Most Useful Short Keys In Windows 8

Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop


Win Toggle between Desktop and Start Screen (or open Apps)
Ctrl+Tab On Start Screen: Switch Between Start Window and All Apps Window
Win, then Ctrl+Tab Open All Apps Window
Win, then start typing App Name Search and execute Apps
Escape Close Start Screen and go to Desktop
Win+E Run Explorer on Desktop
Win+R Execute Run on Desktop
Win+X Open Power User Commands on Desktop
Alt+F4 Shutdown Windows
Win+L Lock Computer
Win+F1 Open Windows Help




Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts


Tip: Pressing Escape typically closes most Charme menus.
Win+C Open Windows Charme. Use arrow keys and enter to select item. Press
Win+Q Search Charme / last search option
Win+F Search Files
Win+W Search Windows Settings
Win+I Open Settings including Desktop, Control Panel, Personalization, PC Info, Help
Win+H Share Charme
Win+K Device Charme
Win+S Search Settings
Win+F Search Files
Win+Z Show Options / App Bar in current Metro Apps if available.

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Switch between Apps and Windows


Alt+Tab andAlt+Shift+Tab Cycle between all Windows and Apps. Press and holdAlt key before pressing Tab. Release Tab on Window/App you want to open. While tabbing, addShift to key combination to go backwards.
Ctrl+Alt+Tab thenArrow Keys Cycle between open Apps without having to keep Altpressed. Press keys once, then use Arrow keys andEnter to select Window/App.
Win+Tab andWin+Shift+Tab Same as Alt+Tab, but only includes Apps only, not Windows on Desktop
Ctrl+Win+Tab, thenArrow keys Same as Ctrl+Alt+Tab, but only includes Apps, not Desktop Windows


Windows 8 Taskbar


Win+T Go to first item in Taskbar, continue with arrow keys
Win+B Go to first item in System Tray
Shift+click on a taskbar item Start new instance of Taskbar item
Ctrl+Shift+click on a taskbar item Start new instance of Taskbar item as administrator
Shift+right-click on a taskbar item Show the window menu for the program
Win+1...9 Switch to application in position N on Taskbar (or launch pinned application)
Shift+Win+1...9 Start new instance of taskbar item in position N onTaskbar
Unfortunately, Microsoft removed the possibility to select multiple taskbar items in Windows 7 (and did still not re-introduce in Windows 8)


Navigating Desktop


Arrow Keys Navigate between and select single icons on desktop (when focus is on the desktop)
Home/End Select first / select last object on desktop
Enter Launch active object
Shift+F10 Activate context menu of active icon by simulates right mouse button. Once in the context menu usearrow keys, a-z and enter to select item
Tab, Shift+Tab on empty desktop Navigate between desktop, the quick-launch bar, task bar and notification bar. Then use arrow keys and enter orspace to activate specific icons
A, B, C, ... Pressing the initial letter of the name of any objects will highlight the respective application or folder. Continue typing the object name if multiple objects start with the same letter


Power User Commands Shortcuts


These are also listed in the Power User Command Window. Sorted by their (subjective) importance.
Win+X, P Control Panel
Win+X, T Task Manager
Win+X, E File Explorer (alternative: Win+e)
Win+X, R Run (alternative: Win+r)
Win+X, D Desktop (alternative: Win+d)
Win+X, F Programs and Features
Win+X, C Command Prompt
Win+X, A Elevated Command Prompt (Admin)
Win+X, Y System Information
Win+X, M Device Manager
Win+X, G Computer Management
Win+X, B Mobility Center
Win+X, O Power Options
Win+X, V Event Viewer
Win+X, K Disk Management
Win+X, S Search


Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows


Win Go to desktop / switch between Desktop and Start Screen or Apps
Win+Arrow Up Maximize Window across screen
Win+Arrow Down Minimize Window (if Restored) or set Window to Restored (if Maximized)
Win+Shift+Arrow Up Maximixe Window vertically
Win+Arrow Right/Arrow Left Move Window to left/center/right. Works across multiple monitors
Win+Shift+Arrow Right/Arrow Left" Move window to left monitor / to right monitor when using multiple monitors
Alt+Space Opens the title bar menu
F11 Turn full page view on or off
Alt+Q Close Window


Windows 8 explorer short key list



Basics


Win+E Start Windows Explorer
Alt+Arrow Up Go up one folder
Alt+Arrow Left/Alt+Arrow Right Go to previous folder / go to next folder
Tab/Shift+Tab Switch focus forward/ backward between Address bar, Search Bar, Toolbar, Navigation Pane, and File List (Default is usually File List)
Alt+D or F4 Jump to the Address bar and select absolute address. Copy address with ctrl+c if desired
Ctrl+E or Ctrl+F Jump to Search Box in Explorer
Ctrl+N Open new instance of Windows Explorer
F11 Toggle full-screen mode




Navigate File List and Navigation Pane


Arrow Keys Navigate between files and folders
Enter Open folder or start application
Home/End Jump to first / jump to last item
F2 Change the file name of active item
F2, then Arrow Left/Arrow Right Move one character to the left / to the right in item name
F2, then Ctrl+Arrow Left/Arrow Right Jump one word to the left / to the right of item name
F2, then Home /End Jump to beginning / jump to end of item name
F2, then Ctrl+A Select all/ complete object name including suffix (default excludes suffix)
Arrow Left/Arrow Right Expand folder / collapse folder (navigation pane only)



Select Items in File List and Navigation Pane


Shift+Arrow Up/Arrow Down Select multiple adjacent items (directly above or below)
Ctrl with Arrow keys andSpace Select multiple non-adjacent items. Hold ctrl, usearrow keys to move to next item, and press space to add/remove from selection
Ctrl+A Select all
A ...Z and 1..9 Press the initial letter any item to jump to it. Continue typing the full name if multiple items start with the same letter



Manage Items in Explorer


Ctrl+C, ctrl+X, ctrl+V Copy, Cut, Paste
Ctrl+Z Undo an action
Ctrl+Y Redo an action
Delete Delete an item and place it into the Recycle Bin
Shift+Delete Delete an item permanently without placing it into the Recycle Bin
Shift+F10 Activate context menu of active object. Replaces the right mouse button. Once in the context menu usearrow keys, a-z and enter to get to the selection
Ctrl+Shift+N Create new folder
Alt+Enter Open Properties dialog box







File List Views


Alt+P Display or hide Preview Pane
Alt+V then D View details. Check View menu for more options
Alt+V then X View extra-large icons. Check View menu for more options
Ctrl+mouse scroll wheel Change size of icon