Productivity commands for navigating windows on PC

For ease of access to some useful functionalities on a PC or a MAC, keyboard shortcuts are used to speed up tasks, as it substitutes the many steps required in either bringing up a program, navigating multiple windows, accessing advanced settings e.t.c and replaces these steps with just a few keyboard combinations. One of the advantages of using keyboard shortcuts is increased productivity and efficiency. While the mouse requires you to click one button after the other and drag, a keyboard shortcut does just that by pressing a key to perform the function. The standard keyboard has an average of 101 keys with each performing different operations.

These are some of the basic shortcuts to make your tasks more efficient and more productive.

WINDOWS KEY

1. Windows : Open or close Start.
2. Windows + :← Maximize the desktop window to the left side of the screen.
3. Windows + →: Maximize the desktop window to the right side of the screen.
4. Windows + ↑: Maximize the desktop window.
5. Windows + ↓: Minimize the desktop window.
6. Windows + L: This enables screen locking and provides a window for switching user accounts.
7. Windows + M: Minimize all windows environment displayed on the screen.
8. Windows + O: Lock device orientation.
9. Windows + P: Choose a presentation display mode.
10. Windows + R: Open the Run dialog box. This run dialog box is used to directly open a document or application whose path is known.
11. Windows + S : This command opens the search input box. An area where you can search for any file or folder attachment on your PC.
12. Windows + T: Cycle through apps on the taskbar.
13. Windows + U: Open Ease of Access Centre.
14. Windows + D: Display and hide the desktop.
15. Windows + Alt + D: Display and hide the date and time on the desktop.
16. Windows + E: Open File Explorer.
17. Windows + F: Open Feedback Hub.
18. Windows + I: Open Settings.
19. Windows + Ctrl +D: Add a new virtual desktop
20. Windows + Ctrl + → Switch virtual desktop
21. Windows + Ctrl + ← Switch virtual desktop

GENERAL KEYS

1. Ctrl + A: Select all items in a document or window
2. Ctrl + X :Cut the selected item
3. Ctrl + C :Copy the selected item
4. Ctrl + P :Print a copy
5. Ctrl + V :Paste the selected item
6. Ctrl + Z: Undo an action. In other words, it will roll back your last action. It is also called the “LIFE SAVER”.
7. Ctrl + Y : Redo an action
8. Ctrl + Alt + Del: locks the window and returns to the login screen. This is very much useful when protecting your device from intruders accessing your device while away for a short break.
9. Alt + Tab: Switching in between open windows. It is a very useful shortcut, especially for people working with multiple applications on one screen.
10. Alt + F4: Closes an active window.
11. F1: opens the Windows Help window.
12. F2: Rename the selected item.
13. F5: Refresh the active window. This comes in handy, especially when using a browser.
14. Alt + Page Up Move up one screen.
15. Alt + Page Down: Move down one screen.
16. Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open the Task Manager.

REFERENCE

1. https://ehs.ucsc.edu/programs/ergo/documents/keyboard-shortcuts-suggested-list.pdf
2. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/

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