Windows Tools, Help & Guides

If you’re using Windows 8 and are primarily in the desktop view, you may find yourself jumping to the Start screen often to launch common applications like the Control Panel, the Command Prompt, or Device Manager. To save the jumping around and work a little more efficiently, Microsoft have provided a shortcut menu, accessible from both the Start screen and the desktop. This menu provides quick access to:

• Programs and Features
• Power Options
• Event Viewer
• System
• Device Manager
• Disk Management
• Computer Management
• Command Prompt/Command Prompt (Admin)
• Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
• Control Panel
• File Explorer (Windows Key + E)
• Search (F3 from the desktop)
• Run (Windows Key + R)
• Desktop (Windows Key + D)

Note the underlined letter on the menu. Pressing Windows Key + X and then typing the underlined letter will save you a mouse click. Want to access the Control Panel quickly? Windows Key + X, followed by P.

Looking for some more Windows 8 shortcuts? Check out Windows 8 shortcuts for non-touch screen users.

Note: A right click on the Start area will also launch this menu

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix them.

• Web
• |
• Twitter
• |
• Facebook
• |
• LinkedIn
• |
• Google+
• |
• More Posts (1018)

Free PC tips by email