Complete list of Windows 8 keyboard Shortcuts

Microsoft officially launched Windows 8 and the report says it’s a huge success. Windows 8 was clearly designed for multi-touch interfaces but there are keyboard shortcuts for those of us who aren’t using a touch device. Windows 8 is designed in such a manner to operate in a smooth and seamless way, so keeping a mental note of the best keyboard shortcuts will certainly help you get the most out it.

No matter what program or OS you are using, you can increase your productivity by using keyboard shortcuts. Here are  shortcut keys to help improve your productivity and user experience with Windows 8.windows 8 keyboard shortcuts

 

Keys

Description

Windows Key

Switch between Modern Metro Desktop and last opened application

Win+Tab

Access Modern Desktop taskbar

Win+C

Access Charms Bar

Win+I

Access the Settings Charm

Win+H

Access the Share Charm

Win+K

Access the Devices charm

Win+Q

Access App search screen

Win+F

Access File search screen

Win+P

Access the Second Screen bar

Win+Z

Brings up the App Bar when you have a Modern Desktop App running

Win+X

Access the Windows Tools Menu

Win+V

View all active Notifications

Win+PrntScrn

Takes a screenshot and automatically saves in Pictures folder

Win+Enter

Launch Narrator

Win+E

Open My Computer

Win+R

Open Run Box

Win+U

Open Ease of Access Center

Win+Pause/Break

Open the System page

Win+1 to 10

Launch a program pinned on the Taskbar in the position indicated by the number

Win+Shift+1 to 10

Launch a new instance of a program pinned on the Taskbar in the position indicated  by the number

Win+B

Access the program that is displaying a message in theNotification Area

Win+T

Cycle through the items on the Taskbar

Win+M

Minimize all windows

Win+Shift+M

Restore all minimized windows

Win+D

Show/Hide Desktop

Win+L

Lock computer

Win+Up Arrow

Maximize current window

Win+Down Arrow

Minimize/restore current window

Win+Home

Minimize all but the current window

Win+Left Arrow

Tile window on the left side of the screen

Win+Right Arrow

Tile window on the right side of the screen

Win+Shift+Up Arrow

Extend current window from the top to the bottom of the screen

Win+F1

Launch Windows Help and Support

Win+Ctrl+Mouse Scroll

Activate the Semantic zoom on Modern Desktop

Alt

Display a hidden Menu Bar

Alt+D

Select the Address Bar

Alt+P

Display the Preview Pane in Windows Explorer

Alt+Tab

Cycle forward through open windows

Alt+Shift+Tab

Cycle backward through open windows

Alt+F

Close the current window

Alt+Space Bar

Access the Shortcut menu for current window

Alt+Esc

Cycle between open programs in the order that they were opened

Alt+Enter

Open the Properties dialog box of the selected item

Alt+PrntScrn

Take a screen shot of the active Window and place it in the clipboard

Alt+Up Arrow

Move up one folder level in Windows Explorer

Alt+Left Arrow

Display the previous folder

Alt+Right Arrow

Display the next folder

Shift+Insert

Load CD/DVD without triggering Autoplay or Autorun

Shift+Delete

Permanently delete an item

Shift+F6

Cycle backward through elements in a window or dialog box

Shift+F10

Access the context menu for the selected item

Shift+Tab

Cycle backward through elements in a window or dialog box

Shift+Click

Select a consecutive group of items

Shift+Click on a Taskbar button

Launch a new instance of a program

Ctrl+W

Close current window in Windows Explorer
Ctrl+E Select the Search box in the upper right corner of a window
Ctrl+Shift+N Create new folder
Ctrl+Shift+Esc Open the Windows Task Manager
Ctrl+Alt+Del Access the Windows Security screen
Ctrl+Tab Move forward through tabs
Ctrl+Shift+Tab Move backward through tabs
F1 Display Help
F2 Rename a File or Folder
F3 Open Search
F4 Display the Address bar list
F5 Refresh current screen
F10 Display hidden Menu Bar
F11 Toggle full screen display
Home Move to the top of the active window
End Move to the bottom of the active window
Delete Delete the selected item
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4 Comments

  1. Hi Vivek,this is a long list of shortcuts but very useful no doubt. However, many of us still use the old form of Windows and would definitely love to see the Start menu. If and when I decide to go for a touch-screen device then might I install Windows 8. But hats off to you for researching and providing such a wonderful post.

    • Hey Matt,
      Yes, here is a long list bookmark it for future reference. BTW you can get old start menu in Windows 8 by installing some 3rd party applications like Pokki, Stardock or ViStart. Hope this will help you.

  2. This is just awsm n i liked it.
    But there would be the option for downloading this or just the picture of these shortcuts then it will be great and everybody will be benefited…
    Lastly thanx very much for providing all these shortcuts.

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