If you think you know them all, I've got a surprise for you. There are even more in Windows 7, the new version of Windows coming out this fall.
We'll get to the Windows 7 keys shortly. Let's get back to the standard Win keys.
My favorite is Win-R, which opens a tiny window ready for you to type a command. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. The name of a program works fine. So when I want to open Notepad, I press Win-R and immediately type NOTEPAD and press Enter.
There are about two dozen other Win key combinations. You'll find a complete list below, further down in this article.
My second-most-favorite Win key combination is Win-M, which minimizes all open windows. When I've got lots of programs running, nothing clears the clutter away as quickly as Win-M. To bring all those windows back on screen, you add Shift to the mix (Win-Shift-M).
In third place is Win-E, which opens an Explorer window. Explorer (not Internet Explorer -- just Explorer) is the file manager for Windows. Having it pop open by pressing two keys together is a big plus for me.
Fourth place goes to Win-Ctrl-F, which opens the network Find Computer dialog box. My Windows (and Mac) computers are nearly always networked to each other, and I love being able to locate a networked computer quickly.
In fifth place is a combination that works only on a Microsoft Natural keyboard (and possibly on others that use the same key codes). It's Win-L, which starts logging you off Windows.
For Windows 7's early adopters, here are two new Win shortcuts:
Win-Shift-Up Arrow maximizes the window in the vertical direction only (and Win-Shift-Down Arrow restores the previous state).
Win-P opens the Projector Settings window for setting up presentations on a projector.
More Windows 7 shortcuts are below.
All the Win key shortcuts
WIN: Open Start Menu
WIN-D: Maximize (restore) or minimize all open windows or open Desktop menu [Win98/2000/ME/XP/2003 only]
WIN-E: Start Windows Explorer
WIN-F: Start Find Files/Folders dialog box
WIN-L: Start Welcome screen [WinXP-Fast User Switch XP Power Toy only] or Lockup Workstation [Win2000/XP/2003 only]
WIN-M: Minimize or maximize (restore) all open windows
WIN-R: Start Run dialog box
WIN-F1: Start Help Menu and Support Center [Win98/2000/ME/XP/2003 only]
WIN-Tab: Cycle and select (press Enter) through all open apps/games Taskbar buttons
WIN-Ctrl-Tab: Cycle through all open apps/games Taskbar buttons, Tray icons, Start Menu and Quick Launch toolbars (press Right or Left arrows to Cycle through Toolbar and Tray items)
WIN-Pause/Break: Start Systems Properties Control Panel applet
WIN-Ctrl-F: Start Find Computer dialog box
WIN-Shift-M: Undo Minimize (restore) all open windows
WIN-L-Enter: Logoff Windows [Win98/ME only] or Lockup Workstation [Win2000/XP/2003 only]
WIN-Q: Cycle and select (press Enter) through all users [Win2000/XP/2003 only] or Fast User Switch [WinXP-Fast User Switch XP Power Toy only]
WIN-U: Start Utility Manager [Win2000/XP/2003 only]
WIN-U-R-Enter: Restart Windows [Win95/98/ME only]
WIN-U-S-Enter: Shut down Windows [Win95/98/ME only]
WIN-Space: Scroll down one page at a time (same as Page Down) in any web browser
WIN-Back Space: Scroll up one page at a time (same as Page Up) in any web browser For users of a Microsoft Natural keyboard:
WIN-A: Start Accessibility Options Control Panel applet (if installed)
WIN-C: Start Control Panel
WIN-I: Start Mouse Properties Control Panel applet
WIN-K: Start keyboard Properties Control Panel applet
WIN-L: Log off Windows
WIN-P: Start Print Manager
WIN-S: Toggle Caps Lock ON or OFF
WIN-V: Start Clipboard
WIN-Space: Display Microsoft IntelliType shortcut key list
Additional Windows 7 Win keys
WIN-Left Arrow and WIN-Right Arrow: dock a window to the left or right edge of the screen.
WIN-Up Arrow and WIN-Down Arrow: Maximize and restore or minimize.
WIN-Shift-Up Arrow and WIN-Shift-Down Arrow: Maximize and restore the vertical size only.
Win-P: Open Projector Settings Window.
Win-X: Open the Windows Mobility Center, which lets you quickly immobilize instant messaging clients, screen savers and desktop wallpaper.
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