1. Managing 'Windows' in Windows 7
Move and Resize Active Window
- Win+Arrow Down- Set window to Restored (if Maximized) or Minimized (if Restored)
- Win+Arrow Up- Maximize window (if Restored)
- Win+Shift+Arrow Down/ Win+Shift+Arrow Up- Maximize Restored window vertically / Restore window to previous state
- Win+Arrow Right/Win+Arrow Left- Move Restored window to left/center/right. Works across multiple monitors
- Win+Shift+Arrow Right/Win+Shift+Arrow Left- Move window to left monitor / to right monitor when using multiple monitors
- Alt+Space- Opens the title bar menu
- Alt+Space+Enter- Restore Window
- Alt+Space+x- Maximize Window
- Alt+Space+n- Minimize Window
- F11 Turn full page view on or off
'Maximized' means full screen, 'Restored' means variable window size, and 'Minimized' means minimized to taskbar.
Switch between Applications
Switch between Applications
- Alt+tab, alt+Shift+Tab-Cycles through open programs in taskbar. Hold alt and continuously press tab to move forward between applications. Release keys to switch to application selected. Add shift to reverse direction.
- Alt+Ctrl+tab, then use arrow keys to select application-Cycles through open programs in taskbar without needing to hold alt continuously. Press alt+ctrl+tab once, then continue with arrow keys and press enter on application.
- Alt+Esc/Alt+Shift+Esc-Cycle through programs on taskbar in the order they were opened or accessed
- Win+Tab-Cycle through programs using Aero Flip 3D
- Ctrl+Win+Tab-Cycle through programs on Taskbar using Aero Flip 3D
- Win+g-Cycle through Gadget Window
Manage Multiple Windows
- Win+d-Minimize all windows on all Monitors. Press again to restore previous state
- Win+m-Minimize all windows on current Monitor
- Win+Shift+m-Restore previously minimized windows on current Monitor
- Win+Home-Set all windows to Minimized on current Monitor except active
- Win+Space-Preview Desktop / make windows transparent (May not work with all Settings)
2. Accessing Windows Features
- Win+e-Start-Windows Explorer (in My Computer)
- Win+r-Open the Run window
- Win+f-Open Windows Search. f3 on empty desktop works, too.
- Win+l-Lock the keyboard/ computer
- Win+F1-Display Windows Help
- Alt+Shift-Change keyboard language layout if multiple language layouts are active*
- shift when inserting CD or DVD-Prevent CD or DVD from automatically playing
- Win+p-Choose Presentation Display Mode
- Win+x-Open Mobility Center
- When working with multiple Keyboards Layouts (e.g. Spanish/English/German). Add unlimited Layouts under Regional settings and activate language bar in Taskbar to see current language. Switch with shortcut any time.
3. Windows 7 Taskbar
- Win or ctrl+Esc-Activate Start Button. Then use arrow keys, space and enter to navigate within Start Menu
- Win+t-Go to first item in taskbar, continue with arrow keys
- Win+b-Go to first item in system tray
- Shift+click-on a taskbar item Start new instance of taskbar item
- Ctrl+Shift+click on a taskbar item-Start new instance of taskbar item as administrator
- Shift+right click on a taskbar item-Show the window menu for the program
- Win+1...9-Switch to application in position N on taskbar (or launch pinned application)
- Shift+Win+1...9-Start new instance of taskbar item in position N on taskbar
- Unfortunately, Microsoft removed the possibility to select multiple taskbar items in Windows 7
5. Windows Explorer
Basics
Basics
- Win+e-Start Windows Explorer (My Computer)
- Alt+Arrow Up Go up one folder
- Alt+Arrow Left/Alt+Arrow Right Go to previous folder / go to next folder
- Tab/Shift+Tab Switch focus forward/ backward between Address bar, Search Bar, Toolbar, Navigation Pane, and File List (Default is usually File List)
- Alt+d or f4-Jump to the Address bar and select absolute address. Copy address with ctrl+c if desired
- Ctrl+e or ctrl+f-Jump to Search Box in Explorer
- Ctrl+n-Open new instance of Windows Explorer
- F11-Maximize window
- Navigate File List and Navigation Pane
- Arrow Keys-Navigate between files and folders
- Enter-Open folder or start application
- Home/End-Jump to first / jump to last item
- F2-Change the file name of active item
- f2, then arrow left/Arrow Right-Move one character to the left / to the right in item name
- f2, then ctrl+Arrow Left/Ctrl+Arrow Right-Jump one word to the left / to the right of item name
- f2, then home /End-Jump to beginning / jump to end of item name
- f2, then ctrl+a Select complete object name including suffix (default excludes suffix)
- Arrow Left/Arrow Right-Expand folder / collapse folder (navigation pane only)
- File List
- Alt+p-Display or hide Preview Pane
- Alt+v then d-View details. Check View menu for more options
- Alt+v then x-View extra-large icons. Check View menu for more options
- Ctrl+mouse scroll wheel-Change size of icons
- Select Items in File List and Navigation Pane
- Shift+Arrow Up/Arrow Down-Select multiple adjacent items (directly above or below)
- ctrl with arrow keys and space-Select multiple non-adjacent items. Hold ctrl, use arrow keys to move to next item, and press space to add/remove from selection
- Ctrl+a Select all
- a ...z and 1..9 Press the initial letter any item to jump to it. Continue typing the full name if multiple items start with the same letter