Tip of the Day: Windows logo shortcuts
From the old days from when I supported Microsoft Mouse, I had to learn how to get around the screen just using the keyboard. Windows 8 has a number of new shortcuts for me to learn. Here is a list of the ones that use the Windows logo key.
I like to break out this list every now and then to find a shortcut that I had not been using and try it out to see if it helps my productivity.
+F1
Open Windows Help and Support
Display or hide the Start screen
+B
Set focus in the notification area
+C
Open the Charms
+D
Display and hide the desktop
+E
Open Computer
+F
Open the Search charm and search for files
+G
Cycle through Gadgets on the desktop
+H
Open the Share charm
+I
Open the Settings charm
+J
Switch the main app and snapped app
+K
Open the Devices charm
+L
Lock your PC or switch users
+M
Minimize all windows
+O
Lock device orientation
+P
Choose a presentation display mode
+Q
Open the Search charm and search for apps
+R
Open the Run dialog box
+T
Cycle through apps on the taskbar
+U
Open Ease of Access Center
+V
Cycle through notifications
+Shift+V
Cycle through notifications in reverse order
+W
Open the Search charm and search for settings
+X
Open the Quick Link menu
+Z
Show the commands available in the app
+,
Temporarily peek at the desktop (I love this one. I use it all the time)
+Pause
Display the System Properties dialog box
+Ctrl+F
Search for PCs (if you're on a network)
+Shift+M
Restore minimized windows on the desktop
+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.
+Shift+number
Start a new instance of the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
+Ctrl+number
Switch to the last active window of the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
+Alt+number
Open the Jump List for the desktop app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
+Ctrl+Shift+number
Open a new instance of the desktop app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator
+Tab
Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps)
+Ctrl+Tab
Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snap them as they are cycled
+Shift+Tab
Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
+Ctrl+B
Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area
+Up arrow
Maximize the desktop window
+Down arrow
Minimize the desktop window
+Left arrow
Maximize the desktop window to the left side of the screen
+Right arrow
Maximize the desktop window to the right side of the screen
+Home
Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)
+Shift+Up arrow
Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
+Shift+Down arrow
Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width
+Shift+Left arrow or Right arrow
Move a window in the desktop from one monitor to another
+Spacebar
Switch input language and keyboard layout
+Ctrl+Spacebar
Change to a previously selected input
+Enter
Open Narrator
+Page Up
Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)
+Page Down
Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)
+Shift+period (.)
Snap an app to the left
+period (.)
Snap an app to the right
+/
Initiate IME reconversion
+Alt+Enter
Open Windows Media Center
+plus (+) or minus (-)
Zoom in or out using Magnifier
+Esc
Exit Magnifier
To see a more complete list of shortcuts…
https://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/keyboard-shortcuts