Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts and Programs Tips and Tricks

After the launch of Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview many Windows users have already switched from Old windows version to the new Win...

After the launch of Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview many Windows users have already switched from Old windows version to the new Windows 8 Operating System and they are exploring new and existing features and programs of Windows 8 and some users have already discovered some interesting tricks and hidden features of Windows 8. If you're new user of Windows 8 Consumer Preview and having problems finding things in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, or adjusting to the Metro menu system? Perhaps the following handy and useful Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts and Tricks and Tips will helps you to operate Windows 8 quite easily and will make your time using Windows 8 and the Metro Start Screen a lot easier and more productive.

Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Windows Key >> [Search Term] >> Enter will allow you to launch an application very quickly. Pressing the Windows key launches the Start Screen, but immediately typing a search term for an application and pressing Enter will launch the application you desire very quickly
• Windows Key + H brings up sharing options for the application you are using
• Windows Key + X shows a context menu filled with links to Windows related settings, such as Command Prompt, Event Viewer, Task Manager, Programs & Features, and more
• Windows Key + C shows the Charm Bar, which can be hard to get to display with a mouse (especially with multiple monitors)
• Windows Key + I shows the information pane that usually only appears once you mouse to the Charm Bar and click Settings. This panel has handy buttons to control volume, networks and power
• Windows Key + P shows multi-display options
• Windows Key + . chucks the program you're using into either one of Windows 8's multi-tasking sidebars
• Windows Key + [1-9] activates one of the programs pinned to your taskbar, with the number you enter corresponding to the location on the taskbar
• Windows Key + F will bring up the Metro interface to search for files. Selecting a file will open a Metro app first, but if there is no Metro app to open the file it will choose a Desktop app instead
• Windows Key + W allows you to search for settings in a similar way to files. A lot of the time the selections will open the Control Panel
• Esc (when on the Start Screen) or Windows Key + D immediately ditches the Start Screen for the Desktop
• Windows Key + E opens Windows Explorer in case you need to browse files and either don't have it pinned to the taskbar or don't want to search for it
• Windows Key + Tab displays the new Windows 8 Metro multi-tasking sidebar
• Windows Key + D to Show the Desktop
• Windows Key + Break to go to System Properties
• Windows Key + Space it switched keyboard languages
• Windows Key + X For mobility Center (Should be very useful with laptops and tablets)
• Windows Key + Shift + [1-9] Opens another instance of that program (if already opened)
• Windows Key + M also minimizes all windows to the superbar
• Windows Key + L Logs you out so you need to enter the password (could be handy)
• Windows Key + D takes you straight to the desktop
• Windows Key + Q takes you to "apps"
• Windows Key + U brings up Ease of access
• Windows Key + R the usual run box

Windows 8 Tips and Tricks:

Windows 8 Consumer Preview also provides users to take a screenshot with just one step. In older versions of Windows, users could take a screenshot by hitting the PrtScr, which then saves it to the Clipboard. However, in order to view and save that screenshot you had to have some kind of image view program. To take a screenshot of your desktop in Windows 8, all you have to do is hit the PrtScr key and the Windows key at the same time. By doing this, Windows saves the screenshot as a PNG file to the Pictures folder where it is labeled simply as Screenshot, with a sequential number.

Another Windows 8 trick is accessing Windows 8's new backup file tool, which is now called File History (known in older versions of Windows as Previous Versions). If you have an external hard drive or even a USB flash drive you can back up your files by pressing the Windows key and the W key at the same time and then type File History to access the feature.

If you have more Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts and Windows 8 Tips and Tricks other than those helpful ones, let us know in the comments below and we'll add it to the list for other Windows 8 users. Keep Sharing!

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