Virtually all keyboards except for Apple devices have a Windows key. Not everyone is aware of all the functions that this little key hides. By learning the Windows key keyboard shortcuts, you will save time and make your work easier. Here we summarize the most important functions of the Windows key and their corresponding keyboard shortcuts..
The Windows key has a Windows icon that looks like a Microsoft advertising sticker. It has been present on all Windows keyboards since the introduction of Microsoft's Natural Keyboard in 1994 . Original computer keyboards with 101 or 102 keys did not have a Windows key. However, since the release of Windows 95 and the shift to 104- or 105-key keyboards, the Windows key has become the licensing standard. Originally, it was located to the left and right of the space key , between the Alt key and the Ctrl key. Currently, the Windows key is usually to the left of the space bar . However, its function as a superkey , which allows you to perform important actions such as Windows shortcuts , has not changed.
The Windows key doesn't just work in combination with other keys. Pressing it alone opens the Windows start menu . There is no need to click the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen, just press the Windows key. To close the start menu, just press it again..
The Windows key was introduced with Windows 95 and has been offering new shortcut options with each system update. Today, there is a wide range of operating systems, and keyboard shortcuts are not standardized for everyone. For this reason, here is a summary of the most important keyboard shortcuts in Windows , starting with the current operating system, Windows 10.
Windows + D
Minimize all open windows and return to the desktop. Pressing again maximizes all windows again..
Windows + M
It minimizes all open windows, but without the possibility of maximizing them if pressed again.
Windows + E
Open Windows Explorer.
Windows + R
Opens the? Run? Dialog. .
Windows + L
Lock the screen. To unlock it, you have to enter the password.
Windows + U
Open the menu? Display? (to set, for example, text size, screen brightness, screen magnifying glass, speech recognition, or closed captioning for the hearing impaired).
Windows + I
Open Windows Settings.
Windows + Print Screen
Create screenshots (autosave as screenshots).
Windows + P
Open the option of? Duplicate / expand screen ?.
Windows + X
Open the context menu (list with options such as Device Manager, Network Settings, System, or Keyboard Manager).
Windows + Ctrl + D
Open a virtual desktop.
Windows + Ctrl + left or right arrow
Switch between open virtual desktops.
Windows + Ctrl + F4
Close the visible virtual desktop.
Windows + tab
Opens an overview of all virtual desktops.
Windows + A
Open the Information Center.
Windows + Pause
Open the control panel.
Windows + up or down arrow
Maximize / minimize the window or application.
Windows + left or right arrow
Moves the open window to the left or right half of the screen.
Windows + plus sign
Open the magnifying glass on the screen (close with Windows + Esc).
Windows + Enter
Activate voice output.
Windows +.
Open the emoji window.
Windows + C
Open the Charm bar.
Switch to the desktop.
Windows + F
Open the file search window.
Windows + H
Open the Share menu (for example, to share your desktop screenshots).
Open the settings menu for the Charm bar and control panel.
Windows + space bar
Change the keyboard layout (for example, from Spanish to English).
Windows + K
Open the device menu from the Charm bar.
Lock the screen.
Windows + Q
Open the search menu.
Open the second screen option.
Open the Accessibility center.
Open the context menu.
The open window is maximized / minimized.
Open the magnifying glass on the screen.
Create screenshots.
Open the applications and windows in the overview.
Minimize all windows.
The current window becomes transparent (Aero Peak).
Windows + Pos1
Minimize all windows except the open one.
Windows + T
Thumbnail view of all open windows on the taskbar.
Open file search.
Windows + 1 to 9
Open the program pinned on the taskbar from 1 to 9.
Opens settings for sharing screen content on a second monitor or through a projector.
Open the Mobility Center.
Windows + Home
Minimize all windows. If pressed again, it maximizes them again.
Windows + G
Shows installed gadgets .
Many users continue to use the popular Windows 7 operating system without knowing that they may be running security risks. Microsoft has started the end of support for Windows 7, so it no longer offers updates and has stopped resolving security issues.
Move the windows sidebar to the foreground.
Bring all the gadgets to the fore and select the next one.
Scroll the taskbar with Flip 3D.
Windows + Ctrl + F
Search for network devices.
Open search.
If you install Windows as an additional operating system on a Mac and use an Apple keyboard, you will not find the Windows key. However, the solution is simple. To replace the Windows key on an Apple keyboard, you use the Cmd command key (often also recognizable by the Apple symbol or a square with loops in the corners). Shortcuts for the Windows system can be run with the Cmd key.
