In this article I am trying to explain the shortcut keys of Windows 8.
Windows 8
Key | Description |
WINKEY KEY+C | Open the Charms |
WINKEY KEY+H | Open the Share charm |
WINKEY KEY+K | Open the Devices charm |
WINKEY KEY+I | Open the Settings charm |
WINKEY KEY+F | Open the Search charm to search files |
CTRL+PLUS OR CTRL+MINUS OR CTRL+SCROLL WHEEL | Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen |
WINKEY KEY+C | Open the commands for the app |
WINKEY KEY+J | Switch the main app and snapped app |
WINKEY KEY+O | Lock the device orientation |
WINKEY KEY+Q | Open the Search charm to search apps |
WINKEY KEY+V | Loop through notifications |
WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+V | Loop through notifications in reverse order |
WINKEY KEY+W | Open the Search charm to search settings |
WINKEY KEY+, | Temporarily peek at the desktop |
WINKEY KEY+Z | Show the commands available in the app |
WINKEY KEY+SPACEBAR | Switch input language and keyboard layout |
WINKEY KEY+CTRL+SPACEBAR | Change to a previously selected input |
WINKEY KEY+TAB | Loop through open apps (except desktop apps) |
WINKEY KEY+CTRL+TAB | Loop through open apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled |
WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+TAB
| Loop through open apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order |
WINKEY KEY+PGUP | Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) |
WINKEY KEY+PGDOWN | Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) |
WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+PERIOD (.) | Snaps an app to the left |
F5 | refresh |
ALT+W | close app |
WINKEY+TAB | graphics view |
ALT+F4 | shut down |
ALT+F12 | volume |
Basic
Key | Description |
F1 | Display Help |
F2 | Rename |
F3 | Search |
F4 | Show address bar in Explorer |
F5 | Refresh |
F6 | Loop through screen elements in a window or on the desktop |
F10 | Activate the menu bar in the active app |
ALT+F4 | Close the active item, or exit the active app |
ALT+ESC | Loop through items in the order in which they were opened |
ALT+UNDERLINED LETTER | Perform the command for that letter |
ALT+ENTER | Display properties for the selected item |
ALT+SPACEBAR | Open the shortcut menu for the active window |
ALT+LEFT ARROW | Back |
ALT+RIGHT ARROW | Forward |
ALT+PAGE UP | Move up one screen |
ALT+PAGE DOWN | Move down one screen |
ALT+TAB | Switch between open apps (except desktop apps) |
CTRL+F4 | Close the active document (in apps that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously) |
CTRL+A | Select all items in a document or window |
CTRL+C (OR CTRL+INSERT) | Copy the selected item |
CTRL+R (OR F5) | Refresh the active window |
CTRL+V (OR SHIFT+INSERT) | Paste the selected item |
CTRL+X | Cut the selected item |
CTRL+Z | Undo an action |
CTRL+Y | Redo an action |
CTRL+PLUS (+) OR CTRL+MINUS (-) | Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen |
CTRL+SCROLL WHEEL | Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen |
CTRL+ MOUSE SCROLL WHEEL | Change the size of desktop icons |
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word |
CTRL+LEFT ARROW | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word |
CTRL+DOWN ARROW | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph |
CTRL+UP ARROW | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph |
CTRL+ALT+TAB | Use the arrow keys to switch between all open apps |
CTRL WITH AN ARROW KEY+SPACEBAR | Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop |
CTRL+SHIFT WITH AN ARROW KEY | Select a block of text |
CTRL+ESC | Open the Start screen |
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC | Open Task Manager |
CTRL+SHIFT | Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled |
SHIFT+F10 | Display the shortcut menu for the selected item |
SHIFT WITH ANY ARROW KEY | Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document |
SHIFT+DELETE | Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first |
RIGHT ARROW | Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu |
LEFT ARROW | Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu |
ESC | Cancel the current task |
Dialogs
Key | Description |
F1 | Display Help |
F4 | Display the items in the active list |
CTRL+TAB | Move forward through tabs |
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB | Move back through tabs |
CTRL+N (NUMBER 1-9) | Move to Nth tab |
TAB | Move forward through options |
SHIFT+TAB | Move back through options |
ALT+UNDERLINED LETTER | Perform the command or select the option for that letter |
ENTER | Replace clicking the mouse for many selected commands |
SPACEBAR | Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box |
BACKSPACE | Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box |
ARROW KEYS | Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons |
Windows logo
Key | Description |
WINKEY KEY+F1 | Open Windows Help and Support |
WINKEY KEY | Display or hide the Start menu |
WINKEY KEY+B | Set focus in the notification area |
WINKEY KEY+C | Open the Charms |
WINKEY KEY+C | Open the commands for the app |
WINKEY KEY+D | Display and hides the desktop |
WINKEY KEY+E | Open Computer |
WINKEY KEY+F | Open the Search charm and search file |
WINKEY KEY+G | Cycle through gadgets on the desktop |
WINKEY KEY+H | Open the Share charm |
WINKEY KEY+I | Open the Settings charm |
WINKEY KEY+J | Switch the main app and snapped app |
WINKEY KEY+K | Open the Devices charm |
WINKEY KEY+L | Lock your PC or switch users |
WINKEY KEY+M | Minimize all windows |
WINKEY KEY+O | Lock device orientation |
WINKEY KEY+P | Choose a presentation display mode |
WINKEY KEY+Q | Open the Search charm and search apps |
WINKEY KEY+R | Open the Run dialog box |
