Hot keys on the keyboard - assigning various combinations

In this lesson, you will find the main Windows 7 hotkeys; after reading, you will use your computer much more efficiently than you used it before.

Hotkeys is a method of interaction between the keyboard and the computer. This method consists of executing commands (operations) on a computer using keys or key combinations to which commands (operations) are programmed.

It’s very difficult to get used to something new, so you shouldn’t start memorizing all the keys. To begin with, take 10-20 pieces to use, and then use others, so to speak, expanding your knowledge. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that each program can use its own hot keys, which were programmed by the developers of this program.

If you use Windows 7 hotkeys daily, at least 10 of them, you will notice how much more efficient your work will become. See the list of hotkeys in Windows 7 below.

List of hotkeys

Hotkeys for working with text and files

I advise you to use the hotkeys that are in this section, be sure to learn and use them always.

Ctrl + C– Copy selected elements.

Ctrl+A- Select all. If you are in a text document, then pressing these keys will select all the text, and if you are in a folder where there are other objects, then you can select all files and folders.

Ctrl + X- Cut out. The command cuts selected items (files, folders or text).

Ctrl + V- Insert. Paste copied or cut items.

Ctrl + Z- Cancel. Cancel actions, for example, if you accidentally deleted text in MS Word, then use these keys to return the original text back (cancel input and actions).

ALT+ ENTER or ALT + Double-click the left mouse button– View properties of the selected element(s) (applicable for files).

CTRL+F4- Close the current window in the program.

Deleting files and text

Delete- Delete the selected element(s). If you use this key in text, then placing the mouse cursor in the middle of the word and clicking on the “Delete” button, deletion will occur from left to right.

Shift+Delete- Delete item(s) bypassing the trash. For files and folders.

Backspace - Deleting text. If you are working in a text editor, then this key can be used to delete text; place the cursor, say, in the middle of a sentence, by clicking on the “Backspace” button, deleting will occur from right to left.

Other

— Open the Start menu or CTRL + ESC, the button is usually located between the buttons CTRL And ALT.

+F1- Reference.

+B- Move the cursor to the tray.

+M- Minimize all windows.

+D- Show desktop (collapse all windows, and when pressed again, maximize windows).

+ E— Open My Computer.

+F- Open the search window.

+G– Show gadgets on top of windows.

+L– Lock the computer. If you move away from the computer, be sure to use these keys to quickly lock the computer. Very useful if you have children or ill-wishers who can read your personal information.

+P– Projector control. If a projector is connected, these keys will quickly switch between the projector and the computer.

+ R– Open the “Run” window.

+T– One by one, we move the focus sequentially on the icons that are located in the taskbar.

+U– Open the Ease of Access Center window.

+X– Call “Mobility Center” (laptops and netbooks).

+ Tab– Call “Flip 3D”. When clicked, you can use the mouse to select the window.

+ Space– Desktop view (Aero Peak). All windows will become transparent.

+ Arrow– Control the location of the active window. Pressing the up arrow - maximize, down - minimize, left - snap to left edge, right - snap to right edge.

+Pause— Open the “System Properties” window.

+ Home— Minimize all windows except the active window; pressing again will open the minimized windows. + 5, the player will open.

Alt + Tab– Switch between windows and applications.

Shift + Ctrl + N- Create a new folder.

SHIFT+ F10– Displays options for the selected element.

Shift + Arrow – Selection . The arrows used are left, right, down and up. Applicable for text and files.

CTRL- Selection of elements. By holding CTRL you can selectively select elements. For example, while in a folder, left-click on the folders that you want to copy or cut, after selecting, release CTRL and get the folders you selected for further work with them.

Ctrl + Shift + Esc– Open task manager.

CTRL+TAB– Go forward through bookmarks.

Alt + F4– Close the window or exit the application.

ALT + Space- Display the system menu for the current window.

F2- Rename. Select the object and press the F2 button .

F5- Refresh window. It is often used in the browser if the page is frozen or information needs to be updated. Applies also if you are in a folder or program.

F10 - Activate menu.

Esc- Cancel the operation. When you open, for example, the properties of a folder by pressing the ESC button, the Properties window will close.

ENTER– Open the selected element.

TAB- Go forward through options.

P.S. Dessert for today, video about Windows 7 hotkeys.

You still don’t know how to set up hot keys on Windows 7, and why are they needed? Hotkeys on Windows 7 are necessary for ease of use of the operating system. They help you quickly perform various operations on your computer by pressing a certain combination.

