Pretty much in the title, the only time I interact with the windows key in its standard operating condition is getting pissed off that the start menu opened. I use it in other capacities such as taking screen shots and other key commands but I got to wondering if anyone, ever actually uses it to access the start menu.

Also if anyone comes here and posts “dOnT uSe wINdoWs,” you really are cute.

Edit: I am more curious if anyone actually gets utility out of its default behavior (opening the start menu). I am aware that it is used in a number of key commands (although some are new to me).

  • finalarbiter
    13•3 months ago

    As others have said, I use it mainly for the search function to start programs as well as many shortcuts. I’ve seen others mention screenshots and locking, but here are a few more:

    • Win+. - Opens the special symbols/emoji windows
    • Win+ left or right arrow - Snaps a window to the left or right half of the screen, respectively. Up arrow maximizes, down minimizes.
    • Win+r - Opens the run dialog
    • Win+v - Opens clipboard history (history is off by default, it will ask you to enable it the first time you use the shortcut)
    • Win+x - Opens the ‘quick link’ menu (Power Options, Event Viewer, System, Device Manager, Network Connections, Disk Management, Computer Management, and Command Prompts
    • As a bonus, my favorite windows shortcut is Ctrl+Win+Alt+Shift+L, which opens linkedin in in a new browser tab.

    A full list can be found here: windows key shortcuts