Windows 7 is full of surprises and you might have discovered some already by accidentally hitting a particular key combination that moved your screen or had you toggling back and forth when you weren’t ready. If you’re trying to learn some new keyboard shortcuts without resorting to trial and error, however, here are some of the more useful and impressive.

1. Windows + Spacebar

When you hit the Windows key on your keyboard at the same time as the Spacebar you instantly see the desktop. While the active windows don’t minimize, they do become transparent so long as you’re holding down the Windows key and Spacebar simultaneously. This is especially handy if you work in a cubicle or glass-walled environment and need to protect client files or your current instant messenger chat window when your boss or a colleague drops by for a chat. Practice holding the two keys down with a discreet left hand and your visitor will probably never even notice.

2. Windows + Plus/Minus

Instantly zoom in on your neighbor’s backyard on Google Earth by hitting the Windows button along with the Plus (+) key on your keyboard. Voyeurism aside, you can also instantly enlarge those tiny images that show up with files or make text jump out at you when you’re trying to check out the fine print at the bottom. It’s also a very nice feature for those who need larger images on screen due to poor eyesight. When you’re tired of the zoom feature, hit the Windows button along with the Minus key (-) to zoom back out.

3. Control + Icon in Taskbar

If you’re a sucker for multiple windows of certain applications – perhaps multiple Word documents or spreadsheets, you can easily toggle between them by clicking on the corresponding icon in the taskbar while holding down the Control (Ctrl) key. To flash through all five documents you might have open, hold the Control key and click on the Word icon in the taskbar five times. With each click the next document will open as you toggle between all of them. When you get to the one you need, stop and get back to work.

4. Control + E

If you’re working in Explorer and have so many tabs open you’re losing your mind, not to mention the websites you’re trying to read, why not open a new Explorer window? You can do this easily by holding down the Control (Ctrl) key and hitting the E key. A new Internet Explorer window will open to let you organize your searches and internet usage quickly and easily.

5. Windows + Arrow Keys

If you’re working from multiple applications, you can easily view them simultaneously without multiple monitors using the Windows button plus the right or left arrow keys. When you hit the Windows button with the left arrow key, the document or application you’re working on will shift to the left side of your screen letting you see what is behind it. By hitting the right arrow key while holding the Windows key, your window will cut itself in half and move to the right side of the screen. Using these keystrokes, you can fly between multiple documents or application windows and work from two at the same time without any wasted time – very nice for data entry and fact checking especially.