| Not having to reach for your mouse to do the most routine task is one huge benefit I enjoy every day. That's because I've memorized my list of Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts , and I use applications like Fingertips . Though there have been so many changes to the perspective of personal computing since Windows 7 was dropped, Windows 8 did a good job in recognizing that these are important and they've actually extended the list of keyboard shortcuts available to their users. With "touch hardware" becoming the new thing , it comes a little unexpected. On a post on the Windows Experience Blog earlier in the month of March, Microsoft snuck in a huge list of their new keyboard shortcuts near their closing. The new keyboard shortcuts allow you to not only perform monotonous tasks that you'd be otherwise doing by cursor (such as minimizing all open Windows), but also effects like switching to the classic Windows desktop (which I'll be doing right away). The team put together a nice, large image file that outlines the extent of their new shortcuts. Click on the image to bring up an enlarged view , as the thumbnail alone won't do you any good. To make things even less painful for you, here is a text-based list of the new shortcuts: Win + B – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and select the tray notification area Win + C – Brings up the Charms menu, where you can search, share, and change settings Win + D – Brings up the old Windows desktop Win + E – Launch Windows Explorer with Computer view displayed Win + F – Brings up the Metro File search screen Win + H – Opens the Metro Share panel Win + I – Opens the Settings panel, where you can change settings for the current app, change volume, wireless networks, shut down, or adjust the brightness Win + J – Switches focus between snapped Metro applications Win + K – Opens the Devices panel (for connecting to a projector or some other device) Win + L – Lock PC and return to Lock screen Win + M – Minimize all Windows on the desktop Win + O – Locks device orientation Win + P – Choose between available displays Win + Q – Brings up the Metro App Search screen Win + R – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and display the Run box Win + U – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and launch the Ease of Access Center Win + V – Cycles through toasts Win + W – Brings up the Metro Settings search screen Win + X – Launch Start Menu Win + Y – Temporarily peek at the desktop Win + Z – Opens the App Bar for the current Metro application Win + Page Up / Down – Moves tiles to the left / right Win + Tab – Opens the Metro application switcher menu, switches between applications Win + , (comma) – Aero Peek at the desktop Win + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to one side of the screen (Right side) Win + Shift + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to the other side of the screen (Left side) Win + Space – Switch input language and keyboard layout Win + Shift + V – Cycles through toasts in reverse order Win + Enter – Launches Narrator Win + Arrow Keys – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and enable Aero Snap You might want to start burning these into your brain sooner than later, as it is rumored that Windows 8 will push out a release within the next few months . If keyboard shortcuts are what you're all about, check out these other handy articles: How To Make Use Of Twitter Keyboard Shortcuts – Including Two Secret Ones The Comprehensive Guide to YouTube Player Keyboard Shortcuts HotKeyz: Easily Create Keyboard Shortcuts For Tons of Windows Commands/Tasks Leave me a comment if you have anything to say regarding Windows' new shortcuts and we'll talk about it. |
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