Windows 8.1 Keyboard Shortcuts

Applies to Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1

New keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains new keyboard shortcuts that you can use in Windows.

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*

+C

Open the charms
In an app, open the commands for the app

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*

+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 everywhere or within an open app (if the app supports app search)

Windows logo key

+S

Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web

Windows logo key*

+W

Open the Search charm to search settings

Windows logo key*

+Z

Show the commands available in the app
Note

You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is open.

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 recently used apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key*

+Ctrl+Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key*

+Shift+Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order

Windows logo key*

+Shift+period (.)

Snaps an app to the left

Windows logo key*

+period (.)

Cycle through open apps

Esc

Stop or exit the current task

General keyboard shortcuts

Read More:

The following table contains general keyboard shortcuts that you can use in Windows.

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 app

Alt+F4

Close the active item, or exit the active app

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 apps (except desktop apps)

Ctrl+F4

Close the active document (in apps 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 apps 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 apps 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 apps

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

.

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 File Explorer

Windows logo key

+F

Open the Search charm and search for files

Windows logo key

+H

Open the Share charm

Windows logo key

+I

Open the Settings charm

Windows logo key

+K

Open the Devices charm

Windows logo key

+L

Lock your PC or switch people

Windows logo key

+M

Minimize 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 to search everywhere or within the open app (if the app supports app search)

Windows logo key

+R

Open the Run dialog box

Windows logo key

+S

Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web

Windows logo key

+T

Cycle through apps 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 app
Note

You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is open.

Windows logo key

+,

Temporarily peek at the desktop

Windows logo key

+Pause

Display the System Properties dialog box

Windows logo key

+Ctrl+F

Search for PCs (if you're on a network)

Windows logo key

+Shift+M

Restore minimized windows on the desktop

Windows logo key

+number

Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.

Windows logo key

+Shift+number

Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number

Windows logo key

+Ctrl+number

Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number

Windows logo key

+Alt+number

Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number

Windows logo key

+Ctrl+Shift+number

Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator

Windows logo key

+Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key

+Ctrl+Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

Windows logo key

+Shift+Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order

Windows logo key

+Ctrl+B

Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area

Windows logo key

+Up arrow

Maximize the window

Windows logo key

+Down arrow

Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window

Windows logo key

+Left arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen

Windows logo key

+Right arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen

Windows logo key

+Home

Minimize 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/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width

Windows logo key

+Shift+Left arrow or Right arrow

Move an app or 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

+Shift+period (.)

Cycle through open apps

Windows logo key

+period (.)

Cycle through open apps

Windows logo key

+/

Initiate IME reconversion

Windows logo key

+Alt+Enter

Open WindowsMedia Center

Windows logo key

+plus (+) or minus (-)

Zoom in or out using Magnifier

Windows logo key

+Esc

Exit Magnifier

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that you can use in dialog boxes.

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 check box if the active option is a check box

Backspace

Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog 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.

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 dialog 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

Maximize or minimize the active window

Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with items on the desktop taskbar.

Shift+click a taskbar button

Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app

Ctrl+Shift+click a taskbar button

Open an app as an administrator

Shift+right-click a taskbar button

Show the window menu for the app

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

© 2014 Microsoft Corporation


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* +C	Open the charms In an app, open the commands for the app
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* +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 everywhere or within an open app (if the app supports app search)
Windows logo key +S	Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web
Windows logo key* +W	Open the Search charm to search settings
Windows logo key* +Z	Show the commands available in the app Note You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is open.
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 recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key* +Ctrl+Tab	Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key* +Shift+Tab	Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
Windows logo key* +Shift+period (.)	Snaps an app to the left
Windows logo key* +period (.)	Cycle through open apps
Esc	Stop or exit the current task


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 app
Alt+F4	Close the active item, or exit the active app
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 apps (except desktop apps)
Ctrl+F4	Close the active document (in apps 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 apps 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 apps 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 apps
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 +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 File Explorer
Windows logo key +F	Open the Search charm and search for files
Windows logo key +H	Open the Share charm
Windows logo key +I	Open the Settings charm
Windows logo key +K	Open the Devices charm
Windows logo key +L	Lock your PC or switch people
Windows logo key +M	Minimize 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 to search everywhere or within the open app (if the app supports app search)
Windows logo key +R	Open the Run dialog box
Windows logo key +S	Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web
Windows logo key +T	Cycle through apps 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 app Note You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is open.
Windows logo key +,	Temporarily peek at the desktop
Windows logo key +Pause	Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows logo key +Ctrl+F	Search for PCs (if you're on a network)
Windows logo key +Shift+M	Restore minimized windows on the desktop
Windows logo key +number	Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.
Windows logo key +Shift+number	Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key +Ctrl+number	Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key +Alt+number	Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
Windows logo key +Ctrl+Shift+number	Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator
Windows logo key +Tab	Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key +Ctrl+Tab	Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
Windows logo key +Shift+Tab	Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
Windows logo key +Ctrl+B	Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area
Windows logo key +Up arrow	Maximize the window
Windows logo key +Down arrow	Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window
Windows logo key +Left arrow	Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen
Windows logo key +Right arrow	Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen
Windows logo key +Home	Minimize 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/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width
Windows logo key +Shift+Left arrow or Right arrow	Move an app or 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 +Shift+period (.)	Cycle through open apps
Windows logo key +period (.)	Cycle through open apps
Windows logo key +/	Initiate IME reconversion
Windows logo key +Alt+Enter	Open WindowsMedia Center
Windows logo key +plus (+) or minus (-)	Zoom in or out using Magnifier
Windows logo key +Esc	Exit Magnifier


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 check box if the active option is a check box
Backspace	Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
Arrow keys	Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons


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 dialog 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	Maximize or minimize the active window


Shift+click a taskbar button	Open an app or quickly open another instance of an app
Ctrl+Shift+click a taskbar button	Open an app as an administrator
Shift+right-click a taskbar button	Show the window menu for the app
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

Those and more can be fount at Microsoft Windows Help - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/keyboard-shortcuts

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Windows 8.1 Keyboard Shortcuts

Patrick

Sysnative Staff

jcgriff2

Co-Founder / Admin
BSOD Instructor/Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)

Patrick

Sysnative Staff

jcgriff2

Co-Founder / Admin
BSOD Instructor/Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)

Windows 8.1 Keyboard Shortcuts

Patrick

Sysnative Staff

jcgriff2

Co-Founder / AdminBSOD Instructor/ExpertMicrosoft MVP (Ret.)

Patrick

Sysnative Staff

jcgriff2

Co-Founder / AdminBSOD Instructor/ExpertMicrosoft MVP (Ret.)

Co-Founder / Admin
BSOD Instructor/Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)

Co-Founder / Admin
BSOD Instructor/Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)