The operating system contains a built-in database of such commands; they are used by default. Some of them can be changed programmatically or assigned independently.

How to find a list of hotkeys

A list of keyboard shortcuts for quickly operating the OS is available in the Windows Help system. You can find out the entire list of Windows 7 hotkeys by calling the MS Office Help window using the Win + F1 key combination.

Please remember that you will need an internet connection to use the help.

Next from the list that I gave search system, you can select an item of interest, for example, “Hot keys and shortcuts.” A website page will open in the browser, which contains descriptions of frequently used key combinations.

Second method: you can find hotkeys on a laptop with Windows 7 using the built-in Help and Support. In this case, no Internet connection is required. Help is available in the “Main Menu”. Then the necessary information is selected from the list using the “Keyboard shortcut” request.

If you select the “Keyboard shortcuts” section through “Help and Support”, we will get all the necessary information. Descriptions of all possible combinations of hot buttons are divided into topics, which makes searching easier.

The keys are designed for quickly searching and editing texts in MS Office, performing any operation on the desktop without using a mouse, calling and closing a program, and other commands specified by the user. All described keyboard shortcuts are configured by default.

Default button combinations allow you to control OS objects. Secret Windows 7 hotkeys:

• SHIFT+DELETE allows you to delete files from hard drive without placing in the “Basket”;
• ALT+F4 or Ctrl + W closes the active program or file;
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc brings up the task manager;
• Win + F opens a search window;
• Win + L locks the computer;
• ALT+TAB allows you to navigate from one open file or windows to another;
• CTRL + mouse scroll wheel allows you to change the size of desktop icons;
• Win + G places gadgets on top of open windows;
• Win + Home allows you to minimize windows except the active one;
• Ctrl + P submits documents for printing;
• Win + X brings up the “Mobility Center” on the laptop;
• Win + M minimizes open windows;
• Shift + Ctrl + N allows you to create an empty folder.

How to assign hotkeys

Setting up Windows 7 hotkeys is usually done for programs that are frequently used by the user. Assigning hot keys is done through the “Main Menu” or the shortcut to “ “.

Assigning hotkeys in Windows 7 is not difficult; to do this, you need to go to the “Properties” section of the selected program through a shortcut on the “Desktop” or “Main Menu”. In the “Shortcut” tab, place the cursor in the “Shortcut” line. When you simultaneously press the CTRL or ALT key and the desired letter of the Latin alphabet, the combination CTRL+ALT+selected letter is specified.

Please remember: if the combination used was previously assigned by default by the system, after completing this setting, you can change the Windows 7 hotkeys.

After pressing the assigned key combination, the specified program will open instead of the previously performed default action.

These keys provide an easy alternative access to frequently used commands that would require several cumbersome mouse clicks to access, especially if the function is frequently repeated.

The most obscure commands - using the checkbox key Windows ().

Windows Logo Key (WIN)+key combinations

WIN - Open the start menu.
WIN-Tab - When the Aero interface is active, enables Windows Flip 3D. (only for Vista)
WIN-Pause/Break - Launches system properties.
WIN space - Shows Sidebar. (only for Vista)
WIN-B, spacebar - Moves focus to tray (WIN, spacebar allows you to open hidden icons)
WIN-D - Minimize all windows and give focus to the desktop.
WIN-E - Launch Explorer.
WIN-F - Start search.
Ctrl-WIN-F - Search for a computer on the network (requires Active Directory).
WIN-L - Lock the computer; a password is required to unlock it.
WIN-M - Minimize this window.
Shift-WIN-M - Rollback minimizing this window.
WIN-R - Launch the "Run..." dialog box
WIN-U - Launch Ease of Access Center. (only for Vista)

Function keys

F1 - Call help (works in most applications).
F2 - Rename the selected icon on the desktop, or file in Explorer.
F3 - Open the search window (only available on the desktop and in Explorer).
F4 - Open drop-down list (supported in most dialog boxes). For example, press F4 in the "open file" dialog box to view the list.
F5 - Refresh the list on the desktop, Explorer, Registry Editor and some other programs.
F6 - Move focus between panels in Explorer.
F10 - Move focus to the active application's menu bar.

