Windows 8 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

21 Essential Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts

When you are using Windows 8, it’s easy enough to navigate the new OS. But if you don’t have a touch screen, there’s no need to mouse around to make key functions appear. If you know the correct keyboard shortcuts, you can work faster and more efficiently, no matter the type of Windows 8 PC.

1.  Press the Windows key to enter the tiled Start screen.

2. Windows Key + C: Displays Charms menu.

3. Windows Key + X: Brings up a menu of advanced system options, including Windows Control Panel, Command Prompt, Task Manager and File Explorer.

4. Windows Key + I: Displays the Settings menu for the current app. For example, if you’re in Internet Explorer 10, this key shows Internet options. If you’re on the Start menu, it shows general OS settings.

5. Windows Key + Q: Brings up the apps search menu that allows you to search your list of installed programs.

6. Windows Key + D: Activates desktop mode.

7. Alt + Tab: Brings up the Task Switcher and toggles between Windows 8-style apps.

8. Windows Key + H: Brings up Share menu for the current app. For example, hitting Windows Key + H in Bing Maps, lets you email or share map information on social networks.

9. Windows Key + M: Opens desktop mode and minimizes all windows.

10. Windows Key + W: Opens universal search menu and sets it to search settings.

11. Windows Key + F: Opens universal search menu and sets it to search files.

12. Windows Key + R: Opens Run menu where you can launch programs by typing in their executable file names.

13. Windows Key + E: Opens File Explorer to the “My Computer” view which shows all your drives.

14. Windows Key +Number Key (1-9): Switch to desktop mode and make the Nth application on the task bar active where N is the number key you hit and 1 is the furthest taskbar icon to the left.

15. Windows Key + . (period key): Docks the current Windows 8-style application to the right or left, depending on how many times you hit it.

16. Windows Key + Z: Brings up app menu, which shows contextual options for the active app.

17. Windows key + Enter key: open narrator

18. Windows key + Print Screen: Takes a screenshot and saves it in a Screenshots folder nested in your Pictures folder.

19. To take a screenshot on a Windows 8 tablet, simultaneously press the Windows button and the volume-down  button on  the tablet chassis.

20. The Windows key + Pause:  Opens the system properties page to show you a quick rundown of your specs.

21. The Windows key + "," (that's the comma sign!): makes all current windows transparent, giving you a peek at the desktop as long as you hold down the Windows key.