window 7 short keys
1. Managing 'Windows' in Windows 7
minusMove 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.
minusSwitch 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 usearrow 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
minusManage 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)
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minus2. 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.
▲ up
minus3. Windows 7 Taskbar
Win or Ctrl+Esc
Activate Start Button. Then use arrow keys, space andenter 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
▲ up
minus4. Navigating Desktop
Arrow Keys
Navigate between and select single icons on desktop (when focus is on the desktop)
Home/End
Select first / select last object on desktop
Enter
Launch active icon
Shift+F10
Activate context menu of active icon by simulates right mouse button. Once in the context menu use arrow keys, a-z andenter to select item
tab, shift+tab on empty desktop
Navigate between desktop, the quick-launch bar, task bar and notification bar. Then use arrow keys and enter or space to activate specific icons
A, B, C, ...
Pressing the initial letter of the name of any objects will highlight the respective application or folder. Continue typing the object name if multiple objects start with the same letter
▲ up
minus5. Windows Explorer
minusBasics
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
minusNavigate 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, thenctrl+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)
minusFile 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
minusSelect Items in File List and Navigation Pane
Shift+Arrow Up/Arrow Down
Select multiple adjacent items (directly above or below)
ctrl with arrow keys andspace
Select multiple non-adjacent items. Hold ctrl, usearrow 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
minusManipulate Items in Explorer
Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V
ctrl+C for copy, Ctrl+X for cut and Ctrl+V for paste
Ctrl+Z
Undo an action
Ctrl+Y
Redo an action
Delete
Delete an item and place it into the Recycle Bin
Shift+Delete
Delete an item permanently without placing it into the Recycle Bin
Shift+F10
Activate context menu of active object. Replaces the right mouse button. Once in the context menu use arrow keys,a-z and enter to get to the selection
Ctrl+Shift+N
Create new folder
Alt+Enter
Open Properties dialog box
▲ up
minus6. Photo Viewer
Arrow Left/Arrow Right
Go to next / go to previous photo
Ctrl+.
Rotate photo clockwise
Ctrl+,
Rotate photo counter-clockwise
[+]/-
Zoom in / zoom out (or mouse wheel)
Ctrl+0 (zero)
Fit to Window
Delete
Delete current photo
Shift+Delete
Permanently delete current photo
Alt+Enter
Show properties of current photo
Alt+E or Ctrl+S
Email current photo
Ctrl+C
Copy current photo file to clipboard
Alt+O
Open current photo in other application (e.g. Paint of Office)
▲ up
minus7. Dialog Boxes
Ctrl+Tab/Ctrl+Shift+Tab
Move forward / move backwards through tabs
Tab/Shift+Tab
Move forward / move backwards through options
Alt+underlined letter
Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
Enter
Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands
Space
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Arrow Keys
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
F4
Display the items in the active list
Backspace
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
▲ up
minus8. Windows Admin
minusAdmin Tasks
Ctrl+Win+F
Search for Computers (with Active Directory activated)
Win+Pause/Break
Display System Properties which holds system properties, computer name, device manager and so on
Ctrl+Shift+Esc
Opens Windows Task Manager
minusRemote Desktop
Alt+Page Up/Alt+Page Down
Move between programs from left to right / from right to left
Alt+Insert
Cycle through programs in the order that they were started in
Alt+Home
Display the Start menu
Ctrl+Alt+pause/break
Switch between a window and full screen
Ctrl+Alt+End
Display the Windows Security dialog box
Alt+Delete
Display the system menu
▲ up
minus9. Windows Help
Tab
Move between links
Alt+C
Display the Table of Contents
Alt+N
Display the Connection Settings menu
F10
Display the Options menu
Alt+Arrow Left/Alt+Arrow Right
Move back / move forward to the previously/ next viewed topic
Alt+A
Display the customer support page
Alt+Home
Display the Help and Support home page
Home/End
Move to the beginning / to the end of a topic
Ctrl+F
Search the current topic. Press tab to leave
Ctrl+P
Print a topic
F3
Move the cursor to the search box. Press tab to leave
▲ up
minus10. Ease of Access and Magnifier
minusEase of Access
Win+U
Open Ease of Access Center
Press Shift five times.
Turn Sticky Keys on or off
Press Num Lock for five seconds
Turn Toggle Keys on or off
Right Shift for eight seconds
Turn Filter Keys on or off
left Alt + left Shift+Num Lock
Turn Mouse Keys on or off
left Alt + left Shift + prtScn
Turn High Contrast on or off (Careful, will change theme!)
minusMagnifier
Win+[+]
Start Magnifier and zoom in
Win+-
Zoom out with Magnifier active
Ctrl+Alt+I
Invert colors in Magnifier display
Win+Esc
Exit Magnifier
Ctrl+Alt+Arrow Keys
Move the Magnifier windows
Note: Microsoft lists more shortcuts for Magnifier, but not all of them seem to work.
minusMove 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.
minusSwitch 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 usearrow 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
minusManage 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)
▲ up
minus2. 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.
