I am a huge fan of Windows 7 and as I am a bit geeky I really enjoy using the Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts. It just makes everything so much easier, quicker, and in this day and age, who has the time to wait for anything?
I am sure we are only shaving seconds off our computer using time, but these seconds add up when you already spend too much time on the computer.
As we all know there are hundreds of Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts that are both old and new, however I am just going to mention a few of my favourites that use the Windows logo key. (AKA Winkey)
Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts to see your desktop
In the old days you had to close or minimize any open programs to get back to your desktop as using keyboard shortcuts were not widely used. If you were a geek, you would have known every cool keyboard shortcut, but the average computer user had not even heard of them.
Winkey + M
The Winkey and the letter M pressed at the same time will minimize any open windows to show the desktop. If you press this combination a game, it can also maximize a window.
Winkey + D
This shortcut key has been around and probably existed in most of the Windows versions. If you press on the Winkey and the letter D is simply shows the Windows Desktop.
Winkey + spacebar
When you use this Windows 7 keyboard shortcut it simply gives you a quick look at the desktop but does not go to it. If you are on a Windows 7 computer you should try this one out now because it is kind of fun.
Tiny button right corner of the task-bar
This keyboard shortcut does not use the Windows logo key but it is probably the coolest little gadget that Windows 7 has. You can simply hover over the desktop shortcut button to get a glimpse of the desktop, or you can press on it to actually go to the desktop.
Browse through open programs
Winkey + TAB
This is my absolute favourite shortcut key in Windows 7. I love being able to browse through all the open applications. You need to have Aero flip enabled to use this, but hopefully you have not disabled it.
Of course there is the other “not so pretty” keyboard shortcut you can use. Simply press these: ALT + TAB.
Get a closer look
Winkey + +/-
This Windows 7 keyboard shortcut scared me to death the first time I used it. Well that might be over exaggerating a bit, but it did shock me. You simply press the Windows logo key and the plus key to magnify what you are reading. Try it. It is like the screen flies out that you. To get your page back down to normal size you simply have to press the Windows logo key and the minus key on the keyboard.
Of course you can still use the old way by pressing the CTRL key and moving your mouse wheel up or down.
The Microsoft website lists many more Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts but unfortunately only gives a very short explantion of what each shortcut does. That’s OK with me though, as I can only manage to remember my favourite Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts.
Would you like to see more handy Windows Seven Tips?
I have written many more articles you might be interested in about this subject with step by step instructions, screen shots and videos. For example this video about windows 7 basic tricks shows off some new features included with Windows Seven.
My name is Mitz Pantic and I’ve been working with computers for over 25 years and love to teach people how to use their computers. Be sure to visit me at my computer tips website and say hello in the comments section. Also do not forget to sign-up for my free computer tips newsletter and receive a free 59 page Computer Terms Dictionary!
Windows 7 has loads of cool keyboard shortcuts and I know you have a few up your sleeve. Please share them with us by leaving your comment below.
Hi guys! I am a computer freak who is obsessed with computer tips, building websites, money making. Finger in every pie, love working, addicted to caffeine. Multi multi tasker, likes juggling ten jobs, should have joined the circus. Ha Ha!
very nice trickes..we learn more triks from ur site please share all keys of window 98 of pc2 windo..
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OMG windows 98??? What are you doing with that?
Anyway here are some shortcuts..
Windows logo key – The same effect as clicking on the “start” button.
Windows logo key and BREAK – Opens the System Properties dialog box.
Windows logo key and E – Opens Windows Explorer.
Windows logo key and F – Opens the Find All Files dialog box.
Windows logo key and R – Opens the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key and TAB – Toggles through the taskbar icons.
Windows logo key and M – Minimizes all active windows.
Windows logo key+CTRL+F – Opens the Find Computer dialog box.
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Thanks for the cool shortcuts. I’m getting older and I love the quick zoom and zoom out. Now I can go without reading glasses a little longer…lol.
wow!!! I didn’t knew all that- totaly cool!!!
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Hi Amanda
Glad you like the shortcuts… I use them everyday..
