New Windows 8 shortcuts
The following table contains new shortcuts for Windows 8. Some are used on the Start screen and with apps you open from the Start screen. Others are used in the desktop.
Ctrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-) | Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen |
Ctrl+scroll wheel | Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen |
Windows logo key+C | Open the Charms |
Windows logo key+C | 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+J | Switch the main app and snapped app |
Windows logo key+K | Open the Devices charm |
Windows logo key+O | Lock the device orientation |
Windows logo key+Q | Open the Search charm to search apps |
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 to search settings |
Windows logo key+, | Temporarily peek at the desktop |
Windows logo key+Z | Show the commands available in the app |
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 apps (except desktop apps) |
Windows logo key+Ctrl+Tab | Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled |
Windows logo key+Shift+Tab | Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order |
Windows logo key+PgUp | Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) |
Windows logo key+PgDown | Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) |
Windows logo key+Shift+period (.) | Snaps an app to the left |
Windows logo key+period (.) | Snaps an app to the right |
General keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains general keyboard shortcuts.
Use this keyboard shortcut | 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 Windows 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+R (or F5) | Refresh the active window |
Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert) | Paste the selected item |
Ctrl+X | Cut the selected item |
Ctrl+Z | Undo an action |
Ctrl+Y | Redo an action |
Ctrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-) | Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen |
Ctrl+scroll wheel | Zoom in or out of apps pinned to the Start screen |
Ctrl+ mouse scroll wheel | Change the size of desktop icons |
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 with an arrow key+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 enabled |
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 | Cancel the current task |
Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for use in dialog boxes.
Use this keyboard shortcut | 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+N (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 for that letter |
Enter | Replace clicking the mouse for many selected commands |
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 |
Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows logo key.
Use this keyboard shortcut | To do this |
Windows logo key+F1 | Open Windows Help and Support |
Windows logo key | Display or hide the Start menu |
Windows logo key+B | Set focus in the notification area |
Windows logo key+C | Open the Charms |
Windows logo key+C | Open the commands for the app |
Windows logo key+D | Display and hides the desktop |
Windows logo key+E | Open Computer |
Windows logo key+F | Open the Search charm and search file |
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 app and snapped app |
Windows logo key+K | Open the Devices charm |
Windows logo key+L | Lock your PC or switch users |
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 and search apps |
Windows logo key+R | Open the Run dialog box |
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 settings |
Windows logo key+X | Opens the Quick Link menu |
Windows logo key+, | Temporarily peek at the desktop |
Windows logo key+Z | Show the commands available in the app |
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 | Start the desktop 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 | Start a new instance of the desktop app 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 app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
Windows logo key+Alt+number | Open the Jump List for the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number |
Windows logo key+Ctrl+Shift+number | Open a new instance of the desktop app located at the given position on the taskbar as admin |
Windows logo key+Tab | Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) |
Windows logo key+Ctrl+Tab | Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled |
Windows logo key+Ctrl+B | Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area |
Windows logo key+up arrow | Maximize the desktop window |
Windows logo key+down arrow | Minimize the desktop window |
Windows logo key+left arrow | Maximize the desktop window to the left side of the screen |
Windows logo key+right arrow | Maximize the 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 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+PgUp | Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) |
Windows logo key+PgDown | Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) |
Windows logo key+Shift+period (.) | Snaps an app to the left |
Windows logo key+period (.) | Snaps an app to the right |
Windows logo key+Tab | Cycle through opens apps (except desktop apps) |
Windows logo key+Shift+Tab | Cycle through opens apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order |
Windows logo key+Ctrl+Tab | Cycle through opens apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled |
Windows logo key+/ | Initiate IME reconversion |
Windows logo key+Alt+Enter | Opens Windows Media Center |
Windows logo key+plus (+) or minus (-) | Zoom in or out (in Magnifier) |
Windows logo key+Esc | Exit Magnifier |
Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Windows Explorer windows or folders.
Use this keyboard shortcut | 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 dialog box for the selected item |
Alt+right arrow | View the next folder |
Alt+up arrow | View the parent folder |
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 parent folder |
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.
Use this keyboard shortcut | To do this |
Shift+click on a taskbar button | Open a app or quickly open another instance of a app |
Ctrl+Shift+click on a taskbar button | Open a app as an administrator |
Shift+Right-click on a taskbar button | Show the window menu for the app |
Shift+Right-click on a grouped taskbar button | Show the window menu for the group |
Ctrl+Click on 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.
Use this keyboard shortcut | To do this |
Right Shift for eight seconds | Turn Filter Keys on and off |
Left Alt+Left Shift+PrtScn | 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.
Use this keyboard shortcut | 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 colors |
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.
Use this keyboard shortcut | To do this |
Space 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/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 Lock + Esc | Exit Narrator |
Narrator touch keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Narrator on a four-point touch-enabled PC.
