By now I recon most of you had had the chance to witness Microsoft’s newest operating system Windows 8. Because it is a new OS you will need to discover how to use it efficiently. Some of the ways you have used MS programs and the OS itself will be similar, while others will be changed or no longer a feature with the new OS. I personally like Win 8, but it does take some time and experimentation to acclimate to it.
Here are some keyboard shortcuts that are new. How new you ask? They still have that new shortcut smell. And yes I know that was hokey, but I’m tired cut me some slack. Besides I’m an IT blogger, not a stand up comedian.
Where were we… oh yes, new keyboard shortcut, that is new to MS & the Windows Operating System world. My suggestion is that you take some time and fiddle with these shortcuts and explore the way Win 8 works with your new device. If you looking for more reading take a gander at TechRepublic or ITworld, and they should have volumes of content to sift through.
For now you have this short list of ideas to try yourself. Please leave a comment and check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Happy Keyboarding!
|
Press this key |
To do this |
| Windows logo key +start typing | Search your PC |
| Ctrl+plus (+) or Ctrl+minus (-) | Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen |
| Ctrl+scroll wheel | Zoom in or out of a large number of items, like apps pinned to the Start screen |
| Windows logo key +Shift+period (.) | Snaps an app to the left |
| Windows logo key +period (.) | Snaps an app to the right |
| Windows logo key +F | Open the Search charm to search files |
| Windows logo key +H | Open the Share charm |
| Windows logo key +I | Open the Settings charm |
| Windows logo key +J | Switch the main app and snapped app |
| Windows logo key +K | Open the Devices charm |
| Windows logo key +O | Lock the screen orientation (portrait or landscape) |
| Windows logo key +Q | Open the Search charm to search apps |
| Windows logo key +W | Open the Search charm to search settings |
| Windows logo key +Z | Show the commands available in the app |
| Windows logo key +spacebar | Switch input language and keyboard layout |
| Windows logo key +Ctrl+spacebar | Change to a previously selected input |
| Esc | Stop or exit the current task |
| Windows logo key +Tab | Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) |
| Windows logo key +Ctrl+Tab | Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snaps them as they are cycled |
| Windows logo key +Shift+Tab | Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order |
| Windows logo key +PgUp | Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) |
| Windows logo key +PgDown | Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors) |
| Windows logo key +Shift+period (.) | Snaps an app to the left |
| Windows logo key +period (.) | Snaps an app to the right |