Windows 8.1 Cheat Sheet

Tackle Windows 8 head-on with these shortcuts.

Windows 8 brought a lot of changes to the familiar Windows operating system, many of which upset a lot of users. Windows 8.1, released a mere 12 months after Windows 8, made its appearance and brought back many of the features that people missed in Windows 8, but for many people it was too little too late.

Now Windows 10 is on the wat deal across all versions of Windows is the Windows Shortcut keys, so they will save you a lot of time regardless of which Windows version you are using.

1: Need something on your PC and can’t remember where you saved it?

Windows Key + F searches your PC for any file.

2: Access commands within a Windows app by pressing the Windows Key + Z.

3: If you need to organise your desktop your Windows Key + Right Arrow or Windows Key + Left Arrow will snap the active app to the right or left of the screen. If you have a multi-monitor setup this can cause the app to appear on a different screen, but if you repeat the key combination it will reset to its starting point.

4: Zoom in! Ctrl + Plus (+) or Ctrl + Minus (-) will zoom your screen in or out centred upon whichever app is currently active. In your browser this will increase or decrease the font size, and in Windows itself it will magnify the entire desktop, which can be a little surprising if you’re running multiple screens.

5: Want to close an app quickly? You have a combination of Alt + F4 which should close anything running, or the Windows Key + Down Arrow which will do the same thing to apps.

6: Know the name of an app or executable file you want to run, or need access to the Command shell? Press the Windows Key + R to open the ‘Run’ dialog box. Entering something such as CMD in here will launch the relevant app or exe.

7: Need to clear your screens to focus on what you’re working upon? Press the Windows Key + Home to minimise everything else except the active window. Press the same key combination or grab the title bar with your mouse and shake the active window to bring it all back.

8: Windows Key + X will open the options usually found under the start button, saving time and effort.

9: The Windows Key + Tab will allow you to switch quickly between an application and the desktop.

10: Windows Key + “.” + left or right arrows will align application side by side on a screen.

11: Windows Key + Down will minimise an application revealing whatever lies beneath.

Windows 8.1 is a very versatile and powerful operating system designed to have the same functionality and accessibility across multiple devices, but if you’re using a device with a keyboard, you now have tools that tablet and phone users lack.