab is the equivalent of manually pressing the top left corner metro toggle, so you can flip between your metro app and desktop etc
 
Brink said:
Hello Wolfgang,

The Switch List bar will not open unless you have at least one app previously opened.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4625-switch-list-open-windows-8-a.html
Click to expand...

Thanks Shawn, that makes sense. But I thought that 'Desktop" was always open.

But even with some apps open, it gets me back to those apps - like a toggle. And only if I keep the Win key pushed down, I can see the apps list on the left side. But it does not really matter. There are other ways to close the apps - if you really care to do that.
 
Wolfgang,

You'll always get at least either the Start/Desktop thumbnail pop-up if you move the pointer to the top or bottom left corners, but the actual Start List bar will not open unless there is a app open/suspended. I find tapping the Windows :orb: key works best for me to toggle between the desktop and start screen though.

Oh yes, there are a few ways to close an app. :)
 
microsoft releases shortcut keys

Windows key – Brings up the Metro start screen. You can start typing to search for an app, just like the Win7 start menu.

· Win + B – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and select the tray notification area.
· Win + C – Brings up the Charms menu, where you can search, share, and change settings.
· Win + D – Brings up the old Windows desktop.
· Win + E – Launch explorer with Computer view displayed.
· Win + F – Brings up the Metro File search screen.
· Win + H – Opens the Metro Share panel.
· Win + I – Opens the Settings panel, where you can change most settings[FONT=inherit !important][/FONT]
· Win + J – Switches focus between snapped Metro applications.
· Win + K – Opens the Devices panel (for connecting to a projector or some other device)
· Win + L – Lock PC and return to Lock screen.
· Win + M – Minimize all Windows on the desktop
· Win + O – Locks device orientation.
· Win + P – Choose between available displays.
· Win + Q – Brings up the Metro App Search screen.
· Win + R – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and display the Run box.
· Win + U – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and launch the Ease of Access Center.
· Win + V – Cycles through toasts.
· Win + W – Brings up the Metro Settings search screen.
· Win + X – Launch Start Menu.
· Win + Y – Temporarily peek at the desktop.
· Win + Z – Opens the App Bar for the current Metro application.
· Win + Page Up / Down – Moves tiles to the left / right.
· Win + Tab – Opens the Metro application switcher menu, switches between applications.
· Win + , (comma) – Aero Peek at the desktop.
· Win + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to one side of the screen. (Right side)
· Win + Shift + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to the other side of the screen. (Left side)
· Win + Space – Switch input language and keyboard layout.
· Win + Shift + V – Cycles through toasts in reverse order.
· Win + Enter – Launches Narrator
· Win + Arrow Keys – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and enable Aero Snap

One of the most interesting ones to me is Window key + the period key to snap apps to sides of the screen, allows to view more than one app at a time on the (split) screen if you will.

TC :D
 
And there's another reason I won't ever use that "Metro" thing. I've already defined many of those previously unused shortcuts in Autohotkey, and I'm not going to sacrifice my useful setup to adapt to something that doesn't improve anything, makes many things worse, abandons good UI principles to introduce colossal modes, relies on hidden hotspots and other poorly discoverable nonsense, etc, and uses goofy terms like "Charms" and "Toast". I haven't seen such concentrated fail from Microsoft in a long, long time. In fact, I can't recall anything quite this bad.
 
There are a few shortcuts on the way to getting Windows up and running, too:

On booting F8 or shift+F8 should bring up the advanced boot menu and F10 brings up the boot options editor ​(a one-line version of BCDEDIT).

In the Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) (Windows Setup) and the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), shift+F10 brings up the command console, allowing a limited range of GUI programs to be run, including Task Manager, Notepad, Regedit and a few others.
 
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