One of my personal favorites among the new features that Windows 7 came with was the introduction of some awesome and long awaited keyboard shortcuts. I personally use them as much as I can to save time, and I recommend the practice of using keyboard shortcuts to others too.
This article talks about 45 really cool keyboards shortcuts that are specific to Windows 7. I can bet that you don’t know all of them. Check them out, some of them will surprise you for sure.
CTRL+SHIFT+N TO CREATE A NEW FOLDER
Creating a new folder in Windows explorer is something we all need to do on a frequent basis. And until now, there was no default shortcut key available for this task. But Windows 7 changed that.
You could now use Ctrl+Shift+N to quickly create a new folder in Windows or anywhere on your computer where a folder can be created.
CTRL+SHIFT+CLICK TO OPEN A PROGRAM AS ADMINISTRATOR
There are many instances when just clicking on the icon of the application and opening it doesn’t solve your purpose. You need to right click on it and click on “Run as Administrator” so that you can make the required changes to the app.
In Windows 7, this can be done with a keyboard shortcut. You just need to point your mouse cursor on that program and then click on it while pressing Ctrl+Shift keys to open it as administrator.
SHIFT+RIGHT-CLICK ENHANCES SEND TO MENU
The above screenshot shows the default send to menu that I get when I simply right click on a program.
Now, if I press the Shift key, and while having it pressed, I right click on the icon, I get an enhanced send to menu. See the screenshot below to check how it looks.
Nice, isn’t it?
SHIFT+RIGHT-CLICK ON A FOLDER TO OPEN COMMAND PROMPT
If you do Shift+right-click on a folder, you’ll find an option that says “Open command windows here.” If you love working with the command prompt, this option should come in handy.
WIN+SPACE TO QUICKLY SHOW DESKTOP
Well, this is the keyboard shortcut version of that mouse cursor trick. Pressing the Win key and the space bar simultaneously shows you the desktop immediately.
WIN+UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT FOR MOVING THE ACTIVE WINDOW
If you intend to quickly move the active window to make space for other apps, you could do that by using the Win key and one of the arrow keys. Each arrow key would move the window in the direction it is meant to.
FOR DUAL MONITORS: WIN+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW KEY TO MOVE ACTIVE WINDOW TO LEFT MONITOR
If you are on a dual monitor setup using Windows 7 then you could press the Win+Shift+Left arrow key combination to move the active application window to the left monitor.
FOR DUAL MONITORS: WIN+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW KEY TO MOVE ACTIVE WINDOW TO RIGHT MONITOR
Similarly, if you need to move the current window to the right monitor screen, just press Win+Shift+right arrow key.
WIN+T TO GET TO TASKBAR ITEMS
You could use the key combination Win+T to toggle through the applications pinned on the taskbar in Windows 7.
SHIFT+CLICK ON A TASKBAR APP TO OPEN A NEW INSTANCE OF THE APP
Let’s say you’ve got a bunch of Chrome windows open. And you need to quickly open a new blank window of the browser. Here’s the way – point your cursor to the chrome icon on the taskbar, hit Shift and click on it. There you go!
WIN+B TO MOVE FOCUS TO THE SYSTEM TRAY
Win+B. That would move the focus on the system tray, and then you could use the arrow keys to cycle through the items, including the Windows clock.
WIN+P FOR QUICKLY CONNECTING YOUR LAPTOP TO A PROJECTOR
Windows 7 has a nifty projection menu feature which enables you to quickly connect your laptop to a projector or an extended monitor. Win+P is the keyboard shortcut for that purpose.
WIN+1, WIN+2..SO ON FOR OPENING TASKBAR PROGRAMS
Want to quickly open a program that’s pinned to your Windows 7 taskbar? You can press the Win key and the number corresponding to the location of the app on the taskbar.
WIN+PAUSE HELPS YOU CHECK SYSTEM PROPERTIES
Need to take a quick look at what’s the processor model you are using, or may be check the device manager, or advanced system settings? You could use Win+pause key combination to open the system properties window.
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC CAN QUICKLY OPEN WINDOWS TASK MANAGER
I think this was in Vista too, I am not sure. But it’s a cool shortcut nevertheless. Just press the Ctrl key, Shift key and the ESC key simultaneously and you have the task manager pop up right in front!
Windows + Up Arrow
It is used to maximize the current window which is in focus, whether it is a windows explorer, a web browser, or any other application.
Windows + Left Arrow
Adjusts the current window to the left side and hence the window will cover almost half of the desktop space.
Windows + Right Arrow
It will adjust the current window to the right and thus it will cover half of the desktop space on the right.
Windows + Down Arrow
Minimizes the windows to the Task bar.
Windows + Space
All windows become transparent so you are able to see your desktop.
Windows + T
Shows the thumbnail preview of the running applications.
Windows + P
It is used to adjust the presentation options of the display on your computer or projector.
Windows + (+ / -) (Add/Minus)
It launches the Magnifier which can be used to zoom in/zoom out.
Shift + Click A Taskbar Item
It opens a new instance of the particular application on which you clicked.
Windows + F
Windows + F is used to start the Windows search.
Windows + X
It is used to run the Windows Mobility Center.
Windows + E
It is used to open the Windows explorer
Windows + [Number]
It is used to run the pinned applications on the taskbar, Windows + 1 will run the first pinned application on the task bar, similarly Windows + 2 will run the second pinned application and so on.
Windows + Tab
It will launch the Windows Aero task switcher.
Windows + Pause
It is used to load the system properties window.
Ctrl + Windows + F
Search for computers if you are on a network.
Ctrl + Shift + Click On Icon [Task Bar]
It is used to open a new instance of the particular application from the taskbar with administrator privileges.
Alt + D
It is used to select the address bar.
Alt + Win + [number]
Opens the jumplist for the applications which are pinned to the task bar.
Windows + B
It is used to shift the control to the System tray icons one by one.
Shift + Right-click on a taskbar button
It is used to display the window menu for the specific taskbar application.
Ctrl + Shift + NIt is used to create a new folder in the windows explorer.
Alt + UpTakes you up a folder level in the Windows Explorer.
Shift + Right-click on a file
It is used to add the Copy As Path option in the right click-menu of the file. This option copies the path of a file to the clipboard.
Shift + Right-click on a folder
It is used to add the command prompt option to the Folder, so you can easily open the command prompt in that particular folder.
Shift + Right-click on a grouped taskbar button
It is used to launch the windows menu for the group.
Ctrl + Click on a grouped taskbar button
It is used to cycle between the windows of the group.
Win + G
It is used to cycle between the Gadgets on the screen.
Ctrl + Esc
This hotkey is used to open the start menu.
Ctrl + Shift+Esc
It is used to directly open the Windows Task Manager.
So that was about the amazing Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts. I hope you find them useful. In fact, learn them if you are on Windows 7. That’s what I did and it has helped a great deal. If I’ve missed a cool shortcut, do share that in the comments.
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