Following on from the first post in this series, we shall look at, in my opinion, the nicest of all shortcut keys - Windows 8 shortcut key.
Over the years, I have lived through most of Microsoft’s Windows operating systems and with the arrival of Windows 8 with its new Metro look and feel and Windows 8 applications, this is probably the biggest jump in the user experience since the launch of Windows 95.
I am not a great fan of the new experience. Primarily the age old issue of change is the biggest problem and having to find the ‘new’ ways of doing things is always a pain. Don’t get me wrong, I do like change (as long as it is me instigating it).
With Windows 7 and below, I was always aware that Windows shortcut keys existed but my requirement for them was very small. Most things were there, in your face, waiting to be used. Windows 8 has made me revisit my shortcut requirements and having done a little digging, have come across some real charmers that have made my life that little bit easier.
Shortcut Key |
Action |
+ Tab |
Cycles forwards through the Windows 8 Applications. This does not include desktop applications. |
+ Shift + Tab |
Cycles backwards through the Windows 8 Applications. This does not include desktop applications. |
+ . |
Cycles through the open Windows 8 applications. |
+ Shift + . |
Cycles through the open Windows 8 applications in reverse. |
+ D |
Displays or hides the desktop. |
+ , |
Peek at the desktop. |
+ M |
Minimizes all of the open windows. |
+ M |
Restores all windows. |
+ T |
Cycle through the applications on the taskbar. |
+ B |
Set the focus to the notification area. |
+ Ctrl + B |
Switch to the application that is currently displaying a notification. |
+ V |
Cycles through the notifications. |
+ Shift + V |
Cycles through the notifications in reverse. |
+ Up Arrow |
Maximises the current window. |
+ Down Arrow |
Minimises the current windows or hides the current Windows 8 application. |
+ Left Arrow |
Docks the current window to the left side of the current screen. |
+ Right Arrow |
Docks the current window to the right side of the current screen. |
+ Shift + Up Arrow |
Makes the current window the full height of the screen. |
+ Shift + Down Arrow |
Restores the current window to the original height. |
+ Shift + Left Arrow |
Moves the current application to the previous screen. |
+ Shift + Right Arrow |
Moves the current application to the next screen. |
+ Home |
Minimises or restores all other windows. |
Shortcut Key |
Action |
+ C |
Displays the Charms selector. |
+ F |
Opens the Search charm to search for files. |
+ Q |
Opens the Search charm to everywhere or within the current application is supported. |
+ S |
Opens the Search charm to search Windows and the Internet. |
+ W |
Opens the Search charm to search settings. |
+ H |
Opens the Share charm. |
+ I |
Opens the Settings charm. |
+ K |
Opens the Devices charm. |
Shortcut Key |
Action |
+ R |
Displays the Run dialog box. |
+ E |
Opens Windows Explorer. |
+ Number |
Starts the application pinned to the taskbar in the position of the number pressed. If the application is already running, the current instance of the application will be displayed. |
+ Shift + Number |
Starts a new instance of the application pinned to the taskbar in the position of the number pressed. |
+ Ctrl + Number |
Switches to the last active instance of the application pinned to the taskbar in the position of the number pressed. |
+ Ctrl + Shift + Number |
Starts a new instance of the application pinned to the taskbar in the position of the number pressed as an administrator. |
Shortcut Key |
Action |
+ F1 |
Launches the Windows Help and Support system. |
+ L |
Locks Windows. |
+ O |
Locks the orientation of mobile devices. |
+ P |
Switches between presentation display modes. |
+ U |
Opens the Ease of Access Center. |
+ X |
Displays the Quick Link menu. |
+ Z |
Shows the commands available in the current application if supported. |
+ Pause |
Displays the System Properties window. |
+ Ctrl + F |
Launches the Find Computers window. |
+ Enter |
Activates the Narrator. |
+ Plus or Minus |
Activates the Magnifier and either zooms in or out respectively. |
+ Esc |
Deactivates the Magnifier. |
+ Space |
Switches the input language and keyboard layout. |
+ Ctrl + Space |
Switches to the previous input language and keyboard layout. |
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