Variety of keys

Cursor arrows - Basic navigation - move through menus, move the cursor (insertion point), change the selected file, and so on.
Backspace - Go up one level (only in Explorer).
Delete - Delete selected elements or text.
Down Arrow - Open drop-down menu.
End - Moves to the end of the line when editing files, or to the end of the list of files.
Enter - Activate the selected action in a menu or dialog box, or start a new line when editing text.
Esc - Closes a dialog box, information box, or menu without activating any selected action (usually used as the cancel button).
Home - Moves to the beginning of the line when editing files, or to the beginning of the list of files.
Page Down - Scroll down one screen.
Page Up - Scroll up one screen.
PrintScreen - Copy the contents of the screen as a bitmap to the buffer.
Spacebar - Check a checkbox that is selected in a dialog box, select a button that has focus, or select files when multiple selecting them while holding down the Ctrl button.
Tab - Move focus to the next button in a window or dialog (hold Shift to go back).

See also the article
Alt+key combinations

Alt - Move focus to menu bar (same as F10). Also returns menus in programs that use more, such as Explorer and Internet Explorer.
Alt-x - Activate a window or dialog in which the letter x is underlined (if the underline is not visible, pressing Alt will display them).
Alt-double click - (on the icon) display the property sheet.
Alt-Enter - Display the property sheet for this icon on the desktop or in Explorer. Also changes the display command line from window to full screen.
Alt-Esc - Collapses the active window, which results in the opening of the next window.
Alt-F4 - Close the active window; If the taskbar or desktop has focus, it turns off Windows.
Alt-hyphen - Open the system menu of the active document through the interface of compound documents.
Alt number - Used only with the numeric keypad, inserts special characters into most applications according to their ASCII codes. For example, press the Alt key and type 0169 to get the © character. See the symbol table for all meanings.
Alt-PrintScreen - Copy the active window as a bitmap to the clipboard.
Alt-Shift-Tab - Same as Alt+Tab, but in a different direction.
Alt-space - Open the system menu of the active window.
Alt-Tab - Move to the next open application. Press Alt while holding Tab to move between application windows.
Alt-M - If the taskbar has focus, minimizes all open applications.
Alt-S - If the taskbar has focus, opens the start menu.

Ctrl+key combinations

Ctrl-A - Select all; in Explorer selects all folders in the document, in a text editor all text in the document.
Ctrl-Alt-x - User-defined keyboard shortcuts in which x is any button.
Ctrl-Alt-Delete - Show the user selection window if no one is registered in the system; otherwise, it launches the Windows Security window, which provides access to the task manager, and shuts down the computer, as well as changing the user, allowing you to change the password, or block access to the computer. Use Ctrl-Alt-Delete to access the Task Manager when your computer, or File Explorer, is frozen.
Ctrl arrows - Move without selecting fragments.
Ctrl-click - Used to select multiple non-sequential elements in Explorer.
Ctrl-drag - Copy a file.
Ctrl-End - Go to the end of the file (works in most applications).
Ctrl-Esc - Open the start menu; press Esc and then Tab to move focus to the taskbar, or press Tab again to move focus to the taskbar, and then move through the panels on the taskbar, each time you press the Tab button.
Ctrl-F4 - Closes a window in any MDI application.
Ctrl-F6 - Move between multiple windows in MDI applications. Similar to Ctrl-Tab; hold Shift to move in the opposite direction.
Ctrl-Home - Go to the beginning of the document (works in most programs).
Ctrl-Space - Select or deselect several non-sequential elements.
Ctrl-Tab - Switch between tabs in a tabbed window, or Internet Explorer; hold Shift to move in the opposite direction.
Ctrl-C - Copy the selected file or piece of text to the clipboard. Also allows you to interrupt some console commands.
Ctrl-F - Open search window.
Ctrl-V - Paste the contents of the buffer.
Ctrl-X - Cut the selected file, or a piece of text to the buffer.
Ctrl-Z - Rollback; for example, deletes the text you just entered, or the last file operation in Explorer.

Shift+key combinations

Shift - When a CD is inserted, hold to block autoplay.
Shift arrows - Select text or multiple files in Explorer.
Shift-click - Select all content between the selected fragment and the clicked fragment; also works with text.
Shift-click the close button- Close the active Explorer window and all previous ones (if open in several windows)
Shift-Alt-Tab - Same as Alt-Tab, but in the opposite direction.
Shift-Ctrl-Tab - Same as Ctrl-Tab, but in the opposite direction.
Shift-Ctrl-Esc - Open task manager.
Shift-Delete - Delete a file without moving it to the trash.
Shift-double-click - Open a folder in two-panel Explorer mode.
Shift-Tab - Same as Tab, but in the opposite direction.
Shift-F10, or context menu button on some keyboards - Context menu, open

And also when you click on Start-Shutdown and see this window to shut down the computer.

