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Dawn Bjork Buzbee
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Microsoft Windows Tips & Tricks

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Selecting Multiple Files
When working in Windows Explorer or the My Computer window, you might need to perform the same action on more than one file in a folder. For example, you might need to copy a group of files to another location. Just select all the files at one time and then copy or move or delete them at the same time.

  • To select a group of files listed together (contiguously): select the first filename, hold the [Shift] key, and click on the last file you want to affect.
  • To select nonconsecutive (noncontiguous) files: select the first file, hold the [Ctrl] key, and click on each of the other files you want to affect. (To deselect a file, hold the [Ctrl] key and click on the selected file.)

To finish, use the keyboard, menu, or right-click on one of the selected files to complete your action with the shortcut menu.

Quick Switch Between Programs
To easily switch between open applications, hold down the [Alt] key and press [Tab]. Keep [Alt] held down and continue pressing [Tab] to cycle through windows. When you've selected the window you want to open, release the [Alt] key.

To quickly switch between the last 2 most recent programs: press [Alt] + [Tab] once.

Dialog Box Tricks
From an open dialog box, to bring focus to options: Press [Alt] + underlined letter (such as [Alt] + S for Size from the Font dialog box).

Time-Saving Hidden Keys
Hidden keys? More than likely, they are right there on your keyboard but even many expert users haven't tried these shortcuts.

keyboard, shortcut, Windows, Microsoft Office

Quick Actions with the Windows Logo Key
Windows logo key, shortcutLook on the bottom row and to the left of the spacebar on your keyboard. Do you see a key with the flying Windows logo? Depending on your keyboard you might also have one to the right of the spacebar. How does this key work?

  • Press to display or hide the Windows Start menu
    Alternate: [Ctrl] + [Esc] to display; [Esc] to hide
  • Open My Computer/Windows Explorer: logo key + E
    (this is one of my favorites for file management)
    Alternate: right-click on Start then left-click on Explore
  • Minimize all open windows: logo key + M
  • Restore minimized windows: logo key + [Shift] + M

Note: These Windows tips work with both Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Easy Shortcut Menus
Many Microsoft Office and Windows commands are quickly found in shortcut menus. Right-click on highlighted text in Microsoft Word, for instance, and a shortcut menu pops up with actions such as Cut, Copy, Format, etc. As an alternative or if you lack the right-clicker gene, you can press a key for the shortcut menu.

Look on the bottom row of the keyboard to the right of the spacebar between the [Alt] and [Ctrl] keys--do you see a key with a vertical rectangle/menu and horizontal lines? Look at the picture above. This is officially called the Application key--I call it the Shortcut key. To display a shortcut menu for the selected item/text/data:

  • Press the Application key, use arrow keys to move to menu choice and press [Enter]

    Alternate: [Shift] + [F10] to bring up shortcut menu, press [Esc] to cancel.

Great Editing Keys
Just about every software program has commands for undo, cut, copy, and paste. Do you want an easy way to remember the shortcut keys? Look at the bottom-left of your keyboard at Z, X, C, V. Match these up with [Ctrl] and you have the easy-to-remember shortcuts for Undo, Cut, Copy, and Paste. These are:

  • Undo: [Ctrl] + Z
  • Cut: [Ctrl] + X
  • Copy: [Ctrl] + C
  • Paste: [Ctrl] + V

Great time-saving shortcuts are right in front of you on your keyboard!

Easy Maximize/Restore
Forget about trying to maximize your application windows by clicking on the small maximize button in the upper-right corner of the window. Simply double-click anywhere in the title bar (across the top of the window) to maximize or restore. Much easier to aim and complete.

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Hot Windows Tip
To change display settings such as the screen saver and color settings, right-click on any empty spot of the desktop, click once on Properties which will open the display dialog box; make changes and OK to apply.
 
Did You Know?
Many longtime PC users trace the Microsoft Windows operating system to the 1990 release of Windows 3.0, the first widely popular version of Windows. The first version, Windows 1.0, however, was released in 1985!
 
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