Windows 8 - The known shotcuts for now!


 

Windows 8 logo from www.oostdam.infoWindows 8 is a very nice product to my opinion. It is based on the previous 7 version but it can use apps instead of programs, but there is a full compatibility. Every program that runs on Windows 7 will run on Windows 8 as well. This product is amazing. Microsoft improved it in so many ways that a new set of articles will appear on this site the next couple of weeks. I love it, and this experience is only based on the beta developer version. Lets hope the RTM afnd final release will be available soon. I'm afraid it will not be until autumn 2012.


Now in this article I would like to share with you the various shortcuts that are available for the keyboard in Windows 8 for as much as I know it right now. This article is published on March 23, 2012, but when I find additional Key-Combinations, I will post them her in this article! If you have found new one's yourself? Please mail them to me!

Here are the yet known keyboard-shortcuts for Windows 8:

Windows Key --> Jumpsbetween the Start Metro Desktop and Previous App
ESC --> Returns to the previous App
Arrow Keys --> Select a Metro Apps in the direction Left, Right, Up, and Down
CTRL + Arrow Right --> Moves 1 Page Right on the Metro UI Menu
CTRL + Arrow Left --> Moves 1 Page Left on the Metro UI Menu
Arrow Key, ALT + Arrow Right --> Moves the Metro App Right
Arrow Key, ALT + Arrow Left --> Moves the Metro App Left
Arrow Key, ALT + Arrow Up --> Moves the Metro App Up
Arrow Key, ALT + Arrow Down --> Moves the Metro App Down
Windows Key + L --> Lock the Screen
Windows Key + E --> Launches the Windows Explorer in the Classic Desktop ( Just like it has been in the last 20 years ;-)
Windows Key + R --> Launch the Run Box in the Classic Desktop ( Just like it has been in the last 20 years ;-)
Windows Key + P --> Launches the Projector Mode and start selecting the Select Projector Output
Windows Key + U --> Launches Ease of Access Center
Windows Key + T --> Launches the Classic Desktop with Arrow Key Icon Selection
Windows Key + X --> Launches the Windows Mobility Center on Classic Desktop
Windows Key + B --> Launches the Classic Desktop with Arrow Key Taskbfar Icon Selection
Windows Key + M --> Launches the Classic Desktop with Arrow Key Desktop Icon Selection
Windows Key + Spacebar --> Switches the input language and the keyboard layout
Windows Key + Y --> Temporarily Peek at the Desktop
Windows Key + O --> Locks the devices orientation
Windows Key + V --> Cycle through the toasts
Windows Key + Shift + V --> Cycle through the toasts in reverse order
Windows Key + Enter --> This Launches the Narrator
Windows Key + PgUp --> Moves the Tiles to the Left
Windows Key + PgDown --> Moves the Tiles to the Right
Windows Key + Shift + . --> Moves the Metro App Split Screen to the Left
Windows Key + . --> Moves the Metro App Split Screen to the Right
Winodws Key + S --> Opens the App Search
Windows Key + F --> Opens File Search
Windows Key + C --> Opens the Charms Bar
Windows Key + I --> Opens the Charms Settings
Windows Key + K --> Opens the Connect Charm
Windows Key + H --> Open the Share Charm
Windows Key + Q --> Open the Search Pane
Windows Key + W --> Open the Search Settings
Windows Key + Z --> Opens the App Bar


So,.. more to come if I have found it! Please try to use these keyboard-shortcuts in order to prevent RSI.
Updated below with an overview of changed Keyboard shortcuts and new one's....

Hotkeys unchanged from Windows 7
Key combinationWindows 7 functionality
WindowsDisplay or hide the Start menu.
Windows-Left ArrowDock the active window to the left half of the screen (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Right ArrowDock the active window to the right half of screen (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Up ArrowMaximize the active window (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Down ArrowRestore/minimize the active window (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Shift-Up ArrowMaximize the active window vertically, maintaining width (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Shift-Down ArrowRestore/minimize the active window vertically, maintaining width (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Shift-Left ArrowMove the active window to the monitor on the left (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Shift-Right ArrowMove the active window to the monitor on the right (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-PDisplay projection options.
Windows-HomeMinimize all nonactive windows; restore on the second keystroke (does not restore Metro-style applications).
Windows-numberLaunch or switch to the program located at the given position on the taskbar. (Example: Use Windows-1 to launch the first program.)
Windows-Shift-numberLaunch a new instance of the program located at the given position on the taskbar.
Windows-BSet focus in the notification area.
Windows-BreakDisplay the System Properties dialog box.
Windows-DShow the desktop; restore on the second keystroke (does not restore Metro-style applications).
Windows-EOpen Windows Explorer, navigated to Computer.
Windows-Ctrl-FSearch for computers (if you are on a network).
Windows-GCycle through Windows Desktop Gadgets.
Windows-LLock your computer (if you're connected to a network domain), or switch users (if you're not connected to a network domain).
Windows-MMinimize all windows.
Windows-Shift-MRestore minimized windows to the desktop (does not restore Metro-style applications).
Windows-ROpen the Run dialog box.
Windows-TSet focus on the taskbar and cycle through programs.
Windows-Alt-EnterOpen Windows Media Center. Note that Windows Media Center must be installed for this key combo to function; in many Windows 8 builds, it is not present.
Windows-UOpen Ease of Access Center.
Windows-XOpen Windows Mobility Center.
Windows-F1Launch Windows Help and Support.
Windows-NCreate a new note (OneNote).
Windows-SOpen screen clipper (OneNote).
Windows-QOpen Lync. Note that in Windows 8 the Search function overrides this key combo.
Windows-AAccept an incoming call (Lync).
Windows-XReject an incoming call (Lync). Note that this key combo does not function if Windows Mobility Center is present on the machine.
Windows-MinusZoom out (Magnifier).
Windows-PlusZoom in (Magnifer).
Windows-EscClose Magnifier.
  
New hotkeys for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview
Key combinationWindows 8 functionality
Windows-SpaceSwitch input language and keyboard layout.
Windows-OLock device orientation.
Windows-,Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Windows-VCycle through toasts.
Windows-Shift-VCycle through toasts in reverse order.
Windows-EnterLaunch Narrator.
Windows-PgUpMove the Start Screen or a Metro-style application to the monitor on the left.
Windows-PgDownMove the Start Screen or a Metro-style application to the monitor on the right.
Windows-Shift-.Move the gutter to the left (snap an application).
Windows-.Move the gutter to the right (snap an application).
Windows-COpen the Charms bar.
Windows-IOpen the Settings charm.
Windows-KOpen the Connect charm.
Windows-HOpen the Share charm.
Windows-QOpen the Search pane.
Windows-WOpen the Settings Search app.
Windows-FOpen the File Search app.
Windows-TabCycle through apps.
Windows-Shift-TabCycle through apps in reverse order.
Windows-Ctrl-TabCycle through apps and snap them as they cycle.
Windows-ZOpen the App Bar.
Windows-/Initiate input method editor (IME) reconversion.
Windows-JSwap foreground between the snapped and filled apps.
 


Hopes this article has helped you, and getting you enthusiastic for Windows 8 as much as I already am! 


Printscreen: not available for this article. 



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Ben OostdamBen Oostdam has been working with Windows systems since 1993. Worked for several companies as a system administrator, and is currently a Senior Engineer for large company in the Netherlands specialized in System Center Solutions, ad-hoc solutions and work-arounds for major issue's.

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