Windows 8 shortcuts

Windows 8:

With Windows 8 upgrades, new Windows 8 PCs and Windows 8tablets having been released at the end of October 2012, the operating system has now been in stores for half a year.

If you've landed here, chances are you'll want to know what we think of Microsoft's latest operating system. So here is our definitive verdict on the full, finished Windows 8 operating system.

By all accounts Windows 8 hasn't done fantastically well in terms of consumer reception - even leading some at Microsoft to say that the company's "Start Screen first" mentality was wide of the mark.

As well as the traditional desktop, Windows 8 also ushers in a new Start Screen. This works in the same way as the old Start Menu, although it opens full screen and is also a place you can launch and use new Windows 8-style apps - essentially full-screen, tablet-style apps.

Some Keyboard Shortcuts 4 them...

Windows key – brings up the Metro start screen. You can start typing to search for an app, just like the Win7 start menu.
Win + D – brings up the old Windows desktop.

Win + C – brings up the Charms menu, where you can search, share, and change settings.
Win + I – opens the Settings panel, where you can change settings for the current app, change volume, wireless networks, shut down, or adjust the brightness.
Win + Z – opens the App Bar for the current Metro application.
Win + H – opens the Metro Share panel.
Win + Q – brings up the Metro App Search screen.
Win + W – brings up the Metro Settings search screen.
Win + F – brings up the Metro File search screen.
Win + K – opens the Devices panel (for connecting to a projector or some other device)
Win + , (comma) – Aero Peek at the desktop.
Win + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to one side of the screen. (Right side)
Win + Shift + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to the other side of the screen. (Left side)
Win + J – switches focus between snapped Metro applications.
Win + Page Up / Down – moves the current app to the other monitor.
Win + Tab – opens the Metro application switcher menu, switches between applications.
You might notice that we didn’t show screenshots of how all these shortcut keys work, and there’s a reason for that: you need to test them out for yourself to really learn how they work.
Win+X – lunch kind of start menu, very useful

Windows Key + Print Screen saves a screenshot into your Pictures folder. It’s quite handy.

If there’s any other shortcut keys that are new to Windows 8 and we haven’t featured them, be sure to let us know in the comments.