Rather than using menus, toolbars, or ribbon buttons to get things done in Windows 8.1, you can use keyboard shortcuts. A keyboard shortcut is either a function key, such as F1, or a combination of keys, such as Ctrl+C (hold down the first key and, without letting go, press the second key), that performs an action such as opening help or copying selected text. Mastering keyboard shortcuts can make you a more efficient computer user.
Some shortcuts work in the Windows Start screen or desktop or in File Explorer, while others work in software programs such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel. The tables in this chapter list keyboard shortcuts that work with the Windows user interface displayed, and general shortcuts are grouped into categories such as Editing and Accessibility.
Use This Keystroke Combination | To Do This |
Windows logo key+B, D, M, and T | Go to the desktop |
Windows logo key+C | Open the charms |
Windows logo key+E | Open File Explorer |
Windows logo key+F | Open the Search charm with Files selected |
Windows logo key+H | Open the Share charm |
Windows logo key+I | Open the Settings charm |
Windows logo key+K | Open the Devices charm |
Windows logo key+L | Access the lock screen |
Windows logo key+P | Access the second screen settings |
Windows logo key+Q | Open the Search charm with Everywhere selected |
Windows logo key+R | Desktop with Run dialog open |
Windows logo key+U | Open the Ease of Access Center |
Windows logo key+W | Open the Search charm with Settings selected |
Windows logo key+X | Show the Power User menu displays in lower-left corner |
Windows logo key+Z | When at the Start screen, opens the toolbar that offers Customize |
Windows logo key+Enter | |
F1 | Display Help for the active app |
Ctrl+Esc | Toggle between the Start screen and desktop |
Alt+Tab | Switch between open programs |
Shift+Delete | Delete item permanently by using File Explorer |
Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Open Windows Task Manager |
Use This Keystroke Combination | To Do This |
Ctrl+C | Copy |
Ctrl+X | Cut |
Ctrl+V | Paste |
Ctrl+B | Bold |
Ctrl+U | Underline |
Ctrl+I | Italic |
Ctrl+Z | Undo last command or last text entry |
Ctrl+A | Select all items in active window |
Use This Keystroke Combination | To Do This |
F2 | Rename selected object |
F3 | In File Explorer, opens the Search tab to search for all files |
Alt+Enter | Open properties for selected object |
Right-click while dragging a file to the desktop or a folder | Create a shortcut, copy, or move an item |
F5 | Refresh active window |
F6 or Tab | Cycle through items in File Explorer |
Use This Keystroke Combination | To Do This |
Press Shift five times | Toggle StickyKeys on and off |
Press left mouse button and hold the right Shift key for eight seconds | Toggle FilterKeys on and off |
Press down and hold the Num Lock key for five seconds | Toggle ToggleKeys on and off |
Left Alt+left Shift+Num+Lock | Toggle MouseKeys on and off |
Left Alt+left Shift+Print Screen | Toggle high contrast on and off |
Use This Keystroke Combination | To Do This |
Tab | Move to the next control in the dialog box. |
Shift+Tab | Move to the previous control in the dialog box. |
Spacebar | If the current control is a button, this clicks the button. If the current control is a check box, this toggles the check box. If the current control is an option, this selects the option. |
Enter | Equivalent to clicking the selected button (the button with the outline). |
Esc | Equivalent to clicking the Cancel button. |
Alt+underlined letter in dialog box item | Move to the corresponding item. |