Tip: Windows 8 Shortcut Keys

A comprehensive list of all the new MS Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts.

Author: Neil Patterson :: 2024 Expertek
Views: 3311 - Updated 7/9/2015 12:27 am Print this tip

Please Note: The Windows key shown below as is located on your keyboard, usually on the Lower Left, between the 'Ctrl' and 'Alt' keys, and has the little Windows flag on it. (Click here for a bigger picture - you want the key shown outlined in green.)

This list of 63 shortcuts keys is pretty complete, and includes key sequences that work in other versions of windows as well, but not all of them, many of these are specific to Windows 8.
  1. Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
  2. Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
  3. Switch between Apps and Windows
  4. Power User Commands Shortcuts
  5. Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
  6. Windows 8 Taskbar
  7. Navigating Desktop
  8. Windows Explorer
  9. The Rest
1. Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Toggle between Desktop and Start Screen (or open Apps)
Ctrl+Tab On Start Screen: Switch Between Start Window and All Apps Window
, then Ctrl+Tab Open All Apps Window
, then start typing App Name Search and execute Apps
Escape Close Start Screen and go to Desktop
+E Run Explorer on Desktop
+R Execute Run on Desktop
+X Open Power User Commands on Desktop
Alt+F4 Shutdown Windows
+L Lock Computer
+F1 Open Windows Help
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2. Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Tip: Pressing Escape typically closes most Charme menus.
+C Open Windows Charme. Use arrow keys and enter to select item. Press
+Q Search Charme / last search option
+F Search Files
+W Search Windows Settings
+I Open Settings including Desktop, Control Panel, Personalization, PC Info, Help
+H Share Charme
+K Device Charme
+S Search Settings
+F Search Files
+Z Show Options / App Bar in current Metro Apps if available.
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3. Switch between Apps and Windows
Alt+Tab and Alt+Shift+Tab Cycle between all Windows and Apps. Press and hold Alt key before pressing Tab. Release Tab on Window/App you want to open. While tabbing, add Shift to key combination to go backwards.
Ctrl+Alt+Tab then Arrow Keys Cycle between open Apps without having to keep Alt pressed. Press keys once, then use Arrow keys and Enter to select Window/App.
+Tab and +Shift+Tab Same as Alt+Tab, but only includes Apps only, not Windows on Desktop
Ctrl++Tab, then Arrow keys Same as Ctrl+Alt+Tab, but only includes Apps, not Desktop Windows
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4. Power User Commands Shortcuts
These are also listed in the Power User Command Window. Sorted by their (subjective) importance.
+X, P Control Panel
+X, T Task Manager
+X, E File Explorer (alternative: +e)
+X, R Run (alternative: +r)
+X, D Desktop (alternative: +d)
+X, F Programs and Features
+X, C Command Prompt
+X, A Elevated Command Prompt (Admin)
+X, Y System Information
+X, M Device Manager
+X, G Computer Management
+X, B Mobility Center
+X, O Power Options
+X, V Event Viewer
+X, K Disk Management
+X, S Search
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5. Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
Go to desktop / switch between Desktop and Start Screen or Apps
+Arrow Up Maximize Window across screen
+Arrow Down Minimize Window (if Restored) or set Window to Restored (if Maximized)
+Shift+Arrow Up Maximixe Window vertically
+Arrow Right/Arrow Left Move Window to left/center/right. Works across multiple monitors
+Shift+Arrow Right/ Arrow Left" Move window to left monitor / to right monitor when using multiple monitors
Alt+Space Opens the title bar menu
F11 Turn full page view on or off
Alt+Q Close Window
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6. Windows 8 Taskbar
+T Go to first item in Taskbar, continue with arrow keys
+B Go to first item in System Tray
Shift+click on a taskbar item Start new instance of Taskbar item
Ctrl+Shift+click on a taskbar item Start new instance of Taskbar item as administrator
Shift+right-click on a taskbar item Show the window menu for the program
+1...9 Switch to application in position N on Taskbar (or launch pinned application)
Shift++1...9 Start new instance of taskbar item in position N on Taskbar
Unfortunately, Microsoft removed the possibility to select multiple taskbar items in Windows 7 (and did still not re-introduce in Windows 8)
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7. Navigating Desktop
Arrow Keys Navigate between and select single icons on desktop (when focus is on the desktop)
Home/End Select first / select last object on desktop
Enter Launch active object
Shift+F10 Activate context menu of active icon by simulates right mouse button. Once in the context menu use arrow keys, a-z and enter to select item
Tab, Shift+Tab on empty desktop Navigate between desktop, the quick-launch bar, task bar and notification bar. Then use arrow keys and enter or space to activate specific icons
A, B, C, ... Pressing the initial letter of the name of any objects will highlight the respective application or folder. Continue typing the object name if multiple objects start with the same letter
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8. Windows Explorer
minusplusBasics
+E Start Windows Explorer
Alt+Arrow Up Go up one folder
Alt+Arrow Left/ Alt+Arrow Right Go to previous folder / go to next folder
Tab/Shift+Tab Switch focus forward/ backward between Address bar, Search Bar, Toolbar, Navigation Pane, and File List (Default is usually File List)
Alt+D or F4 Jump to the Address bar and select absolute address. Copy address with ctrl+c if desired
Ctrl+E or Ctrl+F Jump to Search Box in Explorer
Ctrl+N Open new instance of Windows Explorer
F11 Toggle full-screen mode
minusplusNavigate File List and Navigation Pane
Arrow Keys Navigate between files and folders
Enter Open folder or start application
Home/End Jump to first / jump to last item
F2 Change the file name of active item
F2, then Arrow Left/ Arrow Right Move one character to the left / to the right in item name
F2, then Ctrl+ Arrow Left/Arrow Right Jump one word to the left / to the right of item name
F2, then Home /End Jump to beginning / jump to end of item name
F2, then Ctrl+A Select all/ complete object name including suffix (default excludes suffix)
Arrow Left/Arrow Right Expand folder / collapse folder (navigation pane only)
minusplusFile List Views
Alt+P Display or hide Preview Pane
Alt+V then D View details. Check View menu for more options
Alt+V then X View extra-large icons. Check View menu for more options
Ctrl+mouse scroll wheel Change size of icons
minusplusSelect Items in File List and Navigation Pane
Shift+Arrow Up/ Arrow Down Select multiple adjacent items (directly above or below)
Ctrl with Arrow keys and Space Select multiple non-adjacent items. Hold ctrl, use arrow keys to move to next item, and press space to add/remove from selection
Ctrl+A Select all
A ...Z and 1..9 Press the initial letter any item to jump to it. Continue typing the full name if multiple items start with the same letter
minusplusManage Items in Explorer
Ctrl+C, ctrl+X, ctrl+V Copy, Cut, Paste
Ctrl+Z Undo an action
Ctrl+Y Redo an action
Delete Delete an item and place it into the Recycle Bin
Shift+Delete Delete an item permanently without placing it into the Recycle Bin
Shift+F10 Activate context menu of active object. Replaces the right mouse button. Once in the context menu use arrow keys, a-z and enter to get to the selection
Ctrl+Shift+N Create new folder
Alt+Enter Open Properties dialog box
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9. The Rest
+U Open Ease of Access Center
+P Projector or second screen settings.
Alt+Shift Change keyboard language layout if multiple language layouts are active*

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