Starting with Windows 7, Microsoft made the Windows key more useful with some excellent shortcut keys. In Windows 7, you can use the Windows key in combination with numbers 1-9 to cycle between the applications in the taskbar.

Windows Vista did have a similar feature, but it was only limited to the applications in the quick launch bar. We had covered more such shortcut keys in our Ultimate List of Windows button shortcut keys.

ActivateByNum is a freeware, which will allow you to use the Windows key + number, task switching functionality from Windows 7 in Windows XP and Vista.

Techie Buzz Verdict

The Windows key + number task switching comes in pretty handy when you want to navigate or open applications without using the mouse or Alt + Tab key combination.

This should definitely come in handy on Windows XP, however it might disable the Quick launch hotkeys on Windows Vista.

Rating: 3/5 (Good)

Download ActivateByNum