PC Tips & Tricks: Windows 7 Shortcut Keys

Notwithstanding the fact that Windows has launched Windows 8 OS version, there is no denying that Windows 7 will continue to be used for most companies and users for a long time to come. It is because a large sums of money has been invested in software upgradation and frankly there is no problem with the current version and hence no compelling reason to change over. It is another matter that most of us are not even well conversant with what all Windows 7 had to offer to us. This ignorance is partly because lack of any platform where one can educate themselves. I have browsed through the net collecting various shortcuts that can be used in Win 7 OS which can make our lives so much simpler. The list covers the whole host of functions and perhaps can do anything and everything that one possibly has used the OS for. So want to find out what all you can do on your Windows OS with shortcuts. Here goes the list. I assure you will be amazed!!

Windows Management Shortcuts

* Win+Home: Clear all but the active window.
* Win+Space: All windows become transparent so you can see through to the desktop.
* Win+Up arrow: Maximize the active window.
* Shift+Win+Up arrow: Maximize the active window vertically.
* Win+Down arrow: Minimize the window/Restore the window if it’s maximized.
* Win+Left/Right arrows: Dock the window to each side of the monitor.
* Shift+Win+Left/Right arrows: Move the window to the monitor on the left or right.

One can drag around windows items with the mouse:

* Drag window to the top: Maximize
* Drag window left/right: Dock the window to fill half of the screen.
* Shake window back/forth: Minimize everything but the current window.
* Double-Click Top Window Border (edge).

Interesting Taskbar Shortcuts

You can use any of these shortcut combinations to launch the applications in their respective position on the taskbar, or more:

* Win+number (1-9): Starts the application pinned to the taskbar in that position, or switches to that program.
* Shift+Win+number (1-9): Starts a new instance of the application pinned to the taskbar in that position.
* Ctrl+Win+number (1-9): Cycles through open windows for the application pinned to the taskbar is that position.
* Alt+Win+number (1-9): Opens the Jump List for the application pinned to the taskbar.
* Win+T: Focus and scroll through items on the taskbar.
* Win+B: Focuses the System Tray icons

In addition, you can interact with the taskbar using your mouse and a modifier key:

* Shift+Click on a taskbar button: Open a program or quickly open another instance of a program.
* Ctrl+Shift+Click on a taskbar button: Open a program as an administrator.
* Shift+Right-click on a taskbar button: Show the window menu for the program (like XP does).
* Shift+Right-click on a grouped taskbar button: Show the window menu for the group.
* Ctrl+Click on a grouped taskbar button: Cycle through the windows of the group.

Here’s a few more interesting hotkeys for you:

* Ctrl+Shift+N: Creates a new folder in Windows Explorer.
* Alt+Up: Goes up a folder level in Windows Explorer.
* Alt+P: Toggles the preview pane in Windows Explorer.
* Shift+Right-Click on a file: Adds Copy as Path, which copies the path of a file to the clipboard.
* Shift+Right-Click on a file: Adds extra hidden items to the Send To menu.
* Shift+Right-Click on a folder: Adds Command Prompt Here, which lets you easily open a command prompt in that folder.
* Win+P: Adjust presentation settings for your display.
* Win+(+/-): Zoom in/out.
* Win+G: Cycle between the Windows Gadgets on your screen.