Basic Windows hotkeys 1

So, in fact, it is. When an experienced user switches from one program to another, it is rarely difficult for him to master the new interface and new features. As a rule, everything that worked on old or other versions also works successfully with new software systems.

What is the reason? Very simple. The main attention is paid to the “friendliness” and understandability of the interface. Once in demand, proven technologies for using programs rarely undergo changes.

One of these tricks - “hot keys” in text editors such as MS Word, MS WordPad, OpenOffice.org and many others - requires a separate discussion due to their regular use.

There are several common keyboard shortcuts for managing files from application programs. These are Ctrl+N, Ctrl+O, Ctrl+S, Ctrl+Q. Let's look at the purpose of each combination separately.

To create a new document, be it text, sound file or a video, in the corresponding program press Ctrl+N or select the desired menu item. To open an existing file, use the combination Ctrl+O.

Despite the ability to autosave, computer malfunctions can become a headache if the data you are editing is irretrievably lost. Therefore, it is good practice to periodically press Ctrl+S. This command saves the changes made. Sometimes there is a need to save data to another file, then the F12 key comes to the rescue.

You can print a document using the Ctrl+P command. Try using this combination and you will see that it is much easier than searching for the desired command with your mouse in the menu.

And, of course, to finish working with the program - a pleasant end to the working day - there are many options for hot keys. You can, for example, press Alt+F4 or Ctrl+W, which are standard commands for closing an application, or you can use a specially provided menu command or its hotkey- Ctrl+Q (in OpenOffice.org).

The name itself - a text editor - implies typing and editing texts. Therefore, it is worth looking at general purpose commands for editing documents in more detail.

Firstly, these are the standard operations “Cut”, “Paste”, “Copy”. Although they are described in all guides and articles (even on our website), I consider it necessary to repeat here.

So, to cut the selected object to the clipboard, press Ctrl+X or Shift+Del; to copy the selected object to the clipboard - Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Ins; to paste an object from the buffer - Ctrl+V or Shift+Ins.

Now let's talk about such an interesting feature of MS Word as working with vertical blocks of text. To understand what this is, consider an example where vertical and horizontal blocks are compared:

As a rule, most users do not even know what vertical blocks are and that all the same editing operations apply to them as for ordinary horizontal ones.

To switch to vertical block selection mode, press Ctrl+Shift+F8. Only then select the block with the mouse or the cursor keys. You can do it another way: select a block of text and simultaneously hold down the Alt key. Experiment with vertical blocks. I am sure that they will come in handy someday and will help you save a lot of time and effort.

Often the results of editing do not bring satisfaction from the work done, and you want to go back a step, or even several steps back. To do this, press Ctrl+Z. If you need to repeat the changes made, then there is a very convenient command - Ctrl+Y.

And finally: when working with documents you sometimes have to change the scale of the text. There is a special menu item for this, but it is much more convenient to turn the mouse wheel and simultaneously hold down the Ctrl key. Try it, I think you will like this simple technique.

Let's summarize:

operations with files: Ctrl+N, Ctrl+O, Ctrl+S, F12, Ctrl+P;

working with the clipboard: Ctrl+X, Ctrl +C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+Y, Shift+Ins, Shift+Del, Ctrl+Ins, Ctrl + selection - for a vertical block of text;

change the scale, display text: Ctrl + rotate the mouse wheel.

The document should look beautiful, so that it is pleasant to look at, so that all tables are neat, the most important thoughts are highlighted, so that there is nothing superfluous on the page and at the same time there are no unreasonably empty spaces. The ideal is not achievable, but there are a number of techniques that make it easier to change a document in order to, through trial and error, get at least a little closer to the cherished perfection.

Font effects play an important role in the perception of text. Let's look at some of them in more detail.

To underline a word, you need to select it and then simultaneously press the Ctrl+U key combination. In this case, both all characters of the selected text and the spaces between them will be underlined. To underline only words you need to use Ctrl+Shift+U. To select a block of text in italics, you can use the combination Ctrl+I. If, to increase clarity, it was decided to highlight some phrases in bold, then for this there is a convenient alternative to the mouse - Ctrl + B.

