Windows Key Combinations
Fast access to Win7 resources via the keyboard
Comptabile with all Microsoft Windows Operating Systems
Some of Win7's best timesavers are staring you right in the face on your keyboard, particularly via the previously underutilized Windows key. You probably already know that pressing the Windows key (Win) opens the Start menu. But now, holding the Win key in combination with other keys does a lot more.
Win7's Windows-key combinations speed up opening system tools, navigating between files and apps, and performing other common tasks. (Note that many of these shortcuts work in XP and Vista as well.)
Win+Pause: Displays the System Control Panel applet.
Win+D: Shows the desktop.
Win+Spacebar: Shows the desktop without minimizing open windows (Aero Peek).
Win+E: Opens Windows Explorer with Computer selected.
Win+F: Opens a Search window for finding files or folders.
Win+Ctrl+F: Opens a Search window for finding computers on a network.
Win+G: Cycles through Gadgets (if any are installed).
Win+L: Locks your computer or switches users.
Win+M: Minimizes all windows.
Win+Shift+M: Restores minimized windows.
Win+P: Chooses a presentation display mode.
Win+R: Opens the Run dialog box.
Win+T: Cycles through and previews programs on the taskbar.
Win+U: Opens the Ease of Access Center (Utility Manager in XP).
Win+X: Opens the Windows Mobility Center (which isn't installed by default on desktop PCs).
Win+(numbers 1 to 5): Starts the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, it switches to that program.
Win+Shift+(numbers 1 to 5): Starts a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Win+Ctrl+(numbers 1 to 5): Switches to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Win+Alt+(numbers 1 to 5): Opens the Jump List of recently accessed items for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.
Win+Tab: Cycles through open programs by using Aero Flip 3-D. (You must have Aero working; Win7 Home Basic and Starter don't use Aero.)
Win+Ctrl+Tab and then Left or Right Arrow: Opens Aero Flip 3-D to cycle through open programs.
Win+Ctrl+B: Switches to the program that displayed a message in the notification area.
Ctrl+click: Pressing Ctrl while clicking a taskbar icon will scroll through multiple windows of that icon's application.
Win+Up Arrow: Maximizes the window.
Win+Left Arrow: Docks the active window to the left half of the screen.
Win+Right Arrow: Docks the active window to the right half of the screen.
Win+Down Arrow: Minimizes the window.
Win+Shift+Up Arrow: Stretches the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Win+Shift+Left or Right Arrow: Moves the window from one monitor to another.
Win+Home: Minimizes all but the active window.