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Windows 7

Dock, Maximize, Minimize Windows Via Keyboard Shortcuts

SUMMARY: Maximize or minimize the current window, or dock it on the left or right side of the screen.

When working with multiple windows simultaneously on a Windows 7 system, you occasionally will need to move some windows out of the way while increasing the size of others. Window management can be done via the keyboard with the following shortcuts:

Windows + Up-Arrow: Maximizes the current window.

Windows + Down-Arrow: Restores the original size of a maximized window - for other windows, minimizes them.

Windows + Left-Arrow: Docks the current window on the left side of the screen (see the below screenshot for an example):

Docking Internet Explorer 8 on the left side of the Windows 7 Desktop

Windows + Right-Arrow: Likewise, docks the current window on the right side of the screen:

Docking Internet Explorer 8 on the right side of the Windows 7 Desktop

Docking makes it easier to work with two windows side-by-side.

This tip was written for Windows 7 RC. Screenshots and information are subject to change between this and the final version of Windows 7.