List of Windows 8 Shortcut Keys
Some of the shortcut keys are used on Start screen and some other keys are used in desktop.
Ctrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-) - Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen
Ctrl+scroll wheel - Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screenWindows logo key+C - Open the CharmsWindows logo key+C - Open the commands for the app
Windows logo key+F - Open the Search charm to search files
Windows logo key+H - Open the Share charm
Windows logo key+I - Open the Settings charm
Windows logo key+J - Switch the main app and snapped app
Windows logo key+K - Open the Devices charm
Windows logo key+O - Lock the device orientation
Windows logo key+Q - Open the Search charm to search apps
Windows logo key+V - Cycle through notifications
Windows logo key+Shift+V - Cycle through notifications in reverse order
Windows logo key+W - Open the Search charm to search settings
Windows logo key+, - Temporarily peek at the desktop
Windows logo key+Z - Show the commands available in the app
Windows logo key+spacebar - Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows logo key+Ctrl+spacebar - Change to a previously selected input
Windows logo key+Tab - Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key+Ctrl+Tab - Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled
Windows logo key+Shift+Tab - Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
Windows logo key+PgUp - Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)
Windows logo key+PgDown - Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)
Windows logo key+Shift+period (.) - Snaps an app to the left
Windows logo key+period (.) - Snaps an app to the right
General Key Board Shortcuts
F1 - Display HelpF2 - Rename the selected itemF3 - Search for a file or folderF4 - Display the address bar list in Windows ExplorerF5 - Refresh the active windowF6 - Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktopF10 - Activate the menu bar in the active appAlt+F4 - Close the active item, or exit the active appAlt+Esc - Cycle through items in the order in which they were openedAlt+underlined letter - Perform the command for that letterAlt+Enter - Display properties for the selected itemAlt+spacebar - Open the shortcut menu for the active windowAlt+left arrow - BackAlt+right arrow - ForwardAlt+Page Up - Move up one screenAlt+Page Down - Move down one screenAlt+Tab - Switch between open apps (except desktop apps)
Ctrl+F4 - Close the active document (in apps that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
Ctrl+A - Select all items in a document or windowCtrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert) - Copy the selected itemCtrl+R (or F5) - Refresh the active windowCtrl+V (or Shift+Insert) - Paste the selected itemCtrl+X - Cut the selected itemCtrl+Z - Undo an actionCtrl+Y - Redo an actionCtrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-) - Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screenCtrl+scroll wheel - Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screenCtrl+ mouse scroll wheel - Change the size of desktop iconsCtrl+right arrow - Move the cursor to the beginning of the next wordCtrl+left arrow - Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous wordCtrl+down arrow - Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraphCtrl+up arrow - Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraphCtrl+Alt+Tab - Use the arrow keys to switch between all open appsCtrl with an arrow key+spacebar - Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktopCtrl+Shift with an arrow key - Select a block of textCtrl+Esc - Open the Start screenCtrl+Shift+Esc - Open Task ManagerCtrl+Shift - Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabledShift+F10 - Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Shift with any arrow key - Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
Shift+Delete - Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin firstRight arrow - Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenuLeft arrow - Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenuEsc - Cancel the current task
Dialog Box Shortcut Keys
F1 - Display HelpF4 - Display the items in the active listCtrl+Tab - Move forward through tabsCtrl+Shift+Tab - Move back through tabsCtrl+N (Number 1-9) - Move to Nth tabTab - Move forward through optionsShift+Tab - Move back through optionsAlt+underlined letter - Perform the command or select the option for that letterEnter - Replace clicking the mouse for many selected commandsSpacebar - Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check boxBackspace - Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Opendialog boxArrow keys - Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
Windows logo Key Shortcut Keys
Windows logo key+F1 - Open Windows Help and SupportWindows logo key - Display or hide the Start menuWindows logo key+B - Set focus in the notification areaWindows logo key+C - Open the CharmsWindows logo key+C - Open the commands for the appWindows logo key+D - Display and hides the desktopWindows logo key+E - Open ComputerWindows logo key+F - Open the Search charm and search fileWindows logo key+G - Cycle through gadgets on the desktopWindows logo key+H - Open the Share charmWindows logo key+I - Open the Settings charmWindows logo key+J - Switch the main app and snapped appWindows logo key+K - Open the Devices charmWindows logo key+L - Lock your PC or switch usersWindows logo key+M - Minimize all windowsWindows logo key+O - Lock device orientationWindows logo key+P - Choose a presentation display modeWindows logo key+Q - Open the Search charm and search appsWindows logo key+R - Open the Run dialog boxWindows logo key+T - Cycle through apps on the taskbarWindows logo key+U - Open Ease of Access CenterWindows logo key+V - Cycle through notificationsWindows logo key+Shift+V - Cycle through notifications in reverse orderWindows logo key+W - Open the Search charm and search settingsWindows logo key+X - Opens the Quick Link menuWindows logo key+, - Temporarily peek at the desktopWindows logo key+Z - Show the commands available in the appWindows logo key+Pause - Display the System Properties dialog boxWindows logo key+Ctrl+F - Search for PCs (if you’re on a network)Windows logo key+Shift+M - Restore minimized windows on the desktop
Windows logo key+number - Start the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.
