10 must know Windows keyboard shortcuts.

Microsoft took a big step by completely transforming its flagship operating system Window XP to Vista (although not successful) and then fine tuned, ultra-light on memory consumption version Windows 7.

Windows 7 is not all about look and feel, and improved on performance, but Microsoft has put in a lot of efforts in how user can extract more of it. So, today we will look at 10 must know shortcuts keys of Windows 7 which will make our day-to-day work more fun!

1. Alt + P

In Windows Explorer, activate an additional file preview pane to the right side of the window with this new shortcut. This panel is great for previewing images in your photos directory.

2. Windows + + (plus key) and Windows + - (plus minus key)

Pressing the Windows and plus or minus keys activates the Magnifier, which lets you zoom in on the entire desktop or open a rectangular magnifying lens to zoom in and out of parts of your screen. You can customize the Magnifier options to follow your mouse pointer or keyboard cursor. Keep in mind that so far, the Magnifier only works when Aero desktop is enabled.

3.  Windows + UP arrow key and Windows + DOWN arrow key

If a window is not maximized, pressing Windows + Up will fill it to your screen. Windows + Down will minimize that active window. Unfortunately, pressing Windows + Up again while a window is minimized won’t return it to its former state.

4. Windows + RIGHT arrow key and Windows + LEFT arrow key

One of the new features of Windows 7 is the ability to automatically make a window fill up half of your screen by dragging to the left or right. This pair of shortcuts performs the same function without your mouse. Once a window is fixed to one side of the screen, you can repeat the shortcut to flip it to the other side. This is useful if you’re extending a desktop across multiple monitors, which prevents you from executing this trick with a mouse.

5. Windows + Home 

This shortcut performs a similar function to hovering over a window’s peek menu thumbnail in the Taskbar. The active window will stay on your desktop while every other open application is minimized. Pressing this shortcut again will restore all the other windows.

6. Windows + E

Automatically opens up a new Explorer window to show your Libraries folder.

7. Windows + P

Manage your multiple-monitor more efficiently with this handy shortcut. Windows + P opens up a small overlay that lets you configure a second display or projector. You can switch from a single monitor to dual-display in either mirror or extend desktop mode.

8. Windows + Shift + LEFT arrow key and Windows + Shift + RIGHT arrow key

If you are using two or more displays, memorize this shortcut to easily move a window from one screen to the other. The window retains its size and relative position on the new screen, which his useful when working with multiple documents. Utilize that real estate!

9. Windows + [Number]

Programs (and new instances) pinned to your Taskbar can be launched by hitting Windows and the number corresponding to its placement on the Taskbar. Windows + 1, for example, launches the first application, while Windows + 4 will launch the fourth.

10. Windows + Space bar

This combo performs the same function as moving your mouse to the bottom right of the Taskbar. It makes every active window transparent so you can view your desktop. The windows only remain transparent as long as you’re holding down the Windows key.

I Hope this information will enhance your working experience on Windows. Suggestions are welcome! :)

My first blog. Removing Recycle Bin icon from Desktop.

After having blogger account for a long-long time, finally I found something to write about.

I thought why not start with writing on something to which I associate most, i.e. technology, computers, etc. So, my first blog post is about tweaking your operating system (Microsoft Windows obviously) and Desktop in particular. 

Many a time we think about cleaning (icon free) our Desktop, and we successfully do it by removing all the icons except 'Recycle Bin icon'. Windows 7/Vista/XP provides us option of Show desktop icons, enabling/disabling this option will clean/unclean your desktop. Most of us know this. Well, what if someone wants to completely remove (recovery is possible). So here is the way.

Irrespective of whichever version of Windows operating system you are using Click Start, go to Run command, now type gpedit.msc (command may not work if you are using a pirated version or illegal product key), and press Enter.

Now following window will pop-up. 

In the left panel under User Configuration select Administrative Template.

Now in the right panel corresponding to Administrative Template, double-click on Desktop option.

Now from the visible list double-click on Remove Recycle Bin icon from desktop.

From the new pop-up window click on Enabled, then click on Apply and OK.

Now close the remaining window and return to your Desktop, hit F5 (refreshing the desktop) and you are done with job. Repeat the process and select Disabled from above window to recover Recycle Bin icon on you Desktop.

Hope you will find this blog post interesting. Suggestions are welcome.