35 Keyboard Shortcuts That Increase Your Productivity in Windows 8

2/10/2015 35KeyboardShortcutsThatIncreaseYourProductivityinWindows8.1

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By Vlad Falon on 03/04/2014

While using Windows 8.1's new interface in a traditional way might require some time toaccommodate, the tasks of navigating through the operating system and its new apps canbe simplified by using the keyboard shortcuts that Microsoft has made available. Theshortcuts shared in this article were chosen by us while thinking what apps or settings you

might access or use on a regular basis. They are simple enough to be easily grasped by anyone andthey will help you be more productive in your daily tasks.

Shortcuts for the Start Screen and the Desktop

35 Keyboard Shortcuts That Increase YourProductivity in Windows 8.1



Windows Key = The action for this key depends on where you are when you press it. If you are onthe Desktop when you press it, it takes you to the Start screen. If you press it again, it takes you backto the Desktop. But, if you press it while in a Windows 8.1 app, it takes you to the Start screen. Press itagain and it takes you back to the app.

Ctrl + Tab = When using it on the Start screen, it switches between the Start screen and the Appsview. On the Desktop it does nothing. However, some web browsers will have the same shortcut forswitching between tabs e.g. Firefox or for creating new tabs e.g. Internet Explorer 11.

Windows Key + type an app name = When using it on the Desktop, it takes you to the Start screenand searches for installed apps using the name you typed in. When you are on the Start screen,pressing the Windows Key takes you to the Desktop. There you should only type the name of theapp you want to use.

Escape When using it on the Start screen, it closes the Start screen and switches to Desktop. Thisshortcut does nothing when you are on the Desktop.

Windows Key + E = Launches File Explorer both from the Desktop and the Start screen.

Windows Key + R = Launches the Run dialog that you can use to run programs or commands.

Windows Key + X = Launches a hidden menu with many useful shortcuts. This menu is also namedthe WinX menu or the power user's Start Menu.

Windows Key + L = Locks your Windows 8.1 PC or device and takes you to the Lock screen.

Windows Key + P = Opens the Project sidebar for extending your image to a second screen. If youhave multiple screens or if you are using a video projector, this sidebar allows you to choose how theimage should be displayed. You can keep the image on one screen, duplicate it, extend it to anotherscreen or only display things on a secondary screen.

Windows Key + F1 = Launches the Windows Help and Support documentation provided byMicrosoft.

Shortcuts for the Windows 8.1 Charm Bar & Modern Apps



Windows Key + C Displays the Charms bar. You can navigate through the charms with the arrowkeys on your keyboard.

Windows Key + Q = Launches the General Search. You can use this to search for files and settings onyour PC, the Internet, and OneDrive, as well as through installed apps and the Windows Store.

Windows Key + F = Launches the Files Search. You can use this to search for files on your PC andOneDrive.

Windows Key + W = Launches the Windows Settings Search. You can use this to search for specificoperating system settings by typing in certain keywords.

Windows Key + I = Displays the Settings charm. When using it on the Desktop, you can use thischarm to access the Control Panel, Personalization options, the System information section and theWindows Help and Support module. You also have access to the wifi settings, volume and brightnesscontrol, notifications, power buttons and keyboard settings. When using it from the Start screen, youcan use this charm to access the Start screen personalization options, tiles settings and the onlinehelp version for the Start screen. You can also use it when working with Windows 8.1 apps to accesstheir settings.

Windows Key + H = Launches the Share charm. When using it on the Desktop, you can use thischarm to share a desktop screenshot through the Mail app or other social network app that you haveinstalled. When using it on the Start screen, you can use it to share a screenshot of the Start screenthrough the same channels. You can also use it to share data from Windows 8.1 apps that you are



running.

Windows Key + K = Displays the Devices charm. Depending on the peripherals you have attached toyour computer or Windows 8.1 device, you will have the option to play multimedia files, printinformation from modern apps or show the information on your screen on another display or videoprojector. This charm can only be used in modern Windows 8.1 apps.

Windows Key + Z = When using it on the Start screen, it displays the Start screen customizationbutton at the bottom of the screen. When using it in modern apps, it displays different contextualoptions for each app.

