Now, granted, the time savings we’re talking about probably shave at best a couple of seconds off any given operation, but since we use our computers for almost everything we do, these time savings really do start to add up.
Note: This list is in no way comprehensive. It's simply a number of shortcuts I find useful in speeding up the way I work. Some you may know, some not; the hope is that you’ll think about the way you use your computer, and as a result become more efficient.
Shortcuts for Windows 10:
Cycle through open documents, folders, and programs
Hold down the Alt key, then tap Tab until you reach the desired program. Programs in this view are listed in the order you last used them, making it extremely useful for quickly flicking between two programs.
Work on two documents simultaneously
By holding down the Windows Key and pressing the Left Arrow, Windows will align your open document to the left side of the screen. When you release the Windows Key, a list of your open programs and documents will be displayed, allowing you to choose one to display on the right-hand side of the screen.
Quickly get to your folders
Holding down the Windows Key and pressing X brings up an advanced menu on the left-hand side of your screen. Pressing E will then open your File Explorer.
Shortcuts in Chrome:
Type an URL or search without the mouse
Holding down the Ctrl key and pressing L will highlight the address bar, allowing you to quickly input a web address or search query. Then just hit Enter.
Reopen the previously closed tab
Holding down Ctrl and Shift and pressing T will reopen the last closed tab from your current session.
Open a new tab
To open a new tab in Chrome hold down Ctrl and press T. For a completely new Chrome window, hold Ctrl and press N.
Go back a page
This used to be the Backspace key, but recently changed to Alt and the Left Arrow key. Useful for browsing the web without having to go back and forth between the keyboard and mouse. Alt and the Right Arrow key will also take you forward a page (assuming you have gone backwards).
Go to the next tab
Cycle forwards through your tabs by holding Ctrl and pressing Tab. Cycle backwards through your tabs by holding Ctrl and Shift and pressing Tab.
Shortcuts in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Save the document
Hold Ctrl and press S. If the document has not yet been saved (i.e. you opened it using Ctrl and N) you will be prompted to name it and choose a save location. To save the document under a different name, press F12 to open the Save As dialog box.
Select text, Cut, Copy and Paste
Highlight text by holding Shift and using the Right Arrow key to select text letter by letter. Hold Shift and Ctrl and press the Right Arrow key to select text word by word. Use the Down Arrow key instead to select text line by line. Once your text is selected, you can Copy by holding Ctrl and pressing C, Cut with Ctrl and X, and paste with Ctrl and V.
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