Start Screen Shortcut Keys
You can use the following shortcut keys in the Windows 8 Start screen.
Shortcut
Description
Windows Key ÿ
Toggle between the Start screen and the last-opened Windows Store app or the desktop.
ÿ+1, ÿ+2, etc.
Switch to the desktop and launch the “nth” application in the taskbar. For example, ÿ+1 launches whichever application is first in the list, from left to right.
ÿ+B
Switch to the desktop and set the focus to the tray notification area.
ÿ+C
Display the charms and time/date/notification/battery overlay.
ÿ+D
Switch to the desktop and toggle Show Desktop (hides/shows any applications and other windows).
ÿ+E
Switch to the desktop and launch Windows Explorer with the Computer tab displayed.
ÿ+F
Search using the Files search scope.
ÿ+H
Open the Share charm.
ÿ+I
Open the Settings charm.
ÿ+J
Swap the foreground between the snapped and filled apps. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more.
ÿ+K
Open the Devices charm.
ÿ+L
Lock the PC and go to the Lock screen.
ÿ+M
Switch to the desktop and minimize all open windows.
ÿ+SHIFT+M
Switch to the desktop and restore all minimized windows.
ÿ+O
Switch between landscape and portrait orientation on slate and tablet PCs.
ÿ+P
Display the Second screen pane to choose between available projection options.
ÿ+Q
Search using the Apps search scope.
ÿ+R
Switch to the desktop and display the Run dialog box.
ÿ+U
Switch to the desktop and launch the Ease of Access Center.
ÿ+V
Cycle through toast notifications (transient messages).
ÿ+W
Search using the Settings search scope.
ÿ+SHIFT+V
Cycle through toast notifications in reverse order.
ÿ+X
Open the advanced context menu in the lower-left corner of the screen.
ÿ+Z
Open the app-specific bar of commands at the bottom of the screen.
ÿ+ENTER
Launch Narrator.
ÿ+SPACEBAR
Switch input language and keyboard layout.
ÿ+TAB
Display app thumbnails of open Windows Store apps and cycle through apps.
ÿ+SHIFT+TAB
Display app thumbnails of open Windows Store apps and cycle through apps in reverse order.
ÿ+CTRL+TAB
Cycle through apps, snapping them as you go. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more.
ÿ+,
Peek at the desktop.
ÿ+.
Snap application to the left. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more.
ÿ+SHIFT+.
Snap application to the right. Snapped and filled views are only available on displays with a horizontal resolution of 1366 touch-independent pixels or more.
ÿ+PGUP
If you have multiple monitors, move the Start screen to the left monitor.
ÿ+PGDN
If you have multiple monitors, move the Start screen to the right monitor.
ÿ+Plus Sign
Zoom in.
ÿ+Minus Sign
Zoom out.
ÿ+ESCAPE
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