Between the crtl and alt on the lower left of your keyboard, resides the Windows key. Some of you may know that pressing the Windows key opens the start menu but, did you know that there are a variety of other shortcuts that you can use to increase your productivity. Some of our favorites are listed below.

Windows key + L: Lock your device

Windows key + [Left][Right]: Position windows on your screen. For example, if you press Windows key + Left, it will position the current window to the left half of your screen. If you use Windows + Up afterward, the current window will be placed in the upper left quarter of your screen.

Windows key + D: Show the desktop and minimize all programs. If you press it again, it will reopen all your programs.

Windows key + [1][2][3][4][…]: Open the programs that are pinned to the task bar. For example, if Word is the third program on your taskbar and you press the Windows Key + 3, then Word will open.

Windows key + Alt + Number: Open the right-click menu for the app pinned in the number position on the taskbar.

Windows key + A: Open the Windows notification center (only on Windows 10 devices).

Windows key + E: This will open the file explorer. This is how you get to your H: and K: drive.

Windows key + X: Opens a start menu that will quickly take you to task manager, control panel, and other useful settings.

Windows key + [+][-]: Zoom in or out on your current window.

Windows key + Shift + Up arrow: Maximizes the active window vertically while maintaining its width.

Windows key + Up: Maximized the selected window.

Windows key + Down: Minimizes the selected window.

Are there any you like to use? Comment below!