Use this keyboard shortcut | 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 finger |
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 keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Remote Desktop Connection.
Use this keyboard shortcut | 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 in |
Alt+Home | Display the Start menu |
Ctrl+Alt+Break | Switch between a window and full screen |
Ctrl+Alt+End | Display the Windows Security dialog box |
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+PrtScn 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 PrtScn 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. |
Note: Ctrl+Alt+Break and Ctrl+Alt+End are available in all Remote Desktop sessions, even when you’ve set up the remote PC to recognize Windows keyboard shortcuts.
Paint keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Paint.
Use this keyboard shortcut | To do this |
F1 | Open Paint Help |
F11 | View a picture in full-screen mode |
F12 | Save the picture as a new file |
Ctrl+A | Select the entire picture |
Ctrl+B | Bold selected text |
Ctrl+C | Copy a selection to the Clipboard |
Ctrl+E | Open the Properties dialog box |
Ctrl+G | Show or hide gridlines |
Ctrl+I | Italicize selected text |
Ctrl+N | Create a new picture |
Ctrl+O | Open an existing picture |
Ctrl+P | Print a picture |
Ctrl+R | Show or hide the ruler |
Ctrl+S | Save changes to a picture |
Ctrl+U | Underline selected text |
Ctrl+V | Paste a selection from the Clipboard |
Ctrl+W | Open the Resize and Skew dialog box |
Ctrl+X | Cut a selection |
Ctrl+Y | Redo a change |
Ctrl+Z | Undo a change |
Ctrl+plus (+) | Increase the width of a brush, line, or shape outline by one pixel |
Ctrl+minus (-) | Decrease the width of a brush, line, or shape outline by one pixel |
Ctrl+Page Up | Zoom in |
Ctrl+Page Down | Zoom out |
Alt+F4 | Close a picture and its Paint window |
Right arrow | Move the selection or active shape right by one pixel |
Left arrow | Move the selection or active shape left by one pixel |
Down arrow | Move the selection or active shape down by one pixel |
Up arrow | Move the selection or active shape up by one pixel |
F10 or Alt | Display keytips |
Shift+F10 | Show the current shortcut menu |
WordPad keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with WordPad.
Use this keyboard shortcut | To do this |
F1 | Open WordPad Help |
F3 | Find the next instance of the text in the Find dialog box |
F10 | Display keytips |
F12 | Save the document as a new file |
Ctrl+1 | Set single line spacing |
Ctrl+2 | Set double line spacing |
Ctrl+5 | Set line spacing to 1.5 |
Ctrl+A | Select the entire document |
Ctrl+B | Make selected text bold |
Ctrl+C | Copy a selection to the Clipboard |
Ctrl+D | Insert a Paint drawing |
Ctrl+E | Align text center |
Ctrl+F | Find text in a document |
Ctrl+H | Replace text in a document |
Ctrl+I | Italicize selected text |
Ctrl+J | Justify text |
Ctrl+L | Align text left |
Ctrl+N | Create a new document |
Ctrl+O | Open an existing document |
Ctrl+P | Print a document |
Ctrl+R | Align text right |
Ctrl+S | Save changes to a document |
Ctrl+U | Underline selected text |
Ctrl+V | Paste a selection from the Clipboard |
Ctrl+X | Cut a selection |
Ctrl+Y | Redo a change |
Ctrl+Z | Undo a change |
Ctrl+= | Make selected text subscript |
Ctrl+Shift+= | Make selected text superscript |
Ctrl+Shift+> | Increase the font size |
Ctrl+Shift+< | Decrease the font size |
Ctrl+Shift+A | Change characters to all capitals |
Ctrl+Shift+L | Change the bullet style |
Ctrl+left arrow | Move the cursor one word to the left |
Ctrl+right arrow | Move the cursor one word to the right |
Ctrl+up arrow | Move the cursor to the line above |
Ctrl+down arrow | Move the cursor to the line below |
Ctrl+Home | Move to the beginning of the document |
Ctrl+End | Move to the end of the document |
Ctrl+Page Up | Move up one page |
Ctrl+Page Down | Move down one page |
Ctrl+Delete | Delete the next word |
Alt+F4 | Close WordPad |
Shift+F10 | Show the current shortcut menu |
Calculator keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Calculator.
