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Make life easier and save yourself time

WindoWs 8 shortcuts

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1 Find your music Just type

This should be the first shortcut that you learn, simply because it’s the one that you’re going to use most in Windows 8. When you’re on the Start screen (the one with the tiles), just start typing to instantly reveal the search function and find what you need in Windows 8.

Make life easier and save yourself time

WindoWs 8 shortcuts

3 Switch windows[Windows]+[Tab]

Hold down [Windows] and press [Tab] to open the modern Taskbar and scroll through your last used apps. If you have multiple apps open, you can keep pressing [Tab] to cycle through them all. Release [Windows] when you reach the app that you want to open. Here’s another handy thing to remember: the Start screen is always open at the bottom of the Modern Taskbar, so you can always get back to it in a jiffy.

4 Charms bar[Windows]+[C]

This is the handy bar that gives you access to most of the major functions in Windows 8. It’s context-sensitive, so it’ll provide extra options and settings that relate to the program or app you’re currently running. Use it whenever you’re stuck or unsure where to turn in the world of Windows 8!

2 Alternative search[Windows]+[Q]

If you’re not at the Start screen (if you have a program open, for instance), simply typing doesn’t allow you to quickly search for stuff. Instead, you need to use this keyboard combination, which instantly reveals the search function so you don’t have to open the Charms bar to locate it.

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7 Switch apps[Windows]+[J]

When you’ve got two windows snapped side by side (on both the left and right sides of the screen), you can use this shortcut to swap between the two. It might not seem as though anything has happened, but when you start doing something (like using the scroll wheel), you’ll notice that the focus has changed.

6 Zoom, zoom[Windows]+[+] or [-]

Use these shortcuts to quickly zoom in and out of whatever’s on screen using the magnifier tool. This is particularly handy when you find yourself looking at a piece of text or an image that is just a little too small to make out.

5 Lock it[Windows]+[L]

Going away from your computer for a while and don’t want any unscrupulous types – okay, just your kids then – getting on to it? This shortcut combination takes your device straight to the Lock screen, meaning you need to enter a password to get back on.

10 Change language and layout

[Windows]+[Space]

This handy little shortcut is really convenient for anyone who likes to switch between different languages – it’s also perfect for switching between different keyboard layouts.

9 Lock orientation[Windows]+[O]

If you’ve got a tablet, this trick will be right up your street – it stops the screen switching between portrait and landscape view when you rotate it. Alternatively, if you’ve been wondering how to turn automatic orientation back on, this is the shortcut for you!

8 Bigger or smaller[Ctrl]+mouse wheel up/down

While the magnifier tool can make things on your screen appear bigger, with this shortcut you can physically changes the size of elements on your screen, such as a bunch of photographs within a folder or a group of applications pinned to your Start screen or desktop.

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