It is often necessary for a phrase to be typed in capital letters. The easiest way to do this is to immediately type in upper case. However, it is not always possible to do everything correctly, so a special command was developed to convert a selected piece of text into upper or lower case - Shift+F3.

All the key combinations described above work as switches. This means that to return to the previous text input mode, you must press the same key combination again that changed the standard mode. For example, the Ctrl+U command will set the font attribute responsible for the underscore. To remove this attribute and return to the normal style, you must press Ctrl+U again.

Notes and footnotes are an integral part of any creative work. Of course, you can use the menu item of the same name to insert a footnote, but it is much easier to do this by pressing Ctrl+Alt+F.

To insert a page break, it is convenient to use Ctrl+Enter.

Some things can only be done if you use a mouse and keyboard at the same time. The most common example is smooth resizing of table cells. This is achieved by resizing the cell using the mouse and simultaneously pressing the Alt key.

It's no secret that text looks much better on a computer screen or in printed form when it is aligned in width. This alignment is achieved by increasing the length of the space between words. However, such behavior is not always justified. For example, you need to type a sentence that contains a surname and initials. If you put a simple space between them, then when aligning the initials may be located far away

from the surname, which is incorrect. To eliminate this effect, there is a special character - a fixed space. The easiest way to insert it is by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar at the same time.

So, let's summarize.

to change the font effect, use the commands: Ctrl+I, Ctrt+B, Ctrl+U, Ctrl+Shift+W;

to convert letters to uppercase: Shift+F3;

to set a fixed space: Ctrl+Shift+Space;

to break pages: Ctrl+Enter.

It is impossible to know all the keyboard shortcuts for quick access to menus to simplify basic text editing operations. But the main thing is different. The main thing is to learn to use the set of commands that are used most often than others. Each person will have a unique set. Of course, there will be similarities, but in general, everyone will plan their work with documents differently. Through trial and error, you can find how to quickly perform similar operations in order to save time and effort.

Basic Windows 2 hotkeys

Working in Windows can be made more efficient and faster if you use not only the mouse, but also use “hot keys” - special key combinations designed to simplify and speed up work. For example, few people know that the very often used Explorer (whether without it) is launched by simultaneously pressing Win + E. Agree, this is much more convenient!

Note

The Win key is located between the Ctrl and Alt keys on the left side (it has the Windows logo on it).

The Menu key is to the left of the right Ctrl.

The combination “key” + “key” means that you first press the first key, and then, while holding it, press the second.

General purpose hotkeys

	Keyboard shortcut	Description
		Open the Start menu
	Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Calling the "Task Manager"
		Launching Explorer
		Displaying the “Run program” dialog, analogous to “Start” - “Run”
		Minimize all windows or return to original state (switch)
		Locking a workstation
		Access Windows Help
		Opening the System Properties window
		Open file search window
		Open computer search window
		Take a screenshot of the entire screen
	Alt + Printscreen	Take a screenshot of the currently active window
		Switches between taskbar buttons
	Win + Shift + Tab
		Move between panels. For example, between the desktop and the Quick Launch panel
		Select everything (objects, text)

		Copy to clipboard (objects, text)
		Cut to clipboard (objects, text)
		Paste from clipboard (objects, text)
		Create a new document, project, or similar action. In Internet Explorer, this opens a new window with a copy of the contents
		current window.
		Call a file selection dialog to open a document, project, etc.
		Undo last action
		CD-ROM autorun lock (hold while the drive reads the newly inserted disc)
		Go to full screen mode and vice versa (switch; for example, in Windows Media Player or in a command interpreter window).

Work with text

	Keyboard shortcut	Description
		Select all
		Copy
		Cut
		Insert
		Moving through words in the text. Works not only in text editors. For example, it is very convenient to use in the address bar
		browser
		Text selection
	Ctrl + Shift + ←	Selecting text by words
	Ctrl + Shift + →

Move to the beginning or end of a line of text

Move to the beginning or end of the document

Working with files

	Keyboard shortcut	Description
		Displays the context menu of the current object (same as right-clicking).
		Calling “Object Properties”
		Renaming an object
	Drag with Ctrl	Copying an object
	Drag with Shift	Moving an object
	Drag with Ctrl + Shift	Create an object shortcut
	Ctrl clicks	Selecting multiple objects in random order
	Shift clicks	Selecting multiple adjacent objects
		Same as double clicking on an object
		Deleting an object
		Permanently deleting an object without placing it in the trash

Working in Explorer

	Keyboard shortcut	Description
	F3 or Ctrl + F	Show or hide the search bar in Explorer (switch).
		Navigation through the explorer tree, folding and unrolling of nested directories.
	+ (on numeric keypad)
	− (on numeric keypad)
	* (asterisk) (on numeric keypad)	Show all folders within a selected folder
		Refresh the Explorer or Internet Explorer window.

