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.
Written by Brandon LeBlanc on June 16th, 2009 with no comments.
Read more articles on Tips & Tricks and Windows Media Player 12 and Keyboard Shortcuts and otherSoftware and Tips and windows 7 and Windows Media Player.
