Win+↑ | Maximize the current window |
Win+↓ | If the current window is maximized, restore it; if the current window is restored, minimize it |
Win+← | Dock the current window to the left half of the screen *If it is already docked left, it is moved to the right half of the screen *If it is already docked right, it is restored to its original size |
Win+→ | Dock the current window to the right half of the screen *If it is already docked right, it is moved to the left half of the screen *If it is already docked left, it is restored to its original size |
Win+Shift+← | Move current window to the left monitor (with dual monitors) |
Win+Shift+→ | Move current window to the right monitor (with dual monitors) |
Win+Home | Minimize all but the current window |
Win+Space | Peek at the desktop |
Win+[Plus sign] | Zoom in |
Win+[Minus sign] | Zoom out |
Win+P | Open the projection menu (generally used for laptops connected to projectors) |
Alt+P | In Explorer, show/hide the preview pane |
Taskbar Modifiers (New in Windows 7)
Shift+Click | Open a new instance of the program |
Ctrl+Click | Cycle between windows in a group |
Middle Click | Open a new instance of the program |
Ctrl+Shift+Click | Open a new instance of the program as Administrator |
Shift+Right-Click | Show window menu |
Managing Windows
Alt+F4 | Close the active window |
Alt+Tab | Switch to previous active window |
Alt+Esc | Cycle through all open windows |
Win+Tab | Flip 3D [more info] |
Ctrl+Win+Tab | Persistent Flip 3D |
Win+T | Cycle through applications on taskbar (showing its live preview) |
Win+M | Minimize all open windows |
Win+Shift+M | Undo all window minimization |
Win+D | Toggle showing the desktop |
Win+↑ | Maximize the current window |
Win+↓ | If the current window is maximized, restore it; if the current window is restored, minimize it |
Win+← | Dock the current window to the left half of the screen *If it is already docked left, it is moved to the right half of the screen *If it is already docked right, it is restored to its original size |
Win+→ | Dock the current window to the right half of the screen *If it is already docked right, it is moved to the left half of the screen *If it is already docked left, it is restored to its original size |
Win+Shift+← | Move current window to the left monitor (with dual monitors) |
Win+Shift+→ | Move current window to the right monitor (with dual monitors) |
Win+Home | Minimize all but the current window |
Win+Space | Peek at the desktop |
Win+[Plus sign] | Zoom in |
Win+[Minus sign] | Zoom out |
Starting Programs
Win+1 | Open the first program on your Quick Launch bar |
Win+2 | Open the second program on your Quick Launch bar |
Win+n | Open the nth program on your Quick Launch bar |
Win+U | Open the ease of access center |
Win+F | Open the search window |
Win+X | Open the Mobility Center |
Win+E | Open Explorer |
Win+R | Open the Run window [more info] |
Win+B | Move focus to notification tray (the right-most portion of the taskbar) |
Win+P | Open the projection menu (generally used for laptops connected to projectors) |
Win+Pause | Open the System Properties portion from the Control Panel |
Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Open Windows Task Manager |
Logging In And Out
While the below shortcuts seem unwieldy because of their length, they're quite easy to remember once you try them out a few times.
Win, →, Enter | Shutdown |
Win, →, →, R | Restart |
Win, →, →, S | Sleep |
Win, →, →, W | Switch Users |
Win+L | Locks computer |
Viewing Folders With Explorer
Alt+← | Go back |
Alt+→ | Go forward |
Alt+↑ | Go up a directory |
Alt+D | Move focus to address bar |
Alt+D, Tab | Move focus to search bar |
Alt+Enter | Open the Properties window of the current selection |
Ctrl+Mousewheel | Change the view type (extra large, small, list view, detail, etc.) |
Alt+P | Show/hide the preview pane |