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.

  1. 1st Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  2. 2nd Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  3. 3rd Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  4. 4th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  5. 5th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  6. 6th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  7. 7th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  8. 8th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  9. 9th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View

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.

  1. 1st Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  2. 2nd Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  3. 3rd Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  4. 4th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  5. 5th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  6. 6th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  7. 7th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  8. 8th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View
  9. 9th Application on taskbar of Classic Desktop View

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