Here is a round up of Windows 7 features, tricks and tips. I have been using Win7 now for about 2 months exclusively and can say it is by far the best version of Windows, whichis to say any Operating System, I have ever used. I think it sets the bar out in front of the Linux world and makes the appeal of a switch to Mac diminished again.
Windows 7 Illustrated: 10 Cool Desktop Features – PC World
Windows & Keyboard Shortcuts - PC World
Six Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows 7 adds some new keyboard shortcuts to the mix, all of them based on the Windows key. Here are my favorites:
Win-Home: Minimize all windows except the one that's currently active. Hit it again to restore the windows.
Win-Space: Makes all windows transparent so you can see through to the desktop.
Win-Up Arrow: Maximizes the active window.
Win-Left/Right Arrow: Docks the active window to the left or ride side of the screen.
Win-[+/-]: Enables the magnifier and zooms in/out.
Win-P: Opens Windows' presentation settings so you can quickly adjust display settings to include a second monitor or a projector.
Instantly Create Folders in Windows 7
Here's one straight from the What-Took-Them-So-Long Department: A keyboard shortcut for creating new folders: Ctrl-Shift-N.
I know, I'm excited too. You can use this on the desktop or in an Explorer window: Just give a tap and presto, you've got a new folder ready for renaming.
The Best Windows 7 Feature: The Taskbar – MakeUseOf
More Windows XP & Vista Shortcuts - PC World
Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Know
Regular readers know of my love for keyboard shortcuts. And who can blame me? When I'm typing along in, say, Word or a blog tool, the last thing I want to do is reach for the mouse. Totally interrupts my workflow. (We writer types are all about the workflow.)
Of course, there are times when I need to select, copy, cut, and/or paste text--all functions that would seem to mandate a little mouse action. But no: You can accomplish all those tasks with a few simple keyboard shortcuts. These may seem old and obvious to some users, but trust me: Not everybody knows them.
These shortcuts work in just about every text editor known to humanity, from Word to WordPad to WordPress.
Ctrl-Shift-Right Arrow: Selects the word immediately to the right of the cursor.
Ctrl-Shift-Left Arrow: Selects the word immediately to the left of the cursor.
Ctrl-Home: Selects all text from the cursor's current position to the beginning of the line.
Ctrl-End: Selects all text from the cursor's current position to the end of the line.
Ctrl-C: Copies selected text to the clipboard.
Ctrl-X: Cuts (i.e. temporarily deletes) selected text and copies it to the clipboard.
Ctrl-V: Pastes whatever text has been copied to the keyboard.
Once you master these shortcuts, I guarantee you'll find yourself working much more quickly in Word and similar programs. So put down that mouse and keep your hands on the keys where they belong.
Launch Apps in a Flash With Windows-Key Shortcut (works in Vista too)
So help me, I'll always be a fan of Windows' Quick Launch toolbar. I showed you how to do endow it with a handy Windows Explorer icon, and I've also told you how to switch to big, Windows 7-style icons.
Today, one last Quick Launch tip--one that's sure to appeal to keyboard-shortcut nuts like me. Once you've enabled the Quick Launch toolbar, a single click of any icon is all to takes to launch that program. But did you know that each icon is automatically assigned a number and corresponding Windows-key shortcut?
For example, the first icon in the toolbar (the one closest to the Start button) is linked to "1." So by pressing Windows-1, you can launch that program right from your keyboard. Pressing Windows-2 is like clicking the second icon, and so on.
This tip works for icons 1 to 9. If you already have Quick Launch enabled, give it a try. If not, see either of the aforementioned tips to find out how to do so.
