Use Windows 7 Faster Than Ever Before: The 35 Best Keyboard Shortcuts

Every Windows veteran goes nuts about keyboard shortcuts. By pressing a combination of two or three keys, you can make typical tasks much faster than by performing them with your mouse or trackpad. You can also easily switch between software, move windows around, access hidden features, and cycle through taskbar items. This blog post lists the 35 killer shortcuts you shouldn’t live without.

Shortcuts everyone should know

WIN+Home: Minimize all except for the currently active window.
WIN+Space: See through all active windows on your desktop.
WIN+Key Down: Minimize current window.
WIN+Key Up: Maximize current window.
WIN+Key Left: Place the current window on the left half of the screen.
WIN+Key Right: Place the current window on the right side of the screen (as seen above).

CTRL+C: Copy an item to the clipboard.
CTRL+X: Cut an item to the clipboard.
CTRL+V: Insert a copied or cut item from the clipboard.
CTRL+Z: Reverse the last change(s) made, if supported by the application. CTRL+Y: Repeat the last action, if supported by the application.

WIN+NUMBER: Hit a number (1–0) to cycle through the first 10 taskbar items. For example, by hitting WIN+3 on your keyboard, notepad would launch in the example given below. WIN+4 would launch TuneUp Utilities. Note: Does not work on the numpad, but the upper number bar.

Shift+WIN+NUMBER: Launch another instance of the pinned taskbar item instead of cycling through the applications. For example, by pressing CTRL+WIN+3, a second instance of notepad would start.
WIN+T: Scroll through items of the taskbar one by one.
WIN+B: Focus on system tray icons.
WIN+TAB: Cycle through all currently open windows using the “Aero 3D” feature. Press tab repeatedly while holding the WIN key to select different windows.

SHIFT+Click on a taskbar item: Open another instance of a program.
CTRL+SHIFT+Click on a taskbar item: Open a program with administrative rights.

Control Windows Features

WIN+Pause/Break: Open “System Properties” dialog. It displays information about your PC (such as the Windows Experience Index score) and gives access to commonly used Windows settings.
WIN+(+/-): Zoom in and out using the Windows zoom feature.
WIN+G: Cycle between different desktop gadgets.
WIN+L: Locking the computer.
WIN+P: Select the current output and display settings.
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Launch Task Manager.

Saving Time in Windows Explorer

CTRL+SHIFT+N: Create a new folder in Windows Explorer, something a lot of Windows enthusiasts have been waiting for.

CTRG+N: Open a new Explorer window.
WIN+E: Opens Windows Explorer
WIN+R: Open the “Run” dialog.
ALT+P: Show the preview pane.
ALT+Up: Go back up one folder hierarchy level in Explorer.
SHIFT+Right-click on a file/folder: Add both the “Copy as Path” menu item (which copies the file patch to the clipboard) and additional items to the “Send to” menu. If you right-click on a folder, you can go straight to the command prompt.
F2: Rename the current file or folder.
SHIFT+DEL: Delete an item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first.
CTRL+Clicking on files/folders: Select multiple files and folders in Windows Explorer or on your desktop.
CTRL+Mouse wheel: Change the size of folder and file icons.
ALT+D: Jump to the address bar.
CTRL+E or F: Jump to the search bar.

That was our list of favorite and most useful Windows shortcuts! What’s your favorite keyboard shortcut? Let us know in the comments!