Secret Powers of the Windows Key

When you ask a PC-user about the Windows key on their keyboard, you typically get one of 3 responses:

· Huh?
· What is that thing, anyway?
· Oh yeah, that thing that brings up the Start menu.

What they don’t know is that the Windows key is more than just another pretty key (or parrot chew toy, as seen to the left). We’ve outlined the most useful, relatively unknown functions below.



· Windows + E – Opens Internet Explorer. Although why you’d want to do that, we’re not sure.
· Windows + R – Brings up the Run prompt. If you don’t know what that means, you probably won’t care about this feature.
· Windows + F – This brings up the Search Windows window.
· Windows + D – This takes you straight to the desktop without the need to minimize everything you’re currently working on.
· Windows + M – This minimizes all windows currently open. Yes, the effect is the same – you’re back at the desktop.
· Windows + F1 – This brings up the Help feature.
· Windows + Pause/Break button – If you want to know what you’re working with, this is the easiest way to find out.
· Windows + L – This will log you off of Windows so that you can sign into a different user name.