Useful shortcuts for windows users in 2021. A solution to save time and improve work productivity.
Photo by Oleg Magni from Pexels
Below are the 8 simple keyboard shortcuts that will make your life easier when you do your works or any tasks on your computer/laptop:
1. Windows Key + D
SHOW & HIDE DESKTOP
Use these shortcuts especially when you have a lot of windows open but you need to find one of the files on your desktop quickly. As you press Windows Key + D, you will be able to hide all the open windows and you will be directed straight to your desktop. When you press back Windows Key + D, your windows will appear again.
2. Windows Key + V
OPEN CLIPBOARD
Photo Courtesy of Fast Company
When you copy more than one item, you will find that it is troublesome to paste them one by one. However, the multiple copied items are actually stored in the clipboard feature on your Windows 10. The clipboard will show you the history of all your recent copied items. As you press Windows Key + V (by now the clipboard will appear and you have to approve the clipboard feature), you will then see a list of recently copied items just as shown in the above image. Click the one that you want to paste.
3. Windows Key + Shift + S
TO TAKE A SCREENSHOT
By pressing Windows Key + Shift + S, your screen will freeze and you will then be able to click and drag a section of the screen that you want to capture. It is a quicker and easier way to take a screenshot of your whole screen or just a part of your screen.
4. Windows Key + E
OPEN THE FILE EXPLORER
Pressing Windows Key + E is a quick way to open your File Explorer! This is a very useful shortcut, especially when you want to open more than one File Explorers! For example, when you need to open two File Explorers in order to copy and paste files between the two folders.
5. Windows Key + L
LOCK YOUR COMPUTER
When you want to lock your PC, a quick way will be to press Windows Key + L. Make sure to lock your PC when you go for lunch or step away from your desk for a while. This is also a fast way to switch users when your PC is a shared computer with different users.
6. Windows Key + I
OPEN SETTINGS
As you press Windows Key + I, the Settings menu will appear on your screen very quickly.
7. Windows Key + Period (.)
OPEN EMOJI PANEL
Photo Courtesy of Circular Connection
A quick way to access the emoji panel is to press Windows Key + Period (.). The above box will then appear for you to use!
8. CTRL + TAB or CTRL + SHIFT + TAB
CYCLE BROWSER TABS
By pressing Ctrl+Tab, you are actually cycling through your web browser tabs from left to right. It is useful when you open a lot of browser tabs on Chrome/Edge to the point that you can’t find the tab that you want. By cycling them from left to right, you will save time finding the tab that you are looking for. If you want them to cycle from right to left, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Tab instead.
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References: Fast Company (website)