Windows 7 Shortcuts Overview
This is a compilation of Windows 7 shortcuts. I suggest to print this: [print_link]
General
- Windows + (+/- keys) – Zoom in/out
- Shift+Click a taskbar item – Open a new instance of that application
- Windows +Home – Minimize all but the current window
- Windows + Pause [Break] – Open System Properties.
- Windows + Space – Move focus to Sidebar
Number Keys
- Windows + [number] – Activate and run the program pinned on Windows 7 Taskbar, running program won’t be affected.
- Windows + 1 – Open the first program on your Quick Launch bar
- Windows + 2 – Open the second program on your Quick Launch bar
- Windows + n – Open the nth program on your Quick Launch bar
Alt Keys
- Alt+F4 – Close the active window
- Alt+Tab – Switch to previous active window
- Alt+Esc – Cycle through all open windows
Tab key
- Windows + Tab – Flip 3D / Windows Aero Task Switcher
- Ctrl + Windows + Tab – Persistent Flip 3D
Arrow Keys
- Windows + Up Arrow – Maximize the current window
- Windows + Down Arrow – If the current window is maximized, restore it; if the current window is restored, minimize it
- Windows + Left Arrow – Dock the current window to the left half of the screen
- Windows + Right Arrow – Dock the current window to the right half of the screen
Windows Key + Letters
- Windows +B – Move focus to notification tray (the right-most portion of the taskbar)
- Windows +D – Toggle showing the desktop
- Windows + E – Run Windows Explorer.
- Windows + F – Search window.
- Windows + G – Bring all gadgets on top and foreground.
- Windows + L – Lock the computer.
- Windows + M – Minimize all open windows
- Windows + Shift + M – Undo all window minimization
- Windows + P – Display options. Open the projection menu (generally used for laptops connected to projectors)
- Windows + U – Open Ease of Access Center.
- Windows + R – Open ‘Run’ command.
- Windows + S – OneNote Screen Clipping Tool [requires OneNote]
- Windows + T – Cycle through applications on taskbar (showing its live preview)
- Windows + X – Run Windows Mobility Center.
F Keys
- F1 – Help
- F3 – Search
Logging In And Out
- Windows, Right Arrow, Enter – Shutdown
- Windows, Right Arrow,Right Arrow, R – Restart
- Windows, Right Arrow,Right Arrow, S – Sleep
- Windows, Right Arrow,Right Arrow, W – Switch Users
- Windows, L – Lock
Inside Windows Explorer
Alt + Up – Go up one level
Alt + Left/ Right – Back/ Forward
Sources:
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Oliver is the founder and lead editor of this site. He is interested in finding new ways to break Windows, find common errors and help others to fix them. Aside from that, he loves to fully customize systems with Rainmeter and Dreamscene, find out more about ancient civilizations like the Chachapoya, sharpen his digital photography skills and create software with a small group of selected developers. If you would like to connect with him to discuss anything, send him a mail!
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There are 6 comments for this article
I have used Alt-F, Enter, Enter in Windows Explorer for years to create a new folder. Now in Windows 7, “new” is no longer in the top position upon striking Alt-F, having been replaced by “Share with”, so now my routine will need to be Alt-F, Down arrow, Enter, Enter. That’s unfortunate in two ways: first, it’s an extra keystroke, and second, I’m using other machines with other versions of Windows, so it’s confusing. Would it be too much to ask to be able to configure the order of those functions, so I can get “New” back to the top? Not to rain on your parade, but I can’t imagine needing “Share with” frequently enough to memorize a keystroke combo for it, after all, there’s an icon on the toolbar for it, and I might only use it 2 or three times a year.
I’m missing one feature that’s nearly mentioned nowhere:
If you tab trough the running applications with alt+tab or windows+tab it sometimes happens that you tab ‘too fast’ or the program you need is at the end of the list. Then just keep holding alt or windows and press SHIFT+tab additionally. if you hold SHIFT and alt / windows you can tab backwards trough the applications.
works perfectly in many other cases. i use this SHIFT combination in firefox to tab backwards through the open tabs (ctrl + shift + tab) and to restore closed tabs (ctrl + shift + t).
hope that helps someone.
@jrh0: Forget complicated keystrokes.. In Windows 7, you can now use “Ctrl + Shift + N” to create a new folder!!
I use it all the time and it is awesome! So much that I miss it when I use an older XP machine! And the best part? “Ctrl + Shift + N” works even in Ubuntu to create a new folder!!
Nice compilation.
But why is necessary to compile the linked sources and create such a page?
In windows start the Helpcenter via Windows,F1 (to get the “windows” help, not that of the active programme) and type in the adequate search word of your language. I presume it is “Shortcuts” in english, in german it is “Tastenkombinationen”.
Here you get all infos you want to control your windows with the keyboard. Shortcuts with the windows key, shortcuts in the explorer, common shortcuts a.s.o.
Dear GreedyJack,
where were you when Win7 first came out? I’ve been thinking to myself that there’s got to be a better way to create a new folder without leaving the keyboard and without making a mistake when I open the ‘File’ menu. Life would have been so much easier… boohoo… Just kidding.
But you made my day any, ya big lug.
Cntrl + Shift + N …now I want to make folders over and over for simple reason that I can.