Working with Windows

	Keyboard shortcut	Description
		Calling the transition menu between windows and navigating through it
	Alt + Shift + Tab
		Switch between windows (in the order in which they were launched)
	Alt + Shift + Esc
		Switching between multiple windows of the same program (for example, between open WinWord windows)
		Closing the active window (running application). On the desktop - call the Windows shutdown dialog
		Closing the active document in programs that allow multiple documents to be opened simultaneously
		Calling the window menu
	Alt + − (minus)	Calling the system menu of a child window (for example, a document window)
		Exit a window menu or close an open dialog
		Call a menu command or open a menu column. The corresponding letters in the menu are usually underlined (either initially, or become
	Alt + letter	underlined after pressing Alt). If the menu column is already open, then to call the required command you must press the letter key,
		which is emphasized in this command
		Calling the window system menu
		Call application help.
		Scroll text vertically or move up and down paragraphs of text.

Working with Dialog Boxes

Working in Internet Explorer

	Keyboard shortcut	Description
		Displaying a list of the Address field
		Start another browser instance with the same web address
		Refresh the current web page
		Opens the Organize Favorites dialog box
		Opens the Search panel
		Starting the Search Utility
		Opens the Favorites panel
		Opens the Open dialog box
		Opens the Open dialog box, similar to CtrL+L
		Opens the Print dialog box
		Closing the current window
		Switch to full screen mode and back (works in some other applications as well).

Special abilities

Press the Shift key five times: Turn Sticky Keys on or off

Hold down the Right SHIFT key for eight seconds: Turn input filtering on or off

Hold down the Num Lock key for five seconds: Toggle voiceover on or off

Alt Left + Shift Left + Num Lock: Enable or disable keyboard pointer control

Alt Left + Shift Left + PRINT SCREEN: Toggle High Contrast on or off

Many users, when working with a computer, mainly use only the mouse, clicking on various sections of the menu in order to open one or another system management section or directory in Explorer. However, you can significantly speed up working with Windows if you train yourself to constantly use the so-called hot keys - combinations of buttons that allow you to execute various commands.

Operating room family Windows systems has always been distinguished by a large number of keyboard shortcuts designed to work both with the system itself and with its included applications and utilities. A significant part of the combinations is traditionally used not only in the operating system, but also in software packages from other manufacturers. In Windows 7, hotkeys have become even more convenient. Therefore, knowing at least a small part of them will significantly speed up your work.

A significant role in the formation of keyboard shortcuts is played by the Win button, indicated on the keyboard by the Windows logo in the form of a four-part flag. The key is located in the lower left corner of the keyboard between the Ctrl and Alt buttons. another Win button can be duplicated in right side keyboard between the Alt Gr buttons and the button for calling the right-click option. Due to the fact that nowadays the number of keyboard varieties is constantly increasing, the Win key may be located in another place, but it will definitely be in the lower left corner. On laptops, the Win key is usually located between the Fn and Alt function buttons.

Windows hotkeys when working with Explorer

• Win. Pressing the Win button once allows you to open or close the Start menu.
• Win + E. Quick access to the My Computer directory.
• Win + M. The keyboard shortcut allows you to quickly minimize all windows, showing the desktop. Pressing it again does not return all previously opened windows to their original position, so you will have to use the mouse to expand them from a minimized view.
• Win + D. Minimize and – when pressed again – maximize all open windows. Convenient if you suddenly need to look at the desktop (in order to open a file saved there, for example), and then quickly return all windows open applications to its original state.
• Win + F. Quickly launch a file search window by its name.

Win + G. If you have gadgets installed (another common name is widgets), the keyboard shortcut will show them on top of all other windows. To remove gadgets from visibility, simply click anywhere in the open window underneath them.

Win + L. A very convenient keyboard shortcut, which is especially useful for those who prefer to lock their computer every time they leave their workplace. After pressing Win + L, Windows will open an account selection screen, which can only be opened if you know the corresponding password. Of course, if you have not set a password for your account, anyone can unlock the computer.