WINKEY KEY+T | Cycle through apps on the taskbar |
WINKEY KEY+U | Open Ease of Access Center |
WINKEY KEY+V | Cycle through notifications |
WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+V | Cycle through notifications in reverse order |
WINKEY KEY+W | Open the Search charm and search settings |
WINKEY KEY+X | Opens the Quick Link menu |
WINKEY KEY+, | Temporarily peek at the desktop |
WINKEY KEY+Z | Show the commands available in the app |
WINKEY KEY+PAUSE | Display the System Properties dialog box |
WINKEY KEY+CTRL+F | Search for PCs (if you're on a network) |
WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+M | Restore minimized windows on the desktop |
WINKEY KEY+NUMBER
| Start the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app. |
WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+NUMBER
| Start a new instance of the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
WINKEY KEY+CTRL+NUMBER
| Switch to the last active window of the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
WINKEY KEY+ALT+NUMBER
| Open the Jump List for the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
WINKEY KEY+CTRL+SHIFT+NUMBER
| Open a new instance of the desktop app located at the given position on the taskbar as admin |
WINKEY KEY+TAB
| Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) |
WINKEY KEY+CTRL+TAB
| Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled |
WINKEY KEY+CTRL+B | Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area |
WINKEY KEY+UP ARROW | Maximize the desktop window |
WINKEY KEY+LEFT ARROW | Maximize the desktop window to the left side of the screen |
WINKEY KEY+RIGHT ARROW | Maximize the desktop window to the right side of the screen |
WINKEY KEY+HOME | Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke) |
WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+UP ARROW | Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen |
WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+DOWN ARROW | Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width |
MWINKEY KEY+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW OR RIGHT ARROW
| ove a window in the desktop from one monitor to another |
WINKEY KEY+SPACEBAR | Switch input language and keyboard layout |
WINKEY KEY+CTRL+SPACEBAR | Change to a previously selected input |
WINKEY KEY+ENTER | Open Narrator |
WINKEY KEY+PGUP
| Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) |
WINKEY KEY+PGDOWN
| Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) |
WINKEY KEY+CTRL+TAB
| Cycle through opens apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled |
WINKEY KEY+SHIFT+PERIOD (.) | Snaps an app to the left |
WINKEY KEY+PERIOD (.) | Snaps an app to the right |
WINKEY KEY+TAB | Loop through opens apps (except desktop apps) |
WINKEY KEY+/ | Initiate IME reconversion |
WINKEY KEY+ALT+ENTER | Opens Windows Media Center |
WINKEY KEY+PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) | Up Zoom in or out (in Magnifier) |
WINKEY KEY+ESC | Exit Magnifier |
Explorer
Key | Description |
ALT+D | Select the address bar |
CTRL+E | Select the search box |
CTRL+F | Select the search box |
CTRL+N | Open a new window |
CTRL+W | Close the current window |
CTRL+MOUSE SCROLL WHEEL | Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons |
CTRL+SHIFT+E | Display all folders above the selected folder |
CTRL+SHIFT+N | Create a new folder |
NUM LOCK+ASTERISK (*) | Display all subfolders under the selected folder |
NUM LOCK+PLUS (+) | Display the contents of the selected folder |
NUM LOCK+MINUS (-) | Collapse the selected folder |
ALT+P | Display the preview pane |
ALT+ENTER | Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item |
ALT+RIGHT ARROW | View the next folder |
ALT+UP ARROW | View the parent folder |
ALT+LEFT ARROW | View the previous folder |
BACKSPACE | View the previous folder |
RIGHT ARROW | Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder
|
LEFT ARROW | Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the parent folder
|
END | Display the bottom of the active window |
HOME | Display the top of the active window |
F11 | Maximize or minimize the active window |
|
|
Taskbar
Key | Description |
SHIFT+CLICK ON A TASKBAR BUTTON | Open a app or quickly open another instance of a app |
CTRL+SHIFT+CLICK ON A TASKBAR BUTTON | Open a app as an administrator |
SHIFT+RIGHT-CLICK ON A TASKBAR BUTTON | Show the window menu for the app |
SHIFT+RIGHT-CLICK ON A GROUPED TASKBAR BUTTON | Show the window menu for the group |
CTRL+CLICK ON A GROUPED TASKBAR BUTTON | Cycle through the windows of the group |
Ease of Access
Key | Description |
RIGHT SHIFT FOR EIGHT SECONDS | Turn Filter Keys on and off |
LEFT ALT+LEFT SHIFT+PRTSCN | Turn High Contrast on or off |
LEFT ALT+LEFT SHIFT+NUM LOCK | Turn Mouse Keys on or off |
SHIFT FIVE TIMES | Turn Sticky Keys on or off |
NUM LOCK FOR FIVE SECONDS | Turn Toggle Keys on or off |
WINKEY KEY+U | Open the Ease of Access Center |
Magnifier
Key | Description |
WINKEY KEY+PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) | Zoom in or out |
CTRL+ALT+D | Switch to docked mode |
CTRL+ALT+F | Switch to full-screen mode |
CTRL+ALT+I | Invert colors |
CTRL+ALT+L | Switch to lens mode |
CTRL+ALT+R | Resize the lens |
WINKEY KEY+ESC | Exit Magnifier |
Remote Desktop
Key | Description |
ALT+PAGE UP | Move between apps from left to right |
ALT+PAGE DOWN | Move between apps from right to left |
ALT+INSERT | Cycle through apps in the order that they were started in |
ALT+HOME | Display the Start menu |
CTRL+ALT+BREAK | Switch between a window and full screen |
CTRL+ALT+END | Display the Windows Security dialog box |
ALT+DELETE | Display the system menu |
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