Virtually all users have keyboard with the Windows Key on it… yet (from what I have seen), most users do not use it. Here are a few keyboard shortcuts using the Windows Key that will greatly speed up your work.
What is the Windows Key?
The windows key is a key on your keyboard that looks like:
How do I use the Windows Key?
The Windows Key can be used as a FASTER way to do many of the common tasks that you would normally use a mouse for. Here are my Favourites.
[Windows Key]: Display Start menu (same as clicking on Start button)
[Windows Key] + E: Opens up Windows Explorer. This is my favourite.
[Windows Key] + L: Locks you computer (very handy when you need to leave your computer for a few minutes)
[Windows Key] + F: Brings up the Windows Find/Search screen
[Windows Key] + D: Minimizes all windows and show the desktop
[Windows Key] + D: Restores all windows back to where they were
[Windows Key] + M: Minimizes all windows
[Windows Key] + [Shift] + M: Restores all windows
[Windows Key] + [Tab]: Cycles through your open programs (using the Vista Aero interface if you have it enabled)
[Windows Key] + R: Displays the Windows Run dialog
Do you have your own favourite Windows Shortcuts that other readers would be interested in. Please share by leaving a comment on the blog.
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http://outlook4business.blogspot.com/2008/10/essential-keyboard-shortcuts-for.html
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http://outlook4business.blogspot.com/2008/10/more-outlook-keyboard-shortcuts.html
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Windows Key Shortcuts you need to know about
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4 comments:
I also appreciate the [WIN] + X key on Windows Vista. It opens your Windows Mobility Center, and is a handy place to adjust display brightness, power settings, volume and network settings. However the most important usage I think is when you need to connect your Vista machine to a projector/beamer : hit [WIN] + X and click the "Connect display" button and Vista will output its display externally as well. Note that in Windows 7 there's a new shortcut for this : [WIN] + P (Projector) : just 1 key press and off you go to get your Win7 machine hooked up to a beamer.
Sadly this doesn't have a keyboard shortcut (I wish), but the first thing I use every day is Start, Documents to put up a list of recently-opened files. It's great for any files I used yesterday, or possibly the day before if I was particularly focussed yesterday. It saves running Explorer or opening applications first.
Great reminder. Thank you Sanjay. I've always used the Windows Key to open the start menu, and forgot it can do all these other things as well.
Windows + X = Windows Mobility Centre in Vista (toggle to switch off again)
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