New Keyboard Shortcut Keys (HotKeys) in Windows 7
In Windows 7, mouse is still essential, with lots of new feature which takes advantage of mouse gesture, such as Aero Snap, Aero Peek, Aero Shake and etc. However, some users still prefer to use keyboard to use the Windows operating system.
For keyboard lover, Microsoft has added several keyboard shortcuts, hot keys or keyboard accelerators to make navigation and usage of Windows 7, especially the new Windows Aero snapping feature easier by using keyboard. Here’s a few keyboard shortcut keys or keyboard accelerators that new in Windows 7.
Windows + ↑ (Up Arrow) – Maximize window
Windows + ← (Left Arrow) – Snap window to left side covering half of desktop space. Continue pressing the keyboard shortcut will rotate the window between snap to left, snap to right and restore to normal position.
Windows + → (Right Arrow) – Snap window to right side covering half of desktop space. Continue pressing the keyboard shortcut will rotate the window between snap to left, snap to right and restore to normal position.
Windows + ↓ (Down Arrow) – Minimize the window. Restore to normal size and position if the window is currently maximized.
Windows + Home – Clear all but the active window.
Windows + Space – All windows become transparent so you can see through to the desktop.
Windows + Shift + ← (Left Arrow) – Move the active window to the adjacent monitor on the left for dual or multiple monitors setup.
Windows + Shift + → (Right Arrow) – Move the active window to the adjacent monitor on the right for dual or multiple monitors setup.
Windows + T – Show preview thumbnail of running applications in Windows Taskbar one by one without mouse over.
Windows + P – Adjust presentation options of the display on computer or projector.
Windows + + (Add) – Zoom in.
Windows + – (Minus or Dash) – Zoom out.
Shift + Click a Taskbar item: Open a new instance of that particular application.
Other popular or common keyboard hotkeys which are already been used in Windows Vista:
Windows + D – Show desktop and restore desktop (minimize or restore all windows).
Windows + M – Minimize all windows.
Windows + U – Open Ease of Access Center.
Windows + F – Search window.
Windows + G – Bring all gadgets on top and foreground.
Windows + X – Run Windows Mobility Center.
Windows + R – Open ‘Run’ command.
Windows + E – Run Windows Explorer.
Windows + L – Lock the computer.
Windows + Pause [Break] – Open System Properties.
Windows + [number] – Activate and run the program pinned on Windows 7 Taskbar, running program won’t be affected.
Windows + Tab – Windows Aero Task Switcher
F1 – Help
F3 – Search
Full complete listing of Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts are available.
Related Articles
- Keyboard Shortcut Keys for Windows XP & Windows Vista
- Keyboard Shortcut to Activate and Hold Windows or Tasks Switching State
- Assign Keyboard Shortcut Sequence to Quickly Run Vista Snipping Tool
- Keyboard Tweaker Simplifies HotKeys Assignment to Keyboard For Fast Program Execution
- Set Hotkeys To Turn Off The Monitor or Computer Via NirCMD Command Line Utility
- Show Desktop Keyboard Shortcut
- Keyboard Shortcut to Run Quick Launch Bar Items or Commands
- Add Keyboard Support To Media Players with Media Keyboard 2 Media Player (MK2MP)
- Open Applications with Custom-Made Keyboard Shortcuts
- Using No Need to Remember Keyboard Shortcut Keys in Office 2007
Entries (RSS)
January 27th, 2010 05:37
Oops, that reply was supposed to go on a different page. Sorry.
January 27th, 2010 05:36
In my Windows 7, I don’t even get the full-height button at the right end of the taskbar (possibly because I’m using the Windows Classic theme). Instead, I get a tiny icon that’s a miniature of the screen, same aspect ration, with a teeny arrow or something at its lower left corner. The icon is about 15 pixels high, a huge pain to get the pointer onto accurately.
However, since I learned — from another article here — that I can instead use the keyboard shortcut Windows-D to show the desktop, and again to redisplay the window that was open — I don’t care anymore where the Show Desktop button is or how big it is.
January 24th, 2010 04:42
try this one, its amazing:
hold the title bar of explorer or any other applications (not maximized)and shake it! all other apps will be minimized.
January 11th, 2010 21:04
[...] Microsoft Office 2007: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290938 Windows 7: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/12/30/new-keyboard-shortcut-keys-hotkeys-in-windows-7/ Windows Vista: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Keyboard-shortcuts Windows XP: [...]
December 22nd, 2009 14:46
Messed with Win 7 today, found out that if you hit the Windows key + 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0, it will open in order, the first 10 apps in your task bar and they do open faster. Haven’t figured out how to go beyond the 10 limit yet though.
December 19th, 2009 18:29
I just want to know,
With Windows 7, how do you make special characters?
I tried Alt>130 for the e with a abbreviation on and it did’nt work.
Please help
September 13th, 2009 19:11
just found another one, try ctrl+scroll in windows explorer, it will chances the appearance of your icons
August 18th, 2009 14:30
[...] are the links for more information about the various key shortcuts http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/12/30/new-keyboard-shortcut-keys-hotkeys-in-windows-7/ (where I gathered the specific [...]
August 10th, 2009 13:17
RUU7, Ctrl + Shift + N Hotkey for New Folder.
July 31st, 2009 13:54
Unfortunatley i still miss a shortcut for a new folder. I mean this will be really helpful.
July 31st, 2009 00:34
[...] require a mouse or other pointing device to perform the operation. Winodws 7 includes many new keyboard accelerator keys that make it easier to work with menus and other commands. Normally, the keyboard shortcuts to [...]
June 1st, 2009 17:09
Hey Now,
Nice post some very useful hotkeys.
Thx,
Catto
April 15th, 2009 06:40
Hi, chrisNova. It did’nt work for me! I tried ctrl+alt+e, shift+win+e, alt+win+e, ctrl+shift+e. Any ideas?
February 24th, 2009 14:35
for those of you sadly missing your Winkey + E Shortcut to bring up the explorer window — you will be enlightened and delighted to know that this functionality has not been replaced by The Libraries window but rather moved over to CTRL – ALT – E – which will now bring up your explorer window with my computer view, showing your harddrives.. slightly different key stroke.. same beloved functionality. Enjoy! took me a few to figure out!
January 3rd, 2009 01:06
Awesome! I tried them in Windows 7 beta 1 and the shortcuts are very helpful. The question for today is how to get them to work in Vista.
Maybe an app like GridMove with key shortcut support.