Some Cool Keyboard Tricks Few People Know About

By Tina Sieber,

We have become so addicted to the mouse, that we do not realize how much it disrupts our workflow. Every time you reach out for it, you’re losing a tiny bit of focus and time. And have you ever accidentally knocked something over while trying to get hold of your mouse?

The keyboard on the other hand is far more powerful than we know. And don’t we have our hands all over it anyways? There are a few cool keyboard tricks that can help you save time and make you more productive.Windows Shortcuts 101 - The Ultimate Keyboard Shortcut Guide Windows Shortcuts 101 - The Ultimate Keyboard Shortcut GuideWith so many shortcuts built into Windows and its software, it might seem impossible to learn them all. Here's the ultimate guide to the most useful keyboard shortcuts.READ MORE

Here is a list of the most handy Windows, Office, Chrome, and Firefox keyboard shortcuts. We’ve also included universal keyboard shortcuts that have a function in multiple applications.

Windows

These keyboard shortcuts are specific to Windows. We’ve tested them on Windows 10, but most also work on previous versions of Windows.

High Contrast: SHIFT + ALT + PRINT

In its default setting, this shortcut opens a warning window before applying any changes. Click Yesor simply hit Return to switch to the high contrast setting.

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This will enlarge the font on all open windows and change colors to high contrast. For example, the desktop will turn black, what was black text on white background before will be reversed. Clicking the same key combination again reverts the changes.

Rotate Screen: CTRL + ALT + UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT Arrow

This won’t work on every machine as it depends on your graphics card and video drivers. However, if it does work, it will rotate your desktop. It’s also the quickest way to play a trick on an unsuspecting victim.

You can make this change permanent through display settings. Head to the Settings app (press Windows key + I) and go to System > Display. Here you can change the Orientation from Landscape to Portrait or a flipped (upside down) version of the two.

Switch Between Open Windows: ALT + TAB

This keyboard shortcut launches a layover window that shows all open programs. Hold onto the ALTkey and click the TAB key to move to the next application. Release both keys to open the selected window.

You can reverse the direction by holding ALT + SHIFT while pressing the TAB key.

Delete Without Confirmation: SHIFT + DEL

Do you hate these nagging windows asking you whether you really want to do this or that. If you want to quickly delete something, without being harrassed for a confirmation, use this shortcut.

Do you want to make the instant delete route your default setting? Right click the Recycle Bin on your desktop, select Properties, and remove the checkmark next to Display delete confirmation dialog.

Should you ever run into trouble deleting a file in use, we’ve got you covered.5 Ways To Delete A File In Use In Windows 5 Ways To Delete A File In Use In WindowsWindows Explorer thinks the file you're trying to delete is still open, but it's not? Locked files are a common problem. Fortunately, it's easily solved in most cases.READ MORE

Show Desktop / Restore Open Windows: Windows key + D

Rather than moving your mouse into the bottom right corner of your screen to see your desktop, press this keyboard shortcut. Press it again to restore your windows exactly as they were before.

Lock System: Windows key + L

You should never leave your desktop unattended. Before you head out to the loo or to grab another coffee, press this keyboard shortcut to lock your system. When you return and log back in, all programs and windows will appear the way you left them.

If you can’t be bothered to type in your super secure Microsoft password every time you log back into your desktop, set a short PIN instead.PIN or Password? What to Use in Windows 10 PIN or Password? What to Use in Windows 10Windows 10 allows you to sign into your PC using several methods. The two most popular are passwords and PINs. Let's examine the differences between them and decide which is best for you.READ MORE

Run Command Prompt as Administrator: Windows key + R, type cmd, hold CTRL + SHIFT, hit ENTER

This is one complex chain of commands. But if you manage to do it right, you’ll have instant Administrator access to the command prompt.

Unfortunately, this shortcut doesn’t seem to work anymore as of the Windows 10 Creators Update. Alternatively, press Windows key + X to open the Quick Access Menu, then use the UP/DOWN arrow keys to move the Command Prompt (Admin) entry, and hit ENTER.

