While the touch capability of Windows8 works great on a tablet or mobile device, its not so easy on a non-touch pc with a traditional setup, Keyboard shortcuts make the whole process a lot easier.
| Keystrokes | Result |
Windows key ( ) | Switches between the Windows 8 apps and Start screen and the Windows Desktop (or the last full-screen application that displayed) |
| Windows key + C | Opens the charms bar and the Clock. To open the charms bar on a notebook computer, swipe the edge of the track pad |
| Windows key + H | Opens the Share charm |
| Windows key + I | Opens the Settings charm |
| Windows key + K | Opens the Devices charm |
| Windows key + O | Locks or unlocks the screen orientation if your computer can detect and adjust screen orientation |
| Windows key + W | Opens the Search charm with the Settings mode selected |
| Windows key + F | Opens the Search charm with the Files mode selected |
| Windows key + Q | Opens the Search charm with the Apps mode selected |
| Windows key + X | Opens the menu on the Desktop or the Start screen |
| Windows key + Z | Opens the commands or options for the app currently open on the screen (if the app has any commands or options defined) |
| Windows key + Tab | Shows the most recently used or currently running apps on the Start screen. To move from app to app, hold the Windows key and press the Tab key |
| Windows key + Prt Scr (Print Screen) | Takes and saves screenshots instantly. Your screen flashes and Windows saves the screenshot to your Pictures folder as a PNG image file |
| Alt + Tab | Shows all the apps that are open on the computer. Hold the Alt key and press the Tab key to move from app to app |
| Alt + F4 | Closes the software you are currently using. If you select Windows Desktop, the Windows Shut Down menu displays |
| Ctrl + F1 | Toggles the Explorer ribbon in File Explorer and other apps that support this function. |
If you would rather download a copy of the shortcuts to keep or printout, click Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts PDF
