Every time a new version of the Windows operating system or an Upgrade is released, you get to see some new keyboard shortcuts. Many of you, may have already read our post on Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts, today let us have a look at some new keyboard shortcuts that Windows 8.1 introduces – some of which were introduced by Windows 8.1 Update. Several new hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts were introduced with Windows 8.1 Upgrade too.
Windows 8.1 new keyboard shortcuts
Let's check out 10 of the most useful keyboard shortcuts in Windows 8.1.
Win D: Show or Hide Desktop
Win T: Open taskbar, when on the Windows 8.1 Start Screen. On the desktop, it selects the first app on the taskbar.
Alt F4: This will completely shut down a Windows Store app and bring you to the desktop. But if you are on the Desktop, it will still bring the old Shutdown dialog box.
Win Tab: Switches between apps and the desktop
Alt Tab: Switches between all apps, including desktop apps
Home key: When on the Start Screen or Desktop, pressing Home key takes you to the first or top left most Tile or Icon as the case may be.
End key: When on the Start Screen or Desktop, pressing End key will take you to the last or left-most Tile or Icon of the bottom-most row.
Escape key: When on the Start Screen, pressing Esc key takes you to the Desktop. It doesn’t work the other way around.
Win . Right Arrow or
Win . Left Arrow: Place up to four apps side by side.
Win Down arrow: Closes Windows Store app and makes it run in the background.
You can see the full list of shortcuts here at
Microsoft.
Check out this video by Scott Hanselman of Microsoft which talks about using hotkeys effectively.
Windows 7 users may want to download our free
Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts eBook.
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