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June 16, 2009
PC

Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Media Player in Windows 7



In Windows 7, we’ve improved how people can play and manage their digital media content (like music and videos) through Windows Media Player. Not only did we give Windows Media Player a face lift, it also takes advantage of key Windows 7 features such as the new Windows Taskbar, HomeGroup and Jump Lists. With all the new stuff packed into Windows Media Player, I thought it might be a good idea to highlight some tips for using Windows Media Player.

Starting today, I plan to do a series of 6 blog posts over the course of the next 3 weeks, each dedicated to a single tip for Windows Media Player.

Today’s Tip: Keyboard Shortcuts!

Below is a list of keyboard shortcuts you can use for a variety of activities in Windows Media Player ranging from switching to Player Mode to turning on or off shuffle to shifting between play speeds. If you’re a keyboard fiend – this list is a must-have.

Shortcut

Action

State

Ctrl + 1

Switches to library mode

From any mode

Ctrl + 2

Switches to skin mode

From any mode

Ctrl + 3

Switches to player mode

From any mode except full screen

Ctrl + 7

Add to Play

In library mode

Ctrl + 8

Add to Burn

In library mode

Ctrl + 9

Add to Sync

In library mode

Ctrl + A

Selects everything in a list

In the library or list

Ctrl + B

Previous (Item or Chapter)

With content playing

Ctrl + E

Focus on Search text box and switch to library mode if not there

 

Ctrl + F

Next (Item or Chapter)

With content playing

Ctrl + H

Turn on/off shuffle mode

 

Ctrl + J

Eject

In any mode

Ctrl + M

Toggle menu bar in library

In any mode

Ctrl + N

Create playlist

In library mode

Ctrl + O

Shows Open Dialog

In any mode

Ctrl + P

Play/Pause Toggle

With content queued up

Ctrl + Q

Adds selected track to open list

Default is Play list

Ctrl + S

Stops Playback

With content playing

Ctrl + T

Turn on/off repeat mode

In any mode

Ctrl + U

Shows Open URL Dialog

In any mode

Ctrl + W

Stops playback

With content playing or paused

Ctrl + Shift + B

Rewinds playing content

With DVD playing

Ctrl + Shift + C

Caption On/Off Toggle

Playing content which has captions

Ctrl + Shift + F

Fast forwards playing content

With content playing

Ctrl + Shift + G

Play Speed Fast

With content playing

Ctrl + Shift + N

Play Speed Normal

With content playing

Ctrl + Shift + S

Play Speed Slow

With content playing

Ctrl + Right Arrow

Next playlist in playlist history

Focus not on Seek bar

Ctrl + Left Arrow

Previous playlist in playlist history

Focus not on Seek bar

Ctrl + Right Arrow

Skip forward (large increment)

Focus on Seek bar

Ctrl + Left Arrow

Skip backward (large increment)

Focus on Seek bar

Shift + Right Arrow

Skip forward (small increment)

Focus on Seek bar

Shift + Left Arrow

Skip backward (small increment)

Focus on Seek bar

Right Arrow

Skip forward

Focus on Seek bar

Left Arrow

Skip backward

Focus on Seek bar

Ctrl + Click

Resize player to image

In Now Playing mode

Escape

Return to Now Playing

Full Screen Mode

F1

Opens Help file

In any mode

F2

Edit meta data column

In library mode with an item selected

F4

Switch view mode

In library mode, focus in list view

F5

Refresh screen

Focus on library or in online services

F6

Increases album art

Focus in list view

Shift + F6

Decreases album art

Focus in list view

F7

Mutes sound

In any mode

F8

Decrease sound volume

In any mode

F9

Increases sound volume

In any mode

F10

Show menu bar in library

From any mode

Shift + F10

Context menu shortcut

In any mode

Alt + 1

Video Size 50%

In Now Playing or skin mode, with a video playing

Alt + 2

Video Size 100%

In Now Playing or skin mode, with a video playing

Alt + 3

Video Size 200%

In Now Playing or skin mode, with a video playing

Alt + Enter

Full Screen Toggle

In Now Playing, skin, or full screen mode

Stay tuned – I’ll have another tip for Windows Media Player coming up soon!

NOTE: These tips are for Windows Media Player in Windows 7 only.

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