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

Related Tutorials

 

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Last edited by a moderator:
Click to expand...
Nav Tips, Keyboard Shortcuts & More for Win8

Edit: I just found these. If a Moderator wishes to delete, be my guests. Sorry for the duplicate.

These may have been posted elsewhere, but I have not discovered them yet so here they are. Sorry if this is a duplicate.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 8:

[WIN KEY] Open Metro Start Screen Arrow (Direction) Keys will scroll through Start tiles
[WN KEY] >Desktop, (Can need tapping depending on location)
[Esc Key] (Once or twice) > Desktop
[WIN KEY] + C Open Charms bar
[WIN KEY] + I Desktop settings, quick access to power/shutdown/restart
[WIN KEY] + <-- or --> Snaps grab an open window or an app, @ the top, take it left or right to Snap (split the screen).
[WIN KEY] + Up Arrow gives Full screen
[WN KEY] + Down Arrow back to original window state
[WIN KEY] + W Search Settings
[WIN KEY] + F Search Files
[WIN KEY] + D Go to Desktop anytime, from anywhere
[WIN KEY] + . Snap current app to right side
[WIN KEY] + Shift + . Snap current app to left side
[WIN KEY] + , Peek at the Windows desktop
[WIN KEY] + Q Search Apps (from Desktop)
[WIN KEY] + Z (from Start) Display app bar & ALL APPS icon > All Apps display Rt Clk, when on Start, also, gives app bar w/ All Apps icon
[WIN KEY] + Enter Narrator
[WIN KEY] + K Devices
[WIN KEY] + L Lock Screen
[WIN KEY] + H Share options
[WIN KEY] + P Projector/Display options
[WIN KEY] + R Run a command
[WIN KEY] + U Ease of Access Center
[WIN KEY] + X Quick access to a variety of system functions
[WIN KEY] + PageUp/PageDown multiple monitors, swap which 1 the Start screen is on
[WIN KEY] + PrtScreen Save .png screenshot of desktop in Pictures library
[WIN KEY] + = Magnifier Larger
[WIN KEY] + - Magnifier Smaller
[WIN KEY] + Tab Gives LF Side Panel scroll through open windows (nicer than Alt + Tab) Alt + Tab Scrolls through
open windows You can just hit Ctrl at the lock screen instead of dragging with the mouse. Ctrl-Alt-Del Access to lock, switch user, sign out, Task Manager, power, accessibility

Mouse Tips for Windows 8:

• Move mouse to upper or lower right-hand of screen will open the Charms bar, slide mouse up or down to access.
• In Desktop app, click far right of taskbar to show desktop(minimize all apps), just like Windows 7
• Move mouse to upper-left, then slide cursor down to reveal running app thumbnails
• Move mouse to lower-left, then slide cursor up to reveal running app thumbnails
• Move mouse to upper-left and click mouse repeatedly to cycle through apps
• When in the "app thumbnail bar" (upper-left) right-click thumbnails for options to snap left/right or close app.
* Pull an open App to the bottom of the screen & it will close.
• Move mouse to lower-left and click for Metro Start menu (you can right-click it for a handy menu)
• Move mouse to top edge of screen in a Metro app and the cursor will change to a hand, drag
• down to the bottom of the screen to close the app.
• In Metro Start screen click button in lower-right to activate semantic zoom. You can right-click a group of tiles to name them. Click anywhere to exit semantic zoom. Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel zooms the Start Menu in and out too.
• Drag tiles anywhere to arrange them. Drag between two groups of tiles and a vertical thick white bar will appear, dropping a tile on that bar will create a new group.

The menu one gets by Rt Clk @ the bottom-left... not only can you get that when @ Desktop but, also, when @ start or any other screen, even an App screen.

While @ Desktop, Start is @ bottom-left & Apps @ top-left
But, @ Start, Desktop is @ bottom-left, Apps @ top-left
And when @ an App, Desktop is @ top-left & Start is @ bottom-left

You can, also, Search by beginning to type anywhere on the Start screen

Start can be moved laterally by the mouse & w/out using the scroll bar.
 
Last edited:
Is there a shortcut for "all apps" without the search? I use win+Q often, but end up taking the additional step of closing search half the time. Something fast should be the same as left click/win+z and pressing all apps.
 
Pixel Eater said:
Is there a shortcut for "all apps" without the search? I use win+Q often, but end up taking the additional step of closing search half the time. Something fast should be the same as left click/win+z and pressing all apps.
Click to expand...

Hi Pixel Eater,

The easiest way to open "All apps" without the search bar popping up is to right click any open area on Start Screen and click the All apps charm on the bottom pop up bar.

BTW, right-clicking in several places will produce a lot additional menus and selections, both on the Start Screen and the Desktop.

The guys here on the forum have found many useful things to try out using the right click.

John
 
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