Shut Down: Windows key + X, U, I / U / R / H / S

You can shut Windows down with a few button clicks. It all starts with Windows key + X to open the Quick Access Menu, followed by the U key to expand the Shut down or sign out options. Finally, press I to sign out, U to shut down, R to restart, H to hibernate, and S to sleep.

Create Your Own Desktop Keyboard Trick

Are there folders or applications you need a lot? Why not create your own keyboard shortcut to quickly access these tools.

Note: This will only work for shortcuts located on your desktop!

First you need to create an actual desktop shortcut. In Windows 10, this has become a little more tricks. Right-click on the application in its program folder or send it from the Start Menu to the Taskbar and SHIFT + right-click its Taskbar icon, then select Create Shortcut from the context menu.

Make sure the shortcut sits on your desktop. Now right-click the shortcut and select Properties. You should see a line that says Shortcut Key: None. Click that line and then click a letter on your keyboard, for example P. This will create a shortcut, here CTRL + ALT + P.

And there you go, now you have your own personal shortcut key.

Google Chrome & Mozilla Firefox

Here we’ve picked keyboard shortcuts that work in both browsers and possibly in other browsers too.

Jump to Open Tabs: CTRL + [tab #1-9]

Rather than scrolling through all your open tabs, you can quickly navigate to a specific tab if you know its position. For example, clicking CTRL + 4 will jump to tab number 4 (from the left). With CTRL + 9 you will jump to the very last tab, no matter how many you have open.12 Gorgeous Chrome New Tab Extensions You've Probably Never Tried 12 Gorgeous Chrome New Tab Extensions You've Probably Never TriedYou open a new tab when you have a destination in mind, so your eyes are going to rest on it only for a few seconds. Wouldn't you like the tab to look beautiful?READ MORE

Move Through Tabs: CTRL + TAB or CTRL + SHIFT + TAB

Got too many tabs open for the previous shortcut to be useful? Like in Windows, you can use the CTRL + TAB shortcut to move through all of your open tabs from left to right. Add the SHIFT key to move from right to left.

Close Tab: CTRL + F4

A quick, mouseless way to close a tab.

Open Closed Tab/s: CTRL + SHIFT + T

Did you accidentally close that tab? Restore it using this key combination.

Scroll PageDown or PageUp: SPACEBAR or SHIFT + SPACEBAR

Give your mouse wheel a break and use the spacebar to move up and down a website.

Toggle Full Screen: F11

Quickly change into full screen mode.

Microsoft Office

Office offers a crazy amount of keyboard shortcuts. We’ll only be able to highlight the most useful ones here.How to Find Every Microsoft Office Keyboard Shortcut You Could Ever Need How to Find Every Microsoft Office Keyboard Shortcut You Could Ever NeedFinding a complete list of keyboard shortcuts can be a chore. Let Word automatically generate a list of all of its shortcuts! You'll find keyboard shortcuts for other Office applications, too.READ MORE

Excel

• Close a spreadsheet: CTRL + W
• Open a spreadsheet: CTRL + O
• Choose a fill color: ALT + H, H

For more everyday Microsoft Excel keyboard shortcuts or how to create your own Excel keyboard shortcuts, check out the respective article.35 Everyday Microsoft Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows & Mac 35 Everyday Microsoft Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows & MacKeyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time! Use these Microsoft Excel shortcuts to speed up working with spreadsheets on Windows and Mac.READ MORE

PowerPoint

• Change the font size for selected text: Alt + H, F, S
• Insert a picture: ALT + N, P
• Insert a shape: ALT + H, S, H
• Select a theme: ALT + G, H
• Select a slide layout: ALT + H, L

OneNote

• Open a new OneNote window: CTRL + M
• Dock the OneNote windows: CTRL + ALT + D
• Bring up the context menu for anything currently in focus: SHIFT + F10

