The Keys To Easy Computing
Mike Bianchini, Network Technician Bardissi Enterprises

Did you know that your computer wants to make your life easier? I know sometimes it seems quite the opposite, but it really does. Do you know how to use your computer to its fullest potential? The secret lies in your keyboard and your mouse. That’s right your keyboard and mouse hold many shortcuts to make your experience on the computer easier. Sorry Mac people, these tips are for windows users only.

Basics for your mouse

Using the left and right buttons

The main thing to remember is the following: The left button selects and activates. The right button gives you options. Left clicking once usually selects. Left clicking twice usually activates.

As an example we’ll use an icon on your desktop. If you left click once on the icon it will highlight the icon. If you left click twice, it will open the program or file associated with it. Now let’s say you want to delete that icon or change the name. You can right click on the icon and you will see a list of options that you can do to that icon. This works pretty much across the board for all windows programs.

Click and drag

Left clicking on an object and holding down the left mouse button lets you drag the object around. This is useful when trying to reorganize. Left clicking and dragging the mouse pointer lets you select multiple objects.

Selecting multiple objects

If you have a list of files it’s easy to select all the objects or just the ones you want using the mouse and the shift key. To select files in a row or column, select the first file then hold the shift key and select the last file you want. This will select all the files in between the two files. If you want to select multiple files but they happen to not be in the order you need, hold the ctrl key while selecting the files you want. This will select only the files you need.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Let’s see how we can use our keyboard for shortcuts. This list is just a few keyboard shortcuts.

Note: when you see a key combination such as Windows Key + E, it means that you must hold down the Windows Key and press the letter "E" on the keyboard

The Windows Key

Take a look at your computer's keyboard. It most likely has a "Windows Key". This key has the familiar Microsoft Windows logo. It should be between the CTRL and ALT keys.

Windows Key - just pressing the Windows Key will make the Start Menu appear on your screen.

Windows Key + E - pressing these keys will execute the Windows Explorer.

Windows Key + M - this shortcut is helpful if you are working with lots of windows. Pressing this combination will cause all of the windows on the screen to minimize.

Windows Key + F - trying to quickly find a file? Pressing these keys will open the File Finder window.

The Control Key (ctrl), Alt Key (alt), and Shift keys.

These keys can be found on the bottom of your keyboard.

Ctrl + A Select all text.

Ctrl + X Cut selected item.

Ctrl + C Copy selected item.

Ctrl + V Paste

Ctrl + Home Goes to beginning of document.

Ctrl + End Goes to end of document.

Ctrl + Left arrow Moves one word to the left at a time.

Ctrl + Right arrow Moves one word to the right, at a time.

Home Goes to beginning of current line.

End Goes to end of current line.

Shift + Home Highlights from current position to beginning of line.

Shift + End Highlights from current position to end of line.

Alt + f4 (key) Closes current window.

ALT+TAB Switch to another running program

That was just a few of the most useful keyboard shortcuts. This just scratches the surface on what keyboard shortcuts you can use. A quick internet search on keyboard shortcuts can give you a more detailed list. If you practice using these shortcuts you can increase your productivity on your computer.