Useful Windows Logo Key (Start Button) Shortcuts !!

If you want to be an expert in Windows Operating System you should be familiar with the Windows Keyboard Shortcuts. Certainly shortcuts are very useful to operate a PC perfectly. If you know the shortcuts it will be very handy to use the Windows. 

I personally always value the shortcuts. Because I have a lot of works to do and those shortcuts are very useful for me. Keyboard shortcuts enhance my PC experience. 

A common example: Press Windows Logo Key + Pause to open Properties Window. This is very handy in compared to Right Click on My Computer Icon > Choose Properties from the menu. 

Today's topic is the Shortcuts related to Windows Logo Key or Start Button Shortcuts. Don't make mistake. This list contains the most useful shortcuts related to Start Key. There are other shortcuts too. But I think those are not essential. I summarize the essential part for you. Source: Microsoft 

Windows Logo Key/ Start Key Shortcuts

Try to Memorize them (Good Luck)

Key Combination	Action
	Open/ Close Start Menu
+ C	Open the Charm (Win 8)
+ D	Show the desktop
+ E	Open Computer/ My Computer
+ F	Open Windows Search Option
+ G	Cycle through Gadgets (If any)
+ I	Open the Settings Menu (Win 8)
+ L	Lock Computer
+ M	Minimize all Windows
+ Shift + M	Restore Minimized Window
+ P	Choose a Presentation Display Mode
+ Q	Search Apps (Win 8)
+ R	Open the Run
+ T	Cycle through Programs Pinned to the Task bar
+ U	Open Ease of Access Center
+ W	Search Settings (Win 8)
+ X	Windows Mobility Center/ Power Menu in Win 8
+ Numeric Key	Open app on the Task Bar (Start + 1/ 2/ 3 etc.)
+ Print Screen	Take Screenshots and Auto Save to My Picture
+ Pause	Display the System Properties dialog box.
+ Tab	Cycle through running programs
+ Spacebar	Preview the desktop/ Switch Language
+ Up Arrow	Maximize the window
+ Left Arrow	Maximize the window to the left side of the screen
+ Right Arrow	Maximize the window to the right of the screen
+ Down Arrow	Minimize the window
+ Home	Minimize all Windows except the Active One

Note: Most of these shortcuts are compatible with all versions of Windows (from Win XP to 8). But some of them are very specific to Windows 8. And some of them are not compatible with Windows 8. 


Tips to Memorize: Sometimes shortcuts are very difficult to memorize. Few of them are not memorable at all. Because you find no meaning to them. 

For example- Start + E to open Computer. What is the relation between E and My Computer. Here E means Explorer. That means Start + E to open Windows Explorer to explore your files and folders in your hard disk drives! 

Thus you can relate most of the key combination with the desired action. Some of them are as below:

• Start + D means Desktop
• Start + M means Minimize
• Start + F means Find
• Start + L means Lock