Microsoft’snew OS was designed with both tablet and PC users in mind. While
touchscreen users can swipe and tap their way through the redesigned platform,
those who prefer the the traditional PC might find the system a bit unwieldy,
awkward, and a downright pain to navigate. Fortunately, Microsoft has upheld
its commitment to integrated keyboard shortcuts to make our lives a bit easier,
creating efficient shortcuts that are both quick and incredibly convenient.
If you are new to the shortcut game, keyboard shortcuts are
combinations of two or more keys that perform different tasks in lieu of a
mouse. Here are some of the most useful Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts to
date.
New Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts
Windows 8 opened up a world of new keyboard shortcuts to better navigate and utilize the new operating system’s interface and features. Below is a set of some of the new keyboard functions available for Windows 8users. Be sure to hold down the Windows key (
)
to the left of the spacebar before punching the appropriate letter or key. Refer
back to the chart as needed – memorization will come in time.
Keyboard shortcut
|
Function
|
| +
start typing |
Search your PC
|
Ctrl plus (“+”) or Ctrl minus (“-”)
|
Zoom in or out of a large number of items
|
Ctrl + Scroll wheel
|
Zoom in or out of a large number of items
|
| +
C |
Open the charms menu
|
| +
F |
Open the Search charm to search files
|
| +
H |
Open the Share charm
|
| +
I |
Open the Settings charm
|
| +
J |
Switch the main app and snapped app
|
| +
K |
Open the Devices charm
|
| +
O |
Lock the screen orientation
|
| +
Q |
Open the Search charm to search apps
|
| +
W |
Open the Search charm to search settings
|
| +
Z |
Show the commands available in the app
|
| +
spacebar |
Switch input language and keyboard layout
|
| +
Ctrl + spacebar |
Change to previously selected input
|
| +
Tab |
Cycle through open apps
|
| +
Ctrl + Tab |
Cycle through open apps and snap them as they are cycled
|
| +
Shift + Tab |
Cycle through open apps in reverse order
|
| +
Pg Up |
Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left
|
| +
Pg Dn |
Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right
|
| +
Shift + Period (“.”) |
Snaps apps to the left
|
| +
Period (“.”) |
Snaps apps to the right
|
Esc
|
Stop or exit the current task
|
General Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts
There is also a host of returning keyboard shortcuts to go
along with all the new Windows 8 shortcuts. The following are some of the most
basic, general, and sought-after keyboard shortcuts for general day-to-day use
for Windows users. Again, be sure to hold down the Windows key ()
to the left of the spacebar before punching the appropriate letter or key, and
commit these shortcuts to memory.
)
to the left of the spacebar before punching the appropriate letter or key, and
commit these shortcuts to memory.Keyboard shortcut |
Function |
|
Display or Hide the Start screen
|
| +
Esc |
Exit Magnifier
|
| +
B |
Set focus in the notification area
|
| +
D |
Display and hide desktop
|
| +
E |
Open Computer
|
| +
G |
Cycle through Gadgets on the desktop
|
| +
L |
Lock your PC or switch users
|
| +
M |
Minimize all windows
|
| +
Shift + M |
Restore minimized windows on the desktop
|
| +
P |
Choose a presentation display mood
|
Open the Run dialogue box
|
|
| +
T |
Cycle through apps on the taskbar
|
| +
V |
Cycle through notifications
|
| +
Shift + V |
Cycle through notifications in reverse order
|
| +
X |
Open the Quick Link menu
|
| +
F1 |
Open Windows Help and Support
|
| +
Up arrow |
Maximize the desktop window
|
| +
Down arrow |
Minimize the desktop window
|
| +
plus (“+”) or minus (“-”) |
Zoom in or out using Magnifier
|
Alt + F4
|
Close the active item, or exit the active app
|
Alt + Enter
|
Display properties for the selected item
|
Control + C
|
Copy the selected item
|
Control + X
|
Cut the selected item
|
Control + V
|
Paste the selected item
|
Control + Y
|
Redo an action
|
Control + Z
|
Undo an action
|
F1
|
Display Help
|
F2
|
Rename the selected item
|
F3
|
Search for a file or folder
|
F4
|
Display the address bar list in the File Explorer
|
F5
|
Refresh the active window
|
F10
|
Activate the menu bar in the active app
|
Do these shortcuts make Windows 8 a bit easier to get
around? Which ones do you find particularly helpful? Let us know in the
comments below and make sure to head over to the Window support site for the full rundown of keyboard
shortcuts for Windows 8.
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