Most Windows programs and applications have extensive top menu bars that allow us to manipulate and control what we want our system to do. While it is very beneficial to have these menus for the more complex tasks a program might require, such as formatting an extensive table within Microsoft Word, they can often seem cumbersome and annoying when attempting to accomplish more common activities. Fortunately, Windows has a number of built in solutions to help address this issues. The first, which most of us are familiar with, is the right click context menu. While this is a step above the main program menu as far as efficiency is concerned, it still requires a shift in focus and extra mouse movements and clicks. The second, lesser known, system is the built-in support for Windows shortcut keys.
Shortcut keys allow us to accomplish many Windows and program tasks quickly and efficiently via a series of keystrokes, as opposed to clicking through various menus. With over 100 shortcuts built in to Windows there’s a lot to learn, but we’ve compiled a selection of the most common and helpful ones below to help get you started!
| CTRL + C | Copy selection |
| CTRL + V | Paste selection |
| CTRL + X | Cut selection |
| CTRL + B | Bold text |
| CTRL + I | Italic text |
| CTRL + U | Underline text |
| CTRL + Z | Undo last action |
| CTRL + P | Open Print dialogue |
| CTRL + F | Find |
| CTRL + A | Select all |
| ALT + TAB | Cycle through open programs |
| ALT + SHIFT + TAB | Cycle through open programs in reverse order |
| CTRL + TAB | Cycle through open tabs |
| ALT + CTRL + TAB | Cycle through open tabs in reverse order |
| ALT + F4 | Close current active program |
| CTRL + W | Close current window within a program or browser tab |
| Windows Key + L | Quickly lock computer screen / system |
| Windows Key + E | Quickly open File Explorer |
At CTTS, we're all about saving you time, but the one place you don't want to use a shortcut is your Business Continuity Plan. From tax records to client information, your data is essential in running your business. When it's lost because of an unanticipated natural disaster or even worse, it is stolen, you need to make sure you can recover that data so your business can continue to thrive and grow without losing clients.
Our IT services here at CTTS present an incredible helpful and easy solution to you – we'll consult you and your company on the best course of action to solving your IT inefficiencies. For the month of March, we're offering a FREE Data Security and Backup Analysis. At no cost or obligation, our highly trained team of IT pros will come to your office and conduct a comprehensive Cyber-Security Audit to uncover loopholes in your company’s online security.
Claim Your FREE Data Security and Backup Analysis HERE
Or give us a call today and prevent the unexpected from ruining your company. (512) 388-5559
By Brandon Kaylor
Desktop Support Technician
Central Texas Technology Solutions