Readers Questions.
IF01708
Q.
I just noticed a key on my keyboard that
I've never really used before because I have no idea what it's for. It's in
between the left Ctrl and Alt and has a "flying window" on it. Can you help?
A.
The Windows key. I remember the first time
I noticed it (More years than I want to talk about.) I never used it until
someone explained to me the power it possessed.
The Windows
key can be used in conjunction with other keys to act as a keyboard shortcut for
faster access to menu commands. Now, while the Alt key tends to open program
menus (ex: Alt+F opens the File menu and Alt+E opens the Edit menu) and the Ctrl
key performs actual operations (ex: Ctrl+C will copy and Ctrl+V will paste), the
Windows key will open various Windows tools...
Windows
key + R will open the Start menu's Run box
Windows key + F will open the Start menu's Find window
Windows key + E will quickly launch Explorer
Windows key + Pause/Break will open the System Properties window
Windows key + M will Minimize all windows
Windows key + Shift + M will undo Minimize all windows
Windows key + D will switch between minimizing all open programs and
showing them all
Windows key + Tab will cycle through items on the taskbar
Windows key by itself will open the Start menu
You can
also open programs or folders on your desktop by pressing the Windows key + the
first letter of the program/folder/shortcut + Enter. Sounds kind of tedious, but
if you're in a bind with your mouse, it can come in quite handy.
Let me know if you need anything else.
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