Visual Studio - tips for managing work on many open files

Hold Ctrl, press Tab, and keep Ctrl held. Now you can use the arrow keys to choose any open file (right column) or tool window (left column.)

You can use Productivity Power Tools extension for VS.

Once installed go to Tools -> Options -> Productivity Power Tools -> Document Tab Well -> General -> then check "Show tabs vertically".

This will give you a list of open files on your left.