10 awesome Windows key shortcuts
You look at it every day and probably never use it. No, not your treadmill. I’m referring to that Windows button on your computer keyboard that sits in between the ALT and CTRL buttons on the left-hand side of the spacebar.
You look at it every day and probably never use it. No, not your treadmill. I’m referring to that Windows button on your computer keyboard that sits in between the ALT and CTRL buttons on the left-hand side of the spacebar.
What’s it for, you ask? OK, you know if you press it it’ll open your programs (as if you clicked the Start button on your screen) but there are many other uses for it. Here are some shortcuts you can try:
<Windows Key> + D (displays the Windows desktop)
<Windows Key> + E (opens Explorer)
<Windows Key> + F (opens a search window)
<Windows Key> + R (opens the Run window)
<Windows Key> + T (cycles through the tabs of the applications on the taskbar)
And some Windows Vista exclusives:
<Windows Key> + G (cycles through the Gadgets)
<Windows Key> + L (locks the computer)
<Windows Key> + U (activates the Ease of Access Center)
<Windows Key> + X (cycles through the Windows Mobility Center)
<Windows Key> + CTRL + Tab (opens Flip 3D interface)
Cool!
+ L is not Vista exclusive. I've been using it to lock Windows XP for years and it's a wonderful feature. Especially being a student in an environment where people like to change your background to … inappropriate images.
Windows Key + L is not Vista exclusive. I've been using it to lock Windows XP for years and it's a wonderful feature. Especially being a student in an environment where people like to change your background to … inappropriate images.
Oh, and you don't have to press winkey + ctrl + tab to pop up the Flip 3D interface on Vista, just winkey + tab will do…. win+ctrl+tab hurts the hands!
Missed windows+u+u Really fast shut down.
I agree with Jim not me Jim but the Jim who add Windows+U+U that shuts down the window and no it doesnt activate a virus. :D
This was useful info. Thanks all.
I tried the " + U" on my Windows XP Tablet Edition and it brings up some Utility Manager + Microsoft Narrator that starts talking to me.
Don't forget Windows +M; It minimizes everything on your desktop immediately and takes you back to your background….
What about Windows+Pause/Break?
Not sure about you guys, but windows + E always has and always will open My Computer on my Windows XP pc…
Thanks all! I've always wondered about that 'little flag' thing!
Old news is old.
Even better is accessing the accents and umlauts using shorter key combinations than alt keys. Example: (not sure exact circumstances but it works for me) Ctrl + : lets you use an umlaut over the next vowel you press. On a macbook you can use I think alt + u to access the little ^ above a letter.
The 3D flip is just Windows+tab not windows+ctrl+tab…
Windows+pause is also a good one
Ctrl+Tab is to cycle through the tabs of the applications on the taskbar and not Ctrl+T. Noob.
ctrl tab
Didn't know about the CTRL+L. That's really nice.
nice detail information
thankyou
the Winkey + L to lock the workstaion is not a Vista exclusive.
this was in XP, NT and possibly '98 as well.
Richmond, you hsouldn't call people noobs when you don't have a clue what your talking about.
Winkey + T cycles the focus between the tabs on your task bar. Alt + Tab opens the little mini viewer and cycles thru them that way. Ctrl + Tab cycles thru the tabs of an open window.
and Fixer187, did you try the Winkey + Ctrl + Tab?
it opens the flip 3D and you can let go of the keys and just tap tab to cycle.
Winkey + Tab is basically a kool way to do Alt + Tab
why does it make an alarming sound when you press windows key + T + G?