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Hi. i’m also a fan of Windows 7. I love the graphic user interface of 7. But I think Microsoft already released it’s Windows 8 and that will be a little bit lighter and faster than 7. I’ll try this shortcut keys
I cannot wait for Windows 8. I always let things settle in a bit before getting it though…
I have found that when they release something there are always security updates and bugs to fix…I am very happy with Windows seven for now….But Windows 8…Oh boy….
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That’s right! Fantastic writing, continue to keep in place the tremendous work. This is the sort of information that really should get recognition for it’s craft. When we work on computer we should know about this shortcuts to work fast.
Thanks flowers
I have never been told I had fantastic writing! I am an Aussie and pretty much have bad grammar, according to the experts.. LOL
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Perfect, cool shortcuts, never used them so before thanks
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These can come in handy. I am always searching for keyboard short cuts as well as short cut keys. I have found a few that can help me speed up my work. Thanks for a very informative blog.
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Twitter: techdaring
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I always using shortcut to made a faster than on my works. But in fact, we can’t remember all of shortcuts.
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These keyboard shortcuts come in very handy to me. Thanks for the share. I believe there are more cool shortcuts out there, but mean time, this post is great. Especially the Winkey ++ is something new to me.
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The only shortcuts i use are for copying, pasting, and the backspace key for browsers. Didn’t know you can make shortcuts with the winkey, should make things more interesting.
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Hi Martin
Wow I see you everywhere!
There are loads of cool shortcut keys to try. I like the Cut Copy and Paste ones too.
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Twitter: WindowsTalk
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The cut/copy/paste shortcuts are the ones I use most. I find many people do not even know of these ‘old’ ones. Same as CTRL + B for bold, etc.
lol Mitz, i had some spare time these days and blogged more than i usually do. I guess that’s why you see me everywhere. I like to think that’s a good thing
)
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Thats a great thing!
At least I kind of know some people here.. LOL
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WOAAAH that +/- thing is crazy! I never had any idea you could do that. The whole screen like rapidly zooms in, revealing the pixels on your super maximal desktop. And you can keep zooming further and further into oblivion.
freddy
Twitter: tips4pc
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Ha Ha Ha…aren’t you lucky I warned you? I got a shock the first time I did it too!
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Twitter: WindowsTalk
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On my Lenovo laptop, the Fn + spacebar kinda does the same thing, only without the ‘zoom’.
I can wait to see how it works Windows 8, maybe with him the Microsoft OS problems will disappear.
Hey, Mitz,
love your article…as a matter of fact,while reading it,I actually tried out some keys and combinations to see how it works. To be honest, before finding out their function from your article ,I din’t know for a few combinations that existed. They are all useful, but my favorite one is winkey plus spacebar. Thanks for teaching me something new, I appreciate it.
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Glad you found something new to use Kristina!
Keyboard shortcuts can come in handy. I also thought the Winkey and spacebar one is pretty cool and highly useful.
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Very useful post, Mitz! I’m sure these shortcuts will come in handy for me sometime. I’m not really a hardcore “geek” so I’m totally in the dark about these things. In fact, I’ve been staring at the ‘Winkey’ for ages not really knowing what it’s true purpose is. I’ve always been amazed at seeing my friends, who are also bloggers, zip by their articles and make the computer screen do magic for them with relative ease. People should take a hint and recognize the functionality of the other keys, it’s meant for convenience and often serve multiple purposes.
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Nice shortcuts..
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I am a user of windows for more than ten years but it always bothered me to switch between keyboard and mouse for working your mentioned keyboard shortcuts are very useful for me at least. Thanks a lot.
Stellar! Winkey plus Tab rocks my world! I do like the magnifier shortcut too! That will come in handy when I’m playing Where’s Waldo online!
Hi there. Thanks for sharing this. I never really know much about shortcuts using the windows logo key. Thanks for sharing this.
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I wondered about the purpose of the key with the microsoft logo. I knew there had to be a way to navigate through the screen without having to minimize each one. This is good stuff.
I’m still trying to learn the geeky ways so I still use the other way round. It’ll take me sometime to switch to only shortcuts but I’m already using some of these shortcuts. With keyboard shortcuts its even more interesting to work in Windows 7.
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