Win + P. A convenient keyboard shortcut for those who use several monitors or projectors at the same time.

Win + U. Opens the Ease of Access Center. Handy when you need to quickly access settings for Magnifier, Narrator, or the on-screen keyboard.

Win + R. One of the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts. Allows you to quickly launch a program or system utility by entering its name in a special line. This is much faster than searching for a program in the branching sub-items of the Control Panel or the general list of applications.

Win + T. The combination allows you to make one of the icons located in the taskbar active one by one. Includes both icons for quick access to applications and icons for open windows.
Win + Tab. Effective switching between active windows, in which all open windows are arranged in the form of a “ladder”. This effect is called Windows Flip 3D or Windows Aero and is available in all versions of Vista and Seven systems. The keyboard shortcut will not work if Aero effects are disabled in the corresponding settings.

Win + X. Quick access to the Mobility Center, designed to save energy. This is especially true when working on a laptop.

• Win + Space. Aero Peak effect. All open windows become transparent, allowing you to see your desktop.
• Win+Home. Aero Shake – minimizes all windows except the active one.
• Win + cursor arrows. Convenient control of an open window. Pressing Win + up expands it to the full screen, Win + left/right presses it to one side of the screen, reducing the width to 50%. Win+down reduces the window to about one-fourth of the display area.
• Shift + Win + Right/Left. Move active windows between two monitors.
• Alt+Tab. Very convenient movement between active windows.
• Win + 1…0. Opening or minimizing a window, as well as launching an application whose shortcut in the taskbar corresponds to its number.
• Ctrl + Shift + Del. Launch the Task Manager. Many users mistakenly believe that the standard keyboard shortcut for opening the Task Manager window is Ctrl + Alt + Del. In fact, Ctrl + Alt + Del opens a separate screen with a choice of one of the actions (lock the computer, log out, change user, change password or launch Task Manager). This keyboard shortcut can also be used to open it, but it will be less fast.
• Ctrl + Win + F. If you are in local network, Windows will begin searching for computers in it.
• Shift + Ctrl + N. Create a new directory.
• Shift + F10. The keyboard shortcut works similarly to right-clicking the mouse, bringing up a context menu.
• Alt+F4. Closes any active window.
• Alt + Enter. Opens the Properties window for the selected file.
• F4. Pressing this function key in Explorer will make the address bar active.
• Print Screen. Copies a screenshot to the clipboard. The image can be inserted into a graphics editor.
• Print Screen + Alt. A snapshot of the active window.

Hotkeys in browsers

No matter what browser you use, Windows 7 will always have keyboard shortcuts for easier access to their functions.

• F1. Calling the program help.
• F5. Page update.
• F6, Ctrl + L. Selects the contents of the browser address bar.
• F11. Full screen mode.
• Ctrl+T. Opening a new tab.
• Ctrl + N. Opens a new window.

Hotkeys for working with text and clipboard

In Windows 7, hotkeys work not only with the operating system and its utilities, but also most text editing applications and programs that support the clipboard. Knowing these hotkeys can significantly reduce the time you spend typing and working with documents.

• Ctrl + C. Copy a selected section of text or any other data to the clipboard.
• Ctrl + V. Pastes the contents of the clipboard.
• Ctrl + X. Copies data to the clipboard along with deleting it from its original location.
• Ctrl + A. Select all data.
• Ctrl + O. Open a document.
• Ctrl + S. Save the file.
• Ctrl+Y. Repeat the action.
• Ctrl+Z. Cancel action.
• Ctrl+B. Changes text formatting, making selected text bold.
• Ctrl + I. The text turns into italics.
• Ctrl + U. Underline text.
• Ctrl+F. Search in the text.
• Ctrl + H. Opens the replacement window.
• Ctrl + P. Print.
• Ctrl + Home. Return to the beginning of the document.
• Ctrl + End. End of document.
• Alt + Shift, Ctrl + Shift. Change the keyboard layout.

Additional features of Windows 7

In addition to hotkeys when working with Windows 7, there are a number of options that make working with windows more convenient. If you drag the window to the top edge of the display, it will expand to fill the entire screen. If you drag it to the right or left side of the display, it will press against the corresponding side, reducing its width to 50% of the screen. To run the program as an administrator, click on its shortcut while holding down the Ctrl and Shift keys.