▲ up
minus3. Windows 7 Taskbar
Win or Ctrl+Esc
Activate Start Button. Then use arrow keys, space andenter 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
▲ up
minus4. Navigating Desktop
Arrow Keys
Navigate between and select single icons on desktop (when focus is on the desktop)
Home/End
Select first / select last object on desktop
Enter
Launch active icon
Shift+F10
Activate context menu of active icon by simulates right mouse button. Once in the context menu use arrow keys, a-z andenter to select item
tab, shift+tab on empty desktop
Navigate between desktop, the quick-launch bar, task bar and notification bar. Then use arrow keys and enter or space to activate specific icons
A, B, C, ...
Pressing the initial letter of the name of any objects will highlight the respective application or folder. Continue typing the object name if multiple objects start with the same letter
▲ up
minus5. Windows Explorer
minusBasics
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
minusNavigate 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, thenctrl+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)
minusFile 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
minusSelect Items in File List and Navigation Pane
Shift+Arrow Up/Arrow Down
Select multiple adjacent items (directly above or below)
ctrl with arrow keys andspace
Select multiple non-adjacent items. Hold ctrl, usearrow 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
minusManipulate Items in Explorer
Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V
ctrl+C for copy, Ctrl+X for cut and Ctrl+V for paste
Ctrl+Z
Undo an action
Ctrl+Y
Redo an action
Delete
Delete an item and place it into the Recycle Bin
Shift+Delete
Delete an item permanently without placing it into the Recycle Bin
Shift+F10
Activate context menu of active object. Replaces the right mouse button. Once in the context menu use arrow keys,a-z and enter to get to the selection
Ctrl+Shift+N
Create new folder
Alt+Enter
Open Properties dialog box
▲ up
minus6. Photo Viewer
Arrow Left/Arrow Right
Go to next / go to previous photo
Ctrl+.
Rotate photo clockwise
Ctrl+,
Rotate photo counter-clockwise
[+]/-
Zoom in / zoom out (or mouse wheel)
Ctrl+0 (zero)
Fit to Window
Delete
Delete current photo
Shift+Delete
Permanently delete current photo
Alt+Enter
Show properties of current photo
Alt+E or Ctrl+S
Email current photo
Ctrl+C
Copy current photo file to clipboard
Alt+O
Open current photo in other application (e.g. Paint of Office)
▲ up
minus7. Dialog Boxes
Ctrl+Tab/Ctrl+Shift+Tab
Move forward / move backwards through tabs
Tab/Shift+Tab
Move forward / move backwards through options
Alt+underlined letter
Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
Enter
Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands
Space
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Arrow Keys
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
F4
Display the items in the active list
Backspace
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
▲ up
minus8. Windows Admin
minusAdmin Tasks
Ctrl+Win+F
Search for Computers (with Active Directory activated)
Win+Pause/Break
Display System Properties which holds system properties, computer name, device manager and so on
Ctrl+Shift+Esc
Opens Windows Task Manager
minusRemote Desktop
Alt+Page Up/Alt+Page Down
Move between programs from left to right / from right to left
Alt+Insert
Cycle through programs in the order that they were started in
Alt+Home
Display the Start menu
Ctrl+Alt+pause/break
Switch between a window and full screen
Ctrl+Alt+End
Display the Windows Security dialog box
Alt+Delete
Display the system menu
▲ up
minus9. Windows Help
Tab
Move between links
Alt+C
Display the Table of Contents
Alt+N
Display the Connection Settings menu
F10
Display the Options menu
Alt+Arrow Left/Alt+Arrow Right
Move back / move forward to the previously/ next viewed topic
Alt+A
Display the customer support page
Alt+Home
Display the Help and Support home page
Home/End
Move to the beginning / to the end of a topic
Ctrl+F
Search the current topic. Press tab to leave
Ctrl+P
Print a topic
F3
Move the cursor to the search box. Press tab to leave
▲ up
minus10. Ease of Access and Magnifier
minusEase of Access
Win+U
Open Ease of Access Center
Press Shift five times.
Turn Sticky Keys on or off
Press Num Lock for five seconds
Turn Toggle Keys on or off
Right Shift for eight seconds
Turn Filter Keys on or off
left Alt + left Shift+Num Lock
Turn Mouse Keys on or off
left Alt + left Shift + prtScn
Turn High Contrast on or off (Careful, will change theme!)
minusMagnifier
Win+[+]
Start Magnifier and zoom in
Win+-
Zoom out with Magnifier active
Ctrl+Alt+I
Invert colors in Magnifier display
Win+Esc
Exit Magnifier
Ctrl+Alt+Arrow Keys
Move the Magnifier windows
Note: Microsoft lists more shortcuts for Magnifier, but not all of them seem to work.
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