Q I prefer to use keyboard shortcuts rather than break my workflow and lift my fingers from the keyboard to maneuver the mouse. Now that I’ve switched to Windows 7, what are some of the keyboard shortcuts I can use there?
A I agree, the mouse should be used only when you have no other choice. Keyboard shortcuts are much faster—once you get used to them. Here are my favorites, but I would also suggest trying out your favorite pre-Windows 7 shortcuts. Most of them will work in the new format.
+Left
Arrow or +Right
Arrow: Depending on the initial position of the window,
pressing either the left or right combinations will toggle your
active window to the side of the screen corresponding to the
direction of the arrow key you pressed. With half the screen now
blank, you can place another window in that space.
+Shift+Left
Arrow or +Shift+Right
Arrow: For those with multiple monitors, it moves a window
from its current position on one monitor to the corresponding
position on the other. Like the above shortcut, it leaves half the
screen blank, so you can place another window in that spot with the
same process.
+Space:
Toggles open/close the desktop beneath the currently
displayed windows.
+Plus
key: Zooms in on a window and opens the Magnifier
(see screenshot below). It works in your browser, too. And with
the Magnifier you can customize your view.
Alt+Tab: Opens all the preview screens on your taskbar (see screenshot below).
+T:
It’s like the Alt+Tab shortcut, but each time you press
this hotkey only one screen will open. Press again and that screen
closes and the next one on the right of the last one opens (see
screenshot below).
+Number:
Allows you to open the programs or files pinned to the
taskbar. So, if Outlook was your left-most icon on the taskbar, +1
would open it, and +2
would open the next one.
+M:
Minimizes everything on the taskbar and returns you to the desktop.
+Tab:
Triggers Windows’ Flip 3D function, which allows you
to easily flip through your windows like a deck of cards.
Ctrl+D: Opens text format (see screenshot below).
