How To Get The Most Out Of Your Windows 8.1 Keyboard And Mouse – Shortcuts Galore

Article
10/28/2014

How do you navigate in a touch world without a touch device? I am glad you asked. This post will address that question in great detail but we will also look at all the other great things you can do with keyboard and mouse shortcuts. Read It, to understand what you have been missing. Bookmark it, to use as a reference while you get accustomed to the incredible power you still have at your finger tips without ever leaving home row! We will start off with what is new with Windows 8.1 but keep reading because there are probably plenty of other shortcuts that have been around for years and you simply were not aware of them. Lastly, if there are other shortcuts that you know about, please add a comment to share with the world.

Most of what you know about using a mouse and keyboard with Windows has stayed the same, especially in the desktop. Here are some ways to use both new and familiar Windows features with a mouse and with keyboard shortcuts. Please also note that there are often multiple ways to perform the same action. I will be giving you more than one method to perform an action in some cases but in many cases there are more more ways to perform the same action…

Mouse and keyboard: What’s new in Windows

Applies to Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1

To do this	With a mouse	With a keyboard
To do this Get back to the Start screen.	With a mouse Point to the lower-left corner and click it.	With a keyboard Windows logo key
To do this Open the charms (Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings).	With a mouse Point to the upper-right or lower-right corner to see the charms (try moving the mouse pointer so far into the corner that it disappears). When the charms appear, move up or down the edge and click the one you want.	With a keyboard All charms: Windows logo key +C Search charm: Windows logo key +S Share charm: Windows logo key +H Start charm (Start Menu): Windows logo key Devices charm: Windows logo key +K Settings charm: Windows logo key +I
To do this Search your PC (apps, settings, and files), the web, or within an app.	With a mouse Point to the upper-right corner (try moving the mouse pointer so far into the corner that it disappears). When the charms appear, move down the edge, click Search, and then enter your search term. If you want to see a list of all the apps on your PC, click the down arrow in the bottom-left corner of the Start screen.	With a keyboard If you’re on the Start screen, start typing your search term. Open the Search charm: Windows logo key +S Search within the app you’ve got open: Windows logo key +Q Search settings: Windows logo key +W Search files: Windows logo key +F
To do this Get to commands and context menus in an app.	With a mouse Right-click within the app, then click the command you want. Or, right-click an item to see the options specific to that item.

With a keyboard Within an app: Windows logo key +Z
To do this Switch between open apps.	With a mouse To switch to your most recently used app, point to the upper-left corner (try moving the mouse pointer so far into the corner that it disappears). When the previous app appears, click the corner. To switch to a different app, point to the upper-left corner and then move down the edge. When the other apps appear, click the one you want.	With a keyboard Windows logo key +Tab: Switches between apps and the desktop Alt+Tab: Switches between all apps, including desktop apps
To do this Use up to four apps side by side. Notes: The Start screen can’t be used side by side with another app. Your screen resolution must be at least 1024 x 768 to have multiple windows and apps on your screen at the same time. To check this setting, open the Settings charm, click Change PC settings, click PC and devices, and then click Display.	With a mouse Drag your app from the top of the screen and place it on the left or right side. Then, go to the Start screen and click another app. If you already have two apps open side by side, you can insert the app on the left, right, or middle, or replace one of the currently open apps. You can also point to the upper-left corner and then move the pointer down to see a list of apps you’ve used recently. Click and drag the app to insert it.	With a keyboard Windows logo key +Period , then Left or Right Arrow
To do this Open the desktop.	With a mouse Go to the Start screen, and then click the Desktop tile.	With a keyboard Windows logo key +D or type Desktop press enter on Start screen
To do this Zoom in or out on Start.	With a mouse On Start, click the icon in the lower-right corner or Ctrl+mouse wheel to zoom out. Click anywhere to zoom back in.	With a keyboard Ctrl+Plus sign to zoom in Ctrl+Minus sign to zoom out
To do this Close an app.	With a mouse Point to the top edge of the screen, and then drag the app to the bottom of the screen. You can also close apps you’ve used recently by pointing to the upper-left corner and then moving down the edge. Right-click the one you want, and then click Close.	With a keyboard Windows logo key +Down Arrow
To do this Shut down your PC.	With a mouse Point to the lower-right corner (try moving the mouse pointer so far into the corner that it disappears). When the charms appear, move up the edge, and then click Settings. Click Power, and then choose a shutdown option.	With a keyboard Press Ctrl+Alt+Del. Use the Tab key to move to the Power icon, and then press Enter. A list of shutdown options appears. Use the up or down arrow keys to get to the option you want. Press Enter.
To do this Move an app to a different monitor	Click the Title bar (or the top of the app for Windows 8 apps) and drag the app to the desired monitor. Works for the start screen too!	With a keyboard Windows logo key +Left or Right Arrow

Now, Let’s drive this whole keyboard thing home.

Shortcut Keys That Use The Windows Logo Key:

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 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 One of my favorites!!!!
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 Windows Media Center
Windows logo key +plus (+) or minus (-)	Zoom in or out using Magnifier
Windows logo key +Esc	Exit Magnifier

General Shortcuts:

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 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
Print Screen	Copy Screen Image to Clipboard
Alt-Print Screen	Copy Image of Active Window to Clipboard

More Shortcuts:

Task Bar
Press this key	To do this
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

Remote Desktop Services (RDP):

Press this key	To do this
Alt+Page Up	Move between apps from left to right
Alt+Page Down	Move between apps from right to left
Alt+Insert	Cycle through apps 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 dialog box
Ctrl-Alt-End then select Sign Out	Log Off of Terminal Session on Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 If you are connected via RDP (Remote Desktop Client)
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 app (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) app.
Ctrl+Alt+Left arrow	“Tab” out of the Remote Desktop controls to a control in the host app (for example, a button or a text box). Useful when the Remote Desktop controls are embedded in another (host) app.

For even more tips check out https://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/keyboard-shortcuts#keyboard-shortcuts=windows-8

File Explorer keyboard shortcuts
Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
Internet Explorer shortcuts

Calculator keyboard shortcuts

Calendar keyboard shortcuts
Mail keyboard shortcuts
People keyboard shortcuts
Messaging keyboard shortcuts
Paint keyboard shortcuts
Reader keyboard shortcuts
OneDrive keyboard shortcuts
Windows Journal keyboard shortcuts
WordPad keyboard shortcuts
App rearranging shortcuts
Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcuts
Narrator touch keyboard shortcuts
Narrator keyboard shortcuts
Magnifier keyboard shortcuts
Ease of Access keyboard shortcuts

See also: Why Windows 8.1 for Business? My users don’t have Touch Screens!