Microsoft Windows 8 (Windows)
Windows Explorer - Select Items in File List and Navigation Pane
Select multiple adjacent items (directly above or below)
Shift + Arrow Up / Arrow Down
All hotkeys for Microsoft Windows 8 (Windows)
Windows Explorer - BasicsStart Windows Explorer |
Win + E |
Windows Explorer - BasicsGo up one folder |
Alt + Arrow Up |
Windows Explorer - BasicsGo to previous folder / go to next folder |
Alt + Arrow Left / Alt + Arrow Right |
Windows Explorer - BasicsSwitch focus forward/ backward between Address bar, Search Bar, Toolbar, Navigation Pane, and File List (Default is usually File List) |
Tab / Shift + Tab |
Windows Explorer - BasicsJump to the Address bar and select absolute address. Copy address with ctrl+c if desired |
Alt + D or F4 |
Windows Explorer - BasicsJump to Search Box in Explorer |
Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F |
Windows Explorer - BasicsOpen new instance of Windows Explorer |
Ctrl + N |
Windows Explorer - BasicsToggle full-screen mode |
F11 |
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation PaneNavigate between files and folders |
Arrow Keys |
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation PaneOpen folder or start application |
Enter |
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation PaneJump to first / jump to last item |
Home / End |
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation PaneChange the file name of active item |
F2 |
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation PaneMove one character to the left / to the right in item name |
F2 , then Arrow Left / Arrow Right |
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation PaneJump one word to the left / to the right of item name |
F2 , then Ctrl + Arrow Left / Arrow Right |
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation PaneJump to beginning / jump to end of item name |
F2 , then Home / End |
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation PaneSelect all/ complete object name including suffix (default excludes suffix) |
F2 , then Ctrl + A |
Windows Explorer - Navigate File List and Navigation PaneExpand folder / collapse folder (navigation pane only) |
Arrow Left / Arrow Right |
Windows Explorer - File List ViewsDisplay or hide Preview Pane |
Alt + P |
Windows Explorer - File List ViewsView details. Check View menu for more options |
Alt + V then D |
Windows Explorer - File List ViewsView extra-large icons. Check View menu for more options |
Alt + V then X |
Windows Explorer - File List ViewsChange size of icons |
Ctrl +mouse scroll wheel |
Windows Explorer - Select Items in File List and Navigation PaneSelect multiple adjacent items (directly above or below) |
Shift + Arrow Up / Arrow Down |
Windows Explorer - Select Items in File List and Navigation PaneSelect multiple non-adjacent items. Hold ctrl, use arrow keys to move to next item, and press space to add/remove from selection |
Ctrl with Arrow keys and Space |
Windows Explorer - Select Items in File List and Navigation PaneSelect all |
Ctrl + A |
Windows Explorer - Select Items in File List and Navigation PanePress the initial letter any item to jump to it. Continue typing the full name if multiple items start with the same letter |
A ... Z and 1 .. 9 |
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in ExplorerCopy, Cut, Paste |
Ctrl + C , ctrl + X , ctrl + V |
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in ExplorerUndo an action |
Ctrl + Z |
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in ExplorerRedo an action |
Ctrl + Y |
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in ExplorerDelete an item and place it into the Recycle Bin |
Delete |
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in ExplorerDelete an item permanently without placing it into the Recycle Bin |
Shift + Delete |
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in ExplorerActivate 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 |
Shift + F10 |
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in ExplorerCreate new folder |
Ctrl + Shift + N |
Windows Explorer - Manage Items in ExplorerOpen Properties dialog box |
Alt + Enter |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopToggle between Desktop and Start Screen (or open Apps) |
Win |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopOn Start Screen: Switch Between Start Window and All Apps Window |
Ctrl + Tab |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopOpen All Apps Window |
Win , then Ctrl + Tab |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopSearch and execute Apps |
Win , then start typing App Name |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopClose Start Screen and go to Desktop |
Escape |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopRun Explorer on Desktop |
Win + E |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopExecute Run on Desktop |
Win + R |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopOpen Power User Commands on Desktop |
