Windows Server 8 - Where's the start button!!!

Server Version
So a lot of people have been asking "If there is no start button, how do I navigate in Windows 8 Server?".   This is a quick note on some of the keyboard commands for Windows 8 Server.  I haven't had time to play with the client version yet.

Windows Key → [Search Term] → Enter will allow you to launch an application very quickly. Pressing the Windows key launches the Start Screen, but immediately typing a search term for an application and pressing Enter will launch the application you desire very quickly.

Windows Key + F will bring up the Metro interface to search for files. Selecting a file will open a Metro app first, but if there is no Metro app to open the file it will choose a Desktop app instead.

Windows Key + W allows you to search for settings in a similar way to files. A lot of the time the selections will open the Control Panel

Esc (when on the Start Screen) or Windows Key + D immediately ditches the Start Screen for the Desktop

Windows Key + E opens Windows Explorer in case you need to browse files and either don't have it pinned to the taskbar or don't want to search for it.

Windows Key + C shows the Charm Bar, which can be hard to get to display with a mouse (especially with multiple monitors).

Windows Key + I shows the information pane that usually only appears once you mouse to the Charm Bar and click Settings. This panel has handy buttons to control volume, networks and power.

Windows Key + P shows multi-display options.

Windows Key + H brings up sharing options for the application you are using.

Windows Key + X shows a context menu filled with links to Windows related settings, such as Command Prompt, Event Viewer, Task Manager, Programs & Features, and more.

Windows Key + . (that is a period) chucks the program you're using into either one of Windows 8's multi-tasking sidebars.

Windows Key + [1-9] activates one of the programs pinned to your taskbar, with the number you enter corresponding to the location on the taskbar.

Windows Key + Tab displays the new Windows 8 Metro multi-tasking sidebar.


On a side note, to install Windows 8 Server into an ESX virtual machine, there are updates that must be run on the ESX host(http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2006859)  It does work however.


Client Version
OK, so a lot of people are probably saying "I thought there was a start button".  On Windows 8 Server, they completely took it out.  On Windows 8 Client, it is off by default.  As of right now, still beta, you can enable the start button via a registry key.  However, I prefer to focus on the Server version.  If you want to add it back to the client version, follow these steps:

1.  Open the registry editor.  (Windows Key + R and run regedit)
2.  Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
3.  Change the RPEnabled entry from 1 to 0