5 Windows Shortcuts You Should Be Using

Some people are fine with using their mouse or trackpad to navigate through their computer and use operating system functions. For others, efficiency is a necessity, and it just won't cut it to constantly click back and forth. If you're part of the latter group, then you're probably accustomed to using shortcuts to switch between programs, shut down your computer and close windows. However, even the pros might miss these awesome keyboard shortcuts. Once you start using them, you'll be amazed that you ever lived without them.

Snap Into Place

One of the best features of Windows 7 is Snap. With it, you can display two windows at once, snapping each to either side of your screen. Snap can be frustrating because you need to grab your windows at exactly the right place and pull it to the exact location to activate Snap. However, you can avoid fighting with your mouse or trackpad altogether by pressing the Windows key and either the left or right arrow. Now, you can write a paper on the right and read research on the left or even simultaneously watch a movie and play a game. Similarly, hitting the up or down arrow with the Windows key allows you to maximize or minimize the active window.

Quickly Access the Desktop

Microsoft has built in several ways that you can quickly access your desktop, without minimizing each and every windows. There's a narrow button on the right of your taskbar, but you can achieve the same by pressing the Windows key and letter “M”. If you want to return to your open windows quickly, just press the “Windows key-Shift-M” and your active window will reappear before you, without requiring you to ever touch your mouse.

Presentation Mode

Most laptop manufacturers include buttons that allow you to switch between connected monitors, but this actually isn't necessary. Windows 7 has a native “presentation mode” that allows you to switch displays or choose how your desktop appears across multiple display. Simply press the Windows key and “P” to bring up the visual menu. You may even find this to be easier to see when your computer is connected to an external display like your TV. Plus, desktops with multiple monitors become that much easier to manage.

Open the Task Manager

“Control-Alt-Delete” used to open your Task Manager directly, allowing you to close or run processes. However, it now brings you to an entirely different screen with Windows 7. From there, you can open the task manager, but you'll still have to use your mouse to select it. Instead, use “Control-Shift-Escape” to directly access the Task Manager.

Back-and-Forth Folder Navigation

The backspace key brings you to the previous folder, but do you know how to go return to the next folder with your keyboard? You can effortlessly navigate through folders you've visited by pressing “Alt” and either the left or right arrow.