Windows key +
1,2,3,4
The Windows key has some
powerful shortcut keys associated with it. You can use Windows + 1, 2, 3, etc.
to open the program associated with each number in your Windows taskbar. For
example, Windows key + 1 will open the first program in your taskbar. It also
has an additional function if the program is already open, it will switch to
the program. This is helpful when needing to switch programs without moving
your hands from the keyboard.
Windows key + “D”
This shortcut combination
takes you directly to the desktop. Alternatively, you can right-click the
taskbar and click “Show the Desktop”. Users that habitually download and save
attachments/programs to the desktop will use this shortcut often, but it’s
definitely worth knowing for when you need to access a desktop file or shortcut
and have 10 programs opens (Happens to me several times a day).
Shift + Delete
This nifty shortcut allows you
to permanently delete a file instead of moving to the recycle bin first. This
can be helpful with older/slower machines when dealing with large files, such
as installation programs or video files. It can also give you additional
available disk space as opposed to sending it to the recycle bin. It’s worth
mentioning that this shortcut should be used with caution, as the files are
permanently deleted when you click the confirmation. Unlike the recycle bin,
you can’t simply restore the file without a backup or recovery program.
CTRL + 1,2,3 (etc)
Ever been filling out a form
on a website and need to switch back and forth between a few tabs? This
shortcut can help you. By using CTRL + 1,2,3, etc. (Works for the first 9 tabs
in your browser), you can skip to the tab that corresponds with the number (1st
tab is #1, 2nd tab is #2, etc) without taking your hands off of the keyboard.
It’s worth noting that this trick works in Internet Explorer, Chrome and
Firefox, so it’s truly a universal browser shortcut.
Windows Key + “E”
Of all the shortcuts on the list, this one is my
personal favorite. This handy Windows key shortcut opens the File Explorer,
which is one of the most useful tools in Windows. Using the Windows File
Explorer, you can access almost any documents, folder or file on your computer.
It’s a shortcut that truly makes computing with Windows easier and more
efficient.
CTRL + Shift + ESC
Last, but definitely not least,
you can press CTRL + Shift + ESC to open the Task Manager at any time. Why is
this helpful? Most users are accustomed to first pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL,
waiting for another Windows screen that presents you with log-out options and
then clicking “Task Manager”. This process can help you end stuck processes,
check performance and memory usage, modify startup options and several other
advanced options.
Windows key + Pause/Break
This shortcut will bring up the System
Properties box. Here, you can see things like which version of Windows you are
running, the amount of memory installed on the computer, and other system-level
specs. You can also quickly access Device manager from this dialog box as well.
Windows
key + L
Needing to step away from your computer
for a few minutes? This handy shortcut will log out and lock the computer until
the user returns. Overall, it’s a quick way to restrict access and protect your
data if you’re away from your desk for any reason, whether it be getting a
fresh cup of coffee or taking a bathroom break.
CTRL
+ F5
While this isn’t a Windows specific
shortcut exactly, it’s a very helpful browser shortcut that’s universal across
browsers. It will reload both the current web page and web page cache. This can
help resolve issues displaying or using certain sites. It also ensures that you
have the latest version available of this site. A prime example is if you are
on the hunt for an elusive Black Friday deal and the sales price isn’t updating
because of your browser cache. For a more in-depth explanation of web/browser
cache, check out this article.
Windows
key + I
This shortcut opens “Settings” in
Windows. Some computer techs know and use this one. It’s super handy if you’re
needing to do things such as Uninstalling an App/Program, Modify
Network/Connection settings, View Windows Update status, and other things that
deal with how your system functions overall.
Windows
key + PrtScn (also ALT + PrtScn)
This helpful shortcut is very similar to
the “standard” print screen (that only commits the screenshot to memory and
requires pasting into an editing program such as Paint), except it goes one
step further and actually saves the screenshot into a “Screenshots” folder in
“Pictures”. This can simplify the process if you only need to email or send a
quick screenshot by having the file saved and ready to attach.
A related shortcut to this is ALT + PrtScn,
which allows you to do a “standard” print screen of only the currently active
window. This can be helpful if you only need a screenshot of a website. It’s
truly a blessing for those of us who use multi-monitor setups when we only need
one window in a screenshot.
Windows key + CTRL + D
This nifty shortcut creates a new
Windows Virtual Desktop. This gives you extra space for additional applications
and browsers. Personally, I use this often when I need to quickly accomplish a
task, but don’t want to disturb my currently open applications and workflow. I
simply open up a new virtual desktop, and finish the task and go right back to
my original desktop, exactly how it was!
Extra Tip: To navigate between the
virtual desktops, you can press Windows key + CTRL + LEFT ARROW (or RIGHT ARROW).
This information is a copy of the below pages: