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Useful Information:
Knowledge Base:
Windows Operating System Keystrokes:
For Windows OS users, there are a number of keyboard shortcuts that will save you a lot of mouse movement. Using keyboard shortcuts can dramatically increase your work efficiency, especially for repetitive tasks, so try to get into the habit of using your keyboard instead of your mouse. Here are some of the most useful:
ALT + TAB If you have not used this one yet, get ready! If you have more than one application open at any given time, you can press the ALT key, and at the same time, the TAB key to move from one application to another quickly. This is very useful, for example, for coding pages and then jumping to a browser to preview. This shortcut will jump through all your open applications, but defaults to a quick hop to the last used program. Play with ALT + TAB and you'll be flying through Windows in no time.
WINDOW + M Have you ever wanted to get to your Desktop screen fast, but found yourself closing applications with your mouse? Try this shortcut, which instantly minimises all open windows and returns you to the desktop in one quick jump. (The WINDOW key is the one between CTRL and ALT.)
WINDOW + E This launches an instance of Windows Explorer, a very handy program for file management. Use this shortcut instead of running through the Start > Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer route.
CTRL + C This command copies highlighted text.
CTRL + V This command pastes highlighted text.
SHIFT + CTRL + ARROWS This shortcut is very handy for selecting text in HTML or text editors. Rather than highlighting with a mouse, this will quickly grab text one word at a time from the cursor position.
WINDOWS LOGO (between CTRL and ALT) Hit this key and your Start menu appears; is that not faster than going over with your mouse and clicking?
WINDOWS LOGO + F Find files or folders. This saves you from opening the Windows Explorer and selecting find from the menu. Now you have a one-click computer search!
F1 In Windows applications, and in the OS, F1 is a universal call to the application's help system.
F2 In Windows Explorer, use F2 to rename files or folders. This is faster than right-clicking and easier that clicking inside the file or folder name and waiting for the input field to become available.
SHIFT+DELETE Deletes an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin. Works in most Explorer sub-systems or program navigation.
F5 This is a universal "Refresh" command, which works in many Windows applications. Use it to refresh your Explorer file system, browser and html editors.
CTRL + Z Undo your last action. This works on both Windows and Mac machines and, like CTRL + C for copy and CTRL + V for paste, is a universal keyboard command. Undo is handy for quickly erasing your last action in just about any program.
CTRL + A Select all the items in the current window. This is a great shortcut, which in combination with Copy and Paste, will have you flying around your screen!
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