Windows 8 is the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. The OS was initially released in August of last year and it introduced major changes to the platform and user interface. Windows 8.1, the first major update to Windows 8 was officially announced on May 14, 2013. Listed below are 50 shortcuts to help make your Windows 8 experience a little smoother.
Shortcut Description
| Windows Key + D | Show Desktop |
| Windows Key + C | Open Charms Menu |
| Windows Key + F | Charms Menu – Search |
| Windows Key + H | Charms Menu – Share |
| Windows Key + K | Charms Menu – Devices |
| Windows Key + I | Charms Menu – Settings |
| Windows Key + Q | Search For Installed Apps |
| Windows Key + W | Search Settings |
| Windows Key + Tab | Cycle through open Modern UI Apps |
| Windows Key + Shift + Tab | Cycle through open Modern UI Apps in reverse order |
| Windows Key + . | Snaps app to the right (split screen multitasking) |
| Windows Key + Shift + . | Snaps app to the left (split screen multitasking) |
| Windows Key + , | Temporarily view desktop |
| Alt + F4 | Quit Modern UI Apps |
| Windows Key + E | Launch Windows Explorer Window |
| Windows Key + L | Lock PC and go to lock screen |
| Windows Key + T | Cycle through icons on taskbar (press Enter to launch app) |
| Windows Key + X | Show Advanced Windows Settings Menu |
| Windows Key + E | Launch Windows Explorer Window |
| Windows Key + Page Down | Moves Start screen and apps to secondary monitor on the right |
| Windows Key + M | Minimize all Windows |
| Windows Key + Shift + M | Restore all minimized Windows |
| Windows Key + R | Open Run dialog box |
| Windows Key + Up Arrow | Maximize current window |
| Windows Key + Down Arrow | Minimize current window |
| Windows Key + Left Arrow | Maximize current window to left side of the screen |
| Windows Key + Right Arrow | Maximize current window to right side of the screen |
| Ctrl + Shift + Escape | Open Task Manager |
| Windows Key + Print Screen | Takes a Print Screen and saves it to your Pictures folder |
| Windows Key + Page Up | Moves Start screen and apps to secondary monitor on the left |
| Windows Key + Pause Break | Display System Properties |
| Shift + Delete | Permanently delete files without sending it to Recycle Bin |
| Windows Key + F1 | Open Windows Help and Support |
| Windows Key + V | Cycle through notifications |
| Windows Key + Shift + V | Cycle through notifications in reverse order |
| Windows Key + 0 to 9 | Launch/show app pinned to taskbar at indicated number |
| Windows Key + Shift + 0 to9 | Launch new instance of app pinned to taskbar at indicated number |
| Alt + Enter | Display Properties of selected item in File Explorer |
| Alt + Up Arrow | View upper level folder of current folder in File Explorer |
| Alt + Right Arrow | View next folder in File Explorer |
| Alt + Left Arrow | View previous folder in File Explorer |
| Windows Key + P | Choose secondary display modes |
| Windows Key + U | Open Ease of Access Center |
| Alt + Print Screen | Print Screen focused Window only |
| Windows Key + Spacebar | Switch input language and keyboard layout |
| Windows Key + Shift +Spacebar | Switch to previous input language and keyboard layout |
| Windows Key + Enter | Open Narrator |
| Windows Key + + | Zoom in using Magnifier |
| Windows Key + – | Zoom out using Magnifier |
| Windows Key + Escape | Exit Magnifier |