Microsoft recently released its Windows 8 Release Preview. This probably will be the last preview before Microsoft releases Windows 8 to manufacturing and then to the public. By October, Windows 8 will be the “new” Windows — and Windows 7 will be the old Windows.
Windows 8 is going to be a shocker for those of you who are hanging on to Windows XP. It’s a leap for those of us who are using Windows 7 now. The task bar isn’t. The charms bar is. The desktop isn’t (by default) the Metro UI is. One of the easiest ways to get around in Windows 8 is using keyboard shortcuts. With older versions of Windows keyboard shortcuts were nice but you could get around easily in other ways. Windows 8 just doesn’t look like Windows although most of your favorite Windows programs will run fine on Windows 8.
We’re publishing a list of Windows 8 Release Preview Keyboard shortcuts because we know from experience that while many other things in Windows 8 may change between now and the official release in October 2012 — we’re pretty sure these Windows Key shortcuts won’t.
Each of the following assumes the Windows Key is pressed first OK?
Windows Key +
C Opens the Charms bar
D Opens the classic Desktop
E Opens Windows Explorer
F Go to files in Search charm
G Cycle through desktop gadgets
H Share charm
I Settings charm
J Switch focus between snapped and larger apps
K Devices charm
L Switch Users – Lock the desktop
M Minimize all windows on the desktop
O Switch screen orientation
P Projector Options
R Opens the Run dialog
T Cycle through open apps
U Opens Ease of Access Center
V Cycle through notifications (+Shift to go backwards)
W Go to settings in charms bar
X Quick Link Power User Commands (opens Mobility Center if present)
Z Opens App Bar
There you go. There are many more keyboard shortcuts and Windows Key shortcuts and we’ll be featuring those as the Windows 8 launch day comes closer.
For those of you who would like to try Windows 8, the Windows 8 Release Preview is available here.
Keep in mind, once you install it, there’s no turning back…
Hi Folks,
You and others keep saying W8 is one way but isn’t dual boot possible??? I have a couple of 250+ GB set aside for that very possibility. I would like to try W8 and even Linux in time but I don’t want to commit to either one.
Please advise.
Thank You,
Crysta
Dual Boot is possible. I am doing it right now with the release preview. you will only have to have a USB stick or a disc to save it on and create a partition on your drive. if you search for it there are some good instructions how to do it.
Dual-booting is a pain for most users — especially since Windows 8 comes out in 3 months. Most novice users aren’t going to mess with BIOS settings to boot from USB sticks — most users aren’t going to want to have to choose an operating system at boot. And most users aren’t going to want to boot back and forth from Windows 8 to Windows 7. I’m just saying…dual booting sounds really cool — but in reality it’s a pain.
What are the minimum requirements for windows 8? I have some old computers & maybe I can try in one of them first. Thanks for your wonderful newsletter. Pablo
1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Taking advantage of touch input requires a screen that supports multi-touch
thanks for your windows shortcut tips. this tips help me to work quickly. hope, I will get more useful tips like this in future.
There is no key combination to view all installed programs?