Guide | How To Most Powerful Windows 8 Shortcut for Power Users

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Much has been written about the lack of a Start button in Windows 8, but if you’re a power user you may find the lack of start menu items like My Computer and Control Panel just as troubling.

Type Windows key Windows logo key + X (or mouse to lower left hot corner and right click) for the following menu:

Here is the list of options:

• 
  * Programs and Features
  * Power Options
  * Event Viewer
  * System
  * Device Manager
  * Disk Management
  * Computer Management
  * Command Prompt
  * Command Prompt (Admin)
  * Task Manager
  * Control Panel
  * File Explorer
  * Search
  * Run
  * Desktop

Note the underlined letters in the menu. These can be used to navigate directly to each option using only the keyboard. For example to access the Control Panel, Press Windows key Windows logo key + X and then the letter P. To access the File Explorer, Windows key Windows logo key + X + X.

Like Windows key short cuts? Here’s a list of new or useful ones available in Windows 8:

Windows key Windows logo key + F : Search Files
Windows key Windows logo key + W : Search Control Panel and Settings stuff
Windows key Windows logo key + K : Devices
Windows key Windows logo key + C : Charms
Windows key Windows logo key + X : Administrative Tools
Windows key Windows logo key + I : Metro Settings Charm
Windows key Windows logo key + Arrows : Snap desktop apps to the sides
Windows key Windows logo key + PageUp/Dn : Move full screen apps to other monitors
Windows key Windows logo key + (period) : Alternate sides to "snap" Metro Apps.