How to Quickly Open Apps in Windows 8 — Video Tip (Historical)

Historical support note: This video documents the original Windows 8 Start screen and Search behavior.

Windows 8 replaced the traditional Start menu with a full-screen Start experience. One of its fastest workflows was to begin typing the name of an app or program immediately after opening Start.

Watch the original video

Quickly open an app

1. Press the Windows key to open Start.
2. Begin typing the name of the app or desktop program you want.
3. Select the matching result or press Enter when the correct result is highlighted.

You do not need to click a search box before typing.

Search shortcuts in the original Windows 8 interface

Windows 8 also provided Search-charm shortcuts such as:

• Windows key + Q — search apps
• Windows key + W — search settings
• Windows key + F — search files

These shortcuts and categories changed in later Windows releases, so the video should be read as a Windows 8-era interface guide.

Official reference

• Microsoft Windows lifecycle status: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/updates-lifecycle/what-does-it-mean-if-windows-isn-t-supported