Keyboard shortcuts existed even before the mouse was invented. Although we have all become accustomed to using the mouse, touchpad, and touchscreen effectively, keyboard shortcuts are still one of the most efficient ways to navigate the Windows user interface and applications. Below is a list of keyboard shortcuts for the Microsoft Surface running Windows 8 and RT. Most of the listed shortcuts apply across all Windows 8 devices, but there are a few that only apply to the Surface Pro and Surface RT, due to the function (Fn) keys on the Touch and Type covers.
| Hold Down | Press | Desktop |
| Start | B | Go to Desktop |
| Start | C | Open charms bar |
| Start | D | Go to Desktop |
| Start | E | Open File Explorer |
| Start | F | Search files |
| Start | H | Bring up Share charm |
| Start | I | Bring up Settings charm |
| Start | K | Bring up Devices charm |
| Start | L | Lock Windows |
| Start | M | Minimize all, show desktop |
| Start | P | Bring up Second screen charm |
| Start | Q | Search Apps |
| Start | R | Open the Run window |
| Start | T | Activate desktop task bar |
| Start | U | Open Ease of Access Center window |
| Start | W | Search Settings |
| Start | X | Bring up system utility settings menu |
| Start | Z | Swipe up |
| Start | Period | Snap Desktop to the left. Press repeatedly to cycle Desktop location to the right, center and left again. |
| Start+Shift | Period | Snap Desktop to the right. Press repeatedly to cycle Desktop location to the left, center and right again. |
| Start | Comma | Peek at desktop, let go to return |
| Start | Tab | Switch to last app. Press Tab repeatedly to cycle through apps on the left task panel |
| Start | Enter | Run Windows Narrator |
| Alt | Tab | Switch to last app. Press Tab repeatedly to cycle through open apps |
| Ctrl | Tab | Switch to next instance of current app (Example: Internet Explorer switches between tabs. This feature depends on app capability.) |
| Ctrl | Esc | Switch between Start screen and latest app |
| Fn | Up | Page Up |
| Fn | Down | Page Down |
| Fn | Left | Home |
| Fn | Right | End |
Have I missed any shortcuts? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks!