Windows8 Desktop Keyboard Shortcuts
I hope everyone of you have installed Windows8 on at least one of your machines by now. With the change in Design and Architecture, you will need to Keyboard Shortcuts to perform many tasks that you are used to with the Classic Start button OR Old versions of Windows.
To ease some of these frequent tasks and enjoy the experience and robustness of Windows8, I would like to point you to the Keyboard Shortcuts which will help you adapt to the Modern Design and use Windows8 in a more efficient way.
Some of the Shortcuts are already available with earlier versions of Windows.
Enjoy your Windows8 Experience!!!
Keyboard Shortcut |
Details |
Windows + I |
Window Restart, Shutdown, Sleep, Taskbar Notification Icons like Network, Sound Control, Brightness, Notifications, Keyboard. |
Windows + X |
Menu for frequent Administrator Tasks |
Windows + 0 |
Opens 10th application on taskbar with Normal Privileges. You can use the following values for applications on Taskbar.
You can rearrange your applications on taskbar according your choice and priority to take advantage of this shortcut. |
Windows +Ctrl + Shift + 0 |
Opens 10th application on taskbar with Elevated Privileges. You can use the following values for applications on Taskbar.
You can rearrange your applications on taskbar according your choice and priority to take advantage of this shortcut. |
Windows + C |
This shortcut gives you view the Settings, Devices, Start, Share & Search. This is the same option that comes when you move the mouse to the extreme bottom right corner. |
Ctrl + Shift + Esc |
Task Manager |
Windows |
Toggle between Modern Desktop & Legacy Desktop |
Windows + D |
Takes you to Legacy Windows Desktop. If you press this key from the Modern Desktop, this takes you to the currently active application on the Legacy Desktop. If you press this key from the Legacy Desktop, this displays the Desktop. Pressing the same key combination, will Toggle Between the Legacy Desktop and Active Application on the Legacy Desktop Only Legacy Desktop shown when all applications are in a minimized state |
Windows + B |
From the Modern Desktop, this takes you to the currently active application on the Legacy Desktop. If all application are in minimized state on Legacy Desktop, this command will take you to the Legacy Desktop. No effect when used from a Legacy Desktop. |
Windows + M |
From the Modern Desktop, this takes you to the Legacy Desktop and minimizes all applications on the Legacy Desktop When used from a Legacy Desktop, minimizes all applications. If all application are in minimized state on Legacy Desktop, this command will take you to the Legacy Desktop. |
Windows + Q |
Displays Apps windows with all apps and Search Bar |
Windows + W |
Displays Search Settings. |
Windows + E |
Windows Explorer displaying Computer Folder. Same as clicking on My Computer. |
Windows + R |
Display Run window. |
Windows+ T |
Displays the Window Group Thumbnails on your taskbar. This is equivalent of hovering the mouse over the Taskbar Icons. Each time you press the Windows + T combination, the next application group is displayed |
Windows+ U |
Displays Ease of Access Center |
Windows+ P |
Option to Extend the display. |
Windows+ + |
Zoom Windows |
Windows+ F |
Search Files |
Windows+ H |
Display Share options |
Windows+ K |
Display Devices to Share with. |
Windows+ < |
Preview Legacy Desktop |
Windows+ L |
Lock the Computer |
Comments
Anonymous
August 10, 2012
As a developer I only intend to run this in a VM to support any customers that do decide to upgrade but the prevailing opinion of everyone so far is that they do not intend to even consider a roll out. "Legacy desktop" and "Modern desktop" are probably perfect indicators for why they don't intend to do so. My big corporate customers are planning to finish rolling out Windows 7 and then perform a migration to Linux as they see that as the more compatible route (yes, I've had WINE mentioned to me) so no amount of key commands will improve that situation :(.Anonymous
August 10, 2012
What an utter disaster. You've gone from an easily discoverable user interface and user experience with Windows XP then Windows 7 to a completely invisible, undiscoverable user interface with Windows 8. And you think the solution is for people to memorise an arbitrary list of keyboard shortcuts? It's insulting. A real shame. And you're going to get a pasting come October (which none of us want to happen).Anonymous
August 12, 2012
"you WILL need to Keyboard Shortcuts to perform many tasks that you are used to with the Classic Start" this is simply insulting. And the main reason for my switch to linux years ago.Anonymous
August 15, 2012
You made a mistake. Windows + b takes you to the notification area.Anonymous
September 08, 2012
Wonderful work! This is the kind of info that should be shared across the internet. but I must tell you, you have collected really nice shortcuts but missed many shortcuts. Please Come over and visit my website . Thanks :)Anonymous
September 30, 2012
I would like to add this Keyboard Shortcut: Windows + - (if used as opposite of Windows + +).Anonymous
October 05, 2012
The comment has been removedAnonymous
October 10, 2012
Most of these shortcuts useless(NOT USER FRIENDLY). For example "Windows + Ctrl + Shift + 0" is it simple to press ?????? Is there any shortcut for Cascading of windows,etc... ? Switching between multiple windows is also difficult.Anonymous
November 22, 2012
YOU can download a start button from stardock called start8 that works the same as the one in widows 7 I use it and it works perfectly you can also use it to make the windows key work for it as well as boot to the desktop I am running it on my vaio it works great it does cost like 5 dollars but you get a free trial.Anonymous
January 10, 2013
The comment has been removedAnonymous
March 21, 2013
thx. Windows + Q would make my life much easier.Anonymous
November 22, 2014
Nice Article, You can find more here - codesupport.info/top-windows-8-shortcut-keys-know