If you must be a fast and a good typist, you should be able to access your computer using shortcuts. When we talk about shortcuts in computer, one will quickly have in his/her mind the Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V which means respectively copy and paste. Obviously, you are right; this means you are ready to learn other shortcuts that will set you on the right path of enhancing you with the use of computer.
Believe me; typing fast is enhanced by the use of shortcut keys. A friend of mine secured a good job just because he can type very fast. This encourages me to write this article which I know it will be beneficial and relevant to our readers. Note that I am not in any way discouraging from using the conventional way. But what I am emphasizing here is that shortcuts quicken your typing and other documenting process and the general use of computer.
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For instance, it will be easier to save using Ctrl + S to save than go through File and then scroll to save or Save As before typing the document name. Being that obvious, let me quickly state the word “Shortcut”. According to Advance Learner’s Dictionary “A quicker or shorter way of getting to a place” in other words, a way of doing something that is quicker than the usual way. This also applies to the use of computer, computing in the Microsoft family of operating system a symlink, that is a symbolic file link; especially, one that shows as an icon.
A keyboard shortcut is combination of keystrokes that provide easier access to an operation or command. It may interest you that shortcuts are not restricted to Microsoft Packages alone but also relevant in other computer packages and computer as a whole.
I wish to start with general shortcuts. In doing this, let’s commence with common shortcuts ranging from F1 – F10.
Note: The following shortcuts may not work in Windows 8.
Keys Action
F1 Display help
F2 Renames the selected item
F3 Search for a file or folder
F4 Display the address bar list in explorer
F5 Refresh the active window
F6 Cycle through screen element a window or on the desktop
F10 Activates the menu bar in the active application
Taskbar Shortcuts
Shift+Click an open taskbar button This opens another window of same program
Shift+Right-click taskbar button Opens the application as an administrator.
Ctrl+Shift+Click an open taskbar button This shows the window menu for the app.
Shift+Right-click a group taskbar button Shows the window menu for the group
Ctrl+Click a taskbar button Cycle through the window of the group
Shortcuts using the Windows key:
Note: Most of these shortcuts are newly introduced in Windows 8 and above.
Win + B Activate the notification area
Win This displays or hide the start menu
Win + C Open charms
Win + D Show or hide the desktop
Win + E Opens the File Explorer
Win + F Opens the Search window
Win + I Opens the settings charm
Win + K Opens the Device Charm
Win + L This Locks your PC
Win + M Minimize all windows
Win + O Lock Device Orientation
Win + P Choose a presentation display mode
Win + Q Open the Search charm
Win + R Open the Run dialog box
Win + S Open the search window to search web
Win + T Cycle through Application on taskbar
Win + U Open Ease Access Center
Win + V Cycle through notifications
Win + Shift + V Cycle through notification in reverse state
Win + W Open the search charm to search for settings
Win + X Open the Quick Link menu
Win + Z Show the comments available in the app
Win + Pause Display the system properties dialog box
Win + Esc Exit Magnifier
Win + Alt + Enter Open Windows Media Center
Win + +/- Zoom in or out using the Magnifier
Win + I Initiate IME reconversion
Win + , Recycle through Applications
Win + Enter Opens Narrator
Win Shift + , Cycle through open applications
Help Viewer Shortcuts
F3 Move the cursor to search box
F10 Display the options menu
Home Move to the beginning of a topic
End Move to the end of a topic
ALT + LEFT ARROW Move back to the previously viewed topic
ALT + HOME Display the help and support home page
ALT + C Display the table of contents
ALT + N Display the connection settings menu
CTRL + F Search the current topic
CTRL + P Print a topic
Constant practicing of these keys will make you perfect over time. Note, these are not the only shortcut keys we can access computer with. In my subsequent edition, I will be showing you: narrator shortcuts, App rearranging shortcuts and Remote desktop connection shortcuts.
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