The more geeky among you will probably know many of the
shortcuts in Windows, also known as Hot Keys. All the same, I often come across
people who do not know much about the following keyboard shortcuts for Windows
even though most of them were stripped around for many years.
I suggest you take the time to learn them, print them out, I
guarantee that they will make your life easier. Many of these works almost
everywhere: in Word, Web browser, Windows Explorer online software, offline
software, the list goes on.
Maybe you can learn some new shortcuts or remind yourself of
the forgotten. I have listed below are the ones that I think are the most
useful.
I will try to clarify some of them, which I think is not
clear what they do. I'm using the shortcut keys for Windows 7 so the examples
below may vary between different versions of Windows. Some of them will work
with Apple computers, but can vary the name of the key.
Windows Key Shortcuts
F1 - The help function. It should work in context so if you
are in the Word will help you in Word, whether in a web browser, you will not
get help for them. It can bring up a dialogue or can help put out a help page
in a web browser.
F5 - Refreshes the current window. It works in context, if
you are committed to the desktop theme will be refreshed, if you are focused on
a web browser rather than who can refresh etc.
ALT + TAB - Switch between open programs. This will give you
a list of thumbnails of running programs that you can tab between long as you
continue to press and hold the ALT key. When you let go of the highlighted
thumbnail Window becomes the current program.
If you just press the Windows key has its own release in the
Start menu. It is the same as clicking the start menu button is usually located
at the bottom left on the task bar.
Windows key + TAB - the same as ALT + TAB to it.
Windows key + E - starts up a new Windows Explorer, very
useful. That's the window that you use to organize your files and folders
Windows key + F - brings up a search dialogue. It is like
finding the right top of a Windows Explorer window. More useful in earlier
versions of Windows.
Windows Key + L - this will lock your computer. If you have
a user password set, then you need to input the password again to access the
computer. Very useful if you work in a public space and security need or just
want to stop people snooping when you are away from the computer.
Windows Logo + R - This will bring up the run box. It is the
same as clicking the " Start " then " Run " (if you have it
enabled as a " Start " menu item).
Windows key + M - Minimize all open Windows down to the task
bar.
SHIFT + Windows Key + M - Undo minimize all.
ALT + double click / ALT + ENTER - Opens the properties for
the selected object. It is a command context, but particularly useful in
Windows Explorer.
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC - Opens the Windows Task Manager. Many
people do not use the task manager, but it is a very useful feature frequently
accessed by right-clicking on the task bar and selecting " Start Task
Manager ".
ALT + underlined letter in the menu - In some programs,
pressing the ALT key is released the letters and numbers as in the example
below. In this example, if you press the " F " key on the "
File" menu is presented along with additional letters if more options are
presented. In some versions of Windows or software so few letters different
options are underlined instead.
Editing
All these buttons are context and with a few exceptions,
will work with any application programs or online with an editable space.
SHIFT + ENTER - This is a very useful but possibly less
well-known key combinations. Usually when you want to drop down a line you
press the " Enter" key. Some space editing, pressing Enter key starts
a new paragraph which may not be what you want. If you use the SHIFT + ENTER
combination then the cursor will stop just down to the next line without
leaving a larger spaced line break due for a new paragraph.
CTRL + LEFT / right arrow - advance the cursor to the next
or previous word.
SHIFT + LEFT / right arrow - Highlight from right to left or
from left to right.
CTRL + A - Highlight everything. Overload a functional
context. If you are on a page of text will highlight the shortcut all text
including pictures or anything on the page. You can cut it, copy, change or
delete as applicable. If using Windows Explorer, then highlighted ready to cut,
copy, or delete all of the files or folders in this directory.
LEFT SHIFT + Click - it selectively highlights from a source
point to a destination point.
Click CTRL + LEFT - It selectively highlights text or files
and folders by adding the clicked item in a list.
The clipboard
When using editing commands to cut or copy text, photos,
files, etc. The last thing you cut or copied is stored in an area managed by
Windows, ready to be put elsewhere. In some versions of Windows you can manage
clipboard for example, Windows XP not only allows you to manage the clipboard
but you can store multiple entries. Windows 7 only last cut or copied item can
be accessed and no third party software that you cannot see the clipboard. If
you want to see the clipboard or enhance it you can find many apps to do it.
CTRL + C - Copy the highlighted text, images, files, etc. into
the clipboard for reuse.
CTRL + X - Get highlighted text, images, files, etc. into
the clipboard for reuse.
CTRL + V - Paste the text, images, files, etc. from the
clipboard to an appropriate destination.
CTRL + Z - Undo the last command.
CTRL + Y - Redo an Undo command after a (an undo reverts).
CTRL + B - Bold text.
CTRL + U - Underline the text.
CTRL + I - italicize text.
Screen Capture Shortcut
Screen printing - it will capture an image of the entire
screen image and put it on the clipboard for reuse.
ALT + Print Screen - This will capture an image of the
current Window image and put it on the clipboard for reuse.
