Keyboard shortcuts in Windows 8

Use the following information to navigate in Windows 8 using keyboard shortcuts.

NOTE:

Many of the keyboard shortcuts from previous versions of Windows also work in the Desktop app in Windows 8.

Keystroke	Result
Windows key	Switches between Start Screen and the Desktop (or the last full screen application).
Windows key  + C	Shows the Charms and the clock.
Windows key  + H	Opens the Share charm.
Windows key  + I	Opens the Settings charm.
Windows key  + K	Opens the Devices charm.
Windows key  + O	Turns the screen orientation lock on or off if your computer can detect screen orientation.
Windows key  + W	Opens the Search charm with Settings selected.
Windows key  + F	Opens the Search charm with Files selected.
Windows key  + Q	Opens the Search charm with Apps selected.
Windows key  + X	Opens the advanced menu on the Desktop or the Start Screen.
Windows key  + Z	Opens commands for the current app.
Windows key  + Tab	Shows the most recently used running apps and Start. Hold the Windows key  and press Tab to move from app to app.
Windows key  + Page up	Moves the Start screen to the left monitor in multi-monitor setups.
Windows key  + Page down	Moves the Start screen to the right monitor in multi-monitor setups.
Windows key  + Left arrow	On the desktop, moves a desktop app to the left half of the screen.
Windows key  +Right arrow	On the desktop, moves a desktop app to the right half of the screen.
Windows key  + Up arrow	On the desktop, maximizes the current window to full screen.
Windows key  + Down arrow	On the desktop, minimizes or restores a current window.
Windows key  + E	Opens File Explorer to Computer.
Windows key  + R	Opens the Run dialog box.
Windows key  +Pause/Break	Opens the Systems page.
Windows key  + D	Shows or hides the desktop - minimizes or restores all windows.
Windows key  + F1	Launches Windows Help and Support.
Windows key  + Prt Scr (Print Screen)	Takes and saves screenshots instantly. Windows saves the screenshot to your Pictures folder as a PNG image file.
Alt + Tab	Shows all open apps. Hold Alt and press Tab to move from app to app.
Alt + F4	Closes the software you are currently using. If the Windows desktop is selected, the Windows Shut Down menu displays.
Ctrl + mouse wheel	Zooms - Hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard while using the mouse wheel to grow or shrink an item on the screen.
Ctrl + . (period)	Moves one Start screen group to the right.
Ctrl + , (comma)	Moves one Start screen group to the left.