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Keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8

Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows.

Press this

To do this

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+start typing  

Search your PC

Ctrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-)

 

Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen

Ctrl+scroll wheel

 

Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+C  

Open the charms

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+F  

Open the Search charm to search files

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+H  

Open the Share charm

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+I  

Open the Settings charm

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+J  

Switch the main app and snapped app

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+K  

Open the Devices charm

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+O  

Lock the screen orientation (portrait or landscape)

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+Q  

Open the Search charm to search apps

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+W  

Open the Search charm to search settings

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+Z  

Show the commands available in the app

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+spacebar  

Switch input language and keyboard layout

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+Ctrl+spacebar  

Change to a previously selected input

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+Tab  

Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+Ctrl+Tab  

Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snap them as they are cycled

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+Shift+Tab  

Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+PgUp  

Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+PgDown  

Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+Shift+period (.)  

Snaps an app to the left

Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key+period (.)  

Snaps an app to the right