#Microsoft365 – I love and use the #Windows Button on my keyboard SO much, that I have a tattoo of it. Ok, I’m kidding – but I could – and that would be totally cool!! It’s something I use at least a 100 times a day and it’s also the first thing I show users when training. You’d think everyone knows it and uses it – but I am amazed at how few people do.


For previous posts in my #Microsoft365Challenge go to the index

 

Keyboard%20Shortcuts_9 This little magic Windows Button has been around long before Windows 8 was released – but I only started using it then when I upgraded to Windows 8. Why? Because the start button was gone. Yup – forced to use it – and I’ve never looked back. Thank you Microsoft for forcing me to grow up and start searching for stuff – as opposed to navigating.

So what can we do with the Windows Button?

Apart from pressing the Windows button to search for anything on my pc (programs, files & settings), I also use it in combination with other keys as shortcuts:

Press this key To do this
Windows logo key Display or hide the Start screen
+, Temporarily peek at the desktop
+/ Initiate IME reconversion
+Alt+Enter Open WindowsMedia Center
+Alt+number Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
+B Set focus in the notification area
+C Open the Charms
+Ctrl+B Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area
+Ctrl+F Search for PCs (if you’re on a network)
+Ctrl+number Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
+Ctrl+Shift+number Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator
+Ctrl+Spacebar Change to a previously selected input
+Ctrl+Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
+D Display and hide the desktop
+Down arrow Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window
+E Open File Explorer
+Enter Open Narrator
+Esc Exit Magnifier
+F Open the Search charm and search for files
+H Open the Share charm
+Home Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)
+I Open the Settings charm
+K Open the Devices charm
+L Lock your PC or switch people
+Left arrow Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen
+M Minimize all windows
+number Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.
+O Lock device orientation
+P Choose a presentation display mode
+Pause Display the System Properties dialog box
+period (.) Cycle through open apps
+plus (+) or minus (-) Zoom in or out using Magnifier
+Q Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within the open app (if the app supports app search)
+R Open the Run dialog box
+Right arrow Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen
+S Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web
+Shift+Down arrow Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width
+Shift+Left or Right arrow Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another
+Shift+M Restore minimized windows on the desktop
+Shift+number Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number
+Shift+period (.) Cycle through open apps
+Shift+Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order
+Shift+Up arrow Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen
+Shift+V Cycle through notifications in reverse order
+Spacebar Switch input language and keyboard layout
+T Cycle through apps on the taskbar
+Tab Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)
+U Open Ease of Access Center
+Up arrow Maximize the window
+V Cycle through notifications
+W Open the Search charm and search for settings
+X Open the Quick Link menu
+Z Show the commands available in the app

 

Resources:

Purpose of this blog challenge:

I will write 365 blogs in 365 days around Microsoft 365. I did a similar challenge with Office 365, blogs can be found here. I won’t just be talking about the new Microsoft 365 subscription model. I will be sharing any news, tips and tricks around Office / Office 365 / Windows / Mobility and Security. And let’s not forget all the great new Apps & services available.  A lot of what I’ll share on Office and SharePoint will also be applicable to none “Office 365” versions.