Hotkeys and shortcuts for Microsoft Windows 8 (Windows)

(Total 99)

Win + E
Windows Explorer - Basics
Start Windows Explorer
Alt + Arrow Up
Windows Explorer - Basics
Go up one folder
Alt + Arrow Left / Alt + Arrow Right
Windows Explorer - Basics
Go to previous folder / go to next folder
Tab / Shift + Tab
Windows Explorer - Basics
Switch focus forward/ backward between Address bar, Search Bar, Toolbar, Navigation Pane, and File List (Default is usually File List)
Alt + D or F4
Windows Explorer - Basics
Jump to the Address bar and select absolute address. Copy address with ctrl+c if desired
Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F
Windows Explorer - Basics
Jump to Search Box in Explorer
Ctrl + N
Windows Explorer - Basics
Open new instance of Windows Explorer
F11
Windows Explorer - Basics
Toggle full-screen mode
Arrow Keys
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation Pane
Navigate between files and folders
Enter
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation Pane
Open folder or start application
Home / End
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation Pane
Jump to first / jump to last item
F2
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation Pane
Change the file name of active item
F2 , then Arrow Left / Arrow Right
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation Pane
Move one character to the left / to the right in item name
F2 , then Ctrl + Arrow Left / Arrow Right
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation Pane
Jump one word to the left / to the right of item name
F2 , then Home / End
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation Pane
Jump to beginning / jump to end of item name
F2 , then Ctrl + A
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation Pane
Select all/ complete object name including suffix (default excludes suffix)
Arrow Left / Arrow Right
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation Pane
Expand folder / collapse folder (navigation pane only)
Alt + P
Windows Explorer - File List Views
Display or hide Preview Pane
Alt + V then D
Windows Explorer - File List Views
View details. Check View menu for more options
Alt + V then X
Windows Explorer - File List Views
View extra-large icons. Check View menu for more options
Ctrl +mouse scroll wheel
Windows Explorer - File List Views
Change size of icons
Shift + Arrow Up / Arrow Down
Windows Explorer - Select Items in File List and Navigation Pane
Select multiple adjacent items (directly above or below)
Ctrl with Arrow keys and Space
Windows Explorer - Select Items in File List and Navigation Pane
Select multiple non-adjacent items. Hold ctrl, use arrow keys to move to next item, and press space to add/remove from selection
Ctrl + A
Windows Explorer - Select Items in File List and Navigation Pane
Select all
A ... Z and 1 .. 9
Windows Explorer - Select Items in File List and Navigation Pane
Press the initial letter any item to jump to it. Continue typing the full name if multiple items start with the same letter
Ctrl + C , ctrl + X , ctrl + V
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in Explorer
Copy, Cut, Paste
Ctrl + Z
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in Explorer
Undo an action
Ctrl + Y
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in Explorer
Redo an action
Delete
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in Explorer
Delete an item and place it into the Recycle Bin
Shift + Delete
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in Explorer
Delete an item permanently without placing it into the Recycle Bin
Shift + F10
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in Explorer
Activate context menu of active object. Replaces the right mouse button. Once in the context menu use arrow keys, a-z and enter to get to the selection
Ctrl + Shift + N
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in Explorer
Create new folder
Alt + Enter
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in Explorer
Open Properties dialog box
Win
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Toggle between Desktop and Start Screen (or open Apps)
Ctrl + Tab
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
On Start Screen: Switch Between Start Window and All Apps Window
Win , then Ctrl + Tab
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Open All Apps Window
Win , then start typing App Name
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Search and execute Apps
Escape
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Close Start Screen and go to Desktop
Win + E
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Run Explorer on Desktop
Win + R
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Execute Run on Desktop
Win + X
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Open Power User Commands on Desktop
Alt + F4
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Shutdown Windows
Win + L
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Lock Computer
Win + F1
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and Desktop
Open Windows Help
Win + C
Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Open Windows Charme. Use arrow keys and enter to select item. Press
Win + Q
Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Search Charme / last search option
Win + F
Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Search Files
Win + W
Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Search Windows Settings
Win + I
Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Open Settings including Desktop, Control Panel, Personalization, PC Info, Help
Win + H
Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Share Charme
Win + K
Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Device Charme
Win + S
Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Search Settings
Win + F
Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Search Files
Win + Z
Windows 8 Charme Shortcuts
Show Options / App Bar in current Metro Apps if available.
Alt + Tab and Alt + Shift + Tab
Switch between Apps and Windows
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
Switch between Apps and Windows
Cycle between open Apps without having to keep Alt pressed. Press keys once, then use Arrow keys and Enter to select Window/App.
Win + Tab and Win + Shift + Tab
Switch between Apps and Windows
Same as Alt+Tab, but only includes Apps only, not Windows on Desktop
Ctrl + Win + Tab , then Arrow keys
Switch between Apps and Windows
Same as Ctrl+Alt+Tab, but only includes Apps, not Desktop Windows
Win + X , P
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Control Panel
Win + X , T
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Task Manager
Win + X , E
Power User Commands Shortcuts
File Explorer (alternative: Win+e)
Win + X , R
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Run (alternative: Win+r)
Win + X , D
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Desktop (alternative: Win+d)
Win + X , F
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Programs and Features
Win + X , C
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Command Prompt
Win + X , A
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Elevated Command Prompt (Admin)
Win + X , Y
Power User Commands Shortcuts
System Information
Win + X , M
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Device Manager
Win + X , G
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Computer Management
Win + X , B
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Mobility Center
Win + X , O
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Power Options
Win + X , V
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Event Viewer
Win + X , K
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Disk Management
Win + X , S
Power User Commands Shortcuts
Search
Win
Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
Go to desktop / switch between Desktop and Start Screen or Apps
Win + Arrow Up
Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
Maximize Window across screen
Win + Arrow Down
Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
Minimize Window (if Restored) or set Window to Restored (if Maximized)
Win + Shift + Arrow Up
Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
Maximixe Window vertically
Win + Arrow Right / Arrow Left
Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
Move Window to left/center/right. Works across multiple monitors
Win + Shift + Arrow Right / Arrow Left "
Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
Move window to left monitor / to right monitor when using multiple monitors
Alt + Space
Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
Opens the title bar menu
F11
Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
Turn full page view on or off
Alt + Q
Managing Windows 8 Desktop Windows
Close Window
Win + T
Windows 8 Taskbar
Go to first item in Taskbar, continue with arrow keys
Win + B
Windows 8 Taskbar
Go to first item in System Tray
Shift +click on a taskbar item
Windows 8 Taskbar
Start new instance of Taskbar item
Ctrl + Shift +click on a taskbar item
Windows 8 Taskbar
Start new instance of Taskbar item as administrator
Shift +right-click on a taskbar item
Windows 8 Taskbar
Show the window menu for the program
Win + 1 ... 9
Windows 8 Taskbar
Switch to application in position N on Taskbar (or launch pinned application)
Shift + Win + 1 ... 9
Windows 8 Taskbar
Start new instance of taskbar item in position N on Taskbar
Arrow Keys
Navigating Desktop
Navigate between and select single icons on desktop (when focus is on the desktop)
Home / End
Navigating Desktop
Select first / select last object on desktop
Enter
Navigating Desktop
Launch active object
Shift + F10
Navigating Desktop
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
Navigating 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 , ...
Navigating Desktop
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
Win + U
The Rest
Open Ease of Access Center
Win + P
The Rest
Projector or second screen settings.
Alt + Shift
The Rest
Change keyboard language layout if multiple language layouts are active*