Secret Start Menu
Right-click in the lower left-hand corner of the screen to bring up a menu of quick links to the Control Panel, Task Manager, programs list and other key areas of the system. From here you can search for files, launch the Run box, open the File Explorer and more.
Apple's Time Machine style automatic backup
Open the System and Security screen in Control Panel to enable the File History, which works in a similar way to Apple's Time Machine. You'll also need a second hard drive on hand (interna, external or networked) to save your file version history automatically.
Mix Metro and the Desktop
Metro Start Screen apps can be docked to the left or right edge of the screen, and they will switch to a special mini mode at the same time. This means you can keep an eye on your Twitter or Facebook feed while reading WinMatrix threads.
Quick Screenshots
The Snipping Tool is still present in Windows 8, but you can now press Windows button and PrtScrn at the same time to save a PNG screengrab to a Screenshots folder in the Pictures library.
Easy Reinstall or Reset
Go to the Change PC Settings link from the Settings charm. Under the General tab, you’ll find you can “Refresh your PC” or “Remove everything.” Use the first option to restore Windows to its factory setting while leaving your personal documents, files and personalisations intact. The second option performs a full reinstall, clearing out all your files and wiping the hard drive.
File Explorer Keyboard shortcuts
Alt + D - Select the address bar
Ctrl + E - Select the search tab
Ctrl + F - Select the search box
Ctrl + N - Open a new window
Ctrl + W - Close the current window
Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel - Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
Ctrl + Shift + E - Display all folders above the selected folder
Ctrl + Shift + N - Create a new folder
Num Lock + asterisk (*) - Display all subfolders under the selected folder
Num Lock + plus (+) - Display the contents of the selected folder
Num Lock + minus (-) - Collapse the selected folder
Alt + P - Display the preview pane
Alt + Enter - Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item
Alt + Right arrow - View the next folder
Alt + Up arrow - View the folder that the folder was in
Alt + Left arrow - View the previous folder
Backspace - View the previous folder
Right arrow - Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder
Left arrow - Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in
End - Display the bottom of the active window
Home - Display the top of the active window
F11 - Maximize or minimize the active window