Windows 8.1 keyboard shortcut keys 2016 (FULL LIST)

Top keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains common keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.

Press this key	To do this
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)	Copy the selected item
Ctrl + X	Cut the selected item
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)	Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z	Undo an action
Alt + Tab	Switch between open apps
Alt + F4	Close the active item, or exit the active app
Windows logo key  + L	Lock your PC or switch accounts
Windows logo key  + D	Display and hide the desktop

New keyboard shortcuts

The following table contains new keyboard shortcuts that you can use in Windows.

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  + C	Open the charmsIn an app, open the commands for the app
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  + 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 everywhere or within an open app (if the app supports app search)
Windows logo key + S	Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web
Windows logo key‌  + W	Open the Search charm to search settings
Windows logo key‌  + Z	Show the commands available in the app

Note

You can also see some settings and options by going to the Settings charm when the app is open.

Windows logo key‌  + spacebarSwitch input language and keyboard layoutWindows logo key‌  + Ctrl + spacebarChange to a previously selected inputWindows logo key‌  + TabCycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)Windows logo key‌  + Ctrl + TabCycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)Windows logo key‌  + Shift + TabCycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse orderWindows logo key‌  + Shift + period (.)Snaps an app to the leftWindows logo key‌  + period (.)Cycle through open appsEscStop or exit the current task

Categories: windows 8.1, windows 8.1 key, windows 8.1 shortcut keys, windows 8.1 shortcuts