Windows 8 Useful Shortcut Keys

Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts

• To open the Start screen or switch to the Desktop  press  the Windows key.
• To  open the Windows Desktop press the Windows key + D.
• To show open apps press the Windows key +  Tab.( except desktop apps ).
• To show  switch between open apps Alt + Tab ( including desktop apps ).
• To pin and unpin windows apps on the side of the screen press the Windows key + "." .
• To create a screen shot press the Windows key + print screen ( which is saved into your "My Pictures" folder ).
• To open the Run dialog box press the Windows key + R.
• To open Ease of Access Center press the Windows key + U.
• To open Narrator press the Windows key + Enter.
• To open the Charms press the Windows key + C.
• To open the Search charm to search apps press the Windows key + Q.
• To open the Search charm to search setting press the Windows key +W.
• To open the Search charm to search files press the Windows key + F.
• To open the Share charm press the Windows key + H.
• To open the Device charm press the Windows key + K.
• To open the Settings charm press the Windows key + I ( which is the same Setting found in Charms ).
• To open the power user menu press the Windows key + X ( which gives you access to many of the features most power users would want ).
• To show the commands available in the apps press the Windows key + Z.

More shortcuts

• To Lock your PC or switch user press the Windows key + L.
• To Minimize all windows press the Windows key + M.
• To Restore minimized windows on the desktop  press the Windows key + shift + M.
• To Maximize the desktop windows  press the Windows key + Up arrow.
• To Minimize the desktop windows press the Windows key + Down arrow. 
• To Maximize the desktop windows to the left side of the screen press the Windows key + Left arrow.
• To Maximize the desktop windows to the right side of the screen press the Windows key + Right arrow. 
• To open Windows Media Center press the Windows key + Alt + Enter.
• To Zoom in or out using Magnifier press the Windows key + plus (+) or minus (-).
• To Exist the Magnifier press the Windows key + Esc.
• To display the properties of the selected item press the Alt + Enter.
• Press F1 to Display Help.
• Press F2 to Rename the selected item.
• Press F3 to Search for a file or folder. 
• Press F4 to Display the address bar list in the File Explorer. 
• Press F5 to Refresh the active window.