
Using this shortcut key will display all of your open applications in a larger view. Hold Alt and Shift at the same time while clicking Tab to move from one application to next.Ī lesser known, but similar shortcut key is Windows + Tab. To navigate your applications in the opposite direction (right to left), use Alt + Shift + Tab. While continuing to hold down the Alt key, choose the program you want to open by clicking Tab until the correct application is highlighted, then release both keys. In the example taskbar below, you would press Windows + 3 to open Outlook and Windows + 5 to open Excel.Ī popular Windows shortcut key is Alt + Tab, which allows you to switch between all of your open programs. Simply hold down the Windows key and select the number that corresponds to your desired application’s location on the taskbar (not including the Start button). One useful shortcut key helps you quickly open the applications saved to your taskbar. Managing Open Windows 10 Programs with Shortcut Keys Open Programs from Your Taskbar NOTE: These shortcut keys also work in earlier versions of Windows, but may present slightly different results. This tip will show you how to open programs from your taskbar, switch among programs, and view all the programs you already have open-all with shortcut keys. If you aren’t already taking advantage of the many Windows shortcut keys available to you, here’s your chance to get started! Shortcut keys offer a quicker method of navigating or executing commands on your computer in lieu of using your mouse. Note: This works in Windows XP and Vista as well.The Beauty of Using Windows Shortcut Keys If the program has been written to minimize to the notification area in the system tray it'll show up there otherwise, it'll minimize to your taskbar. The next time you start the program, it'll start up minimized and out of the way. Step 3: Select "Minimized," then click the OK button. Step 2: Click on the drop-down menu under Run. Step 1: Right-click on the shortcut of the program you want to start minimized and select Properties. Snagit doesn't have a setting to allow it to start it up minimized, so we'll configure Windows 7 to do it for us. Snagit is a screen-capture program that doesn't need to be run in the foreground.

In our example, we're going to configure TechSmith's Snagit software to automatically start up in a minimized window. To avoid having to manually minimize a program every time you run it, you can configure the program's shortcut so it will automatically run minimized.

Some Windows programs are better run in the background and out of the way.