Use this keyboard shortcut | To do this |
F1 | Open Calculator Help |
F2 | Edit the calculation history |
Alt+1 | Switch to Standard mode |
Alt+2 | Switch to Scientific mode |
Alt+3 | Switch to Programmer mode |
Alt+4 | Switch to Statistics mode |
Alt+C | Calculate or solve date calculations and worksheets |
Ctrl+E | Open date calculations |
Ctrl+H | Turn calculation history on or off |
Ctrl+L | Press the MC button |
Ctrl+M | Press the MS button |
Ctrl+P | Press the M+ button |
Ctrl+Q | Press the M- button |
Ctrl+R | Press the MR button |
Ctrl+U | Open unit conversion |
Ctrl+Shift+D | Clear the calculation history |
F9 | Press the +/– button |
R | Press the 1/× button |
@ | Press the square root button |
Del | Press the CE button |
Up arrow | Navigate up in the calculation history |
Down arrow | Navigate down in the calculation history |
Esc | Cancel editing the calculation history |
Enter | Recalculate the calculation history after editing |
F3 | Select Degrees in Scientific mode |
F4 | Select Radians in Scientific mode |
F5 | Select Grads in Scientific mode |
Ctrl+B | Press the 3√x button in Scientific mode |
Ctrl+G | Press the 10x button in Scientific mode |
Ctrl+O | Press the cosh button in Scientific mode |
Ctrl+S | Press the sinh button in Scientific mode |
Ctrl+T | Press the tanh button in Scientific mode |
Ctrl+Y | Press the y√x button in Scientific mode |
D | Press the Mod button in Scientific mode |
I | Press the Inv button in Scientific mode |
L | Press the log button in Scientific mode |
M | Press the dms button in Scientific mode |
N | Press the ln button in Scientific mode |
O | Press the cos button in Scientific mode |
P | Press the pi button in Scientific mode |
Q | Press the x^2 button in Scientific mode |
S | Press the sin button in Scientific mode |
T | Press the tan button in Scientific mode |
V | Press the F-E button in Scientific mode |
X | Press the Exp button in Scientific mode |
Y | Press the x^y button in Scientific mode |
# | Press the x^3 button in Scientific mode |
; | Press the Int button in Scientific mode |
! | Press the n! button in Scientific mode |
( | Press the ( button in Scientific mode |
) | Press the ) button in Scientific mode |
F2 | Select Dword in Programmer mode |
F3 | Select Word in Programmer mode |
F4 | Select Byte in Programmer mode |
F5 | Select Hex in Programmer mode |
F6 | Select Dec in Programmer mode |
F7 | Select Oct in Programmer mode |
F8 | Select Bin in Programmer mode |
F12 | Select Qword in Programmer mode |
A-F | Press the A-F buttons in Programmer mode |
J | Press the RoL button in Programmer mode |
K | Press the RoR button in Programmer mode |
< | Press the Lsh button in Programmer mode |
> | Press the Rsh button in Programmer mode |
% | Press the Mod button in Programmer mode |
( | Press the ( button in Programmer mode |
) | Press the ) button in Programmer mode |
| | Press the Or button in Programmer mode |
^ | Press the Xor button in Programmer mode |
~ | Press the Not button in Programmer mode |
& | Press the And button in Programmer mode |
Spacebar | Toggles the bit value in Programmer mode |
A | Press the Average button in Statistics mode |
Ctrl+A | Press the Average Sq button in Statistics mode |
S | Press the Sum button in Statistics mode |
Ctrl+S | Press the Sum Sq button in Statistics mode |
T | Press the S.D. button in Statistics mode |
Ctrl+T | Press the Inv S.D. button in Statistics mode |
D | Press the CAD button in Statistics mode |
Windows Journal keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Windows Journal.
Use this keyboard shortcut | To do this |
F1 | Open Journal Help |
F5 | Refresh the note list |
F6 | Toggle between a note list and a note |
F11 | View a note in full-screen mode |
Ctrl+A | Select all items on a page |
Ctrl+C | Copy a selection to the Clipboard |
Ctrl+F | Start a basic find |
Ctrl+G | Go to a page |
Ctrl+N | Start a new note |
Ctrl+O | Open a recently used note |
Ctrl+P | Print a note |
Ctrl+S | Save changes to a note |
Ctrl+V | Paste a selection from the Clipboard |
Ctrl+X | Cut a selection |
Ctrl+Y | Redo a change |
Ctrl+Z | Undo a change |
Alt+F4 | Close a note and its Journal window |
Ctrl+Shift+C | Display a shortcut menu for column headings in a note list |
Ctrl+Shift+V | Move a note to a specific folder |
Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcuts
The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with the Help viewer.
Use this keyboard shortcut | To do this |
F3 | Move the cursor to the search box |
F10 | Display the Options menu |
Home | Move to the beginning of a topic |
End | Move to the end of a topic |
Alt+left arrow | Move back to the previously viewed topic |
Alt+right arrow | Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic |
Alt+A | Display the customer support page |
Alt+Home | Display the Help and Support home page |
Alt+C | Display the Table of Contents |
Ctrl+F | Search the current topic |
Alt+N | Display the Connection Settings menu |
Ctrl+P | Print a topic |
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