Win keyboard Shortcuts

Win keyboard Shortcuts

• ⊞ Win — opens the Start Menu, in Windows 8.1 — opens the previous window;
• ⊞ Win + A — opens the Action Center (in Windows 10);
• ⊞ Win + B — selects the first icon in the Notification Area (you can then switch between the icons using the arrow keys);
• ⊞ Win + Ctrl + B — switches to a program indicating a new message in the Notification Area;
• ⊞ Win + C shows the Charm Bar (in Windows 8 and 8.1); in Windows 10 it opens Cortana (if you’re using a supported language);
• ⊞ Win + D — shows the desktop (immediately minimizes all the opened windows);
• ⊞ Win + E — opens Windows Explorer; in Windows 10 opens the Quick Launch by default;
• ⊞ Win + F — opens ’Find files and folders’;
• ⊞ Win + Ctrl + F — opens ’Find computers’;
• ⊞ Win + G — brings all gadgets to the foreground that are in process (only in Windows 7 and Vista); opens the Game bar in Windows 10;
• ⊞ Win + K — opens a new Start menu — Connections (in Windows 8 and 8.1);
• ⊞ Win + L — changes user or locks the workstation;
• ⊞ Win + M — minimizes all windows;
• ⊞ Win + ⇧ Shift + M — restores windows that were minimized;
• ⊞ Win + O — locks device orientation (disables the gyroscope function on tablets);
• ⊞ Win + P — switches operating modes to an external monitor/projector (only in Windows 7 and newer);
• ⊞ Win + Q — opens Search charm for installed apps (checked in Windows 8);
• ⊞ Win + R — opens the ’Run dialog’ box;
• ⊞ Win + T — switches focus to the Taskbar (only in Windows 7 and newer);
• ⊞ Win + U — opens the Utility Manager;
• ⊞ Win + W — opens Windows Ink Workspace (notes, screenshots);
• ⊞ Win + X — opens the Windows Mobile Application Center (only for mobile computers in Windows Vista and 7);
• ⊞ Win + Y — starts Yahoo! Messenger (if installed).

Windows 8 Shortcuts

Making your way around Windows 8  can be a nightmare however remembering these windows key combinations will help you get around windows 8 more efficiently.

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• From the tiled layout the Windows key and D key will take you to the traditional Windows desktop.
• Pressing the Windows and M keys minimizes everything that is showing on the traditional desktop.
• Windows and E key opens Explorer for quick access to folders.
• Windows and Tab key opens a list of currently running programs.
• Windows and Print Screen key takes a screenshot and saves it in a Screenshots folder within your Pictures folder.
• Windows and Q key opens a global search menu. Type what you’re looking for and where you would like to look.
• Windows and R key opens the Run command which is useful for quickly launching apps and other routines using a command prompt.
• Windows and X key opens the Quick Access Menu, exposing system functionality such as the Command Prompt, Disk Management, File Explorer, Run, and more. Alternately, you can right-click on the bottom right corner of the screen to spawn the Quick Access Menu.
• Windows and I key opens the settings menu, giving you quick access to the Control Panel, Personalization, and your Power button, among other features

Windows 8 Windows Key Shortcuts

• Win : switch between the Start screen and the last-running Windows 8 app
• Win + C : displays the Charms: the Settings, Devices, Share and Search options
• Win + D : launches the desktop
• Win + E : launches Explorer
• Win + F : opens the File Search pane
• Win + H : opens the Share pane
• Win + I : opens Settings
• Win + K : opens the Devices pane
• Win + L : locks your PC
• Win + M : minimises the current Explorer or Internet Explorer window (works in the full-screen IE, too)
• Win + O : toggles device orientation lock on and off
• Win + P : switch your display to a second display or projector
• Win + Q : open the App Search pane
• Win + R : opens the Run box
• Win + U : open the Ease of Access Centre
• Win + V : cycle through toasts (notifications)
• Win + W : search your system settings (type POWER for links to all power-related options, say)
• Win + X : displays a text menu of useful Windows tools and applets
• Win + Z : displays the right-click context menu when in a full-screen app
• Win + + : launch Magnifier and zoom in
• Win + - : zoom out
• Win + , : Aero peek at the desktop
• Win + Enter : launch Narrator
• Win + PgUp : move the current screen to the left-hand monitor
• Win + PgDn : move the current screen to the right-hand monitor
• Win + PrtSc : capture the current screen and save it to your Pictures folder
• Win + Tab : switch between running apps