It is not for nothing that Windows is translated as a window in Spanish. Microsoft’s operating system has a multitude of options and functions that allow us to control the application windows to our liking. Fortunately, most of these functions can be replicated via keyboard shortcuts for windows, with key combinations designed to control the windows to our liking. This time we have compiled several of these Windows windows shortcuts to improve productivity in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7.
View all open windows in Windows and navigate between them
Windows and from Windows 10, desktops. Although it is one of the most popular keyboard shortcuts in the Windows operating system, it never hurts to remember it. Specifically, the shortcut in question is Windows Key + Tab, which in this case corresponds to the key that is just above the Lock key. Shift, better known as Caps Lock.
To switch between the different open applications, we will execute the command Control + Tab. In the case of application windows, the command to perform is Alt + Tab.
Opens a window according to the order it occupies among the active windows
We have already seen how to navigate between the different open windows. The problem is that this process is somewhat slow if we have dozens of windows open. In order to open a certain window according to the order it occupies, the command to execute is Windows Key + The number it occupies in the list of open windows. For example, Windows Key + 1 or Windows Key + 4.
Maximize the active window
Another simple shortcut that allows us bring the extension of the windows to the maximum range allowed by the monitor. In this case, the command that we will have to execute is F11 if the program in question is compatible with the window dimension.
Hide all windows and applications at once to show the Desktop
Either because of the number of windows that remain open or simply because we want to observe the Desktop without interruptions, Windows allows us temporarily hide all apps to show Desktop content. Specifically, the command that we will have to perform is Windows Key + ‘,’ (comma). To reset the state of the windows, we will execute the key combination again.
Or minimize all windows at once
The above key combination is used to temporarily hide the windows. If what we want is minimize them to the Windows taskbar, the command that we will have to execute is Windows key + D. To restore the state of the windows, the command to carry out is Control + Shift + M. Let us remember that the Shift key is the one that can be found just below the Lock key. Mayus.
Minimize all windows except the active window
Another command that helps us to minimize open windows except for the active one is Windows Key + Start. It should be noted that this last key only present on full-format or numeric keypad keyboards, although we can always map keys through third-party programs.
Places the active window in the left or right half of the screen
To split the Windows screen in two with windows, we can use a series of key combinations that allows us place applications on the left half of the screen or on the right half. To move a window to the left half, we will execute the command Windows Key + Left Arrow. If what we want is to move the window to the right half, we will execute Windows Key + Right Arrow.
Or in the upper or lower half
Windows also allows us to place the windows according to the vertical axis of the screen, in such a way that we can visualize them in the upper part and in the lower part to two halves. In this case, the command that we will have to execute to place the window in the upper half is Windows Key + Up Arrow. The same shortcut but with the Down Arrow key we will have to do to place the window in the lower half.
Reload the content of the window
Although historically the Reload function has been intended for the F5 key, the use of the Function keys has been relegated to the background since keyboards have multimedia functions (control of brightness and volume, execution of macros, multimedia reproduction …). If we want to force the reload of a window, either from Google Chrome or from Windows File Explorer itself, we will have to execute the Control + R combination.
Close the active window
There is a quick way to close application windows or tabs in Windows. In the case of windows, we can use the Alt + F4 command to close the active window. If what we want is to close the tab of an application compatible with this function, we will execute the command Control + W.
Navigate between Windows Taskbar windows
The Windows Taskbar acts as a control center, both for storing open programs and for managing the windows that belong to these programs. If we want to navigate between the different open windows from the Taskbar, we can use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + T. To open a certain window once we have selected it, we will press Enter or Enter.
Move the active window to another monitor (only for configurations with two or more monitors)
Multi-monitor configurations are designed precisely to improve productivity within a certain environment. Due to the extent of the screens, manually moving the windows between the different monitors can be counterproductive. If we want move the active window to any of the monitors that are connected to the computer, we will have to use the command Windows Key + Shift + Left Arrow if the monitor is located to the left of the central monitor or Windows Key + Shift + Right Arrow if the monitor is to the right.
