Windows 7 Hotkey Keyboard Shortcuts

Brandon Paddock, a Windows 7 Explorer developer, published a handy Windows 7 Beta hotkey cheat sheet. Although I have added additional annotations, the basic list provided by Brandon is reproduced.

Using keyboard combinations, can help reduce mouse usage and add further speed to your activities. Keyboard shortcuts are particularly useful for people who are experiencing ergonomic issues. I don't advise trying to remember all the shortcuts at once. Pick out one or two that fit actions you frequently perform. After you master one or two, add additional shortcuts to your daily computer use.

"Win" in the lists represents the Windows Logo Key on the keyboard.

General

• Win+Up Arrow - Maximize

• Win+Down Arrow - Restore / Minimize

• Win+Left Arrow - Snap (dock) window to the left

• Win+Right Arrow - Snap (dock) window to right

• Win+Shift+Left Arrow - Jump/shift window to the left monitor

• Win+Shift+Right Arrow - Jump/shift window to the right monitor

• Win+Home - Minimize / Restore all other windows

• Win+T - Focus on the first taskbar entry
  Pressing Win+T again will cycle through the taskbar items, you can can arrow around.
  

• Win+Shift+T - cycles backwards.

• Win+Spacebar - Peek at the desktop

• Win+G - Bring gadgets to the top of the Z-order

• Win+P - External display options (mirror, extend desktop, etc)

• Win+X - Mobility Center (same as Vista, but still handy!)

• Win+# (# = a number key) - Launches a new instance of the application in the Nth slot on the taskbar.
  Example: Win+1 launches first pinned application, Win+2 launches the second, etc.
  

• Win+ + | Win+ - (plus or minus key) Zoom in or out.
  

Windows Explorer

• Alt+P - Show/hide Preview Pane

Taskbar modifiers

• Shift + Click on icon - Open a new instance

• Middle-click on icon - Open a new instance

• Ctrl + Shift + Click on icon - Open a new instance with Admin privileges

• Shift + Right-click on icon - Show window menu (Restore / Minimize / Move / etc)
  Note: Normally you can just right-click on the window thumbnail to get this menu
  

• Shift + Right-click on grouped icon - Menu with Restore All / Minimize All / Close All, etc.

• Ctrl + Click on grouped icon - Cycle between the windows (or tabs) in the group

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...