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Who Knew Windows Could Do That?

PC World's resident Windows Tips wizard, Scott Dunn, presents a dazzling array of secret shortcuts, speed tricks, and special settings that can help you transform your operating system.

Scott Dunn

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The Windows Key: A Fast Worker

All Versions Most keyboards made in the last several years come with a Windows key, and sometimes also with an Application key. Try these keyboard shortcuts for extra speed and productivity. Warning: The Surgeon General has determined that these keystrokes may be habit forming.

  • Display the Start menu: Windows

  • Open the Run dialog box: Windows-R

  • Minimize all: Windows-M

  • Undo minimize all, tile horizontally, tile vertically, or cascade: Shift-Windows-M

  • Open Help: Windows-F1

  • Open Windows Explorer: Windows-E

  • Open Find/Search Files or Folders: Windows-F

  • Minimize all and undo minimize all: Windows-D

  • Open Find/Search Computer: Ctrl-Windows-F

  • Cycle through taskbar buttons: Windows-Tab ( Enter opens task; Tab moves focus to system tray, desktop, Start button, and Quick Launch and other toolbars)

  • Open System Properties sheet: Windows-Break

  • Display the shortcut menu for selected item: Application

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