How to Use Gestures Without a Touchscreen or a (Working) Trackpad

9:19 AM

One of the best things about Windows 8 is that it adds an incredible amount of functionality to your arsenal with swipes and taps. You know, gestures. But if you don't have a touchscreen or a compatible trackpad, here's how you can still take advantage of all the new shortcuts. Microsoft calls them "hot corners," but they're basically just mouse-friendly maneuvers:

Start: Mouse to the bottom left corner, left click the tile.
Power User Navigation: If you right click the bottom left popup instead of left clicking it, you'll get options for a host of commands, like opening Task Manager or Control Panel, or individual settings like Power Options or Device Manager.
Multitask Quick Swap: Mouse to the top left corner and left click it (You can also right click to close or snap left or right)
Multitask Bar: Mouse to the top left corner, then slide your cursor down the left side of the screen. (Right click closes or snaps left or right here as well)
Charms: Mouse to the top or bottom right corner.
Close Live App: Click the top-center of the app and drag it to the bottom of the screen.
Live App Menu: Right click anywhere in the Live app
Aero Peek: Aero Peek is still here! Mouse to the bottom right corner and leave the cursor there.

Other New Keyboard Shortcuts

Start+C: Open charms

Start+Q: Search charm
Start+H: Share charm
Start+K: Devices charm
Start+I: Settings charm
Start+Q: Search apps
Start+W: Search settings
Start+F: Search files (It's easier to just type directly into the Start screen, but these take you directly to your desired search category.)
Start+,: Peek at desktop
Start+B: Back to desktop
Start+Enter: Open Windows Narrator
Start+X: Open system utility settings menu
For Live Apps
Start+.: Snap app left
Start+Shift+.: Snap app right
Start+Z: App options
Start+Tab: Cycle through app history
Start+F4: Close an app

You Might Actually Prefer a Mouse

The weird thing about Windows 8 in its Modern (formerly Metro) interface is that while it's meant to be touched, and gestures are enabled on (most) trackpads, using a mouse with it is surprisingly great. So good, in fact, that using the scroll wheel to zoom around the horizontal areas and right clicking and using keyboard shortcuts is easier than dealing with trackpad drivers a lot of times.