Windows Shortcuts

Almost every application has shortcuts. Common to many are the “ctrl+c” and “ctrl+v”, copy/paste pair. But Windows is more than an operating system, it is a bunch of bundled applications that run on top of the operating system as well, and as you would guess, it has its own shortcuts, using the Windows Key (.) You should have at least one of these on your keyboard, down at the bottom, on either side of the spacebar. It is a key with the Windows Logo on it. Pressing and releasing it should bring up the start menu, give it a whirl!

Using the Shortcuts

To use any of the windows short cuts you see below, simply press and hold the windows key down and the push the other key on your keyboard. You can then release the windows key.

The List

Here is the list, in all its glory!

• + D – Show Desktop
  Hides all open applications (including anything without a minimize button) and shows you your desktop. Using it again will return you to the previous state.
• + E – Windows Explorer
  Opens windows explorer with My Computer expanded.
• + M – Minimize All Windows
  This actually minimizes all of your windows, if they have a minimize button.
• + Shift + M – Undo Minimize All Windows
  Just as the name says, it will restore/maximize all of the windows after using the Windows Key + M.
• +F – Find/Search
  Opens the windows Find/Search interface (or Windows Desktop Search if you have that installed.)
• + Shift + F – Windows Desktop Search Results
  Open the Windows Desktop Search Results (if you have that installed.)
• + Pause/Break – System Information
  Opens the System Information window, the same as right clicking My Computer and choosing “Properties”.
• + R – Run Window
  Open the Run Window, same as clicking Start and then Run.
  
• + Tab
  Pre-Vista: Cycles through open programs on the start bar, hit enter/space to choose.
  Vista: Get live preview of open applications with an (optional) 3D effect.
• + F1 – Windows Help
  Open the Windows Help & Support Center.
• + U – Windows Utility Manager
  Opens the Utility Manager letting you start the Screen Magnifier, Narrator and On-Screen Keyboard.
  
• + L – Lock Windows
  This will lock windows, requiring the password for the active account be entered to gain access to the computer again.
  
  

Other Windows Shortcuts

There are other shortcuts in windows that don’t involve using the windows key.

• ALT + TAB / ALT + SHIFT + TAB – Application Switcher
  Hold down the Alt key, and press & release the tab key. The application switcher will stay on the screen and you can hit the tab key to cycle through the applications. You can add the SHIFT key while hitting tab to cycle through the applications in the other order. Once you have the application you want to focus on, release the ALT key.
• ALT + Double Click – Item Properties
  Displays the properties of the item you double click on. For example, if you ALT + Double Click on My Computer, you will get the System Properties. ALT + Double Click a file and you will get the file’s properties.
• CTRL + TAB / CTRL + SHIFT + TAB – Document Switcher
  Switch between open documents in applications that support this feature. Windows actually “gives” the feature to applications; the programmers just have to use it. Some programs do, others use their own code to do it, and others just don’t do it at all.
• ALT + Print Screen
  Creates a screen shot of the active application only (i.e., the application that you are currently in when you hit it.)
• CTRL + ESC – Windows Start Menu
  If you don’t have the windows key, you can use this to bring up the start menu, but you can substitute it in any of the windows-key shortcuts above (i.e., CTRL + ESC + D won’t show you the desktop.)
• ALT + ESC – Switch Active Application
  Switch Between open applications on taskbar (this won’t restore/maximize the application if it is minimized.)
  

Think there are more I should add? Post a comment below and I will!