Using Windows 8
keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains new keyboard shortcuts that you can use to navigate around Windows.
| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
|
Windows logo key
 +start typing |
Search your PC | |
| Ctrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-) | Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like applications pinned to the Start screen | |
| Ctrl+scroll wheel | Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like applications pinned to the Start screen | |
|
Windows logo key
+C |
Open the charmsIn an application, open the commands for the application | |
|
Windows logo key
+F |
Open the Search charm to search files | |
|
Windows logo key
+H |
Open the Share charm | |
|
Windows logo key
+I |
Open the Settings charm | |
|
Windows logo key
+J |
Switch the main application and snapped application | |
|
Windows logo key
+K |
Open the Devices charm | |
|
Windows logo key
+O |
Lock the screen orientation (portrait or landscape) | |
|
Windows logo key
+Q |
Open the Search charm to search applications | |
|
Windows logo key
+W |
Open the Search charm to search settings | |
|
Windows logo key
+Z |
Show the commands available in the application | |
|
Windows logo key
+spacebar |
Switch input language and keyboard layout | |
|
Windows logo key
+Ctrl+spacebar |
Change to a previously selected input | |
|
Windows logo key
+Tab |
Cycle through open applications (except desktop applications) | |
|
Windows logo key
+Ctrl+Tab |
Cycle through open applications (except desktop applications) and snaps them as they are cycled | |
|
Windows logo key
+Shift+Tab |
Cycle through open applications (except desktop applications) in reverse order | |
|
Windows logo key
+PgUp |
Move the Start screen and applications to the monitor on the left (Applications in the desktop won’t change monitors) | |
|
Windows logo key
+PgDown |
Move the Start screen and applications to the monitor on the right (Applications in the desktop won’t change monitors) | |
|
Windows logo key
+Shift+full stop (.) |
Snaps an application to the left | |
|
Windows logo key
+full stop (.) |
Snaps an application to the right | |
| Esc | Stop or exit the current task |
General keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains general keyboard shortcuts that you can use to navigate around Windows.
| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Display Help | |
| F2 | Rename the selected item | |
| F3 | Search for a file or folder | |
| F4 | Display the address bar list in File Explorer | |
| F5 | Refresh the active window | |
| F6 | Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop | |
| F10 | Activate the menu bar in the active application | |
| Alt+F4 | Close the active item, or exit the active application | |
| Alt+Esc | Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened | |
| Alt+underlined letter | Perform the command for that letter | |
| Alt+Enter | Display properties for the selected item | |
| Alt+Spacebar | Open the shortcut menu for the active window | |
| Alt+Left arrow | Back | |
| Alt+Right arrow | Forward | |
| Alt+Page Up | Move up one screen | |
| Alt+Page Down | Move down one screen | |
| Alt+Tab | Switch between open applications (except desktop applications) | |
| Ctrl+F4 | Close the active document (in applications that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously) | |
| Ctrl+A | Select all items in a document or window | |
| Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert) | Copy the selected item | |
| Ctrl+D (or Delete) | Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin | |
| Ctrl+R (or F5) | Refresh the active window | |
| Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert) | Paste the selected item | |
| Ctrl+X | Cut the selected item | |
| Ctrl+Y | Redo an action | |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo an action | |
| Ctrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-) | Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like applications pinned to the Start screen | |
| Ctrl+ mouse scroll wheel | Change the size of desktop icons or zoom in or out of a large number of items, like applications pinned to the Start screen | |
| Ctrl+Right arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word | |
| Ctrl+Left arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word | |
| Ctrl+Down arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph | |
| Ctrl+Up arrow | Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph | |
| Ctrl+Alt+Tab | Use the arrow keys to switch between all open applications | |
| Ctrl+arrow key (to move to an item)+Spacebar | Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop | |
| Ctrl+Shift with an arrow key | Select a block of text | |
| Ctrl+Esc | Open the Start screen | |
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Open Task Manager | |
| Ctrl+Shift | Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are available | |
| Ctrl+Spacebar | Turn the Chinese input method editor (IME) on or off | |
| Shift+F10 | Display the shortcut menu for the selected item | |
| Shift with any arrow key | Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document | |
| Shift+Delete | Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first | |
| Right arrow | Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu | |
| Left arrow | Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu | |
| Esc | Stop or leave the current task |
Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows logo key .
.| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
|
Windows logo key
+F1 |
Open Windows Help and Support | |
|
Windows logo key
|
Display or hide the Start screen | |
|
Windows logo key
+B |
Set focus in the notification area | |
|
Windows logo key
+C |
Open the Charms | |
|
Windows logo key
+D |
Display and hide the desktop | |
|
Windows logo key
+E |
Open Computer | |
|
Windows logo key
+F |
Open the Search charm and search for files | |
|
Windows logo key
+G |
Cycle through Gadgets on the desktop | |
|
Windows logo key
+H |
Open the Share charm | |
|
Windows logo key
+I |
Open the Settings charm | |
|
Windows logo key
+J |
Switch the main application and snapped application | |
|
Windows logo key
+K |
Open the Devices charm | |
|
Windows logo key
+L |
Lock your PC or switch users | |
|
Windows logo key
+M |
Minimise all windows | |
|
Windows logo key
+O |
Lock device orientation | |
|
Windows logo key
+P |
Choose a presentation display mode | |
|
Windows logo key
+Q |
Open the Search charm and search for applications | |
|
Windows logo key
+R |
Open the Run dialogue box | |
|
Windows logo key
+T |
Cycle through applications on the taskbar | |
|
Windows logo key
+U |
Open Ease of Access Center | |
|
Windows logo key
+V |
Cycle through notifications | |
|
Windows logo key
+Shift+V |
Cycle through notifications in reverse order | |
|
Windows logo key
+W |
Open the Search charm and search for settings | |
|
Windows logo key
+X |
Open the Quick Link menu | |
|
Windows logo key
+Z |
Show the commands available in the application | |
|
Windows logo key
+, |
Temporarily peek at the desktop | |
|
Windows logo key
+Pause |
Display the System Properties dialogue box | |
|
Windows logo key
+Ctrl+F |
Search for PCs (if you’re on a network) | |
|
Windows logo key
+Shift+M |
Restore minimised windows on the desktop | |
|
Windows logo key
+number |
Start the desktop application pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the application is already running, switch to that application. | |
|
Windows logo key
+Shift+number |
Start a new instance of the desktop application pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number | |
|
Windows logo key
+Ctrl+number |
Switch to the last active window of the desktop application pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number | |
|
Windows logo key
+Alt+number |
Open the Jump List for the desktop application pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number | |
|
Windows logo key
+Ctrl+Shift+number |
Open a new instance of the desktop application located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator | |
|
Windows logo key
+Tab |
Cycle through open applications (except desktop applications) | |
|
Windows logo key
+Ctrl+Tab |
Cycle through open applications (except desktop applications) and snap them as they are cycled | |
|
Windows logo key
+Shift+Tab |
Cycle through open applications (except desktop applications) in reverse order | |
|
Windows logo key
+Ctrl+B |
Switch to the application that displayed a message in the notification area | |
|
Windows logo key
+Up arrow |
Maximise the desktop window | |
|
Windows logo key
+Down arrow |
Minimise the desktop window | |
|
Windows logo key
+Left arrow |
Maximise the desktop window to the left side of the screen | |
|
Windows logo key
+Right arrow |
Maximise the desktop window to the right side of the screen | |
|
Windows logo key
+Home |
Minimise all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke) | |
|
Windows logo key
+Shift+Up arrow |
Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen | |
|
Windows logo key
+Shift+Down arrow |
Restore/minimise active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width | |
|
Windows logo key
+Shift+Left arrow or Right arrow |
Move a window in the desktop from one monitor to another | |
|
Windows logo key
+Spacebar |
Switch input language and keyboard layout | |
|
Windows logo key
+Ctrl+Spacebar |
Change to a previously selected input | |
|
Windows logo key
+Enter |
Open Narrator | |
|
Windows logo key
+Page Up |
Move the Start screen and applications to the monitor on the left (applications in the desktop won’t change monitors) | |
|
Windows logo key
+Page Down |
Move the Start screen and applications to the monitor on the right (applications in the desktop won’t change monitors) | |
|
Windows logo key
+Shift+full stop (.) |
Snap an application to the left | |
|
Windows logo key
+full stop (.) |
Snap an application to the right | |
|
Windows logo key
+/ |
Initiate IME reconversion | |
|
Windows logo key
+Alt+Enter |
Open Windows Media Center | |
|
Windows logo key
+plus (+) or minus (-) |
Zoom in or out using Magnifier | |
|
Windows logo key
+Esc |
Exit Magnifier |
Dialogue box keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that you can use to navigate dialogue boxes.
| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Display Help | |
| F4 | Display the items in the active list | |
| Ctrl+Tab | Move forward through tabs | |
| Ctrl+Shift+Tab | Move back through tabs | |
| Ctrl+number (number 1-9) | Move to nth tab | |
| Tab | Move forward through options | |
| Shift+Tab | Move back through options | |
| Alt+underlined letter | Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter | |
| Spacebar | Select or clear the checkbox if the active option is a checkbox | |
| Backspace | Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialogue box | |
| Arrow keys | Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons |
File Explorer keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with File Explorer windows or folders.
| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
| Alt+D | Select the address bar | |
| Ctrl+E | Select the search box | |
| Ctrl+F | Select the search box | |
| Ctrl+N | Open a new window | |
| Ctrl+W | Close the current window | |
| Ctrl+mouse scroll wheel | Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons | |
| Ctrl+Shift+E | Display all folders above the selected folder | |
| Ctrl+Shift+N | Create a new folder | |
| Num Lock+asterisk (*) | Display all subfolders under the selected folder | |
| Num Lock+plus (+) | Display the contents of the selected folder | |
| Num Lock+minus (-) | Collapse the selected folder | |
| Alt+P | Display the preview pane | |
| Alt+Enter | Open the Properties dialogue box for the selected item | |
| Alt+Right arrow | View the next folder | |
| Alt+Up arrow | View the folder that the folder was in | |
| Alt+Left arrow | View the previous folder | |
| Backspace | View the previous folder | |
| Right arrow | Display the current selection (if it’s collapsed), or select the first subfolder | |
| Left arrow | Collapse the current selection (if it’s expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in | |
| End | Display the bottom of the active window | |
| Home | Display the top of the active window | |
| F11 | Maximise or minimise the active window |
Taskbar keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with items on the desktop taskbar.
| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
| Shift+click a taskbar button | Open an application or quickly open another instance of an application | |
| Ctrl+Shift+click a taskbar button | Open an application as an administrator | |
| Shift+right-click a taskbar button | Show the window menu for the application | |
| Shift+right-click a grouped taskbar button | Show the window menu for the group | |
| Ctrl+click a grouped taskbar button | Cycle through the windows of the group |
Ease of Access keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that can help make your PC easier to use.
| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Shift for eight seconds | Turn Filter Keys on and off | |
| Left Alt+left Shift+Print Screen | Turn High Contrast on or off | |
| Left Alt+left Shift+Num Lock | Turn Mouse Keys on or off | |
| Shift five times | Turn Sticky Keys on or off | |
| Num Lock for five seconds | Turn Toggle Keys on or off | |
|
Windows logo key
+U |
Open the Ease of Access Center |
Magnifier keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Magnifier.
| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
|
Windows logo key
+plus (+) or minus (-) |
Zoom in or out | |
| Ctrl+Alt+Spacebar | Preview the desktop in full-screen mode | |
| Ctrl+Alt+D | Switch to docked mode | |
| Ctrl+Alt+F | Switch to full-screen mode | |
| Ctrl+Alt+I | Invert colours | |
| Ctrl+Alt+L | Switch to lens mode | |
| Ctrl+Alt+R | Resize the lens | |
| Ctrl+Alt+arrow keys | Pan in the direction of the arrow keys | |
|
Windows logo key
+Esc |
Exit Magnifier |
Narrator keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Narrator.
| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
| Spacebar or Enter | Activate current item | |
| Tab and arrow keys | Move around on the screen | |
| Ctrl | Stop reading | |
| Caps Lock+D | Read item | |
| Caps Lock+M | Start reading | |
| Caps Lock+H | Read document | |
| Caps Lock+V | Repeat phrase | |
| Caps Lock+W | Read window | |
| Caps Lock+Page Up or Page Down | Increase or decrease the volume of the voice | |
| Caps Lock+plus (+) or minus (-) | Increase or decrease the speed of the voice | |
| Caps Lock+Spacebar | Do default action | |
| Caps Lock+Left or Right arrows | Move to previous/next item | |
| Caps Lock+F2 | Show commands for current item | |
| Press Caps Lock twice in quick succession | Turn Caps Lock on or off | |
| Caps+Esc | Exit Narrator |
Narrator touch keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Narrator on a four-point touch-enabled PC.
| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
| Tap once with two fingers | Stop Narrator from reading | |
| Tap three times with four fingers | Show all Narrator commands (including the ones not in this list) | |
| Double-tap | Activate primary action | |
| Triple-tap | Activate secondary action | |
| Touch or drag a single finger | Read what’s under your fingers | |
| Flick left/right with one finger | Move to next or previous item | |
| Swipe left/right/up/down with two fingers | Scroll | |
| Swipe down with three fingers | Start reading on explorable text |
Remote Desktop Connection on the desktop keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Remote Desktop Connection on the desktop.
| Press this key | To do this | |
|---|---|---|
| Alt+Page Up | Move between applications from left to right | |
| Alt+Page Down | Move between applications from right to left | |
| Alt+Insert | Cycle through applications in the order that they were started | |
| Alt+Home | Display the Start screen | |
| Ctrl+Alt+Break | Switch between a window and full screen | |
| Ctrl+Alt+End | Display the Windows Security dialogue box | |
| Ctrl+Alt+Home | In full-screen mode, activate the connection bar | |
| Alt+Delete | Display the system menu | |
| Ctrl+Alt+minus (-) on the numeric keypad | Place a copy of the active window, within the client, on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Alt+Print Screen on a local PC) | |
| Ctrl+Alt+plus (+) on the numeric keypad | Place a copy of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard (provides the same functionality as pressing Print Screen on a local PC) | |
| Ctrl+Alt+Right arrow | “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host application (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) application. | |
| Ctrl+Alt+Left arrow | “Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host application (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) application. |