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

Shortcut	Description
Windows Key :winkey:	Toggle between the Start screen and the last-opened Windows Store app or the desktop.
:winkey: + 1, :winkey: + 2, etc....	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.
:winkey: + SHIFT + 1 :winkey: + SHIFT + 2 etc.	Launch a new instance of the application located at the “nth” position on the taskbar.
:winkey: + B	Switch to the desktop and set the focus to the tray notification area.
:winkey: + C	Display the charms and time/date/notification/battery overlay.
:winkey: + D	Switch to the desktop and toggle Show Desktop (hides/shows any applications and other windows).
:winkey: + E	Switch to the desktop and launch File Explorer with the Computer tab displayed.
:winkey: + F	Search using the Files search scope.
:winkey: + H	Open the Share charm.
:winkey: + I	Open the Settings charm.
:winkey: + J	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.
:winkey: + K	Open the Devices charm.
:winkey: + L	Lock the PC and go to the Lock screen.
:winkey: + M	Switch to the desktop and minimize all open windows.
:winkey: + SHIFT + M	Switch to the desktop and restore all minimized windows.
:winkey: + O	Switch between landscape and portrait orientation on slate and tablet PCs.
:winkey: + P	Display the Second screen pane to choose between available projection options.
:winkey: + Q	(Windows 8) = Search using the Apps search scope. (Windows 8.1) = Search using "Everything" search scope.
:winkey: + R	Switch to the desktop and display the Run dialog box.
:winkey: + T	Set the focus to the taskbar and cycle through programs.
:winkey: + U	Switch to the desktop and launch the Ease of Access Center.
:winkey: + V	Cycle through toast notifications (transient messages).
:winkey: + W	Search using the Settings search scope.
:winkey: + SHIFT + V	Cycle through toast notifications in reverse order.
:winkey: + X	Open the advanced context menu (power user task menu) in the lower-left corner of the screen.
:winkey: + Z	Open the app-specific bar of commands at the bottom of the screen.
:winkey: + F1	Opens Windows Help and Support
:winkey: + ENTER	Launch Narrator.
:winkey: + SPACEBAR	Switch input language and keyboard layout.
:winkey: + TAB	Display app thumbnails of open Windows Store apps and cycle through apps.
:winkey: + SHIFT + TAB	Display app thumbnails of open Windows Store apps and cycle through apps in reverse order.
:winkey: + CTRL + TAB	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.
:winkey:+ CTRL + F	Opens Find Computers dialog.
:winkey: + ,	Peek at the desktop.
:winkey: + . (Windows 8)	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.
:winkey:+ . + Left Arrow (Windows 8.1)	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.
:winkey: + SHIFT + . (Windows 8)	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.
:winkey:+ . + Right Arrow (Windows 8.1)	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.
:winkey: + PGUP	If you have multiple monitors, move the Start screen to the left monitor.
:winkey: + PGDN	If you have multiple monitors, move the Start screen to the right monitor.
:winkey: + Plus Sign	Zoom in.
:winkey: + Minus Sign	Zoom out.
:winkey: + ESCAPE	Close the Magnifier.
:winkey: + LEFT ARROW	Snaps the active window or modern app to the left half of the screen.
:winkey: + RIGHT ARROW	Snaps the active window or modern app to the right half of the screen.
:winkey: + UP ARROW	Maximize the active window or modern app.
:winkey: + DOWN ARROW	On desktop = Restore/minimize the active window. In modern app = closes
:winkey: + SHIFT + UP ARROW	On desktop = Maximize the active window vertically,maintaining the width.
:winkey: + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW	On desktop = Restore/minimize the active window vertically, maintaining the width.
:winkey: + SHIFT + LEFT ARROW	On desktop = For multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the left.
:winkey: + SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW	On desktop = For multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the right.
:winkey: + HOME	On desktop = Minimize all non-active windows; restore on second keystroke.
:winkey: + BREAK	Display the System dialog box.
:winkey: + PRNT SCRN	Takes a picture of the screen and places it in the Pictures folder.
Alt + Tab (release Tab, repeat)	Opens Flip 2D to rotate through opened Apps. Desktop apps each have one place in rotation.
Ctrl + Alt + Tab	Keeps open Flip 2D to rotate through opened Apps. Desktop apps each have one place in rotation.
Ctrl + -	On Start and Apps screens = Semantic Zoom out
Ctrl + =	On Start and Apps screens = Semantic Zoom back In
Ctrl + Alt + Del	Access to Lock, Switch User, Sign out, Change a password, Task Manager, Ease of Access, and Power down choices.
Arrows, Space, Tab	Move active tile, Select, move Focus
HOME	On Start screen = Selects the first tile in the Start screen.
END	On Start screen = Selects the last tile in the Start screen.
PAGE UP	On Start screen = Moves the tile selection up by a page in the view.
PAGE DOWN	On Start screen = Moves the tile selection down by a page in the view.
SPACEBAR	On Start screen = Selects the first tile in the Start screen and displays options at the bottom of the screen.
Type on Start screen	Search Apps.

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

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• 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

 

[Flatiron]

Thanks..

These are handy. Just installed Win 8 CP on a Partition with Win 7.

 

[whs]

Alt+F4 for PC Shut Down options

I think that only works on the desktop.

 

[Pixel Eater]

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)

 

[Brink]

Getting around in Windows 8

 

[A Guy]

Nice Shawn. Was thinking of reorganizing the list, but without 8 to confirm, wasn't sure I'd get it right. A Guy

 

[Pixel Eater]

Something I use on my smartsized remote 2560x1600 desktop often enough:
win + + to zoom in
win + - to zoom out

 

[Pixel Eater]

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

 

[whs]

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

Somehow does not work here.

 

[chev65]

Windows key + Q is most useful for me. Takes you straight to the Apps page.

Two more clicks of the windows key and your back to the desktop.

 

[Brink]

Hello Wolfgang,

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

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4625-switcher-open-windows-8-a.html

 

[whs]

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

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.

 

[Brink]

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 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.

 

[tcman50]

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

 

[area 66]

thanks for the list

 

[crawfish]

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.

 

[fafhrd]

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.

 

[A Guy]

Thanks for sharing

A Guy

 

[Pixel Eater]

Win key + up arrow or down arrow maximizes and minimizes. crawfish, u sound mad.

 

[whs]

Win key + up arrow or down arrow maximizes and minimizes. crawfish, u sound mad.

And try Win+right arrow (or left arrow) on an Explorer page (e.g. Documents).

 

[chio]

THX

Winkey+breack|pause= system properties