The curious thing is that the Windows key was introduced a year before Windows 95. Let’s remember that it was the first operating system to include the function of opening the start menu after pressing the key. In addition, through the combination with other keys, it is possible to access special system functions. The Command key on macOS behaves similarly in this respect. Well, today we will take a look at the wonderful things the Windows key does.

Improved keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11

Following the arrival of Windows 11, the company has updated some of its key combinations. Mostly to adapt them to this new operating system. The following are the most prominent Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts that include the Windows key in the combination.

• Win key + W: opens the Windows widgets panel. We can find the widgets of the weather, local traffic, news, calendar, and others.
• Win key + A: Opens the quick settings panel. From there we can find the volume options, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, the focus assistant and more.
• Win key + N: Opens the notifications and calendar panel.
• Win key + Z: Opens the snapshot group panel to organize yourself with application windows and multitasking.
• Win key + C: Opens the Microsoft Teams chat app from the taskbar. Consequently, we can quickly select a Team’s conversation.
• Win key + Directional arrow (up): places an active window in the upper half of the screen.
• Win key + Directional arrow (down): places an active window in the lower half of the screen.
• Win key + K: opens the panel for connecting to other devices via casting.
• Win key + H: opens the dictation tool to transcribe speech to text.

General keyboard shortcuts including Windows key

In this list, you will find some well-known keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows key. The curious thing is that they have been around for years.

• Win Key + Q or Win + S: Opens the searcher inside the menu of beginning.
• Win Key + I: Opens the configuration panel of Windows 11.
• Win Key + X: It opens the contextual menu of the button of beginning.
• Win Key + E: Launches the explorer of files.

Shortcuts to organize with system windows.

Window management is one of the most outstanding features of Windows. In fact, this is precisely the reason for the name of this operating system. Moreover, using keyboard shortcuts, this task is made even easier. Below, we will see all the keyboard shortcuts for window management that make use of the Windows key.

• Win key + Left: Places the active window in the left half of the screen.
• Win key + Right: Places the active window in the right half of the screen.
• Win key + ,: Hides all windows until the Windows key is released.
• Win key + M: Minimize all your windows.
• Windows key + D: Minimize all the windows.
• Win key + Home: Minimizes all the windows except the active one.
• Win key + T: Navigates between the windows of the taskbar. Consequently, press enter to open them when they are selected.
• Win key + a number: Opens the window located in the position corresponding to the number in the taskbar.
• Win key + Shift + Left or Right: Moves the active window to another monitor, if available, located to the left or right of the main one.
• Win key + L: Locks your session and stays in the unlock screen.
• Win key + .: Opens the window of emojis to be able to include them in a text.

Keyboard shortcuts for virtual desktop management

Windows allows you to create virtual desktops. As a result, we will be able to separate our work in the operating system much more efficiently. In addition, through some keyboard shortcuts, it is also possible to access the management of this function quickly and comfortably. Below is a list of all the virtual desktop shortcuts that make use of the Windows key.

• Win key + Tab: Opens the view of your current virtual desktops.
• Win Key + Ctrl + D: Creates a new virtual desktop
• Win key + Ctrl + Left: Moves to the left virtual desktop.
• Win key + Ctrl + Right: Move to the virtual desktop on the right.
• Win key + Ctrl + F4: Closes the active virtual desktop.

Other useful keyboard shortcuts

These are the classic commands. However, there are still others to be seen.

• Win key + R: Open the Run dialog box.
• Win key + U: Access the Accessibility Center.
• Win key + Prt Sc: Take a screenshot that is automatically saved in the screenshots’ folder, inside the Images folder.
• Win key + Shift + S: Opens the screen capture menu to decide which area to capture.
• Win key + G: Opens the game bar.
• Win key + Alt + G: If enabled, starts screen recording in the background.
• Win key + Alt + R: Stop screen recording.
• Win key + P: With a second screen connected, navigate between display modes.
• Wind key + “+”: Zoom in with the Magnifier application.
• Win key + “-“: Zoom out with the Magnifier application.
• Win Key + CTRL + SHIFT + B: Useful if you have any problem with your monitor, what you see on screen or the graphics on your PC. In effect, you can press this key combination to have Windows restart your graphics driver. This can fix visual issues without having to restart your computer.
• Win key + (#): If you press the Windows key next to any number from 1 to 0 on your keyboard, you can open the application that is pinned to the taskbar in that position. For example, if you have Microsoft Edge pinned to the super bar first, you can press Windows Key + 1, and you will open the browser.

The post The Windows key does amazing things. appeared first on Linux Windows and android Tutorials.

Benefits of having a legally activated Windows 10 system

Having a license means being able to access a certain software legally. Certainly, there are limitations corresponding to the type of license used. When registering a license, we do so by associating a certain code or number to perform the activation. Generally, a key or license is limited to the use of only one computer at a time. However, there are multi-device licenses that work for this purpose.

However, the problem arises when we cannot access this serial. Consequently, by not registering the system, we lose vital functions and support for the equipment. As you can see, it is very important to have the system key number. It doesn’t matter if it is the original one from the equipment, or another one that you have acquired later. Otherwise, the system will be exposed to the limitations shown below

Windows 10 limitations without activation

• Inability to customize the system:If we do not activate Windows 10 we will not be able to set customization settings. For example, themes, wallpapers or screensavers.
• Watermark: This situation generates an annoying watermark message in the lower-right corner of the screen. This message reminds us that Windows is not activated.
• Lack of warranty: A Windows system without activation has no technical support or warranty.

How to view Windows 10 key number.

