Vista Shortcut Keys

Managing Windows

Alt+F4	         Close the active window

Alt+Tab	         Switch to previous active window

Alt+Esc	         Cycle through all open windows

Win+Tab	         Flip 3D

Ctrl+Win+Tab	 Persistent Flip 3D

Win+T	         Cycle through applications on taskbar (showing its live preview)

Win+M	         Minimize all open windows

Win+Shift+M	 Undo all window minimization

Win+D	         Toggle showing the desktop



Starting Programs

Win+1	         Open the first program on your Quick Launch bar

Win+2	         Open the second program on your Quick Launch bar

Win+n	         Open the nth program on your Quick Launch bar

Win+U	         Open the ease of access center

Win+F	         Open the search window

Win+X	         Open the Mobility Center

Win+E	         Open Explorer

Win+R	         Open the Run window [more info]

Win+B	         Move focus to notification tray (the right-most portion of the taskbar)

Win+Pause	 Open the System Properties portion from the Control Panel

Ctrl+Shift+Esc	 Open Windows Task Manager



Logging In And Out

While the below shortcuts seem unwieldy because of their length, they're quite easy to remember once you 

try them out a few times. The → symbol stands for the right arrow key.



Win, →, →, →, Enter	Shutdown

Win, →, →, →, U	        Shutdown

Win, →, →, →, R	        Restart

Win, →, Enter	        Sleep

Win, →, →, →, W	        Switch Users

Win+L	                Locks computer



Viewing Folders With Explorer

Alt+←	                Go back

Alt+→	                Go forward

Alt+↑	                Go up a directory

Alt+D	                Move focus to address bar

Alt+D, Tab	        Move focus to search bar

Alt+Enter	        Open the Properties window of the current selection

Ctrl+Mousewheel	        Change the view type (extra large, small, list view, detail, etc.)



Windows Sidebar And Gadgets

Windows Sidebar provides instant access to gadgets that display a huge variety personalizable information. 

The below shortcuts allow you to navigate between these gadgets. I suggest just using this table as a reference, 

since people don't need to navigate gadgets too often.



Win+Space      Move focus to Sidebar	

Win+G          Cycle through visible gadgets