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In Windows, Win-M minimizes all windows. On a Mac, Option-Cmd-Eject puts the Mac to sleep instantly.
 technofile
Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

T e c h n o f i l e
Extra keys on Windows and Mac keyboards can be handy


Oct. 24, 2004


By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2004, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2004, The Post-Standard

   When Microsoft introduced extra keyboard keys with the launch of Windows 95 nine years ago, I scoffed at the idea of learning how to use a non-standard keyboard. What was wrong with the old PC keyboard?
   But I'm a believer now. Anything that can save me a couple of mouse clicks is likely to be good for my already stressed-out right wrist. And I've also come to appreciate the extra keys on Apple's own Macintosh keyboards.
   Both companies have a good idea. But I wouldn't be surprised to learn that many computer users haven't been taking advantage of the extra keys, and I'd guess that some of you might not know what those keys do.
   A standard Windows keyboard has three additional keys. They're the Windows key, labeled with a Windows symbol, with one placed at each end of the keyboard, and the Applications key, which has a menu-and-pointer symbol. It's usually at the right end of the keyboard.
   A standard Apple Macintosh keyboard has seven keys not found on a standard PC keyboard. They are three function keys, F13, F14 and F15, a pair of sound volume keys, a key that mutes the sound and a key that ejects the disk in the CD or DVD drive.
   By itself, the Windows key shows the Start Menu. In other words, you can press the Windows key to get the same effect as clicking the Start button. I find that very handy. But the Windows key (usually called the "Win" key) has a lot of other functions, too. The one I use often is Win-R, which opens the Start Menu's "Run" box. (No matter how a Windows PC is configured, I can get Notepad to run by typing "NOTEPAD" in the "Run" line and hitting the Enter key.)
   Here's a list of the most common Win key functions.
   Win by itself opens the Start Menu.
   Win-R opens the Start Menu's "Run" box.
   Win-F opens the Start Menu's "Find" window.
   Win-E launches Explorer, the file-and-folder program.
   Win-Pause opens the System Properties window.
   Win-M minimizes all windows.
   Win-Shift-M undoes the action of Win-M.
   Win-D clears all windows so the desktop is fully visible. As a toggle, it also reverses that action.
   Win-Tab cycles through Taskbar items.
   The Applications key is a humble addition to Windows. All it does is imitate a right mouse click. Usually, this shows a "Properties" menu.
   Apple's extra keys unfortunately don't include a Mac version of the Win key, but the addition of F13, F14 and F15 is puzzling. I was able to remap F13 using Keyboard Maestro, but not F14 and F15, which seem to be reserved for controlling screen brightness on some Macs. But the audio keys are handy, and work no matter what else is going on.
   Apple gives special status to the otherwise lowly eject key. Cmd-Eject displays a shutdown menu; Option-Cmd-Eject puts the Mac to sleep instantly, and Ctrl-Option-Cmd-Eject shuts down the Mac without further interaction.