Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts

As one of the most controversial Windows OSes since Windows Vista, Windows 8 has earned
both praise and criticism from system administrators and general users alike. I've blogged about
some of the biggest concerns that many readers have about Windows 8, and most of those
concerns revolve around the removal of the ubiquitous Windows start menu and the inability to
boot directly to the mouse- and keyboard-friendly Windows desktop.

The Windows 8 touch-optimized interface (formerly known as Metro)

has also caused some grief for traditional mouse and keyboard users.
While I'd readily agree that Windows 8 running on a tablet or a touchenabled laptop is a joy to use, trying to get work done on a regular
desktop PC can take some extra effort. I've found a lifesaver in the
immense number of keyboard shortcuts and commands in Windows 8,
so I've cobbled together some of my favorite Win8 keyboard shortcuts
in this article as a service to Petri IT Knowledgebase readers.

The ubiquitous Windows key, as seen on a Dell PC keyboard (photo

by Jeff James)
Some of these keyboard commands are specific to Windows 8, but I
found all of these the most useful when trying to work my way through
the new Windows 8 UI. Feel free to bookmark this page and/or print
out a copy to post next next to your computer.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 8

F1: Show help

F2: File rename

F3: Open search

F4: Open address bar list

F5: Display refresh

F6: Cycle through elements in open Window

F7: Show command history

F10: Show hidden menu bar

F11: Switch to full-screen display

Windows + start typing - Search PC

ctrl + plus key (+) = Zoom screen in

ctrl + minus key (-) = Zoom screen out

ctrl + mouse wheel = Zoom screen in and out

Windows + up (directional arrow) key = Maximize current window

Windows + down (directional arrow) key = Minimize current window

Windows + left (directional arrow) key = Maximize current window, move to left of screen

Windows + right (directional arrow) key = Maximize current window, move to right of screen

Windows + C = Open charms bar

Windows + F = Open search

Windows + H = Open share

Windows + I = Open settings

Windows + J = Switch between snapped and primary app

Windows + K = Open devices charm

Windows + O = Lock screen orientation

Windows + Q = Open search for apps

Windows + W = Open search for settings

Windows + Z = Show available app commands

Windows + spacebar = Switch keyboard layout and input language

Windows + ctrl + spacebar = Revert to previous input

Windows + tab = Cycle through running apps

Windows + tab + ctrl = Cycle through running apps, snap selection as cycled

Windows + tab + shift = Cycle through running apps, snap selection as cycled (in reverse)

Windows + tab + pgup = Moves apps and start screen to left monitor (for multi-monitor setups)

Windows + tab + pgdown = Moves apps and start screen to right monitor (for multi-monitor
setups)

Windows + period (.) + shift = Snap an app to the left

Windows + period (.) = Snap an app to the right