New keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8 and Windows RT

New keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8 and Windows RT

With Windows 8 and Windows RT, you can use the keyboard shortcuts you're already using, and you'll find new ones too. For example, the easiest way to search on the Start screen is to simply start typing. Not on the Start screen? Press the Windows logo key‌  and you can quickly switch between Start and the app you're in.
If you’re not familiar with keyboard shortcuts—or you’d like to see a list of shortcuts in one place—see the bigger list of keyboard shortcuts.

Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows.

Press this
Windows logo key‌ +start typing
To do this
Search your PC
Press this
Ctrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-)
To do this
Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen
Press this
Ctrl+scroll wheel
To do this
Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +C
To do this
Open the charms
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +F
To do this
Open the Search charm to search files
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +H
To do this
Open the Share charm
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +I
To do this
Open the Settings charm
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +J
To do this
Switch the main app and snapped app
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +K
To do this
Open the Devices charm
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +O
To do this
Lock the screen orientation (portrait or landscape)
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +Q
To do this
Open the Search charm to search apps
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +W
To do this
Open the Search charm to search settings
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +Z
To do this
Show the commands available in the app
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +spacebar
To do this
Switch input language and keyboard layout
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +Ctrl+spacebar
To do this
Change to a previously selected input
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +Tab
To do this
Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps)
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +Ctrl+Tab
To do this
Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snap them as they are cycled
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +Shift+Tab
To do this
Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +PgUp
To do this
Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +PgDown
To do this
Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +Shift+period (.)
To do this
Snaps an app to the left
Press this
Windows logo key‌ +period (.)
To do this
Snaps an app to the right