Mouse and keyboard: What’s new in Windows 8 Consumer Preview

[This information is preliminary and subject to change.] Most of what you know about using a mouse and keyboard with Windows has stayed the same, especially in the desktop. Here are a few ways to use the new Windows 8 Consumer Preview features with a mouse and with keyboard shortcuts—and how to find some familiar things in new places.

To do this	With a mouse	With a keyboard
Open the charms (Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings).	Point to the upper-right or lower-right corner. (Try moving so far into the corner that it disappears.) When the charms appear, click the one you want.

Illustration of opening the charms with a mouse

All charms: Windows logo key +C

Search charm: Windows logo key +Q

Share charm: Windows logo key +H

Start charm: Windows logo key

Devices charm: Windows logo key +K

Settings charm: Windows logo key +I

Search your PC (apps, settings, and files), the web, or within an app. | Open the charms, click Search, and then enter your search term. | If you’re on Start, just start typing your search term.

Search apps: Windows logo key +Q

Search settings: Windows logo key +W

Search files: Windows logo key +F

Go to Start. | Open the charms, and then click Start. Point to the lower-left corner. When the Start preview appears, click it. |

Press the Windows key Windows logo key on your keyboard or tablet.

Get to commands, like Save, Edit, and more. | When using an app, right-click in open space (no text or images). On Start, right-click a tile.

Illustration of viewing app commands

Within an app: Windows logo key +Z

Switch between open apps. | To switch to your most recently used app, point to the upper-left corner. (Try moving it so far into the corner that it disappears.) When the app preview appears, click it. To switch to a different open app, point to the upper-left corner and then pull it down slightly. When the app previews appear, click the one you want.

Illustration of switching apps

| Alt+Tab
Snap an app to use two apps side by side. Notes

The Start screen can’t be snapped.
The desktop is treated as a single app.
Your screen resolution must be 1366 x 768 to snap apps. To check this setting: [Tap or click to open Screen Resolution.](shortcut:%25systemroot%25system32control.exe desk.cpl,,4 “Tap or click to open Screen Resolution in Control Panel”)

| Point to the upper-left corner. When the app preview appears, drag it to snap the app to either side of the screen. You can also right-click the preview and select the app you want to snap.

Illustration of context menu to snap an app

Windows logo key +Period

Open the desktop. | Go to Start, and then click the Desktop tile. |

Windows logo key +D

Select a file, tile, or other item, or view options for an item. | Right-click the item. | Use Tab or arrows keys to highlight things, and then press Enter.
Zoom in or out | On Start, use the Summary view icon in the lower-right corner or Ctrl+Scrollwheel. | Ctrl+Plus sign to zoom out Ctrl+Minus sign to zoom in
Close an app | Point to the upper-left corner. When the thumbnail appears, drag it to the bottom of the screen. |

Windows logo key +F4

Shut down | Open the charms, and then click Settings. Click Power, and then select a shutdown option. |

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del.
Tab to the Power icon. A list of shutdown options appears.
Use the arrow keys to get to the option you want.
Press Enter.

To learn about how to do similar tasks using touch, see Touch: swipe, tap, and beyond. For more on getting around Windows 8 Consumer Preview, see Get to know Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

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