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.
