Have you ever wonder if you can use Windows 7 without using your mouse? When you are checking out a hot lady or handsome guy, suddenly someone darts into your room and ask you an embarrassed question "who are you checking out?", have you ever try to close facebook as fast as possible? or you are playing game but you want to pretend that you are studying when your strict mom/dad suddenly go into your room, do you want to know the trick that I used to do? if you do, you come to the right place.
In this article, I will introduce you 24 combination of key shortcuts that help you live easier, increase your productivity and prevent unwilling troubles (you know what I mean). I assume that you know the basic Windows OS operation and you recognize the location of the keys on your keyboard in fast manner (at least not more than 1 minute to locate each key). Let start:
In this article, I will introduce you 24 combination of key shortcuts that help you live easier, increase your productivity and prevent unwilling troubles (you know what I mean). I assume that you know the basic Windows OS operation and you recognize the location of the keys on your keyboard in fast manner (at least not more than 1 minute to locate each key). Let start:
1. Alt + PrtScn
You know the PrtScn key right? It will let you capture the whole content on your monitor and allows you to paste the captured image to any application such as Paint, Photoshop or any image processing software. How about if you want to capture only current active window? This shortcut will help you to achieve this purpose. Try it for yourself
2. Shift + Delete
When you delete a file(s) or folder(s), Windows will move those "deleted" items to Recycle Bin so you can "recycle" or recover in case you accidentally deleted them. But if you want to completely delete them without cleaning your Recycle Bin manually or if you want to delete your ex-girl friend or boy friend pictures before sharing your PC to your new one, you can try Shift + Delete. The item(s) you deleted by using this shortcut wont be moved to that bin anymore, hence your new love one wont be able to reveal your secret life except he/she is an IT geek.
3. Ctrl + A
It is fine if you only have a few couple of files or folders you want to delete, you can delete one by one easily, but how about if you have hundred or even thousand of files, you will be thankful that Microsoft invented the Ctrl + A shortcut which will select all files/folders in current active folder.
4. Ctrl + Esc
To bring up the Start menu without clicking on the Windows logo icon on the bottom left of your screen, you can press Ctrl + Esc. This shortcut is also equivalent to the Windows logo key on your keyboard, but some old keyboard may not have this logo key.
5. Ctrl + Alt + Delete
If you want to quickly access some functions or options that allow you to switch user, lock your current account, log off, change password, or open up a task manager to monitor your running application, you can use this shortcut.
6. Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Opening up a task manager is as easy as a piece of cake with this shortcut.
7. Alt + Tab
This is one of the helpful shortcut which allows you to cycle through all opened application one by one. Imagine that you are playing facebook game or checking out someone and your parents suddenly dart into your room, what are you going to do? cover the monitor and look back at them with sinister eyes which warn them do not come any closer? Not a very good choice though, in a worst case, you may be beaten. Why don't you try this shortcut for yourself to see what I mean? It is helpful, right? However, it is not the best solution as your facebook website still is open, and if your parents insist to check your computer, you may end up being beaten as well. Anyway, there is another better solution, please continue.
8. Left Alt + Shift + Tab
Same as above, but is not as efficiency as Alt + Tab because you have to hold 3 keys at the same time.
9. Alt + F4
This is one of my favorite keyboard shortcut ever. It is also the first keyboard shortcut I ever learned, why? because it allows you to quit an application instantly and quickly. Use this instead of Alt + Tab if your parents already know your Alt + Tab trick.
10. Left Alt + Shift
This shortcut only is helpful when you can type different language such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, etc... Pressing these keys simultaneously will allow you to switch input language in just one second.
11. Windows logo key + Tab (Home Premium edition or above)
This shortcut only available for Home Premium users with Aero Flip 3-D enable. If your Windows 7 is Home Premium edition, you should try this shortcut. You will love this, try it for yourself.
12. Ctrl + Windows logo + Tab (Home Premium edition or above)
Same as above, but you can cycle through your opened application by using those arrow keys.
13. Windows logo + D
This powerful shortcut will minimize all your opening windows/application to display your desktop. It is good when you want to access other software or document on your desktop quickly without to minimize one by one.
14. Windows logo + M
Same as above, but it is slower when there are too many opening windows/application. All of the active windows will be minimized at once.
15. Windows logo + Shift + M
On the contrary to the above shortcut, this combination of keys will maximize those windows/application which are minimized by Windows logo + M. Try it to see the difference.
16. Windows logo + E
This is also one of my favorite shortcuts as it allows you to open My Computer instantly without clicking its icon.
17. Windows logo + L (requires user account with password)
Are you in a hurry to leave your computer but don't have time to close all the websites that you opened and don't want nosy people look at your computer? You may push the power button to shut down the whole computer, if you do this all the time, you may damage your pc. The best alternative solution is to use this shortcut which will lock your computer screen without closing all opening websites or documents or files or whatever you are running.
18. Windows logo + Up Arrow
This shortcut is hard to explain but it is fun to know. You should try with shortcut number 19-21 to learn the differences.
19. Windows logo + Left Arrow
Same as above.
20. Windows logo + Right Arrow
Same as above.
21. Windows logo + Down Arrow
Same as above
22. Windows logo + Shift + Left Arrow or Right Arrow (only usable in extended monitor mode - multiple monitors)
Move your current window to other monitor (in extended mode).
23. Windows logo + P
Very useful for those who often perform presentation as it will save you time to look for someone who can hook up your pc with a projector. Simply connect your pc with any projector or an extra monitor, and try this shortcut.
