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

Also Check :

5 Awesome New Features of Windows 8

Best Windows 8 Tablets So Far

Top 5 Metro Apps for Windows 8


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

 
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