Features New To Windows 7 - Shell and User Interface - Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts

A variety of new keyboard shortcuts have been introduced.

Global keyboard shortcuts:

  • Windows key + Space bar operates as a keyboard shortcut for Aero Peek.
  • Windows key + Up maximizes the current window.
  • Windows key + Down if current window is maximized, restores it; otherwise minimizes current window.
  • Windows key + Shift + Up makes upper and lower edge of current window nearly touch the upper and lower edge of the Windows desktop environment, respectively.
  • Windows key + Shift + Down restores original size of the current window prior to using Windows key + Shift + Up.
  • Windows key + Left snaps the current window to the left edge of the screen.
  • Windows key + Right snaps the current window to the right half of the screen.
  • Windows key + Shift + Left and Windows key + Shift + Right move the current window to the left or right display.
  • Windows key + + (plus sign) functions as zoom in command wherever applicable.
  • Windows key + − (minus sign) functions as zoom out command wherever applicable.
  • Windows key + ESC (Escape key) turn off zoom once enabled.
  • Windows key + Home operates as a keyboard shortcut for Aero Shake.
  • Windows key + P Opens Connect to a Network Projector, which has been updated from previous versions of Windows, and allows one to dictate where the desktop is displayed: on the main monitor, an external display, both; or allows one to display two independent desktops on two separate monitors.

Taskbar:

  • Shift + Click, or Middle click starts a new instance of the application, regardless of whether it's already running.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Click starts a new instance with Administrator privileges; by default, a User Account Control prompt will be displayed.
  • Shift + Right-click shows the classic Window menu (Restore / Minimize / Move / etc.); right-clicking on the application's thumbnail image will also show this menu. If the icon being clicked on is a grouped icon, the classic menu with Restore All / Minimize All / Close All menu is shown.
  • Ctrl + Click on a grouped icon cycles between the windows (or tabs) in the group.

Windows Explorer:

  • Shift + Right-click on an application icon allows a process to be started as a different user.

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