Using the Windows key on your keyboard

By Chad Sweely on January 29th, 2009

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In Windows Vista, some Windows users may miss some of the features that you could easily get to in Windows 9x and XP. I have listed below some quick shortcuts using your Windows key that aren’t that evident in Vista. Your Windows key is the key between the Crtl and Alt keys that has the Windows logo on it (assuming you have a Windows keyboard)

• Windows Key + D – Minimizes all your programs so that you may see your desktop.
• Windows Key + R – Displays the ‘Run’ window (not apparent in the Vista start menu).
• Windows Key + E – Executes an Explorer window for ‘My Computer.’
• Windows Key + L – Log out of the computer.

These are just a few shortcuts to help navigate around any version of Windows (not just Vista), but they are good, quick, and common ones.

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About The Author

Chad Sweely is a Support Analyst and Staff Writer for iEntry, Inc.

    

• Chris Meller
  

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  January 30th, 2009 16:28

  Windows Key + L Locks the computer, it doesn’t log you out.
• Jonny
  

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  February 19th, 2009 05:37

  (On WinXP) some more
  WindowsKey + F = Open Windows Search
  WindowsKey + M = Minimises everything (same as Win+D)
  WindowsKey + Tab = cycle through apps on task bar (without activating)
  WindowsKey + Pause/Break = Open SystemProperties dialogue

  The only ones I use are Win+E, Win+R, WinD/M and Win+L
• Jonny
  

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  February 19th, 2009 05:38

  Pressing Win+D a second time returns all apss to normal sizes.
• Gizmo
  

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  April 3rd, 2009 13:43

  Windows Key+L will lock your computer.
• Mr Xhark
  

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  April 21st, 2009 16:46

  Here is all the combinations (FR) : http://blogmotion.fr/systeme/raccourci-des-touches-logo-windows-drapeau-122

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