Help
Why do something the hard way? Do you always take the long way around just because it's obvious? When was the last time you went the long way after somebody showed you the shortcut? You probably don't go that way any more, huh? Well, it's no loss, right? Wrong. You end up losing all extra work. Just think of all that extra time you'll save if you use these helpful shortcuts from Wei-Meng Lee's Windows 7: Up and Running.
The taskbar contains many shortcuts that will make your life much easier. Here are some really helpful ones:
- Ctrl-click an application icon in the taskbar
This action will cycle through all the open windows belonging to the application. For example, suppose that you have five IE windows open. Pressing the Ctrl key while you click the IE icon in the taskbar will toggle between all the opened IE windows (including tab pages).
- Shift-click (or middle-click) an application icon in the taskbar
This will launch a new instance of the application.
- Ctrl-Shift-Click an application icon in the taskbar
This action will launch the application in administrator mode.
Besides these taskbar shortcuts, the Windows Key has many shortcuts as well. Table 8.1 shows the various shortcuts you can use with the Windows Key.
Table 8.1. Windows Key shortcuts
Key combinations | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Windows Key + ↓ | Minimizes/restores window |
Windows Key + ← | Docks window to left of screen |
Windows Key + → | Docks window to right of screen |
Windows Key + ↑ | Maximizes window |
Windows Key + – | Zooms out when magnifier is active |
Windows Key + + | Activates magnifier and zoom in |
Windows Key + B | Switches focus to the notification area (use arrow keys to navigate) |
Windows Key + D | Shows the desktop |
Windows Key + E | Opens Windows Explorer |
Windows Key + F | Opens the search Window |
| Windows Key + G | Cycles through the Gadgets |
| Windows Key + Home | Minimizes/restores all other windows |
Windows Key + L | Locks the screen |
Windows Key + M | Minimizes all windows |
| Windows Key + n | Opens or launches the application located on the corresponding position in the taskbar (starting with 1 from the left, not counting the Start menu); if the application is not running, it launches it; otherwise, it displays the window list while you hold down the key, and activates the first item in the list |
| Windows Key + P | Shows the display options pop up |
Windows Key + R | Shows the Run dialog |
Windows Key + T | Cycles through all the icons in the taskbar from left to right |
Windows Key + U | Opens the Ease of Access Center |
| Windows Key + X | Launches Windows Mobility Center (on notebooks and mobile computers) |
| Windows Key + Shift + ← | Moves to left monitor |
Windows Key + Shift + → | Moves to right monitor |
Windows Key + Shift + T | Cycles through all the icons in the taskbar from right to left |
| Windows Key + Space | Peeks at the desktop |
Another useful shortcut is Alt-P, which shows the File Preview Pane in Windows Explorer. Figure 8.19 shows the File Preview Pane displaying the preview of a selected image when you press the Alt-P shortcut.
Besides using the File Preview Pane to preview images, you can also use it to preview known file types such as Word (see Figure 8.20) and PowerPoint documents.
This compact book offers the quickest path for Windows XP and Vista users to get started with Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system. With Windows 7: Up and Running, you get the essential information you need to upgrade or install the system and configure it to fit your activities, along with a tour of Windows 7's features and built-in applications. Windows 7 is poised to be a big hit among PC users, and with this handy guide, you can be productive with it right away.
