--- title: "Shortcut keys of Windows 8" description: "A key or combination of keys that execute a specific function or command within an application or operating system. For example, the F7 key in Microso" author: "Manoj Pandey" published: 2015-05-23 updated: 2019-09-07 canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/articles/1770/shortcut-keys-of-windows-8 category: "desktop/laptop" tags: ["desktop troubleshooting"] reading_time: 4 minutes --- # Shortcut keys of Windows 8 A key or combination of keys that execute a specific function or command within an [application](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12824/calculator-application-in-android) or [operating system](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/114592/which-mobile-operating-system-is-better-for-privacy-ios-or-android). For example, the F7 key in Microsoft Word and other Microsoft programs is the shortcut key for the Spell Checker.\ ##### New Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts Windows 8 provides new features and added some new features on keyboard with using short cut keys. Windows 8 keyboard ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/810d1d5c-f7dc-4d0d-9a09-814f41550b8b.png) Below is a set of some of the new keyboard functions available for Windows 8 users. Keyboard Shortcut Function ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + start typing Search on [your PC](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/51727/explain-ransomware-and-how-it-s-affect-your-pc-s) Control plus(“+”) or Minus(“-“) Control Zoom in or out of a large number of items Ctrl + Scroll wheel Zoom in or out of a large number of items ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png)+C Open the charms menu ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png)+F Open the Search charm to search files ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png)+H Open the Share charm ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + I Open the Settings charm ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + K Open the Devices charm ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + O Lock the [screen orientation](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/2547/change-screen-orientation-in-android-emulator) ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Q Open the Search charm to search apps ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + W Open the Search charm to search settings ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Z Show the commands available in the app ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + spacebar Switch input language and keyboard layout ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Ctrl + spacebar Change to previously selected input ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Tab Cycle through open apps ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Ctrl + Tab Cycle through open apps and snap them as they are cycled ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Shift + TabCycle through open apps in [reverse order](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/156836/what-is-a-c-sharp-program-to-print-individual-from-a-string-in-reverse-order) ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Pg Up Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Pg Dn Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) 91 + Shift + Period (“.”) Snaps apps to the left ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Period (“.”) Snaps apps to the right ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + X + Down arrow Open the Mobility Center Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open the Task Manager Esc Stop or exit the current task ##### General Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts There is also a host of returning keyboard shortcuts to go along with all the new Windows 8 shortcuts. The following are some of the most basic, general, and sought-after keyboard shortcuts for general day-to-day use for Windows users. Keyboard Shortcut Function ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) Display or Hide the Start screen ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Esc Exit Magnifier ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + B Set focus in the [notification](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/205/property-notification-in-c-sharp) area ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + D Display and hide desktop ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + E Open Computer ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + G Cycle through Gadgets on the desktop ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + L Lock your PC or switch users ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + M Minimize all windows ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Shift + M Restore minimized windows on the desktop ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + P Choose a presentation display mood ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + R Open the Run dialogue box ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + T Cycle through apps on the taskbar ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + V Cycle through notifications ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Shift + V Cycle through notifications in reverse order ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + X Open the Quick Link menu ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + F1 Open Windows Help and Support ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Up arrow Maximize the desktop window ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + Down arrow Minimize the desktop window ![Shortcut keys of Windows 8](https://www.mindstick.com/mindstickarticle/18a62910-e81a-40bc-801a-5b30c6537146/images/56a4ea6e-91bf-4e80-901b-5f7187aa0fd0.png) + plus (“+”) or minus (“-“) Zoom in or out using Magnifier Alt + F4 Close the active item, or exit the active app Alt + Enter Display [properties](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/81845/now-it-s-possible-to-predict-properties-of-any-molecule) for the selected item Control + C Copy the selected item Control + X Cut the selected item Control + V Paste the selected item Control + Y Redo an action Control + Z Undo an action F1 Display Help F2 Rename the selected item F3 Search for a file or folder F4 Display the [address bar](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/70/how-can-we-remove-address-bar-of-browser) list in the File Explorer F5 Refresh the [active window](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/33483/using-python-find-active-window-name-in-mac-os-x) F10 Activate the menu bar in the active app --- Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/articles/1770/shortcut-keys-of-windows-8 Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.