Tips and Tricks

[Bsuds]

This is a place to post tips and tricks that you know or have just learned.

For example I found this trick this morning.

From PC World.

" By Rick Broida, PCWorld

Regular Hassle-Free PC readers know of my fondness for keyboard shortcuts. But let's not overlook the mouse, which is just as capable of saving you precious seconds while you work.

For example, suppose you're working on a document and want to italicize a word. Most people reach for the mouse, click and hold the left button, then drag to select that word. That gets the job done, but it's slow and imprecise.

The faster, easier way? Just double-click the word (like I did in the example at left). Presto! It's instantly highlighted, and ready for italicizing, copying, or whatever.

Want to work the same magic on an entire paragraph? Just triple-click anywhere inside it. Again, presto: the whole thing is instantly selected.

By the way, these click-tricks work in lots of places: word processors, Web browsers (try it right here!), e-mail programs, and so on. Once you get in the habit, I guarantee you'll never go back to the old click-and-drag method"

[Quixote]

My problem is that I use so many of them without even thinking, that compiling a list becomes difficult!

Here's some quick ones:
- Instead of typing the full site name (i.e. www.google.com), just type google and press Ctrl + enter
- Tab moves forward between fields in a form, shift+tab jumps backwards (you can also use alt+shift+tab to move backwards between applications).
- Alt + left arrow goes back through your webpages, alt + right arrow moves forwards, ctrl + t brings up a new tab
- Ctrl + click will open up a link in a new tab, shift + click will open a link in a new window
- Use control to highlight entire words in a document; i.e. pressing ctrl + shift + left/right arrow will select entire words at a time
- In Word, Ctrl + [ decreases font size, ctrl + ] increases font size
- In most browsers, ctrl + shift + +/- increases/decreases the magnification

[GoStumpy]

Normal ones that I use that non-savvy computer users usually don't:

Ctrl + c = Copy
Ctrl + v = Paste
Ctrl + z = Undo
Ctrl + n = Open new window (Browser)
Alt + Tab = Switch between windows (Hold alt and you can navigate through with tab)
Alt + F4 = Close a window when the boss is coming ;)

[Bsuds]

- Alt + left arrow goes back through your webpages,

So will "Backspace"

[LoneWolf_53]

I find that very few people are aware that there's an easy way to get to your System Properties window by simply pressing "Windows" + "Pause/Break" keys. Useful for when you need to check device manager.

[Bsuds]

I find that very few people are aware that there's an easy way to get to your System Properties window by simply pressing "Windows" + "Pause/Break" keys. Useful for when you need to check device manager.

"Windows" + "E" does the same thing too.

[Glacier]

Alt + Tab = Switch between windows (Hold alt and you can navigate through with tab)

And if you have Windows 7: "Windows button" + Tab is way cooler (I discovered this little trick by accident when I pressed the wrong key attempting an Alt + Tab).

[Shrapnel]

I don't know about other OS's, but with Windows 7, you can move files when you see the copy file instead. If you download something to you desktop, and want to move it later, it will copy. Hold shift while you drag the file to your desired folder, and "copy to ?" will change to "move to?"

I consider myself fairly knowledgeable with computers and I just recently learned this one lol.

[LoneWolf_53]

I find that very few people are aware that there's an easy way to get to your System Properties window by simply pressing "Windows" + "Pause/Break" keys. Useful for when you need to check device manager.

"Windows" + "E" does the same thing too.

Not on Windows 7 it doesn't.

It's still a useful short cut but on Windows 7 that combination will give you your "My Computer" window.

Actually I just went to my XP computer and it doesn't do it there either.

Your combination is for "My Computer" while mine was to get you to "System"

[ILBT uh-huh]

Thank you for this thread. While this is a touch more sophisticated than I am, it's good to look at it and see if I want to learn something about that little tip. I guess thats what tips are all about.

Thanx

[ogleby]

I don't know about other OS's, but with Windows 7, you can move files when you see the copy file instead. If you download something to you desktop, and want to move it later, it will copy.

This should only happen if you drag the file to a different device (a different drive, or a network location).

See http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/wind ... g-and-drop for details.

[Bsuds]

Your combination is for "My Computer" while mine was to get you to "System"

Interesting because every Laptop at the store it takes you to "system" (I use it daily) whereas on my desktop at home it goes to "my Computer".
I wonder why the difference?

[Glacier]

You know how some posters like to write in reallllllly small type just to annoy you? Well, there is a little trick you can use to inflict revenge: hold down the Ctrl button and scroll with the mouse. Voila.


Edited for dyslexia.

[Captain Awesome]

Alt + F4 speeds up your browser.

[LoneWolf_53]

Your combination is for "My Computer" while mine was to get you to "System"

Interesting because every Laptop at the store it takes you to "system" (I use it daily) whereas on my desktop at home it goes to "my Computer".
I wonder why the difference?

I honestly don't know. I just know I've been using that method for quite a number of years and it's always taken me to "System".

I have five different PC's here and they all respond the same way.