Windows 8 Shortcut Keys
You can use the following shortcut keys in the Windows 8 Startscreen.
Shortcut | Description |
Windows Key Window | Toggle between the Start screen and the last-opened Windows Store app or the desktop. |
Window+1, Window+2, etc. | Switch to the desktop and launch the “nth” application in the taskbar. For example, Window+1 launches whichever application is first in the list, from left to right. |
Window+B | Switch to the desktop and set the focus to the tray notification area. |
Window+C | Display the charms and time/date/notification/battery overlay. |
Window+D | Switch to the desktop and toggle Show Desktop (hides/shows any applications and other windows). |
Window+E | Switch to the desktop and launch Windows Explorer with the Computer tab displayed. |
Window+F | Search using the Files search scope. |
Window+H | Open the Share charm. |
Window+I | Open the Settings charm. |
Window+J | Swap the foreground between the snapped and filled apps. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more. |
Window+K | Open the Devices charm. |
Window+L | Lock the PC and go to the Lock screen. |
Window+M | Switch to the desktop and minimize all open windows. |
Window+SHIFT+M | Switch to the desktop and restore all minimized windows. |
Window+O | Switch between landscape and portrait orientation on slate and tablet PCs. |
Window+P | Display the Second screen pane to choose between available projection options. |
Window+Q | Search using the Apps search scope. |
Window+R | Switch to the desktop and display theRun dialog box. |
Window+U | Switch to the desktop and launch the Ease of Access Center. |
Window+V | Cycle through toast notifications (transient messages). |
Window+W | Search using the Settings search scope. |
Window+SHIFT+V | Cycle through toast notifications in reverse order. |
Window+X | Open the advanced context menu in the lower-left corner of the screen. |
Window+Z | Open the app-specific bar of commands at the bottom of the screen. |
Window+ENTER | Launch Narrator. |
Window+SPACEBAR | Switch input language and keyboard layout. |
Window+TAB | Display app thumbnails of open Windows Store apps and cycle through apps. |
Window+SHIFT+TAB | Display app thumbnails of open Windows Store apps and cycle through apps in reverse order. |
Window+CTRL+TAB | Cycle through apps, snapping them as you go. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more. |
Window+, | Peek at the desktop. |
Window+. | Snap application to the left. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more. |
Window+SHIFT+. | Snap application to the right. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more. |
Window+PGUP | If you have multiple monitors, move theStart screen to the left monitor. |
Window+PGDN | If you have multiple monitors, move theStart screen to the right monitor. |
Window+Plus Sign | Zoom in. |
Window+Minus Sign | Zoom out. |
Window+ESCAPE | Close the Magnifier. |
Window+PRNT SCRN | Takes a picture of the screen and places it in the Pictures folder. |
HOME | Selects the first tile in the Start screen. |
END | Selects the last tile in the Start screen. |
PAGE UP | Moves the tile selection up by a page in the view. |
PAGE DOWN | Moves the tile selection down by a page in the view. |
SPACEBAR | Selects the first tile in the Start screen and displays options at the bottom of the screen. |
Desktop Shortcut Keys
You can use the following shortcut keys in the desktop. Many of these shortcuts also work in Windows 7.
Shortcut | Description |
Windows Key Window | Toggle between the desktop and theStart screen. |
Window+1, Window+2, etc. | Launch the “nth” application on the taskbar. For example, Window+1 launches whichever application is first in the list, from left to right. |
Window+SHIFT+1, Window+SHIFT+2, etc. | Launch a new instance of the application located at the “nth” position on the taskbar. |
Window+B | Set the focus to the tray notification area. |
Window+C | Display the charms and the time/date/notification/battery overlay. |
Window+D | Toggle Show Desktop (hides/shows any applications and other windows). |
Window+E | Launch Windows Explorer with theComputer tab displayed. |
Window+F | Search using the Files search scope. |
Window+I | Open the Desktop settings pane (provides access to Networks, Volume, Screen Brightness, Notifications, Power, and Language). |
Window+L | Lock the PC and go to the Lock screen. |
Window+M | Minimize all open windows. |
Window+SHIFT+M | Restore minimized windows. |
Window+O | Switch between landscape and portrait orientation on slate and tablet PCs. |
Window+P | Open the Second screen pane to choose between available projection options. |
Window+Q | Search using the Apps search scope. |
Window+R | Open the Run dialog box. |
Window+T | Set the focus to the taskbar and cycle through programs. |
Window+U | Open the Ease of Access Center. |
Window+W | Search using the Settings search scope. |
Window+X | Open the advanced context menu in the lower-left corner of the screen. |
Window+Plus Sign | Zoom in. |
Window+Minus Sign | Zoom out. |
Window+ESCAPE | Close the Magnifier. |
Window+LEFT ARROW | Dock the active window to the left half of the screen. |
Window+RIGHT ARROW | Dock the active window to the right half of the screen. |
Window+UP ARROW | Maximize the active window. |
Window+DOWN ARROW | Restore/minimize the active window. |
Window+SHIFT+UP ARROW | Maximize the active window vertically, maintaining the width. |
Window+SHIFT+DOWN ARROW | Restore/minimize the active window vertically, maintaining the width. |
Window+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW | For multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the left. |
Window+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW | For multiple monitors, move the active window to the monitor on the right. |
Window+HOME | Minimize all non-active windows; restore on second keystroke. |
Window+BREAK | Display the System dialog box. |
Window+PRNT SCRN | Takes a picture of the screen and places it in the Pictures folder. |
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