Tech Things Going

I’m am a workaholic and have always find ways that i can increase my productivity. Even small little things like shortcut keys will help especially you are like me: I spend like 70% of my work day working on the PC

So here are some Windows 7 shortcut keys that I always used. Hope its useful!!

Windows Logo Shortcut Key	Description
Windows logo key	Open or close the Start menu.
Windows logo key +D	Display the desktop.
Windows logo key +M	Minimize all windows.
Windows logo key +Shift+M	Restore minimized windows to the desktop.
Windows logo key +E	Open Computer.
Windows logo key +L	Lock your computer or switch users.
Windows logo key +R	Open the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key +T	Cycle through programs on the taskbar.
Windows logo key +number	Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.
Windows logo key +Tab	Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.
Windows logo key +Spacebar	Preview the desktop.
Windows logo key +Up Arrow	Maximize the window.
Windows logo key +Left Arrow	Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.
Windows logo key +Right Arrow	Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.
Windows logo key +Down Arrow	Minimize the window.
Windows logo key +Home	Minimize all but the active window.
Windows logo key +Shift+Left Arrow or Right Arrow	Move a window from one monitor to another.
Windows logo key +P	Choose a presentation display mode.
Windows logo key +X	Open Windows Mobility Center.

Source: The Official Windows 7 Shortcut Keys

Here are some more Windows 7 Shortcut keys that I really love.

Tip 1: Sneak Peek on your desktop

Win+Space: All windows become transparent so you can see through to the desktop. This can be handy when you want to quickly view the files in your desktop without leaving your active window.

Tip 2: Quickly Launching  Windows Mobility Center

Win+X: This will quickly launch the mobility center which will enable you to change your battery status, turn on Presentation Setting etc. (This is in Windows Vista but i always find this useful to share)

Tip 3: Quick way to launch application pinned on taskbar

Win+number: Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.

This will be a quick and easy way for you launch certain applications.

After playing around with Windows 7 for a while. I realized that Microsoft did not neglect the little things that makes life a lot easier for folks like myself to do presentations. Here are some simple tips that you can leverage on to make your presentation smoother and to “Wow” the non-techie folks that you are presenting too.

Tip 1: Easier way to display projection

Just use the short cut key Win Logo + P

Tip 2: Magnifying in Windows 7

In Windows 7 it is easier to magnified certain parts of your work in presentation. You can use this feature to zoom in our zoom out in certain parts of your presentation.

Just use Win Logo ++ (plus key)  to zoom or Win Logo + – (minus key) to zoom out.

If you want to do it manually (beats me why) you can always click on the options in the magnifying glass to zoom in and out.

Tip 3 – Short Cut Keys to Quickly move your active Window

In making presentations, sometimes you would want to quickly minimize or maximize your window without manually using your mouse. So here are some good shortcut keys that can help you achieve that quickly.

Win Logo + Up – Maximize current Window

Win Logo + Down – Minimize current Window

Win Logo + Left – Move Window to left hand side of the screen

Win Logo + Right – Move Window to right hand side of the screen

Tip 4-  Moving Windows to an Extended Monitor/Projector

This only works if you have a extended monitor or projector connected to your PC. To display a Window to your extended monitor or project, you typically need to drag a active Window to it. Now with a flick of a button you can do that easily. Here’s how

Win Logo + Shift + Left – Jump active Window to left monitor

Win Logo + Shift + Right – Jump active Window to right monitor