Backspace when in a folder, one folder level up Alt + Space + n minimize app Alt + Space + m move window Alt + Space + x maximize window Alt + Escape lower window Shift + F10 same as menu W + m minimize all apps W + Shift + w remaximize all apps which were minimized by w-m W + d minimize all apps. hit again to maximize them back W + e explorer (disks) W + r run application W + Pause/Break system properties W + l lock F6 switch between panels in applications Ctrl + Shift + Esc task manager
Many system programs are easier to access by using the W + r
shortcut and typing the command name rather than finding in the control panel or menus.
- appwiz.cpl - The application manager, list of installed applications, uninstall, repair
- cmd - Launch a DOS terminal
- explorer, iexplorer, ie7 - Our beloved, folder explorer and internet explorer
- notepad - The primitive notepad application
- regedit - The registry editor
- taskmgr - The task manager, with list of running applications, memory usage, terminate applications
- sysdm.cpl - System profile
- compmgmt.msc - Computer administration
- services.msc - The service manager, list of all services, start/stop/restart windows services. Can also connect to other computers.
- %JAVA_HOME% - Type any variable that contains a path to open the path in explorer
- mstsc -v:hostname -- Launch remote desktop connection, must be enabled on target machine (system profile | remote tab)
- mstsc -v:hostname -console -- apparently only works in win2k3 server
- tasklist - This one can only run in a DOS terminal (cmd), shows the list of running programs, similar to ps in unix
- runas /u:USER PROG - Run a program as a different user
- tsadmin - View terminal server connections. Can also connect to other computers.
The history of commands executed with W + r
is stored in the registry key:
My Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
This section was migrated to DOS cheat sheet.
- Programs / Accessories / System Tools / Backup / My Computer / System State
There is no such menu option and all global key bindings like Ctrl+L or Ctrl+Alt+Del trigger the functions on the local machine, not on the remote desktop.
The solution is the command: rundll32 user32.dll,LockWorkStation
You might want to create a shortcut to it on the Desktop.
- Right-click-drag gives you the option to copy or move. (As opposed to left-click-drag, which will typically move when the source and destination drives are the same, and copy when they are different.)
- Create keyboard shortcuts to files: right click on file, r, shortcut tab, C + Shift + some key.
- The hosts file (equivalent to /etc/hosts in UNIX) is in %systemroot%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
arp.exe -a at.exe autorunsc.exe getmac.exe handle.exe -a hostname.exe ipconfig.exe /all msinfo32.exe /report %OUTFILE% nbtstat.exe -n nbtstat.exe -A 127.0.0.1 nbtstat.exe -S nbtstat.exe -c net.exe share net.exe use net.exe file net.exe user net.exe accounts net.exe view net.exe start net.exe Session net.exe localgroup administrators /domain net.exe localgroup net.exe localgroup administrators net.exe group netdom.exe query DC netstat.exe -ao netstat.exe -no openfiles.exe /query/v psfile.exe pslist.exe pslist.exe -t psloggedon.exe psservice.exe pstat.exe psuptime.exe quser.exe route.exe print sc.exe query sc.exe queryex sclist.exe showgrps.exe srvcheck \127.0.0.1 tasklist.exe /svc whoami.exe
- How to change environmental variables for regular user?
- Press the Windows key and start typing "environment" and select "Edit environment variables for your account"
- Or the geeky way:
rundll32 sysdm.cpl,EditEnvironmentVariables