Keyboard Shortcuts Could Save You 15 Days

Every time I find an easier way to do something it’s a small victory. When it’s something I do all the time, like finding a shortcut to the office or a quicker way to make dinner, it’s even sweeter.

There are some easy shortcuts to accomplish common tasks in Windows. Shaving a couple mouse or key strokes may not seem like a big deal, but you’d be surprised how big of an impact they can make on your day to day.

I use copy, cut and paste all the time. I used to highlight the text, right-click, choose “Copy,” then right-click again and choose “Paste” in a new location, but it’s a bit cumbersome. If I right-click in the wrong place, I lose what I’ve just highlighted and I have to start over – frustrating and way too much clicking for my taste.

Now I use my keyboard to copy-paste or cut-paste. To do this, highlight the text to be copied, hold down the CTRL key, and then click “C” to copy (CTRL + C). If you want to cut, or delete-paste instead of copy-paste, you can substitute “CTRL + X” for “C.” Now you can paste the text anywhere you like, including other documents. When you’re at your “Paste” location, hold down CTRL again and then click “V” (CTRL + V). I like to use this functionality to email Web links or post them to my Facebook page.

If you make a mistake, you can quickly “undo” it with (CTRL + Z). This command automatically rescinds the last command performed.

Another shortcut I love to use is (CTRL + F). It brings up a “Find” window that allows you to search entire pages for the text you type into the box. If you’ve ever done a Google search, selected a web link, and then not found the information you’re looking for, CTRL + F can take you right to the information you need on the page.

Want to quickly send a document to your printer? (CTRL + P) will instantly bring up your printer window. If you’re printing to your “default” printer, hit the ENTER key and you’re done.

Navigating the Web can be smooth sailing with a few handy keystrokes. The next time a website hangs up on you, seemingly forever, click F5 to refresh the page and sometimes resolve the issue. Flipping among five different shopping websites to compare prices is a snap if you use (ALT + F6) to switch between windows. Try (SHIFT + CTRL + N) to create a new untitled folder right where you are and save your favorite websites in a flash. I always seem to close a browser window, and then want to go back to that website five seconds later. (CTRL + SHIFT + T) will bring back the tabs I’ve just closed from my browser history, so I don’t have to search around for them.

The Windows Logo button (on your keyboard next to the FN key) has some handy functionality as well. I always seem to have about 10 applications open at once and managing them all can be quite tedious. When I want to get to my desktop for that 11th application, for example, (Windows + M) minimizes all my open windows. Once I’ve found what I am looking for, I bring all the open applications back with (Windows + SHIFT + M). Want to get a closer look at something on your screen? (Windows and the + sign) allow you to zoom in, while (Windows and the – sign) will allow you to zoom back out. When I need to step away from my desk for a few minutes, I lock my computer by clicking (Windows + L). This command will take your screen directly to your Login page, leaving all your current applications still open and running.

These are just a few of my favorite keyboard shortcuts, but there are many more. Post a comment below listing your favorite keyboard shortcuts.

---

Here is an easy List of shortcuts for you to reference in the future:

---

 

CTRL + C = Copy.

CTRL + X = Cut.

CTRL + V = Paste.

CTRL + Z = Undo.

CTRL + F = Find.

CTRL + P = Print.

ALT + F6 = Switch between windows.

SHIFT + CTRL + N = Create a new untitled folder.

CTRL + SHIFT + T = Reopen a tab that was recently closed.

Windows + M = Minimize all open windows.

Windows + SHIFT + M = Re-Open all minimized windows.

Windows and the + sign = Zoom in.

Windows and the – sign = Zoom out.

Windows + L = Switch to your computer’s login screen.