Windows 8 Survival Guide for IT Pros

Information and handy tips for using the new UI in Windows Server 8 and Windows 8. Do you have a tip to add? For instructions on adding information, check this topic: Wiki: How to Contribute Content to TechNet Wiki (en-US)

The first tip that helps most people is that if you want to find something, just press the Windows Logo key (also called the windows key) and then start typing. No need to place your cursor in a dialog box before you type. Windows 8 launches the Search app as soon as you begin typing, showing results by number and kind as you type.

OR

Launch the Search app from the Charm buttons by tapping or clicking the Search icon.

To shut down the machine, ctrl+alt+delete still works, look for the power button icon in the bottom right of the screen.

OR

Open the Charms bar, tap or click the Settings charm.
Tap or click the Power icon, and then tap or click Sleep, Shut Down, or Restart.

IT Pros will probably use this tip the most: Windows Key+X gives you this desktop quick menu:

Paul Thurrott's blog post shows how you can Edit the Power User Tasks Menu.

If you, like me, find that you type in more addresses than click on links, here's a handy Win8CP trick:
1. Right click on the taskbar > Toolbars > and then click Address
2. Click Lock the Taskbar

You get this:

This visual reminder is handy when first using the new UI (click here to download from Skydrive for free):

Mouse - to - Touch Translation Guide

Action	Mouse	Touch
Start/open	Click Double-click	Tap Double-tap
Select an item in the new UI for Win 8	Right-click	Swipe down/up
Drag-and-drop	Drag	Slide
Zoom in and out	Mouse scroll wheel UI control	Stretch or pinch
See more info	Point to	Press and hold
Open context menu	Right-click	Tap text

Common Management Tasks and Navigation in Windows Server "8"

Keyboard shortcuts that are new for Windows 8 and Windows Server 8

Key Combo	Windows 8 or Windows Server 8 Functionality
Windows key+(0-9)	Start the pinned app (1 is the leftmost and 0 the the tenth in order right to left)
Windows key+spacebar	Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows key+D	Open Desktop
Windows key+L	Locks/signs out
Windows key+X	Opens Handy Admin Tools menu
Windows key+Y	Temporarily displays the desktop
Windows key+V	Cycles through notifications
Windows key+Shift+V	Cycles through notifications in reverse order
Windows key+I	Opens Settings pane
Windows key+K	Opens Devices pane
Windows key+Q	Opens Search pane
Windows key+F	Opens File Search app
Windows key + E	Open Windows Explorer
Windows key + L Alt + D	Opens address bar (including frequent and pinned pages)
Windows key+C	Opens Charms bar
Windows key+H	Opens Share pane
Windows key+W	Opens Settings Search app
Windows key+Tab	Cycles through Windows 8 apps
Windows key+Shift+Tab	Cycles through Windows 8 apps in reverse order
Windows key+Ctrl+Tab	Cycles through Windows 8 apps and snaps them as they are cycled
Windows key+Z	Opens app bar
Alt+F4	Closes current app