Windows 8 Tips Part 3 – Reduce your clicks

Windows 8 has definitely changed the way I interact with the OS. I find myself using more keyboard shortcuts than in the past. There are the usual suspects such as WinKey+D to take you to your desktop, WinKey+L to lock your PC, Alt+Tab to switch between open apps and WinKey+, to make all windows transparent so you can see your desktop. There are a ton of other keyboard shortcuts you can use to get around Windows 8 more easily.

The next nugget I stumbled across quite by accident, and I have since then seen a few blog posts about this quick menu. How can you access Programs and Features, System, Control Panel, Task Manager and many other often used locations in a snap? Move your mouse into the bottom left corner of your screen (you know, where your start menu used to be). You will see the following pop up:

Windows 8 Start Icon

 

 

 

 

Now, right click and a context menu will be displayed that will teleport you to some really useful locations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The great thing about this is that you no longer need to navigate your way through multiple screens to get to Programs and Features for example. Admittedly, opening up the Task Manager can still be done by Ctrl+Shift+Esc, but this just gives you a little extra. And speaking of the Task Manager, have you seen it on Windows 8? It serves the same function as on Windows 7, only now it is on steroids and provides you with so much more.

Windows 8 Task Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If any of you have some tips and shortcuts to share, feel free to let us know in the comments below.

Dirk Strauss

As a seasoned software developer with a long-standing career in C# and Visual Studio, I have had the privilege of working with a number of companies and learning from some of the most talented individuals in the industry. In addition to my professional experience, I have authored multiple books on topics such as C#, Visual Studio, and ASP.NET Core. My passion for programming is unwavering, and I am dedicated to staying current with the latest technology and sharing my expertise with others.