I’m what most kids today would call and “old school” computer user. I was raised on the Apple II, learned to program on the Commodore VIC-20 & the Commodore 64, and my first PC-based computer didn’t even come with Windows. In other words, I’m used to using the keyboard, not the mouse, to get around. (Qfiler anyone?) Those who grew up on the mouse often look over my shoulder in amazement, wondering “How are you doing all of that?”

Jason Perlow asks, in this blog post over at ZD Net, “Do you use the Windows Key?” The current poll results:

My favorite commands: Win+R to run a file, Win+D to show the desktop.

Here is a complete list of everything the Windows (Win) key can do for you:

Windows Logo Key to Open and close the Start Menu
Windows Logo Key + B to Select the first icon in the Notification Area
Windows Logo Key + D to Show Desktop
Windows Logo Key + E to Open My Computer
Windows Logo Key + F to Open Search
Windows Logo Key + F + Control Key to Open Search For Computers program
Windows Logo Key + F1 to Open Help
Windows Logo Key + L to Switch Between Users, or Lock desktop while unattended
Windows Logo Key + M to Minimize All Windows
Windows Logo Key + M + Shift Key to restore after Minimizing All Windows
Windows Logo Key + R to Open Run Dialog
Windows Logo Key + U to open Utility Manager
Windows Logo Key + Y to Open Yahoo Messenger (if loaded)
Windows Logo Key + Pause Key To Open System Properties
Windows Logo Key + Tab Key To Switch Between Active Windows
Windows Logo Key + X to enter Windows Mobility Center (Windows Vista+ only; does not work on desktop computers)
Windows Logo Key + P to switch Projection modes (clone, extend, single, multiple monitors, etc.) (Windows 7 only)
Windows Logo Key + Tab to switch windows using Flip 3D (requires Windows Aero, Windows Vista only)
Windows Logo Key + 1 to 9 to start according Quick Launch Toolbar program