So now you have that new shinning computer you just bought and perhaps you want to learn more about how Windows 7 is different or what is new. Here is the first of several upcoming Tips and Tidbits on Windows 7.

The following list of a few Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts should be of good use. But wait…there’s more! In this late-night infomercial you will also get 100% free, a list of shortcuts for XP (below).

Windows 7 Shortcuts (Just a few):

• Windows Key + Tab = Aero [press Tab to cycle between Windows]

• Windows Key + E = Windows Explorer is launched.

• Windows Key + R = Run Command is launched.

• Windows Key + F = Search (which is there in previous Windows versions too)

• Windows Key + X = Mobility Center

• Windows Key + L = Lock Computer (It is there from the earlier versions as well)

• Windows Key + U = Ease of Access

• Windows Key + P = Projector

• Windows Key + T = Cycle Super Taskbar Items

• Windows Key + S = OneNote Screen Clipping Tool [requires OneNote]

• Windows Key + M = Minimize All Windows

• Windows Key + D = Show/Hide Desktop

• Windows Key + Up = Maximize Current Window

• Windows Key + Down = Restore Down / Minimize Current Windows

• Windows Key + Left = Tile Current Window to the Left

• Windows Key + Right = Tile Current Windows to the Right
[Continue pressing the Left and Right keys to rotate the window as well]

• Windows Key + # = Quicklaunch

• Windows Key + = = Magnifier

XP Keyboard Shortcuts:

• CTRL+C (Copy)

• CTRL+X (Cut)

• CTRL+V (Paste)

• CTRL+Z (Undo)

• DELETE (Delete)

• SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)

• CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)

• CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)

• F2 key (Rename the selected item)

• CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)

• CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)

• CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)

• CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)

• CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)

• SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)

• CTRL+A (Select all)

• F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)

• ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)

• ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)

• ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)

• ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)

• CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)

• ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)

• ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)

• F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)

• F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)

• SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)

• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)

• CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)

• ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)

• Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)

• F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)

• RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)

• LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)

• F5 key (Update the active window)

• BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)

• ESC (Cancel the current task)

• SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)

• CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager)

And here’s to happy keying!

Richard Tausch, MCSE, CCNA, CompTia Security +