Mastering Windows 8/10 Keyboard Shortcuts: Enhance Your Productivity

Enhancing your productivity on Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 is easier than ever with the use of keyboard shortcuts. These powerful tools can save you time and improve your comfort while navigating through the operating system. Here are some essential shortcuts that you can incorporate into your workflow.

General Shortcuts

Windows Key: Open or close the Start menu. Windows Key D: Show or hide the desktop. Windows Key E: Open File Explorer. Windows Key L: Lock your PC or switch accounts. Windows Key R: Open the Run dialog box.

Windows Management Shortcuts

Alt Tab: Switch between open applications. Windows Key Tab: Open Task View, which shows all open windows. Windows Key M: Minimize all windows. Windows Key Shift M: Restore minimized windows. Windows Key Arrow Keys: Snap windows to the sides or maximize/minimize them.

Virtual Desktops (Windows 10)

Windows Key Ctrl D: Create a new virtual desktop. Windows Key Ctrl Left/Right Arrow: Switch between virtual desktops. Windows Key Ctrl F4: Close the current virtual desktop.

Taskbar Shortcuts

Windows Key Number 1-9: Open the program pinned to the taskbar in that position. Shift Click on Taskbar Icon: Open a new instance of the application.

Accessibility Shortcuts

Windows Key U: Open Ease of Access Center. Windows Key Plus: Open Magnifier. Windows Key Esc: Close Magnifier.

Settings and System

Windows Key I: Open Settings. Windows Key X: Open the Quick Link menu, providing access to various system tools. Windows Key S: Open search.

Command Prompt

Windows Key X then A: Open Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows 10. Ctrl Shift Enter: Open Command Prompt as Administrator from the Run dialog.

Bonus Windows 10 Shortcuts

Here are some additional shortcuts that are useful in Windows 10 but are also applicable to Windows 8:

Ctrl C, Ctrl V, Ctrl X: Copy, paste, and cut respectively, saviors for programmers. Win X: Open the context menu with shortcuts for control panel, command prompt, programs and features, device manager, etc. Win A: Open Action Center (Not used much, but for opening it quickly). Win Up Arrow: Move window to the top of the screen. Win Down Arrow: Move window to the bottom of the screen. Win Right Arrow: Move window to the right of the screen. Win Left Arrow: Move window to the left of the screen. Ctrl Shift Esc: Open Task Manager directly. Ctrl Esc: Open Start (Pressing the Windows Key is usually better). Win Tab: Open Task View. Alt Tab: Switch to the next tab (or window). Win D: Show Desktop. Win M: Minimize all windows. Win E: Open File Explorer. Win Print Screen: Take a snapshot of the screen. Win L: Lock the computer. Win S: Launch search (I prefer pressing the Windows Key and typing for search). Win I: Open the Settings panel. Win G: Open the Game Bar. Win Alt R: Start/Stop recording directly. Win K: Open Connect. Win J: Open Share. Win Pause: Open System Properties window. Win Space: Switch input language. Alt D: Focus on the address bar in File Explorer (works in browsers as well). F2: Rename a file (it also works in Excel when focusing on a cell). Ctrl Shift N: Create a new folder.

Browser Shortcuts

Ctrl T: Open a new tab. Ctrl W: Close the current tab. Ctrl Shift T: Reopen the most recently closed tab. Ctrl Tab: Cycle through tabs. Ctrl Shift Tab: Cycle through tabs in reverse order. Ctrl Shift N: Open Incognito mode. Write Website Name Ctrl Enter: The browser will add www and .com to it and open the website (no need to write in full). Alt Enter: Open the website or search results in a new tab.

Conclusion

Mastering these shortcuts can significantly enhance your efficiency in using Windows 8, 8.1, and 10. Start incorporating them into your daily routine and watch as your productivity skyrockets. Good luck and happy coding!