Windows 7 hotkeys (and shortcut keys)

Now that Windows 7 is here I thought I’d offer a list of Windows 7 shortcut keys (If you’re like me then you will use these a lot). Not all of these are new for Windows 7, but I am offering them anyways. I’ll be breaking these up into various categories (for simplicity sake) and the first category is Windows Management
Windows Management:
One of the new features in Windows 7 is the ability to snap windows to the side of the screen, maximize them by dragging them to the top of your screen and even move them to another monitor with a simple key combination. Here are some Windows Management shortcut:

• Windows Key + Home: Clear all but the active window.
• Windows Key + Space: All windows become transparent so you can see through to the desktop.
• Windows Key + Up arrow: Maximize the active window.
• Shift + Windows Key + Up arrow: Maximize the active window vertically.
• Windows Key + Down arrow: Minimize the window/Restore the window if it’s maximized.
• Windows Key + Left/Right arrows: Dock the window to each side of the monitor.
• Shift + Windows Key + Left/Right arrows: Move the window to the monitor on the left or right.

Here are some ways you can interact with the windows with your mouse:

• Drag window to the top: Maximize
• Drag window left/right: Dock the window to fill half of the screen.
• Shake window back/forth: Minimize everything but the current window.
• Double-Click Top Window Border (edge): Maximize window vertically.

Taskbar:
Windows 7 completely re-did the Windows Taskbar and I just love the new features they’re added to this feature. Using the Windows key and the numbers (1-9) you can interact with the applications you have pinned to the taskbar. So let’s say I have VIsual Studio pinned to my taskbar (and it’s the first item pinned) I can use the Windows key + 1 to launch Visual Studio, or I can use Win + ALT + 1 to gain access to the Jump Menu for Visual Studio.
Here’s some more shortcut keys for the Windows Taskbar:

• Windows Key + number (1-9): Starts the application pinned to the taskbar in that position, or switches to that program.
• Shift + Windows Key + number (1-9): Starts a new instance of the application pinned to the taskbar in that position.
• Ctrl + Windows Key + number (1-9): Cycles through open windows for the application pinned to the taskbar is that position.
• Alt + Windows Key + number (1-9): Opens the Jump List for the application pinned to the taskbar.
• Windows Key + T: Focus and scroll through items on the taskbar.
• Windows Key + B: Focuses the System Tray icons

Another way you can interact with your Taskbar is by using your mouse and a key, here’s the most common ones you’ll want to know about

• Shift + Click on a taskbar button: Open a program or quickly open another instance of a program.
• Ctrl + Shift + Click on a taskbar button: Open a program as an administrator.
• Shift + Right-Click on a taskbar button: Show the window menu for the program (like XP does).
• Shift + Right-Click on a grouped taskbar button: Show the window menu for the group.
• Ctrl + Click on a grouped taskbar button: Cycle through the windows of the group.

Here are some final hotkeys you may find useful and interesting:

• Ctrl + Shift + N: Creates a new folder in Windows Explorer.
• Alt + Up: Goes up a folder level in Windows Explorer.
• Alt + P: Toggles the preview pane in Windows Explorer.
• Shift +Right – Click on a file: Adds Copy as Path, which copies the path of a file to the clipboard.
• Shift + Right-Click on a file: Adds extra hidden items to the Send To menu.
• Shift + Right-Click on a folder: Adds Command Prompt Here, which lets you easily open a command prompt in that folder.
• Win + P: Adjust presentation settings for your display.
• Win + (+/-): Zoom in/out.
• Win + G: Cycle between the Windows Gadgets on your screen.

I dont know how long you’ve been using Windows 7 (I’ve had it since it was available to MSDN Subscribers on August 7th 2009) but I have learned that Windows 7 makes it a lot easier to interact with your system with your keyboard (and/or mouse). What hotkey/shortcut keys have you found in Windows 7 that makes your life easier? Share them and in time we’ll have an exhaustive list to share with the world.