Windows logo key+Shift+number - Start a new instance of the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key+Ctrl+number - Switch to the last active window of the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key+Alt+number - Open the Jump List for the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key+Ctrl+Shift+number - Open a new instance of the desktop app located at the given position on the taskbar as admin
Windows logo key+Tab - Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key+Ctrl+Tab - Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled
Windows logo key+Ctrl+B - Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification areaWindows logo key+up arrow - Maximize the desktop windowWindows logo key+down arrow - Minimize the desktop windowWindows logo key+left arrow - Maximize the desktop window to the left side of the screenWindows logo key+right arrow - Maximize the desktop window to the right side of the screen
Windows logo key+Home - Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)
Windows logo key+Shift+up arrow - Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
Windows logo key+Shift+down arrow - Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width
Windows logo key+Shift+left arrow or right arrow - Move a window in the desktop from one monitor to another
Windows logo key+spacebar - Switch input language and keyboard layoutWindows logo key+Ctrl+spacebar - Change to a previously selected inputWindows logo key+Enter - Open Narrator
Windows logo key+PgUp - Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)
Windows logo key+PgDown - Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)
Windows logo key+Shift+period (.) - Snaps an app to the leftWindows logo key+period (.) - Snaps an app to the rightWindows logo key+Tab - Cycle through opens apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key+Shift+Tab - Cycle through opens apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
Windows logo key+Ctrl+Tab - Cycle through opens apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled
Windows logo key+/ - Initiate IME reconversionWindows logo key+Alt+Enter - Opens Windows Media CenterWindows logo key+plus (+) or minus (-) - Zoom in or out (in Magnifier)Windows logo key+Esc - Exit Magnifier
File Explorer Shortcut Keys
Alt+D - Select the address barCtrl+E - Select the search boxCtrl+F - Select the search boxCtrl+N - Open a new windowCtrl+W - Close the current windowCtrl+mouse scroll wheel - Change the size and appearance of file and folder iconsCtrl+Shift+E - Display all folders above the selected folderCtrl+Shift+N - Create a new folderNum Lock+Asterisk (*) - Display all subfolders under the selected folderNum Lock+plus (+) - Display the contents of the selected folderNum Lock+minus (-) - Collapse the selected folderAlt+P - Display the preview paneAlt+Enter - Open the Properties dialog box for the selected itemAlt+right arrow - View the next folderAlt+up arrow - View the parent folderAlt+left arrow - View the previous folderBackspace - View the previous folderRight arrow - Display the current selection (if it’s collapsed), or select the first subfolderLeft arrow - Collapse the current selection (if it’s expanded), or select the parent folderEnd - Display the bottom of the active windowHome - Display the top of the active windowF11 - Maximize or minimize the active window
Taskbar Shortcut Keys
Shift+click on a taskbar button - Open a app or quickly open another instance of a appCtrl+Shift+click on a taskbar button - Open a app as an administratorShift+Right-click on a taskbar button - Show the window menu for the appShift+Right-click on a grouped taskbar button - Show the window menu for the groupCtrl+Click on a grouped taskbar button - Cycle through the windows of the group
Ease of Access Shortcut Keys
Right Shift for eight seconds - Turn Filter Keys on and offLeft Alt+Left Shift+PrtScn - Turn High Contrast on or offLeft Alt+Left Shift+Num Lock - Turn Mouse Keys on or offShift five times - Turn Sticky Keys on or offNum Lock for five seconds - Turn Toggle Keys on or offWindows logo key+U - Open the Ease of Access Center
Magnifier Shortcut Keys
Windows logo key+plus (+) or minus (-) - Zoom in or outCtrl+Alt+spacebar - Preview the desktop in full-screen modeCtrl+Alt+D - Switch to docked modeCtrl+Alt+F - Switch to full-screen modeCtrl+Alt+I - Invert colorsCtrl+Alt+L - Switch to lens modeCtrl+Alt+R - Resize the lensCtrl+Alt+arrow keys - Pan in the direction of the arrow keysWindows logo key+Esc - Exit Magnifier
Narrator Shortcut Keys
Space or Enter - Activate current itemTab and arrow keys - Move around on the screenCtrl - Stop readingCaps Lock+D - Read itemCaps Lock+M - Start readingCaps Lock+H - Read documentCaps Lock+V - Repeat phraseCaps Lock+W - Read windowCaps Lock+Page Up/Down - Increase or decrease the volume of the voiceCaps Lock+plus (+) or minus (-) - Increase or decrease the speed of the voiceCaps Lock+spacebar - Do default actionCaps Lock+left or right arrows - Move to previous/next itemCaps Lock+F2 - Show commands for current itemPress Caps Lock twice in quick succession - Turn Caps Lock on or offCaps Lock + Esc - Exit Narrator
Narrator touch Shortcut Keys
Tap once with two fingers - Stop Narrator from reading
Tap three times with four fingers - Show all Narrator commands (including the ones not in this list)
Double-tap - Activate primary action
Triple-tap - Activate secondary action
Touch or drag a single finger - Read what’s under your finger
Flick left/right with one finger - Move to next or previous item
Swipe left/right/up/down with two fingers - Scroll
Swipe down with three fingers - Start reading on explorable text