Shortcuts for Switching Between Apps and Windows

Alt + Tab = Repeatedly pressing the Tab key while holding Alt pressed cycles through openwindows and apps. Release the Tab key on the window or app that you want to open.Windows Key + Tab = Repeatedly pressing the Tab key while holding the Windows Key pressedcycles through open modern apps while displaying them in a vertical sidebar at the left side of thescreen. Release the Tab key on the app that you want to open.

Ctrl + Alt + Tab = When pressed together, this combination of keys displays the list of openwindows and apps and keeps the list on screen even after you release the keys. You can then navigatethrough open windows and apps using the arrow keys.



Ctrl + Windows Key + Tab = When pressed together, this combination of keys displays the sidebarof open apps and keeps the sidebar on screen even after you release the keys. You can then navigatethrough open apps using the up/down arrow keys.

Shortcuts for Managing Desktop Windows

Windows Key + Arrow Up = When using it on the Desktop, it maximizes the current window acrossthe screen. If the window is already maximized it has no effect. Also, it doesn't work on the Startscreen.

Windows Key + Arrow Down = When using it on the Desktop in a maximized window, it restoresthe current window's size. Pressing it again while the window is restored causes the window to beminimized to the taskbar. If the window is already minimized it has no effect.Windows Key + Shift Key + Arrow Up = When using it on the Desktop, it maximizes the currentwindow vertically.

Windows Key + Shift Key + Arrow Left/Right = Moves the current window to the left or the rightmonitor. This works only when using multiple monitors.

Windows Key + Arrow Left/Right = When using it on the Desktop, it moves the current window tothe left or right half of the screen. Pressing Windows Key + Arrow Left while the window is at theright of the screen, for example, restores the window. Pressing the combination again moves thewindow to the left half of the screen and vice versa. This can be used across multiple monitors.

Alt + Space = When using it on the Desktop, it launches the title bar menu of the current window.You can also access this menu by right clicking the title bar of the current window. The menugenerally includes options to resize the window and other application specific options. Using thiswhile on the Start screen has no effect.

F11 = When using it in desktop applications that are part of Windows 8.1, like File Explorer or InternetExplorer, it enables or disables the full screen view for the current window. Some thirdpartyapplications might support while many do not.

Shortcuts for the Windows 8.1 Taskbar



Windows Key + T = When using it on the Desktop, it highlights the first application in the taskbar.You can use the arrow keys to cycle through the taskbar applications. The applications that arerunning also display a thumbnail above their icon when you select them.

Windows Key + B = This works both on the Desktop and the Start screen. If the Notification AreaIcons are set to "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar", this keyboard shortcuthighlights the first application in the system tray. You can use the arrow keys to cycle through all theapplications found in the system tray. If the "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar" isdisabled, this keyboard shortcut highlights the "Show hidden icons" arrow. You can then press Enter todisplay the hidden icons or use the arrow keys to cycle through the applications found in the systemtray.

Shift + click on a taskbar application = Launches a new instance of the selected application. Thisworks only with applications which support running in multiple instances, like Microsoft Office orInternet browsers.

Ctrl + Shift + click on a taskbar application = Launches a new instance of the selected applicationwith administrator rights. This works only with applications which support running in multipleinstances, like Microsoft Office or Internet browsers.

Shift + right click on a taskbar application = Launches the contextual menu for that applicationinstead of the list with recent items or pinned tasks or folders.

Windows Key + number keys 1 through 9 = Launches the taskbar application at the specifiedposition. You can find more information about this in our dedicated article, Taskbar Productivity Tips& Shortcuts.

Conclusion

We tried to share a selection with the most useful keyboard shortcuts available in Windows 8.1. Wedidn't give you everything, only those that you are more likely to consider useful when using thisoperating system, its apps and features.Let us know if you enjoy our collection and if you would like to know the keyboard shortcuts forperforming actions that were not presented in this guide.

Discover more: Best of 7 Tutorials Tutorials Ease of Access Programs Windows 8

Related articles:

Quick Tip: How To Launch Any Executable With a Keyboard CombinationHow To Quickly Open Multiple Windows for the Same ApplicationDownload The Biggest Library of Windows 7 & Windows 8 Shortcuts



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35 Keyboard Shortcuts That Increase Your Productivity in Windows 8