Windows key Tips

For most people, the Windows key (you know, the one with the flag on it?) Just sat ignored on your keyboard. It's pretty well known that when Vista was released (and not reviled), then a new OS, including new ways to shuffle through an open application window. Using the Windows key while pressing the successive appearance of the tabs displayed Aero Flip 3-D from the windows you are flying with in mid-screen. Well, that still works on Windows 7, although it may be just as comfortable to stick with less luxury-Alt tab to switch through the window, or simply choose the one you want from the Taskbar now-larger.

But the Windows key is not much more than rolling luxury. Windows 7 adds new ways to hide all windows at once reveal the desktop that involve moving the mouse pointer all the way down to the bottom right corner of your screen. While the new Aero Peek cold, sometimes you want a quick way to see the desktop. For example, pressing the Windows key + D reveal your desktop much faster than moving the pointer into a corner. If you just want a peek, be more susceptible to Windows key + Space.

I found this and open the Start menu with a simple press of the most useful button, but according to Windows Help, there are 30 whopping use the key. For example, if you know you can press the Windows key along with a number pinned to launch the program in position on your Taskbar? Adding Shift to mix starts a new instance of embedded applications. Speaking of the Taskbar, Windows key + T to cycle through the items there. If you want to quickly log out, just press the Windows key + L.

You can find all 30 in Windows Help, but here are my favorite uses for the Windows key:

Keyboard Shortcut	Effect
Windows+D	Show the Desktop. Press again to bring back your open windows.
Windows+Spacebar	Peek the desktop—releasing brings back all your displaying windows.
Windows-M	Minimize all windows.
Shift+Window+[number]	Opens the window of the corresponding-numbered Taskbar button, starting from the left as 1, next 2, and so on.
Windows +E	Open Computer window to show drives and their used space and devices in Explorer.
Windows+Home	Minimize all but the active window.
Windows-Up Arrow	Maximize window—this is probably just as easy to do with Aero by dragging the window header to the top of the screen or just double-clicking it.
Windows+Shift+Up Arrow	Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows+Shift+Left Arrow or Right Arrow	Move a window from one monitor to another—this one is a little complicated, but if you use multiple monitors, it pays off.
Windows-L	Lock the system—i.e., log out and require a log-in to use the system.
Windows-P	Show display and projector options.
Windows+X	Open Windows Mobility Center—You may not even know there's such a thing as the Mobility Center, but it gives easy access to things like screen brightness and volume. It also lets presenters turn on an external display.