Suppose you have done a system upgrade. For example, from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Consequently, all logs and files are stored in a folder called Windows.old. This folder is at the following address:

C:\Windows.old

The Windows license is stored in the system registry. However, for security and privacy reasons, it is hard to locate it. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to some processes to locate it. Certainly, when purchasing new software, the vendor provides the product key. This key will be used later to activate the software. In addition, it is provided on the product box itself or through digital media. However, it can happen that accidentally we delete the mail or the box is damaged. Consequently, we lose access to the key.

Key advantages

• Security audit reports
• Administrative tasks
• Organization licensing control
• Product support
• Warranties and other.

How to get the Windows key with CMD.

A simple option to obtain the Windows 10 password is through CMD. There are several methods to activate Windows 10. One of them is through a Retail key. Well, this information is stored in the Windows Registry. In this case, let’s open a command prompt with administrator privileges. With this in mind, press the Win +Q combination. Then in the search box, type CMD and choose the corresponding option:

Then run the following command:

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey 

How to view Windows serial key with PowerShell

We can also use PowerShell to obtain the Windows 10 serial key. With this in mind, press the Win+X combination and launch the PowerShell.

Finally, run the following command:

(Get-WmiObject –query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey

I would like to point out that both of the above methods work only with a Retail license type. Therefore, if you have activated Windows with a digital license, then it will not work.

How to get serial key with Script in Windows 10

This is a quick and easy way to view the Windows 10 password. Just open Notepad and copy the following code:

Option Explicit  
 
Dim objshell,path,DigitalID, Result  
Set objshell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell") 
'Set registry key path 
Path = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\" 
'Registry key value 
DigitalID = objshell.RegRead(Path & "DigitalProductId") 
Dim ProductName,ProductID,ProductKey,ProductData 
'Get ProductName, ProductID, ProductKey 
ProductName = "Product Name: " & objshell.RegRead(Path & "ProductName") 
ProductID = "Product ID: " & objshell.RegRead(Path & "ProductID") 
ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)  
ProductData = ProductName  & vbNewLine & ProductID  & vbNewLine & ProductKey 
'Show messbox if save to a file  
If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductData  & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "BackUp Windows Key Information") then 
   Save ProductData  
End If 
 
 
 
'Convert binary to chars 
Function ConvertToKey(Key) 
    Const KeyOffset = 52 
    Dim isWin8, Maps, i, j, Current, KeyOutput, Last, keypart1, insert 
    'Check if OS is Windows 8 
    isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1 
    Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4) 
    i = 24 
    Maps = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789" 
    Do 
           Current= 0 
        j = 14 
        Do 
           Current = Current* 256 
           Current = Key(j + KeyOffset) + Current 
           Key(j + KeyOffset) = (Current \ 24) 
           Current=Current Mod 24 
            j = j -1 
        Loop While j >= 0 
        i = i -1 
        KeyOutput = Mid(Maps,Current+ 1, 1) & KeyOutput 
        Last = Current 
    Loop While i >= 0  
     
    If (isWin8 = 1) Then 
        keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last) 
        insert = "N" 
        KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0) 
        If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput 
    End If     
     
 
    ConvertToKey = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5) & "-" & Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5) & "-" & Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5) & "-" & Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5) & "-" & Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5) 
    
     
End Function 
'Save data to a file 
Function Save(Data) 
    Dim fso, fName, txt,objshell,UserName 
    Set objshell = CreateObject("wscript.shell") 
    'Get current user name  
    UserName = objshell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%UserName%")  
    'Create a text file on desktop  
    fName = "C:\Users\" & UserName & "\Desktop\WindowsKeyInfo.txt" 
    Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject") 
    Set txt = fso.CreateTextFile(fName) 
    txt.Writeline Data 
    txt.Close 
End Function 

Once you paste it into the notepad, you must save it. Here, the important thing is that you can use any name you want. However, the neuralgic issue is that you must save it with the .vbs extension. Additionally, you can store it in any location.

Then, you only have to run the script. If everything is in order, then we will see the Windows 10 key information. It is even possible to save it in a file.

How to get serial key with Script in Windows 10. Alternate method.

We can also use this method but using a different code. Just follow the same steps above to open the notepad. Once there, please copy the following code:

Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId"))Function ConvertToKey(Key)Const KeyOffset = 52i = 28Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"DoCur = 0x = 14DoCur = Cur * 256Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + CurKey(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255Cur = Cur Mod 24x = x -1Loop While x >= 0i = i -1KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutputIf (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i <> -1) Theni = i -1KeyOutput = "-" & KeyOutputEnd IfLoop While i >= 0ConvertToKey = KeyOutputEnd Function

Again, you can use any name and location for the file. Just be careful to save it again in .vbs format.

Again, just run the script. Consequently, you will see the key in a window.

How to recover Windows key with third-party applications

There are several tools on the market that allow you to obtain the key to Windows 10. This time, we will use ShowKeyPlus. It is a free, open-source, lightweight and portable tool that displays all the information related to the key of our system. The first thing you have to do is to download it from here. After downloading the file, just unzip it. Then, you just have to run it. Since it is a tool that digs deep into the system registry, it can be detected as a virus. But don’t worry, it’s a false positive. The app is totally safe to use.

As you can see, it is a simple but very complete tool. It shows the key, as well as the data related to the license and what type it is. It is possible to determine if your computer has an OEM key. We can also retrieve a key that we have saved. It also has a handy issue checker. This is very useful to validate the status of those keys printed on the Windows box or on a hardware sticker.

At the end of the day, we have seen how to obtain the Windows password. In addition, we have specified native methods, as well as third-party tools. See you soon!

The post How to get Windows 10 key appeared first on Linux Windows and android Tutorials.