Windows 8: Windows Keyboard Shortcuts for the Taskbar

Below are Windows keyboard shortcuts for the taskbar that work in Windows 8 desktop mode (this tip is backwards compatible with Windows 7).  These shortcuts allow you to access items pinned to the taskbar or any desktop application that is currently running that has its icon in this area.

• WinKey + (Number): Windows automatically assigns keyboard shortcuts to programs in the taskbar on the desktop. To access them, use the WinKey+the number position of the program in the order it appears there.
•  For example, if Internet Explorer is the first icon in your taskbar by pressing WinKey+1 it will open it. If the Windows Explorer is the second icon in your taskbar by pressing WinKey+2 it will open it. 
• WinKey + Shift + (Number): Opens a new instance of the program associate with the WinKey + number position. So if you had one instance of Internet Explorer running this would open up a new copy of the application in memory. 
• WinKey + Ctrl + (Number): Switches to the last instance of that program associated with that WinKey + number position. 
• WinKey + Alt + (Number): Opens the jump menu of the program associated with that WinKey + number position. 

More: Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts