Make the Windows Key a good habit in Windows 7

s you may know, the Windows Key was introduced on the first Microsoft Natural Keyboard in 1994, and while it is now a mainstay on just about every PC keyboard, I am still surprised by the fact that not many people use it to their advantage. Sure, lots of folks use Windows Key to open the Start menu or in combination with the [Tab] key to launch the Windows Flip 3D feature, the rotating carousel-like interface for switching between tasks. However, there are many other really handy, timesaving features that the Windows Key can provide for Windows 7 users if, and only if, you take the time to learn the keystrokes and make using them a habit.

In this edition of the Windows Desktop Report, I’ll tell you about my favorite Windows Key shortcuts and show you how to make them habit forming.

Windows + R

Ever since Microsoft removed the Run command from the Start menu in Windows Vista to make room for other features, people have been clamoring for its return. In Vista that means using the Local Group Policy Editor and enabling the Add the Run command to the Start Menu setting. In Windows 7, it’s a bit easier — you go to the Customize Start Menu dialog box and then select the Run command check box.

However, why bother returning the Run command to the Start menu, where it can be considered a waste of space, when you can easily launch the Run dialog box with a simple Windows + R key combination. Give it a shot, and you’ll see how easy it is.

Want to make it a habit? Go ahead and remove the Run command from the Start menu. Then you’ll be forced to use the Windows + R key combination. Sure, it might feel like a pain at first, but after using Windows + R for a while, you’ll forget all about the Run command on the Start menu.

Windows + E

Probably one of the first Windows Key combinations that I learned was Windows + E, which is used to launch Windows Explorer targeted on the Computer folder. However, making this one a regular habit has always been difficult since I became so used to accessing Computer and Documents on the Start menu as well as on the Quick Start menu. And, in Windows 7, Windows Explorer is pinned to the Taskbar.

Once I decided to make a concerted effort to use the Windows + E combination, it became easier to ignore those icons. But I found myself slipping back to my old ways too often. So I decided to force the habit.

To do so, I first unpinned the Windows Explorer icon from the Taskbar. Then I went to the Customize Start Menu dialog box and selected the Don’t Display This Item under the Computer and Documents sections. Both of these actions are illustrated in Figure A.

Windows + G

 When you use this Windows Key combination, all your Gadgets instantly come to the foreground and float over top of the open window, as shown in Figure B. When you click anywhere on the window, the Gadgets drop back to the background.

Figure B

Windows + Spacebar

While Windows + G brings the Gadgets to the foreground, pressing Windows + Spacebar activates Aero Peek, which makes all the open windows transparent, thus allowing you to instantly see your Gadgets, as shown in Figure C.

Figure C

Windows + Break

Probably one of the easiest Windows Key combinations to make a habit for me was Windows + Break, which brings up the System window, shown in Figure D. I suppose it was the mere fact that I never actually used that key for anything, so it was easy to remember.

Figure D

Windows + L

I got into the habit of using this one at work in order to shield confidential information from prying eyes. Every time I get up from my desk, I press Windows + L to lock my system, thus requiring that you enter the password to regain access. It was easy to make this a habit since it is so instantaneous and very easy to use.

Windows + 1-9 & 0

This set of Windows Key combinations is pretty neat as it allows you to sequentially launch or access the applications displayed on the Taskbar. Moving from Start to the right, the first icon is accessed by pressing Windows + 1, the second icon, by pressing Windows + 2, and so on. If the icon is pinned to the Taskbar and the application is not running, pressing the Windows Key combination will launch the application. If the application is running, pressing the Windows Key combination will bring that application to the foreground.

This one is difficult to make a habit since there are multiple ways to switch tasks, but once you get used to using the Windows Key for some of the other operations I’ve mentioned here, you will find it easier to remember and use this Windows Key technique.