Win + X |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopShutdown Windows |
Alt + F4 |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopLock Computer |
Win + L |
Getting around Windows 8 Start Screen and DesktopOpen Windows Help |
Win + F1 |
Windows 8 Charme ShortcutsOpen Windows Charme. Use arrow keys and enter to select item. Press |
Win + C |
Windows 8 Charme ShortcutsSearch Charme / last search option |
Win + Q |
Windows 8 Charme ShortcutsSearch Files |
Win + F |
Windows 8 Charme ShortcutsSearch Windows Settings |
Win + W |
Windows 8 Charme ShortcutsOpen Settings including Desktop, Control Panel, Personalization, PC Info, Help |
Win + I |
Windows 8 Charme ShortcutsShare Charme |
Win + H |
Windows 8 Charme ShortcutsDevice Charme |
Win + K |
Windows 8 Charme ShortcutsSearch Settings |
Win + S |
Windows 8 Charme ShortcutsSearch Files |
Win + F |
Windows 8 Charme ShortcutsShow Options / App Bar in current Metro Apps if available. |
Win + Z |
Switch between Apps and WindowsCycle 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. |
Alt + Tab and Alt + Shift + Tab |
Switch between Apps and WindowsCycle between open Apps without having to keep Alt pressed. Press keys once, then use Arrow keys and Enter to select Window/App. |
Ctrl + Alt + Tab then Arrow Keys |
Switch between Apps and WindowsSame as Alt+Tab, but only includes Apps only, not Windows on Desktop |
Win + Tab and Win + Shift + Tab |
Switch between Apps and WindowsSame as Ctrl+Alt+Tab, but only includes Apps, not Desktop Windows |
Ctrl + Win + Tab , then Arrow keys |
Power User Commands ShortcutsControl Panel |
Win + X , P |
Power User Commands ShortcutsTask Manager |
Win + X , T |
Power User Commands ShortcutsFile Explorer (alternative: Win+e) |
Win + X , E |
Power User Commands ShortcutsRun (alternative: Win+r) |
Win + X , R |
Power User Commands ShortcutsDesktop (alternative: Win+d) |
Win + X , D |
Power User Commands ShortcutsPrograms and Features |
Win + X , F |
Power User Commands ShortcutsCommand Prompt |
Win + X , C |
Power User Commands ShortcutsElevated Command Prompt (Admin) |
Win + X , A |
Power User Commands ShortcutsSystem Information |
Win + X , Y |
Power User Commands ShortcutsDevice Manager |
Win + X , M |
Power User Commands ShortcutsComputer Management |
Win + X , G |
Power User Commands ShortcutsMobility Center |
Win + X , B |
Power User Commands ShortcutsPower Options |
Win + X , O |
Power User Commands ShortcutsEvent Viewer |
Win + X , V |
Power User Commands ShortcutsDisk Management |
Win + X , K |
Power User Commands ShortcutsSearch |
Win + X , S |
Managing Windows 8 Desktop WindowsGo to desktop / switch between Desktop and Start Screen or Apps |
Win |
Managing Windows 8 Desktop WindowsMaximize Window across screen |
Win + Arrow Up |
Managing Windows 8 Desktop WindowsMinimize Window (if Restored) or set Window to Restored (if Maximized) |
Win + Arrow Down |
Managing Windows 8 Desktop WindowsMaximixe Window vertically |
Win + Shift + Arrow Up |
Managing Windows 8 Desktop WindowsMove Window to left/center/right. Works across multiple monitors |
Win + Arrow Right / Arrow Left |
Managing Windows 8 Desktop WindowsMove window to left monitor / to right monitor when using multiple monitors |
Win + Shift + Arrow Right / Arrow Left " |
Managing Windows 8 Desktop WindowsOpens the title bar menu |
Alt + Space |
Managing Windows 8 Desktop WindowsTurn full page view on or off |
F11 |
Managing Windows 8 Desktop WindowsClose Window |
Alt + Q |
Windows 8 TaskbarGo to first item in Taskbar, continue with arrow keys |
Win + T |
Windows 8 TaskbarGo to first item in System Tray |
Win + B |
Windows 8 TaskbarStart new instance of Taskbar item |
Shift +click on a taskbar item |
Windows 8 TaskbarStart new instance of Taskbar item as administrator |
Ctrl + Shift +click on a taskbar item |
Windows 8 TaskbarShow the window menu for the program |
Shift +right-click on a taskbar item |
Windows 8 TaskbarSwitch to application in position N on Taskbar (or launch pinned application) |
Win + 1 ... 9 |
Windows 8 TaskbarStart new instance of taskbar item in position N on Taskbar |
Shift + Win + 1 ... 9 |
Navigating DesktopNavigate between and select single icons on desktop (when focus is on the desktop) |
Arrow Keys |
Navigating DesktopSelect first / select last object on desktop |
Home / End |
Navigating DesktopLaunch active object |
Enter |
Navigating DesktopActivate 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 |
Shift + F10 |
Navigating DesktopNavigate between desktop, the quick-launch bar, task bar and notification bar. Then use arrow keys and enter or space to activate specific icons |
Tab , Shift + Tab on empty desktop |
Navigating DesktopPressing 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 |
A , B , C , ... |
The RestOpen Ease of Access Center |
Win + U |
The RestProjector or second screen settings. |
Win + P |
The RestChange keyboard language layout if multiple language layouts are active* |
Alt + Shift |