October 2015 Tech Tips – What to do with that Windows Key?!

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Here’s your quick Tech Tip for the month of October to help you be more productive. As always, reach out anytime! We are here to help.

The Windows Key – the key to unlocking many useful, hidden tricks in Microsoft Windows. Disguised with a flag icon, and banished to the lower corners of your keyboard, this button is often under-utilized considering the helpful shortcuts it can provide. We’ve highlighted the best Windows Key shortcuts below, as well as which version of Windows is required for each:

 

Windows 7 & Up
Win + D: Hides all windows, hit again to restore
Win + E: Opens Windows Explorer
Win + R: Opens the Run window
Win + L: Locks the Desktop
Win + Up: Maximizes current window
Win + Down: Minimizes current window
Win + Left: Docks current window to the left
Win + Right: Docks current window to the right
Win + #: Switches to the corresponding program in taskbar

Windows 10
Win + A: Opens the Action Center
Win + C: Activates Cortana listening mode
Win + I: Opens the Settings tab
Win + Tab: Opens the Task View, shows all open programs, allowing an easy switch

 

We hope you’ll find these shortcuts helpful! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions!