Windows 8 Release Preview - Keyboard Shortcuts

The Windows 8 Release Preview is now available for download and we are now set for the final release of Windows 8 which is on schedule for completion in the next two months.

Being optimized for touchscreens the new Windows 8 is a step in a different direction from the operating system we are all used to. But several users will still prefer and continue to use Windows 8 with their keyboard and mouse with Windows 8. So lets take a look at some of the common keyboard shortcuts in Windows, along with some new shortcuts Microsoft has introduced with Windows 8.

Hotkeys unchanged from Windows 7
Key combination	Windows 7 functionality
Windows	Display or hide the Start menu.
Windows-Left Arrow	Dock the active window to the left half of the screen (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Right Arrow	Dock the active window to the right half of screen (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Up Arrow	Maximize the active window (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Down Arrow	Restore/minimize the active window (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Shift-Up Arrow	Maximize the active window vertically, maintaining width (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Shift-Down Arrow	Restore/minimize the active window vertically, maintaining width (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Shift-Left Arrow	Move the active window to the monitor on the left (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-Shift-Right Arrow	Move the active window to the monitor on the right (does nothing to Metro-style applications).
Windows-P	Display projection options.
Windows-Home	Minimize all nonactive windows; restore on the second keystroke (does not restore Metro-style applications).
Windows-number	Launch or switch to the program located at the given position on the taskbar. (Example: Use Windows-1 to launch the first program.)
Windows-Shift-number	Launch a new instance of the program located at the given position on the taskbar.
Windows-B	Set focus in the notification area.
Windows-Break	Display the System Properties dialog box.
Windows-D	Show the desktop; restore on the second keystroke (does not restore Metro-style applications).
Windows-E	Open Windows Explorer, navigated to Computer.
Windows-Ctrl-F	Search for computers (if you are on a network).
Windows-G	Cycle through Windows Desktop Gadgets.
Windows-L	Lock your computer (if you're connected to a network domain), or switch users (if you're not connected to a network domain).
Windows-M	Minimize all windows.
Windows-Shift-M	Restore minimized windows to the desktop (does not restore Metro-style applications).
Windows-R	Open the Run dialog box.
Windows-T	Set focus on the taskbar and cycle through programs.
Windows-Alt-Enter	Open Windows Media Center. Note that Windows Media Center must be installed for this key combo to function; in many Windows 8 builds, it is not present.
Windows-U	Open Ease of Access Center.
Windows-X	Open Windows Mobility Center.
Windows-F1	Launch Windows Help and Support.
Windows-N	Create a new note (OneNote).
Windows-S	Open screen clipper (OneNote).
Windows-Q	Open Lync. Note that in Windows 8 the Search function overrides this key combo.
Windows-A	Accept an incoming call (Lync).
Windows-X	Reject an incoming call (Lync). Note that this key combo does not function if Windows Mobility Center is present on the machine.
Windows-Minus	Zoom out (Magnifier).
Windows-Plus	Zoom in (Magnifer).
Windows-Esc	Close Magnifier.
New hotkeys for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview
Key combination	Windows 8 functionality
Windows-Space	Switch input language and keyboard layout.
Windows-O	Lock device orientation.
Windows-,	Temporarily peek at the desktop.
Windows-V	Cycle through toasts.
Windows-Shift-V	Cycle through toasts in reverse order.
Windows-Enter	Launch Narrator.
Windows-PgUp	Move the Start Screen or a Metro-style application to the monitor on the left.
Windows-PgDown	Move the Start Screen or a Metro-style application to the monitor on the right.
Windows-Shift-.	Move the gutter to the left (snap an application).
Windows-.	Move the gutter to the right (snap an application).
Windows-C	Open the Charms bar.
Windows-I	Open the Settings charm.
Windows-K	Open the Connect charm.
Windows-H	Open the Share charm.
Windows-Q	Open the Search pane.
Windows-W	Open the Settings Search app.
Windows-F	Open the File Search app.
Windows-Tab	Cycle through apps.
Windows-Shift-Tab	Cycle through apps in reverse order.
Windows-Ctrl-Tab	Cycle through apps and snap them as they cycle.
Windows-Z	Open the App Bar.
Windows-/	Initiate input method editor (IME) reconversion.
Windows-J	Swap foreground between the snapped and filled apps.