Windows Key Related Shortcuts – Part 1
We have previously done a post about the usefulness of the Windows Key to help speed up your daily computer use, now with Microsoft’s latest version of their operating system, Windows 7, they have expanded the use of this key. There are many clever and very useful enhancements with this introduction of the operating system, so read on to find more time saving tips that could speed up the use of your daily tasks
Windows Key
This shortcut will simply display or hide the start menu, ideal if you want to quickly access a program
Windows Key + D
This will display the desktop, regardless of how many windows you have open. Instantly giving you access to any shortcut you have stored on your desktop. Pressing the same key combination again will restore your windows to their previous positions
Windows Key + M
Minimise all your windows, and will display the desktop, instantly giving you access to any…… hmm Deja Vu anyone 
Windows Key + R
Quickly open up the Run dialog box, this is ideal if you want to run a quick program that you know the name of, for example CALC, NOTEPAD or CMD
Windows Key + E
Gives you instant access to My Computer, for those who have multiple drives and like to keep their drives nice and tidy, a true time-saving shortcut.when navigating around your computer with multiple drives
Windows Key + F
Allows you to instantly search for a file or folder on your computer, whether it is a Word document, picture or music file.
Windows Key + L
If you have multiple accounts, or just trying to protect your Facebook account from been hacked by your older/younger/brother/sister whilst you nip to the kitchen for a lovely hot cup of tea, this is a quick and easy way to lock up your computer
Windows Key + BREAK
OK, maybe not the most commonly used shortcut, but certainly when RBS are trying to determine how much memory is installed in a computer, or what service pack is installed, this is great little shortcut.
Windows Key + F1
Allows you to bring up the Windows Help support box from any application. Most applications hijack the standard F1 – Help key to bring up their application specific help key, but by pressing the Windows Key and then F, you force the Windows Help
Windows Key + U
Unless required, then this will be the least used shortcut, but when necessary for those people that require it, its a neat shortcut to bringing up Microsoft’s Utility Manager, instead of trawling through the All Programs menu’s
Windows Key + Home
This will minimise all the windows but the currently active one, useful if you just want to work on the current window and not see any other windows in the background
Windows Key + Spacebar
When you press this key combination, remember to hold down the Windows Key, and until you release this key, this will makes all the windows transparent allowing you to see your desktop
Windows Key + Up Arrow
This will maximise the currently active window
Windows Key + Down Arrow
This will minimise the currently active window to the taskbar, however if the window is alreadt maximised then the window will be restored to it previous size
Windows Key + Shift + Up Arrow
This will maximise the currently active window, at a vertical level, keeping its current position on the left hand edge of the window
Windows Key + Left Arrow/Right Arrow
Pressing this key combination will dock the window to either the left or right hand side of your monitor
Windows Key + Shift + Left Arrow/Right Arrow
When in multiple monitor mode, this is extremley useful to move the active window to the monitor on your left or right
Windows Key + P
Adjust the presentation settings for your display, when you are working on your PC/Laptop with an external projector attached you can quickly adjust how and what to display on the screens
Windows Key + [+/-]
Toggles Windows 7′s on-screen magnification utility, this will zoom in on your current cursor position, very useful when are performing some fine work in your application.
Utilising the Windows key can certainly make your daily work a lot easier to use and interact with your PC – We hope you enjoy this article and tune back in for the second installment coming soon
