Useful Windows Keyboard Shortcut Keys

1. Managing 'Windows' in Windows 7

Move 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.

Switch 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 use arrow 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

Manage 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)

2. 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.

3. Windows 7 Taskbar

• Win or ctrl+Esc-Activate Start Button. Then use arrow keys, space and enter 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

5. Windows Explorer

Basics

• 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
• Navigate 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, then ctrl+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)
• File 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
• Select Items in File List and Navigation Pane
• Shift+Arrow Up/Arrow Down-Select multiple adjacent items (directly above or below)
• ctrl with arrow keys and space-Select multiple non-adjacent items. Hold ctrl, use arrow 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