How-To: Insert hidden Windows 8 emoticons and symbols

glitch00

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Feb 13, 2013
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Windows 8 not only offers an improved onscreen keyboard that is optimized for touchscreens but it also allows you to paste some hidden symbols that you won't find on the Character Map (at least to my knowledge).

1a. To access these symbols, simply click on the Touch Keyboard icon on your taskbar.
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1b. If you do not see this icon, right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and go to Toolbars. Click Touch Keyboard to bring up the icon.
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2. Once you see the onscreen keyboard, click the Smiley icon next to the Ctrl button.
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3a. Select any symbol you like on the top three rows and the symbol should be placed as long as there is a blinking text cursor on your screen. (Activate the text box or word processor before bringing up the Touch Keyboard)
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3b. Clicking the right arrow key below the Tab button on the touch keyboard scrolls the list of symbols so you can actually see more hidden ones on the far right.

3c. The bottom row of keys on the touch keyboard serve as categories. Clicking on any of the buttons on the bottom row reveal even more hidden symbols. Like the smiley category, each category has a scrollable list so use the arrow buttons to see more symbols.
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Unfortunately, these symbols cannot be used on your browser and possibly several other applications so forget about showing these cool symbols on Facebook or posting them here