While
using Windows 8.1's new interface in a traditional way might require some time
to accommodate, the tasks of navigating through the operating system and its
new apps can be simplified by using the keyboard shortcuts that Microsoft has
made available. The shortcuts shared in this article were chosen by us while
thinking what apps or settings you might access or use on a regular basis. They
are simple enough to be easily grasped by anyone and they will help you be more
productive in your daily tasks.
Shortcuts for the Start Screen and the Desktop
Windows Key = The action for this key
depends on where you are when you press it. If you are on the Desktop when you press it, it takes you
to the Start screen. If you
press it again, it takes you back to the Desktop.
But, if you press it while in a Windows 8.1 app, it takes you to the Start screen. Press it again and it takes
you back to the app.
Ctrl + Tab = When using it on the Start screen, it switches between
the Start screen and theApps view. On the Desktop it does nothing. However, some
web browsers will have the same shortcut for switching between tabs (e.g.
Firefox) or for creating new tabs (e.g. Internet Explorer 11).
Windows Key + type an app name = When
using it on the Desktop, it takes
you to the Startscreen and searches
for installed apps using the name you typed in. When you are on theStart screen, pressing the Windows Key takes you to the Desktop. There you should only type the name
of the app you want to use.
Escape - When using it on the Start screen, it closes the Start screen and switches to Desktop. This shortcut does nothing when you
are on the Desktop.
Windows Key + E = Launches File Explorer both from the Desktop and the Start screen.
Windows Key + X = Launches a hidden menu
with many useful shortcuts. This menu is also named the WinX menu or the power user's Start Menu.
Windows Key + L = Locks your Windows 8.1
PC or device and takes you to the Lock
screen.
Windows Key + P = Opens the Project sidebar for extending your image
to a second screen. If you have multiple screens or if you are using a video
projector, this sidebar allows you to choose how the image should be displayed.
You can keep the image on one screen, duplicate it, extend it to another screen
or only display things on a secondary screen.
Windows Key + F1 = Launches the Windows Help and Support documentation
provided by Microsoft.
Shortcuts for the Windows 8.1 Charm Bar & Modern Apps
Windows Key + C - Displays the Charms
bar. You can navigate through the charms with
the arrow keys on your keyboard.
Windows Key + Q = Launches the General Search. You can use this to search for
files and settings on your PC, the Internet, and OneDrive, as well as through installed apps and theWindows Store.
Windows Key + F = Launches the Files Search. You can use this to search for
files on your PC and OneDrive.
Windows Key + W = Launches the Windows Settings Search. You can use this to
search for specific operating system settings by typing in certain keywords.
Windows Key + I = Displays the Settings charm. When using it on
the Desktop, you can use this charm
to access the Control Panel, Personalization options, the System information section and the Windows Help and Support module. You also
have access to the wi-fi settings, volume and brightness control,
notifications, power buttons and keyboard settings. When using it from
the Start screen, you can use
this charm to access the Start screen
personalization options, tiles settings and the online help version for
the Start screen. You can also
use it when working with Windows 8.1 apps to access their settings.
Windows Key + H = Launches the Share charm. When using it on the Desktop, you can use this charm to share a
desktop screenshot through the Mail app
or other social network app that you have installed. When using it on the Start screen, you can use it to share a
screenshot of the Start screen
through the same channels. You can also use it to share data from Windows 8.1
apps that you are running.
Windows Key + K = Displays the Devices charm. Depending on the
peripherals you have attached to your computer or Windows 8.1 device, you will
have the option to play multimedia files, print information from modern apps or
show the information on your screen on another display or video projector. This
charm can only be used in modern Windows 8.1 apps.
Windows Key + Z = When using it on
the Start screen, it displays
the Start screen customization
button at the bottom of the screen. When using it in modern apps, it displays
different contextual options for each app.
Shortcuts for Switching Between Apps and Windows
Alt + Tab = Repeatedly pressing the Tab key while holding Alt pressed cycles through open windows
and apps. Release the Tab key
on the window or app that you want to open.
Windows Key + Tab = Repeatedly pressing
the Tab key while holding
the Windows Keypressed cycles
through open modern apps while displaying them in a vertical sidebar at the
left side of the screen. Release the Tab key
on the app that you want to open.
Ctrl + Alt + Tab = When pressed together,
this combination of keys displays the list of open windows and apps and keeps
the list on screen even after you release the keys. You can then navigate
through open windows and apps using the arrow keys.
Ctrl + Windows Key + Tab = When pressed
together, this combination of keys displays the sidebar of open apps and keeps
the sidebar on screen even after you release the keys. You can then navigate
through open apps using the up/down arrow keys.
Shortcuts for Managing Desktop Windows
Windows Key + Arrow Up = When using it on
the Desktop, it maximizes the
current window across the screen. If the window is already maximized it has no
effect. Also, it doesn't work on the Start screen.
Windows Key + Arrow Down = When using it
on the Desktop in a maximized
window, it restores the current window's size. Pressing it again while the
window is restored causes the window to be minimized to the taskbar. If the
window is already minimized it has no effect.
Windows Key + Shift Key + Arrow Up = When
using it on the Desktop, it
maximizes the current window vertically.
Windows Key + Shift Key + Arrow Left/Right =
Moves the current window to the left or the right monitor. This works only when
using multiple monitors.
Windows Key + Arrow Left/Right = When
using it on the Desktop, it moves
the current window to the left or right half of the screen. Pressing Windows Key + Arrow Left while the window
is at the right of the screen, for example, restores the window. Pressing the
combination again moves the window to the left half of the screen and vice
versa. This can be used across multiple monitors.
Alt + Space = When using it on the Desktop, it launches the title bar menu of the
current window. You can also access this menu by right clicking the title bar
of the current window. The menu generally includes options to resize the window
and other application specific options. Using this while on the Start screen has no effect.
F11 = When using it in desktop
applications that are part of Windows 8.1, like File Explorer orInternet Explorer, it enables or disables the
full screen view for the current window. Some third-party applications might
support while many do not.
Shortcuts for the Windows 8.1 Taskbar
Windows Key + T = When using it on
the Desktop, it highlights the
first application in the taskbar. You can use the arrow keys to cycle through
the taskbar applications. The applications that are running also display a
thumbnail above their icon when you select them.
Windows Key + B = This works both on
the Desktop and the Start screen. If the Notification Area Icons are set to "Always show all icons and notifications on the
taskbar", this keyboard shortcut highlights the first application
in the system tray. You can use the arrow keys to cycle through all the
applications found in the system tray. If the "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar" is
disabled, this keyboard shortcut highlights the "Show hidden icons" arrow. You can then
press Enter to display the
hidden icons or use the arrow keys to cycle through the applications found in
the system tray.
Shift + click on a taskbar application =
Launches a new instance of the selected application. This works only with
applications which support running in multiple instances, like Microsoft Office
or Internet browsers.
Ctrl + Shift + click on a taskbar application =
Launches a new instance of the selected application with administrator rights.
This works only with applications which support running in multiple instances,
like Microsoft Office or Internet browsers.
Shift + right click on a taskbar application =
Launches the contextual menu for that application instead of the list with
recent items or pinned tasks or folders.
Windows Key + number keys 1 through 9 = Launches the taskbar application at the specified
position.
Conclusion
We
tried to share a selection with the most useful keyboard shortcuts available in
Windows 8.1. We didn't give you everything, only those that you are more likely
to consider useful when using this operating system, its apps and features.
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