Windows 8 brings us a lot of benefits (faster, more battery-saving and more lightweight compared to Windows 7, etc.). However, the usage of mouse for manipulating these functions seems to be unsuitable.
Your usage of Windows 8 will be much easily with short-cut keys. The following articles from betdownload.com will summarize short-cut keys being used in Windows 8.

SHOT-CUT KEYS IN WINDOWS 8
Short-cut keys in Windows Explorer do not change compared to Win7, so this article will focus on the manipulations of short-cut keys on Desktop and MetroUI interfaces.

Windows Switch from Desktop into Metro UI
Windows + C Open Charms Bar
Windows + I Quickly open Setting panel.
Windows + K Open Devices panel.
Windows + H Quickly open Share panel.
Windows + Q Quickly open search box.
Windows + , Make currently- running windows on Desktop transparent.
Windows + P Quickly open screen switch panel.
Windows + Tab Change applications in MetroUI and Desktop
Windows + E Open Windows Explorer.
Windows + R Open Run Dialogue box to enter commands.
Windows + X Open advanced options for system management.
Windows + Home Minimize all windows, except for currently-used window.
Windows + Pause / Break Open System panel.
Windows + PrtSc / SysRq Take screenshot and automatically save in folder.
C:\Users\Taimienphi\Pictures\Screenshots
(betdownload is your computer’s name).
With the above short-cut keys, you will easily use and manipulate Windows 8 operating system. In addition, you can refer to and useshort-cut keys in Excel,short-cut keys in Gmail, etc.