Outlook

• New message: CTRL + SHIFT + M
• Reply: ALT + H, R, P
• Forward: ALT + H, F, W
• Send: ALT + S
• Insert File: ALT + N, A, F

Word

• Close active window or document: CTRL + W
• Format all letters as capitals: CTRL + SHIFT + A
• Save as: ALT, F, A
• Insert Table of Contents: ALT, S, T, I
• Full Screen Mode: ALT, W, F

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve compiled a more wholesome list in our piece on Microsoft Office keyboard shortcuts.60 Essential Microsoft Office Keyboard Shortcuts for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 60 Essential Microsoft Office Keyboard Shortcuts for Word, Excel, and PowerPointHundreds of keyboard shortcuts are available in Office, but these are the most important ones you should know because they will save you a lot of time.READ MORE

Universal Keyboard Tricks

The following keyboard shortcuts will work in most programs across Windows.

Undo and Redo: CTRL + Z and CTRL + Y

I’m sure you all know that you can undo changes using the CTRL + Z shortcut. It’s the best shortcut to remember when you’ve messed up. Yes, we all wish this feature existed in real life.5 Windows Tricks to Help You Recover from PC Accidents 5 Windows Tricks to Help You Recover from PC AccidentsAll progress aside, Windows 10 still contains countless traps for unsuspecting users. Thankfully, disaster is preventable and mistakes can be undone. We show you common Windows accidents and how to recover from them.READ MORE

Did you know that you can also undo an undo, i.e. redo what you did using the CTRL + Y key combination? This feature is most useful, however, when you have to repeat a task, like pasting the same information into several locations.

Close Windows: ALT + F4

This will rapidly close the current window in focus. You could also use it to shut down your browser, including all open tabs. Note that CTRL + Z won’t work here. And CTRL + SHIFT + T — to restore browser tabs — only works if another browser window is still open.

Zoom: CTRL + Mouse Wheel or Touchpad Scroll

With high resolution screens, we often find that text on websites is way too small to read properly. Here is a little trick that can quickly increase the font size for better reading. Yes, it does require your mouse, though you could use your touchpad instead.How to Get the Most Out of Your Touchpad in Windows 10 How to Get the Most Out of Your Touchpad in Windows 10Your Windows 10 laptop touchpad has potential beyond being a poor mouse replacement. We'll show you how to set it up to use smart touch gestures with up to four fingers.READ MORE

While you hold down the CTRL key, move your mouse wheel to increase or decrease the font size. When used in the Windows File Explorer, this shortcut will cycle through different Layout settings.

This is very useful for making a website fit your window size, rather than to adapt the browser window. Or you could use it to quickly change the zoom level in a Word document. Press CTRL + 0 to restore the default zoom level.

Keyboard Tricks Mastered

Now that you’ve seen them, you only have to remember all these keyboard shortcut tricks. The key is picking the shortcuts you’ll use often and you’ll eventually commit them to muscle memory. Your mouse will soon feel lonely.The Best Ways to Learn All the Keyboard Shortcuts You Will Ever Need The Best Ways to Learn All the Keyboard Shortcuts You Will Ever NeedThere are many keyboard shortcuts you aren't using. We bring you all the right resources to teach you everything you need to know about keyboard shortcuts. Memorize keyboard shortcuts for instant productivity.READ MORE

If you’re ready for more, create your own custom keyboard shortcuts; we have a few suggestions. If you’re using Kodi, look into this list of shortcuts. And if you’re curious about more application-specific keyboard tricks, we’ve covered that too. In the end, you’ll be able to navigate Windows with keyboard shortcuts alone. Though maybe the Taskbar would be enough for a start. In any case, you might also want to learn about touchscreen and touchpad gestures; just saying.

Which of your favorite keyboard shortcuts didn’t make the list? Share your own tricks in the comments!  

Source: www.makeuseof.com