Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts
Each version of Microsoft Windows since Windows 95 has introduced new keyboard shortcuts using the “Windows” key. At first there were only a few keyboard shortcuts, and most of them haven’t been that useful. Windows Vista is the operating system that added the most keyboard shortcut changes, since there were a ton of new features that could be executed and Windows 7 added a few more.
Windows 8 has added 16 new keyboard shortcuts, thanks mostly to its confusing Metro UI. Some familiar keyboard shortcuts have been replaced with “Metro-ized” versions, such as Flip 3D. There are even more keyboard shortcuts to open new Charms features, and to manipulate Metro programs around the screen.
The Windows 8 Charms Bar (left) and Search Charm (right)
We have for you the complete list of Windows keyboard shortcuts (even back to Windows 3.1 days), and tell you which ones no longer work on Windows 8.
Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts
| Combo | Function |
| Win + C | Open Charms Bar |
| Win + Q | Open Search Charm |
| Win + H | Open Share Charm |
| Win + K | Open Devices Charm |
| Win + I | Open Settings Charm |
| Win + W | Search Windows Settings |
| Win + F | Search Files |
| Win + Z | Open Metro App Options |
| Win + Tab | Cycle to next open app (replaces Flip 3D) |
| Win + . | Snap Metro App Left |
| Win + Shift + . | Snap Metro App Right |
| Win + PgUp (or Win + PgDn) | Move Metro desktop between displays |
| Alt + F4 | Close Metro app |
| Win + D | Open the Windows Desktop (or toggle minimize if already on desktop) |
| Win + B | Switch Back to Windows Desktop |
| Win + X | Open Fast-Access Menu (with links to system tools, Mobility Center, and Command Prompt) |
Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts
| Combo | Function | W8? |
| Win + Home | Clear all but the active window | No |
| Win + Space | All Windows become transparent to reveal the desktop. Similar to hovering your mouse over “Show Desktop” on the taskbar | Yes |
| Win + Up | Maximize the active window. | Yes |
| Win + Down | Minimize the active window (restore if the window is maximized) | Yes |
| Win + Left or Right arrow | Dock the window to either side of the monitor. | Yes |
| Win + Shift + Left or Right arrow | Dock the window to the side of the adjacent monitor (only with multiple monitors) | Yes |
| Win + T | Focus and scroll through items on the taskbar | Yes |
| Win + P | Adjust presentation settings for your display | Yes |
| Win + (Plus) or (Minus) | Zooms in or out (very cool) | Yes |
| Shift + Click a taskbar icon | Opens a new instance of that application. Very useful when you need to open a new instance of Word, Firefox or IE | Yes |
Windows Vista keyboard shortcuts
| Combo | Function | Windows 8? |
| Win + Tab | Windows Flip 3D | Metro switcher |
| Win | Simply tap to toggle the Start menu | switch between Metro and Desktop |
| Win + Break | Display System Properties | Yes |
| Win + D | Toggle the Desktop | Yes |
| Win + M | Minimize all windows | Yes |
| Win + Shift + M | Restore all minimized windows | No |
| Win + E | Open File Explorer | Yes |
| Win + F | Search for file or folder | Yes |
| Win + F1 | Windows Help | Yes |
| Win + L | Lock the keyboard | Yes |
| Win + R | Open the Run dialog box | Yes |
| Win + U | Open Utility Manager | “Ease of Access” Center |
In Windows 8, pressing Alt shows the keyboard shortcuts for menu items.
Common keyboard shortcuts
| Combo | Function | W8? |
| Ctrl + C | Copy | Y |
| CTRL+X | Cut | Y |
| CTRL+V | Paste | Y |
| CTRL+Z | Undo | Y |
| DELETE | Delete | Y |
| SHIFT+DELETE | Delete item permanently | Y |
| CTRL while dragging an item | Copy selected item | Y |
| CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item | Create shortcut of item | Y |
| F2 key | Rename item | Y |
| CTRL+RIGHT ARROW | Move cursor to beginning of the next word | Y |
| CTRL+LEFT ARROW | Move cursor to beginning of previous word | Y |
| CTRL+DOWN ARROW | Move cursor to beginning of next paragraph | Y |
| CTRL+UP ARROW | Move cursor to beginning of previous paragraph | Y |
| CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys | Highlight block of text | Y |
| SHIFT with any of the arrow keys | Select more than one item in a window, select text in a document | Y |
| CTRL+A | Select all | Y |
| F3 key | Search for file or folder | Y |
| ALT+ENTER | View properties for selected item | Y |
| ALT+F4 | Close active item or program | Y |
| ALT+ENTER | Display properties of selected object | Y |
| ALT+SPACEBAR | Open shortcut menu for active window | Y |
| CTRL+F4 | Close active document in programs that allow multiple open documents | Y |
| ALT+TAB | Switch between open items | Y |
| ALT+ESC | Cycle through items in the order they have been opened | N |
| F6 key | Cycle through screen elements in window or desktop | N |
| F4 key | Display Address bar list in Windows Explorer | Y |
| SHIFT+F10 | Display shortcut menu for selected item | Y |
| ALT+SPACEBAR | Display System menu for active window | Y |
| CTRL+ESC | Display Start Menu | N |
| ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name | Display corresponding menu | Y |
| Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu | Perform corresponding command | Y |
| F10 key | Activate the menu bar in the active program | Y |
| RIGHT ARROW | Open the next menu to the right or open submenu | Y |
| LEFT ARROW | Open next menu to left, or close submenu | Y |
| F5 key | Update the active window | Y |
| BACKSPACE | View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer | Y |
| ESC | Cancel the current task | Y |
| SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive | Prevent CD-ROM from automatically playing | Y |
| CTRL+SHIFT+ESC | Open Task Manager | Y |
| PrtScn | Takes a screenshot of your desktop and copies to clipboard | Y |
| Alt + PrtScn | Takes a screenshot of the active window and copies to clipboard | Y |
| Ctrl + Alt + Delete | Option Menu to lock computer, switch user, log off or change password | Y |
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