Windows Hotkeys (keyboard shortcuts)

Common functions in Windows can be achieved rapidly by using hotkeys (keyboard shortcuts). The most common are presented below (some them are application and / or operating system specific).

Windows 8 & Windows RT

Win + [start typing] = Search your PC

Ctrl + [plus] or Ctrl + [minus] = Zoom in / out of large number of items

Ctrl + [scroll wheel] = Zoom in / out of large number of items

Win + C = Open the charms

Win + F = Open the Search charm to search files

Win + H = Open the Share charm

Win + I = Open the Settings charm

Win + J = Switch the main app and snapped app

Win + K = Open the Devices charm

Win + O = Lock the screen orientation (portrait or landscape)

Win + Q = Open the Search charm to search apps

Win + W = Open the Search charm to search settings

Win + Z = Show the commands available in the app

Win + [space] = Switch input language and keyboard layout

Win + Ctrl + [space] = Change to a previously selected input

Win + Tab = Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps)

Win + Ctrl + Tab = Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) and snap them as they are cycled

Win + Shift + Tab = Cycle through open apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order

Win + PageUp = Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the left (Apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)

Win + PageDown = Move the Start screen and apps to the monitor on the right (apps in the desktop won’t change monitors)

Win + Shift + [dot]  = Snaps an application to the left

Win + [dot]  = Snaps an application to the right

Windows 7

Win + [Up] = Maximize active window

Win + [Down] = Minimize / restore active window

Win + Shift + [Up] = Maximize vertical size of active window

Win + Shift + [Down] = Restore previous vertical size of active window

Win + Shift + [Left] = Move active window to left monitor

Win + Shift + [Right] = Move active window to right monitor

Win + T = Focus the first Taskbar item, press again to cycle through all items

Win + Shift + T = Cycle through Taskbar items in reverse order

Win + Space = Peek at the desktop

Win + G = Bring gadgets to the front

Win + B = If there is no balloon in the Notification area, show hidden icons; otherwise show the icon the balloon belongs to

Win + [Number] = Cycle through grouped icon Taskbar windows (or tabs)

Shift + [click icon]  = Open a new instance of Taskbar item

Ctrl + Shift + [click icon]  = Open a new instance (Run as Administrator)

Shift + [right-click icon]  = Show window menu (Restore / Minimize / Move, etc)

Ctrl + [click]  = Cycle through grouped icon Taskbar windows (or tabs)

Shift + [right-click]  = In any Explorer folder window, to access 'Open command window here' option

Windows XP

Win = Start Menu

Win + Pause = System Properties

Win + D = Show Desktop

Win + M = Minimize all windows

Win + E = Launch Win Explorer

Win + R = Run Command

Win + Shift + M = Maximize all windows

Win + L (XP) = Lock OS

Alt + Tab = Shift between Windows

Alt + Shift + Tab = Shift between Windows (Reverse Order)

Alt + Spacebar + N = Minimize current window

Alt + F4 = Close Current Window

Alt + Spacebar + X = Maximize

Alt + Spacebar + R = Restore

Ctrl+X = Cut

Ctrl+C = Copy

Ctrl+V = Paste

Ctrl+A = Select All

Ctrl+P = Print

Ctrl+ Shift + F10 = Shows Context Menu (Mouse Right Click Effect)

Ctrl+Esc = Start Menu

Ctrl + Shift + Esc  = Show Task Manager

Note: Win stands for the Windows key (the key with Windows logo on it) in modern keyboards.