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 |
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. |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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) |
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 |
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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