Brandstar UK Limited

While on site working on client machines I will often use a number of shortcuts to speed up the job and with clients peering over my shoulder I get a common remark “Wow, how did you do that?”. So I thought I would share my most commonly used keyboard shortcuts.

Windows

• WinKey + D : Takes you to the Windows Desktop
• WinKey + M : Minimises all Windows that you have open.
• WinKey + R : Brings up the Run Dialogue box
• WinKey + E : Opens Windows Explorer
• ALT + TAB : Allows you to switch between different open applications viewing a list of small thumbnails from which you can choose from
• WinKey + TAB: Much like the above it allows you to scroll through different open applications but in a 3D mode with bigger thumbnails (Available on Windows Vista Home Premium and Higher only.)
• CTRL + C : Copies the selected item or text.
• CTRL + X : Cuts the selected item or text.
• CTRL + V : Pastes the Cut or Copied item or text.
• ALT + F4 : Closes the program you are using.
• WinKey + L : Locks the computer (Requires Password to Log On Again)
• CTRL + Z : Undo! My most lifesaving shortcut!

Office

• CTRL + F1 : Minimises the Ribbon in Office 2007 to give you more working space.
• CTRL + M : In Microsoft Outlook this initiates a send and receive.
• CTRL + S : Saves the Document..this can be used in other applications too.
• CTRL + P : Brings up the Print Dialog Box.
• CTRL + B : Bolds selected text or any text to be typed after using the shortcut
• CTRL + U : Underlines selected text or any text to be typed after using the shortcut
• CTRL + I : Italics selected text or any text to be typed after using the shortcut

Firefox

• CTRL + T : Creates a new tab.
• CTRL + W : Closes the current tab.
• CTRL + 3 : Activates the third tab along from the left hand side (assuming you have 3 or more tabs open!). You can change the number according to the tab you wish to work with.
• CTRL + D : Bookmarks the page.
• F5 : Refreshes the page you are viewing.
• CTRL + F5: Completly Reloads the page you are viewing.

How to use these shortcuts - If there are just two keys required then hold down the first key and then press the second key once. If there are three keys required for the shortcut then hold down the first two and then press the third key once.

There are many more shortcuts for all these applications but these are the ones i tend to find most useful. If anyone things there is one I have should have included then please leave a comment!

Key: WinKey - Refers to the key on the keyboard with the Windows flag on it.