Windows 7 Features – Mouse and Keyboard shortcuts and tricks
Microsoft added some interesting features or “bling” to Windows 7 in mouse actions and in keyboard shortcuts. This includes the Aero Peek—although that’s actually a button in the taskbar.
Have you ever been in the position where you needed to compare two documents or work on two items side-by-side? And you had to move the windows to each side and resize them so you can see them both? There have been third party applications that attempted to solve this for you in the past. Microsoft added this, amongst a few other functions into the User Interface.
So, here we go. This is the list of things that you can do with Windows 7 either by using the mouse or the keyboard. By all means this list is not complete, and I will update it as I learn of more things.
| Action | Keyboard Shortcut | Mouse Shortcut |
| Maximize WIndow | Windows key + up Arrow | Drag the title bar to the top of the screen |
| Minimize Window | Windows Key + Down Arrow | None* |
| Minimize All but current Window | Windows Key + Home Key | Shake the window side to side (Aero Shake) |
| Enlarge on Right half of screen | Windows Key + Right Arrow | Drag the title bar to the right edge |
| Enlarge on Left Half of Screen | Windows Key + Left Arrow | Drag the title bar to the left edge |
| Show Thumbnail above Taskbar | Windows Key + T | Hover over the icon for the open program |
| “Aero Peek” | Windows Key + Spacebar | Hover mouse in the far right of the taskbar (next to the Systray) |
For clarification, the “Windows Key” is the key between your CTRL and ALT keys on the left side (desktop) and possibly in the upper right hand corner on a laptop. It may say “Start” or just show the flying Windows emblem.
Some other common Windows key combinations include the following:
| Action | Windows Key + |
| Minimize Windows | Windows Key + M |
| Show Desktop/Restore windows | Windows Key + D |
| Show System Properties | Windows Key + Pause |
| Run……. | Windows Key + R |
| Open Windows Explorer | Windows Key + E |
| Tab between Windows | Alt + Tab (Windows + Tab for Aero-style) |
| Open Mobility Center (laptops) | Windows Key + X |
| Lock your Computer | Windows Key + L |
| Zoom in or out | Windows Key + + (Plus) to zoom in Windows Key + – (minus) to zoom out |
Here are the links for more information about the various key shortcuts http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/12/30/new-keyboard-shortcut-keys-hotkeys-in-windows-7/ (where I gathered the specific shortcuts)
Microsoft Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 7 (All of the shortcuts for Windows 7)
Something to note is that some of the “Common” shortcuts work in previous versions of Windows. And there are hacks available which will give you the Aero Shake on Windows Vista (although I don’t recommend using them and haven’t explored them).
Have a great day:)
Patrick.
