Let's kick off with keyboard shortcuts – the first thing every power
user must memorize with working with a new operating system. In Windows
7, we’ve uncovered several new sets of essential time-saving shortcuts
that will make your mouse jealous with neglect.
Alt + P
In Windows Explorer, activate an additional file preview pane to the
right side of the window with this new shortcut. This panel is great
for previewing images in your photos directory.
Windows + + (plus key)
Windows + - (minus key)
Pressing the Windows and plus or minus keys activates the Magnifier,
which lets you zoom in on the entire desktop or open a rectangular
magnifying lens to zoom in and out of parts of your screen. You can
customize the Magnifier options to follow your mouse pointer or
keyboard cursor. Keep in mind that so far, the Magnifier only works
when Aero desktop is enabled.
Windows + Up
Windows + Down
If a window is not maximized, pressing Windows + Up will fill it to
your screen. Windows + Down will minimize that active window.
Unfortunately, pressing Windows + Up again while a window is minimized
won’t return it to its former state.
Windows + Shift + Up
Similar to the shortcut above, hitting these three keys while a
window is active will stretch it vertically to the maximum desktop
height. The width of the window will however stay the same. Pressing
Windows + Down will restore it to its previous size.
Windows + Left
Windows + Right
One of the new features of Windows 7 is the ability to automatically
make a window fill up half of your screen by dragging to the left or
right. This pair of shortcuts performs the same function without your
mouse. Once a window is fixed to one side of the screen, you can repeat
the shortcut to flip it to the other side. This is useful if you’re
extending a desktop across multiple monitors, which prevents you from
executing this trick with a mouse.
Windows + Home
This shortcut performs a similar function to hovering over a
window’s peek menu thumbnail in the Taskbar. The active window will
stay on your desktop while every other open application is minimized.
Pressing this shortcut again will restore all the other windows.
Windows + E
Automatically opens up a new Explorer window to show your Libraries folder.
Windows + P
Manage your multiple-monitor more efficiently with this handy
shortcut. Windows + P opens up a small overlay that lets you configure
a second display or projector. You can switch from a single monitor to
dual-display in either mirror or extend desktop mode.
Windows + Shift + Left
Windows + Shift + Right
If you are using two or more displays (and who isn’t, these days?),
memorize this shortcut to easily move a window from one screen to the
other. The window retains its size and relative position on the new
screen, which his useful when working with multiple documents. Utilize
that real estate!
Windows + [Number]
Programs (and new instances) pinned to your Taskbar can be launched
by hitting Windows and the number corresponding to its placement on the
Taskbar. Windows + 1, for example, launches the first application,
while Windows + 4 will launch the fourth. We realize that this is
actually one key-press more than just clicking the icon with your
mouse, but it saves your hand the trouble of leaving the comfort of the
keyboard.
Windows + T
Like Alt + Tab (still our all time favorite Windows specific
shortcut), Windows + T cycles through your open programs via the
Taskbar’s peek menu.
Windows + Space
This combo performs the same function as moving your mouse to the
bottom right of the Taskbar. It makes every active window transparent
so you can view your desktop. The windows only remain transparent as
long as you’re holding down the Windows key.
Ctrl + Shift + Click
Hold down Ctrl and Shift while launching an application from the
Taskbar or start menu to launch it with full administrative rights.
Ctrl + Click
Hold down Ctrl while repeatedly clicking a program icon in the
Taskbar will toggle between the instances of that application, like
multiple Firefox windows (though not browser tabs).
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