Shortcuts are quite helpful while working in Windows; it not only saves time but also decreases your dependency on the mouse.  Windows offers shortcuts for launching apps, moving between apps, moving windows around the screen, task bar shortcuts and many more.

Computer users who have installed Windows 8 on their desktops and laptops without touch screen functionality can easily see the usefulness of the shortcuts given here. Let’s take a look at some shortcuts that can simplify our daily interaction with the Windows 8 Operating System.

Windows 8 Shortcuts

The Windows 8 Charm bar is the doorway to the majority of tasks. The Charms bar offers different functionalities such as:

• Search – allows you to search for location, files and settings
• Share – allows you to share what’s currently on your screen such as emailing a page link to a friend
• Devices – allows you to send current screen information to a device such as a printer or another screen
• Settings – allows you to tweak six major settings which includes Power, Wi-Fi/Network, Volume, Screen and Notifications

In general, you are required to bring up the Charms bar to access any of the above mentioned functionalities.   What many users may not be aware of is that Windows 8 has some dedicated shortcuts to access these functionalities.

(Note: ÿ – stands for Windows logo key)

ÿ     Switch between Metro screen and last accessed application

ÿ+ C              Access the Charms Bar

ÿ + Tab         Access the Metro Taskbar

ÿ + I               Access the Settings Charm

ÿ + H   Access the Share Charms

ÿ + Q   Access the Apps Search Screen

ÿ + K              Access the Devices charm

ÿ + X              Access the Windows tool menu

ÿ + F              Access the Files Search Screen

There are several shortcuts that work on Windows 7 and Windows 8 in a same way.  Using these shortcuts every time for the designated task can save several mouse clicks and improve your work efficiency.

ÿ + E                    Open computer

ÿ + R                   Open Run Dialog box

ÿ + T                    Cycle through the items on the Taskbar

ÿ + M                  Minimize all windows

ÿ + Pause/Break            Open the System page

ÿ + Shift + M    Restore all minimized windows

ÿ + D                   Show Desktop

ÿ + O                   Lock screen orientation

ÿ + Z                    Show the commands available in the app

ÿ + spacebar    switch input language and keyboard layout

Alt + Left arrow                 show the previous folder

Alt + Right arrow              show the next folder

Alt + Enter                           open the properties dialog box of the selected item

Alt + Esc                               cycle through program windows in the order they were opened

Ctrl + Shift + Tabs             Move backward through tabs

Num Lock enabled + Plus (+)-     Display the contents of the selected folder

Num Lock enabled + Asterisk (*) – Expand the contents of the selected folder

Num lock enabled + Minus (-)    – Collapse the contents of the selected folder

Press Shift 5 times           –              Turn Sticky keys On or Off

Once you start using these shortcuts on a daily basis, you will soon memorize them and you will find yourself using the mouse a lot less!