Windows 8 Shortcuts – Charms, Search, Shutdown, Desktop plus more

If you have recently installed Windows 8 you may find some of the following shortcuts are useful, particularly if you find using the Mouse to get the Charms (Right hand side menu) to pop up very frustrating.

The Charms menu shortcut  (Windows key + C) is a lifesaver for anyone remote controlling Windows 8, especially  if you have dual monitors, as it’s impossible to get the menu to pop up any other way – Thanks Microsoft!  Normally you would knock your mouse against the top right corner of the above Metro Start screen (shown left) – the Charms menu appears down the right hand side.

Other shortcuts and tips are listed below:

Shutdown

Go to the Desktop (Win+D), then ALT+F4

(This article is a bit technical but describes how to create a Shutdown menu)

Charms

Win+C: Open charms

Win+Q: Search charm

Win+H: Share charm

Win+K: Devices charm

Win+I: Settings charm

Presentation

Win + P: Connect to a Projector

Search

Win+Q: Search apps (tip: an even easier way to search apps is to just begin typing from the start screen)

Win+W: Search settings

Win+F: Search files

Windows 8 Apps

Win+Z: Get to app options

Win+.: Snap app to the left

Win+Shift+.: Snap app to the right

Ctrl+Tab: Cycle through app history

Alt+F4: Close an app

Desktop

Win+D: Open Desktop

Win+,: Peek at desktop

Win+B: Back to desktop

Other

Win+X: Open system utility settings menu

Win+PrntScrn: Take screenshot and save to Pictures

Win+Tab: Open switch list

Win+T: Preview open windows in taskbar

Win+U: Open Ease of Access Center

Ctrl+ESC: Start screen

Win+Enter: Open Windows Narrator

Credits to CNET http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57390299-285/23-new-keyboard-shortcuts-for-windows-8/