Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Learning Basic Computer Shortcut Keys - MS Windows

The one thing that most people suffer from when using a computer, knows the simple shortcuts that are available in order for them to perform a task, or tasks quicker. These shortcuts are known as shortcut keys, and they are very useful, and not only for the novice user, but also for the more advanced computer user as well. Getting to know these shortcut keys will hopefully enable you to cut down on the time it takes for you to perform a certain task on your computer, thus leading to more efficiency in what you are doing, whether at home, school, or work.
Another thing to remember is that the computer manufacturers fail to let the consumer know that these shortcut keys exist, and it is up to the user (consumer) to either figure them out, or if they do know about them, purchase a chart with all of the available shortcuts listed since there is a multitude to learn.

Now some basic computer shortcut keys are:
Alt + F:-- File menu options in current program :-
Alt + E :-- Edit options in current program :-
F1 :-- Universal help (for all programs)
Ctrl + A :-- Select all text
Ctrl + X :-- Cut selected item
Shift + Del :-- Cut selected item
Ctrl + C ::-- Copy selected item
Ctrl + Ins :-- Copy selected item
Ctrl + V :-- Paste
Shift + Ins :-- Paste
Ctrl + Home Ctrl + HomeHome :Go to beginning of current line
Go to beginning of document

End :-- Go to end of current line
Ctrl + End :-- Go to end of document
Shift + Home :-- Highlight from current position to beginning of line
Shift + End :-- Highlight from current position to end of line
Ctrl + <--- :-- (arrow key) Move one word to the left at a time
Ctrl + ---> :-- (arrow key) Move one word to the right at a time
Ctrl + B :-- Bolds the current highlighted selection

Basic Windows Shortcut Keys
Some good basic Windows shortcut keys to know will also benefit you in your computer learning, since most computers are equipped with a Microsoft Operating System. You will eventually use some of these keys on a daily basis, as well as the basic computer shortcut keys that you read about earlier.

These basic Windows shortcut keys are:
Alt + Tab Switch between open applications
Alt + Shift + Tab Switch backwards between open applications
Alt + Print Screen Create screen shot for current program
Ctrl + Alt + Del Reboot/Windows task manager
Ctrl + Esc Bring up start menu
Alt + Esc Switch between applications on task bar
F2 Rename selected icon
F3 Start find from desktop
F4 Open the drive selection when browsing
F5 Refresh contents
Alt + F4 Close current open program
Ctrl + F4 Close window in program
Ctrl + Plus Key Automatically adjusts wodths of all columns in Windows Explorer
Alt + Enter Open properties window of selected icon or program
Shift + F10 Simulate right-click on selected program
Shift + Del Delete programs/files permanently
Holding Shift During Bootup Boot safe mode or bypass system files
Holding Shift During Bootup When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD player from playing

Good luck, and hopefully these shortcuts will help you on your quest to become a more literate and savvy computer user the next time you are working on your computer. Remember, the one thing that you will learn in life, is that you will always have more to learn.

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