More Windows 7 Goodies

The more I investigate and discover...the more I like this new system, I've found a few more useful things.

Computers go wrong occasionally and we may end up calling a tech helpline to get assistance. Win7 simplifies this with a new tool inbuilt into windows. Click on the windows Logo to open the start menu and type "PSR" and the Problem Steps Recorder will open, Start recording and redo the things that led to the problem and it will all be recorded, including screenshots that is then packaged up into an email attachment that can be sent to tech support or a friend for them to see precisely what you did. Pretty cool huh?

System restore has had a bit of a makeover too, if you need to back track with system restore, you used to just get a date choice, now it will tell you exactly what files will be changed if you continue to help you decide if its worth doing or not.

And here is a list of windows shortcuts you might find handy, where win is the windows logo key on your keyboard.

[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Pause: Displays the System Control Panel applet.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+D: Shows the desktop.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Spacebar: Shows the desktop without minimizing open windows (Aero Peek).[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+E: Opens Windows Explorer with Computer selected.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+F: Opens a Search window for finding files or folders.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Ctrl+F: Opens a Search window for finding computers on a network.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+G: Cycles through Gadgets (if any are installed).[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+L: Locks your computer or switches users.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+M: Minimizes all windows.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Shift+M: Restores minimized windows.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+P: Chooses a presentation display mode.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+R: Opens the Run dialog box.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+T: Cycles through and previews programs on the taskbar.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+U: Opens the Ease of Access Center (Utility Manager in XP).[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+X: Opens the Windows Mobility Center (which isn't installed by default on desktop PCs).[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+(numbers 1 to 5): Starts the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, it switches to that program.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Shift+(numbers 1 to 5): Starts a new instance of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Ctrl+(numbers 1 to 5): Switches to the last active window of the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Alt+(numbers 1 to 5): Opens the Jump List of recently accessed items for the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Tab: Cycles through open programs by using Aero Flip 3-D. (You must have Aero working; Win7 Home Basic and Starter don't use Aero.)[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Ctrl+Tab and then Left or Right Arrow: Opens Aero Flip 3-D to cycle through open programs.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Ctrl+B: Switches to the program that displayed a message in the notification area.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Ctrl+click: Pressing Ctrl while clicking a taskbar icon will scroll through multiple windows of that icon's application.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Up Arrow: Maximizes the window.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Left Arrow: Docks the active window to the left half of the screen.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Right Arrow: Docks the active window to the right half of the screen.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Down Arrow: Minimizes the window.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Shift+Up Arrow: Stretches the window to the top and bottom of the screen.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Shift+Left or Right Arrow: Moves the window from one monitor to another.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]Win+Home: Minimizes all but the active window.[/FONT]

Steve...

 

A very useful post Dave.,many thanks. All I have to do is remember all those shortcuts...fat chance of that happening..looks like my printer is going to get a bit a business:gnthb:

 

Thanks Steve.....my new laptop has windows 7, and so far so good.