24. Windows logo + X (for laptop user who use Windows 7 Ultimate, Professional and Enterprise version)
It will open up Windows Mobility Center where you can quickly access settings, for example, speaker volume, wireless network connection status, display brightness, battery information, turn on/off external display etc...
There are more than 100 keyboard shortcuts in Windows 7, but knowing these most useful 24 shortcuts will be good enough to impress your friends. However please let me know how may of these 24 shortcuts you already known as well as show me your favorite shortcuts that aren't in this list.
Recommend Topic:
iPhone Essential Shortcuts (coming soon)
You know the PrtScn key right? It will let you capture the whole content on your monitor and allows you to paste the captured image to any application such as Paint, Photoshop or any image processing software. How about if you want to capture only current active window? This shortcut will help you to achieve this purpose. Try it for yourself
2. Shift + Delete
When you delete a file(s) or folder(s), Windows will move those "deleted" items to Recycle Bin so you can "recycle" or recover in case you accidentally deleted them. But if you want to completely delete them without cleaning your Recycle Bin manually or if you want to delete your ex-girl friend or boy friend pictures before sharing your PC to your new one, you can try Shift + Delete. The item(s) you deleted by using this shortcut wont be moved to that bin anymore, hence your new love one wont be able to reveal your secret life except he/she is an IT geek.
3. Ctrl + A
It is fine if you only have a few couple of files or folders you want to delete, you can delete one by one easily, but how about if you have hundred or even thousand of files, you will be thankful that Microsoft invented the Ctrl + A shortcut which will select all files/folders in current active folder.
4. Ctrl + Esc
To bring up the Start menu without clicking on the Windows logo icon on the bottom left of your screen, you can press Ctrl + Esc. This shortcut is also equivalent to the Windows logo key on your keyboard, but some old keyboard may not have this logo key.
5. Ctrl + Alt + Delete
If you want to quickly access some functions or options that allow you to switch user, lock your current account, log off, change password, or open up a task manager to monitor your running application, you can use this shortcut.
6. Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Opening up a task manager is as easy as a piece of cake with this shortcut.
7. Alt + Tab
This is one of the helpful shortcut which allows you to cycle through all opened application one by one. Imagine that you are playing facebook game or checking out someone and your parents suddenly dart into your room, what are you going to do? cover the monitor and look back at them with sinister eyes which warn them do not come any closer? Not a very good choice though, in a worst case, you may be beaten. Why don't you try this shortcut for yourself to see what I mean? It is helpful, right? However, it is not the best solution as your facebook website still is open, and if your parents insist to check your computer, you may end up being beaten as well. Anyway, there is another better solution, please continue.
8. Left Alt + Shift + Tab
Same as above, but is not as efficiency as Alt + Tab because you have to hold 3 keys at the same time.
9. Alt + F4
This is one of my favorite keyboard shortcut ever. It is also the first keyboard shortcut I ever learned, why? because it allows you to quit an application instantly and quickly. Use this instead of Alt + Tab if your parents already know your Alt + Tab trick.
10. Left Alt + Shift
This shortcut only is helpful when you can type different language such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, etc... Pressing these keys simultaneously will allow you to switch input language in just one second.
11. Windows logo key + Tab (Home Premium edition or above)
This shortcut only available for Home Premium users with Aero Flip 3-D enable. If your Windows 7 is Home Premium edition, you should try this shortcut. You will love this, try it for yourself.
12. Ctrl + Windows logo + Tab (Home Premium edition or above)
Same as above, but you can cycle through your opened application by using those arrow keys.
13. Windows logo + D
This powerful shortcut will minimize all your opening windows/application to display your desktop. It is good when you want to access other software or document on your desktop quickly without to minimize one by one.
14. Windows logo + M
Same as above, but it is slower when there are too many opening windows/application. All of the active windows will be minimized at once.
15. Windows logo + Shift + M
On the contrary to the above shortcut, this combination of keys will maximize those windows/application which are minimized by Windows logo + M. Try it to see the difference.
16. Windows logo + E
This is also one of my favorite shortcuts as it allows you to open My Computer instantly without clicking its icon.
17. Windows logo + L (requires user account with password)
Are you in a hurry to leave your computer but don't have time to close all the websites that you opened and don't want nosy people look at your computer? You may push the power button to shut down the whole computer, if you do this all the time, you may damage your pc. The best alternative solution is to use this shortcut which will lock your computer screen without closing all opening websites or documents or files or whatever you are running.
18. Windows logo + Up Arrow
This shortcut is hard to explain but it is fun to know. You should try with shortcut number 19-21 to learn the differences.
19. Windows logo + Left Arrow
Same as above.
20. Windows logo + Right Arrow
Same as above.
21. Windows logo + Down Arrow
Same as above
22. Windows logo + Shift + Left Arrow or Right Arrow (only usable in extended monitor mode - multiple monitors)
Move your current window to other monitor (in extended mode).
23. Windows logo + P
Very useful for those who often perform presentation as it will save you time to look for someone who can hook up your pc with a projector. Simply connect your pc with any projector or an extra monitor, and try this shortcut.
24. Windows logo + X (for laptop user who use Windows 7 Ultimate, Professional and Enterprise version)
It will open up Windows Mobility Center where you can quickly access settings, for example, speaker volume, wireless network connection status, display brightness, battery information, turn on/off external display etc...
There are more than 100 keyboard shortcuts in Windows 7, but knowing these most useful 24 shortcuts will be good enough to impress your friends. However please let me know how may of these 24 shortcuts you already known as well as show me your favorite shortcuts that aren't in this list.
Recommend Topic:
iPhone Essential Shortcuts (coming soon)
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