Save Time with Keyboard Shortcuts!

Most computer users know that simple keyboard shortcuts are faster than having to constantly point-and-click for every task you want completed.
If you have Windows and your keyboard has a Microsoft Windows Logo Key (pictured below), try to learn and practice these handy shortcuts to increase your speed and efficiency.

• Windows Logo:  Start menu
• Windows Logo+BREAK:  System Properties dialog box
• Windows Logo+D:  Desktop (all pages will minimize)
• Windows Logo+M:  Minimize (all pages will minimize)
• Windows Logo+SHIFT+M: Restore the minimized windows
• Windows Logo+E:  My Computer
• Windows Logo+F:  Search for a file or a folder
• CTRL+Windows Logo+F:  Search for computers
• Windows Logo+F1:  Windows Help
• Windows Logo+L:  Lock keyboard
• Windows Logo+R:  Run dialog box
• Windows Logo+U:  Utility Manager

Now let's focus on shortcuts to allow you to navigate quickly through the file tree in Windows Explorer (pictured below).



When you select items in the left-hand pane, NUM LOCK combinations will allow you to show and hide folders without having to use your mouse!

• NUM LOCK + ASTERISK (*): Shows all the subfolders within the selected folder
• NUM LOCK + PLUS SIGN (+):  Shows content of the selected folder
• NUM LOCK + MINUS SIGN (-):  Collapses selected folder
• LEFT ARROW – Collapses current selection folder (if expanded), or selects the parent folder
• RIGHT ARROW – Shows the current selection (if collapsed), or selects the first subfolder

The next 2 shortcuts work for both panes.

• END:  Highlights the last file in the browser
• HOME:  Highlights the first file in the browser

Another quick trick for finding a certain folder or file in a window is to type the first letter of the subfolder or file you want to find (best results when the files are sorted alphabetically). For example, if you wish to find a folder called “Quicktime,” you would press “Q” to go to the first folder that starts with “Q” in the right-hand pane. If the folder you wish to find is one of many with the same first letter, keep pressing the letter until your desired folder is selected.

find out how to make your own keyboard shortcuts for your programs by clicking below!

After this example, you will me able to create a shortcut key combination for any program (we will use iTunes). Right-click on the iTunes program icon on the desktop to show it's context menu (pictured below).



Select the “Properties” option, and a box will pop up that looks like the picture below.



Click on the text box to the right of “Shortcut key” (it will probably say "None"), and press the key combination that you want to assign to iTunes! For this example, we chose “Shift + Alt + I.”

You also have the option to use the dropdown menu next to “Run” and tell Windows to run the program in either a Normal window, Maximized window, or Minimized window.

Just click “OK” to test your new keyboard shortcut!

Next time you want to open iTunes, all you have to do is press “Shift + Alt + I.”