Microsoft has added a dozen handy hotkeys and keystroke combos to Windows 7.
You’ve already committed the best Windows keystrokes to muscle memory: Win+E to run Explorer, Win+M to minimise all windows, Win+D for quick access to the desktop, Win+R for the Run box and Win+Pause to open the System Properties applet (yeah, that one’s not exactly intuitive!).
Now Windows 7 delivers a dozen more ways to use the Windows key, several of which are based on new features in Windows 7.
Win + Up Arrow maximises the current window
Win + Down Arrow minimises or restores the current window depending on its current state (if it’s maximised, the window drops to the previous ‘restored’ size; if already in that size, it’s minimised into the taskbar)
Win + Left Arrow snaps the window to dock against the left half of the screen
Win + Right Arrow snaps the window to dock against the right half of the screen
Win + Shift + Left Arrow moves the current window onto the left monitor if you’re running dual monitors
Win + Shift + Right Arrow moves the current window onto the right monitor if you’re running dual monitors
Win + P calls up all external display options relevant to an external display, which is also called the projection menu (as it’s often used for notebooks connected to a projector)
Win + Home minimises all windows except for the current window (remember, use the old Win+M keystroke to minimise all windows)
Win + Space does an ‘Aero Peek’ at the desktop
Win + G brings gadgets to the foreground
Win + T cycles through open applications on the taskbar with each app’s live preview showing (Win+ Shift + T reverses the direction)
Win + Plus zooms in
Win + Minus zooms out
Alt + P toggles the preview pane in Explorer