Shortcuts in Microsoft Windows OS

Ways to Save Time Using Only the Keyboard

There are numerous shortcut key combinations within Microsoft Windows that some people might not be aware of. These key combination shortcuts help reduce mouse clicking by allowing users to keep their hands on the keyboard instead of moving their hands back and forth from the keyboard to the mouse. I use a majority of these shortcuts everyday at work and while none of them save a great deal of time individually, I find that I am more efficient than I was before I learned about the shortcuts.


Alt key + Tab key - This key combination allows users to toggle between open program windows. This combination has an immediate benefit when you are trying to type an email and need to reference a word document in another window. Alt+Tab takes you from the email screen to the word document and another press of Alt+Tab takes you back to where you were in the email. This is very useful when going between multiple open windows. Holding down the Alt key and hitting the Tab key allows you to select which window you wish to go to. To scroll backwards through the open windows, you would need to hold down Alt+Shift and use the Tab key to choose the program.


Ctrl key +Tab key - Allows for toggling of open windows within a single program. This is an extreme time saver in Excel, as you can toggle between tabs in a single worksheet without having to click back and forth.


F5 key - In Internet Explorer and folder windows, this acts as a refresh button. In IE, this performs the same action as clicking the refresh icon on the toolbar. Nice to use when you are monitoring constantly updating files. One press of the F5 key and the window is refreshed with new data.


Windows Key + M - Minimizes all programs and bring you to the desktop. Great for quickly getting to the desktop without having to minimize each window individually.


Windows Key + E - Opens Windows Explorer. Very handy. Quicker than double clicking on My Computer and double clicking drives that you wish to explore.


Ctrl key + C - Copy function - copies whatever is highlighted. Performs the same function as Right Click->Copy. I find this saves time especially combined with the next key combination shortcut