Windows 8 is one of the most wanted software these days and just in few weeks, millions of copies of Windows 8 are sold. But since Windows 8 is totally different in terms of user interface with respect to the previous versions of the Windows, many people are finding it hard to work on it.
In Windows 8, there are lots of new and updated keyboards shortcuts available. Few of them perform the same functionality like the previous Windows versions and few of them are with totally new functionalities.
So if you are having a Windows operated system with a keyboard instead of the touchscreen then, all these Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts will help you for better productivity and performance.
The Complete List of Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows key shortcuts in Windows 8
Windows key : To switch between the Modern Desktop Start screen and the last accessed application
Windows key + C : To access the Charms bar
Windows key + Tab : To access the Modern Desktop Taskbar
Windows key + I : To access the Settings charm
Windows key + H : To access the Share charm
Windows key + K : To access the Devices charm
Windows key + Q : To go to the Apps Search screen
Windows key + F : To visit the Files Search screen
Windows key + W : To go to the Settings Search screen
Windows key + P : To access the Second Screen bar
Windows key + Z : It brings up the App Bar when you have a Modern Desktop App running
Windows key + X : To access the Windows Tools Menu
Windows key + O : To lock the screen orientation
Windows key + . : To move the screen split to the right side
Windows key + Shift + . : To move the screen split to the left side
Windows key + V : To view all active Toasts and Notifications
Windows key + Shift + V : To view all active Toasts or Notifications in reverse order
Windows key + PrtScn : It takes a screenshot of the screen and saves it automatically in the Pictures folder as Screenshot. You do not need to manually paste the screenshot in Paint and save it like the previous Windows versions.
Windows key + Enter : To launch the Narrator
Windows key + E : To open Computer
Windows key + R : To open the Run dialog box
Windows key + U : To open the Ease of Access Center
Windows key + Ctrl + F : To open the Find Computers dialog box
Windows key + Pause/Break : To open the System page
Windows key + 1...10 : It launches a program pinned on the Taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Windows key + Shift + 1...10 : It is used to launch a new instance of a program pinned on the Taskbar in the position indicated by the number of it.
Windows key + Ctrl + 1...10 : To access the last active instance of a program pinned on the Taskbar in the position indicated by its number.
Windows key + Alt + 1..10 : To access the Jump List of a program pinned on the Taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows key + B : It is used to select the first item in the Notification Area. After that just use the arrow keys to move through the items and then press Enter key to open the selected item.
Windows key + Ctrl + B : To check the program that is showing a message in the Notification Area
Windows key + T : To move through the items on the Taskbar
Windows key + M : To minimize all active windows
Windows key + Shift + M : To restore all minimized windows
Windows key + D : To show/hide the Desktop (To minimize/restore all windows)
Windows key + L : To lock the computer
Windows key + Up Arrow : To maximize the current window
Windows key + Down Arrow : To minimize or restore the current window
Windows key + Home : It is used to minimize all windows except the current one
Windows key + Left Arrow : To tile window on the left side of the screen
Windows key + Right Arrow : To tile window on the right side of the screen
Windows key + Shift + Up Arrow : To extend the current window from the top to the bottom of the screen
Windows key + Shift + Left/Right Arrow : It moves the current window from one monitor to the next one.
Windows key + F1 : To launch the Windows Help and Support
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CTRL key shortcuts on Windows 8
Ctrl + Esc : It is used to switch between the Modern Desktop Start screen and the last accessed application
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel : It activates the Semantic Zoom on the Modern Desktop screen
Ctrl + A : To select all items
Ctrl + C : To copy the selected item
Ctrl + X : To cut the selected item
Ctrl + V : To paste the copied item
Ctrl + D : To delete selected item
Ctrl + Z : To undo the previous action
Ctrl + Y : To redo an action
Ctrl + N : To open a new window in Windows Explorer
Ctrl + W : To close the current window in Windows Explorer
Ctrl + E : To select the Search box on the top right corner of a window
Ctrl + Shift + N : To create a new folder
Ctrl + Shift + Esc : To open the Windows Task Manager
Ctrl + Alt + Tab : To use the arrow keys to move through the open windows
Ctrl + Alt + Delete : To access the Windows Security screen
Ctrl + Click : To select multiple individual items by clicking on them separately
Ctrl + Click and drag an item : It copies that item in the same folder
Ctrl + Shift + Click and drag an item : It creates a shortcut for the selected item in the same folder
Ctrl + Tab : To move forward through the tabs
Ctrl + Shift + Tab : To move backward through the tabs
Ctrl + Shift + Click on a Taskbar button : To launch a new instance of a program as an Administrator
Ctrl + Click on a grouped Taskbar button : To move through the instances of a program in the group
ALT key shortcuts on Windows 8
Alt : To display a hidden Menu Bar
Alt + D : To select the Address Bar
Alt + P : To display the Preview Pane in Windows Explorer
Alt + Tab : To move forward through the open windows
Alt + Shift + Tab : To move backward through the open windows
Alt + F : It is used to close the current window and to open the Shut Down Windows dialog box from the Desktop.
Alt + Spacebar : To access the Shortcut menu for current window
Alt + Esc : To move between the open programs in the order that they were opened
Alt + Enter : To open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
Alt + PrtScn : It takes a screenshot of the active Window and keeps it in the clipboard
Alt + Up Arrow : It moves up the Windows Explorer one folder level (Same functionality like the Up Arrow key in Windows XP)
Alt + Left Arrow : To display the previous folder
Alt + Right Arrow : To display the next folder
Shift key shortcuts on Windows 8
Shift + Insert : To load the CD/DVD without the Autoplay or Autorun process
Shift + Delete : To permanently delete the selected item instead of sending it to the Recycle Bin
Shift + F6 : To move backward through the elements in an open window or dialog box
Shift + F10 : To access the context menu for the item selected
Shift + Tab : To move backward through elements in a window or dialog box
Shift + Click : To select a consecutive group of items
Shift + Click on a Taskbar button: To launch a new instance of a program
Shift + Right-click on a Taskbar button: To launch the context menu for the item selected
Function key shortcuts on Windows 8
F1 : To display the Help section
F2 : To rename a file
F3 : To open the Search option
F4 : To display the Address Bar list
F5 : To refresh the current window
F6 : To move forward through the elements in an open window or dialog box
F7 : To display the command history in a Command Prompt
F10 : To display the hidden Menu Bar
F11 : To toggle full screen display
Special keys shortcuts in Windows 8
Tab : To move forward through elements in a window or dialog box
PrtScr : It takes a screenshot of the current screen and keeps it in the clipboard
Home : To move to the top of the active window
End : To move to the bottom of the active window
Delete : To delete the item selected
Backspace : To display the previous folder in Windows Explorer and to move up one folder level in the Open or Save dialog box
Esc : To close a dialog box
Num Lock Enabled + Plus (+) : To display the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock Enabled + Minus (-) : To collapse the folders selected
Num Lock Enabled + Asterisk (*) : To expand all subfolders under the selected folder
PageUp : To scroll forward on the Modern Desktop Start screen
PageDown : To scroll backward on the Modern Desktop Start screen
Esc : To close a charm
- Press the Shift key 5 times to turn Sticky Keys on or off
- Hold down the right Shift key for 8 seconds to turn Filter Keys on or off
- Hold down the Num Lock key for 5 seconds to turn Toggle Keys on or off