@Zlatolaska 15 November 2020

Basic and advanced Windows keyboard shortcuts

If you use Windows regularly, the shortcuts described below will make your life much easier and increase your productivity. I present to you a list of twenty-five key shortcuts, some of which you certainly know, and others you will get to know and immediately notice their added value. Once you get used to using them, you'll find out how easy it is to manage Windows.

***BASIC WINDOWS KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS:*** These are the most basic shortcuts you probably already know. They make up the bulk of everything we do on a daily basis within Windows. **1. Ctrl + Z: Undo** You will probably all agree that the shortcut in question is the one that often saves us. No matter what you do, the "Ctrl + Z" key combination takes you back to the last change. So a shortcut that saves time and worries quite a bit when you take an unforeseen step. **2. Ctrl + A: Select all** No matter which program you use, the shortcut selects all files, folders, text, and other items within the program or page. Instead of wasting time with the mouse, simply press "Ctrl + A" and everything is highlighted. **3. Ctrl + C: Copy** You have selected everything you wanted and now you would like to copy the tag. The combination "Ctrl + C" is probably the most commonly used shortcut in Windows, as it really simplifies the work. **4. Ctrl + V: Paste** Immediately after the above is the combination "Ctrl + V", with which you can easily paste what you have copied. This can be text, a file, a photo, or a folder. Regardless of the content selected, the shortcut in question is extremely useful. If you want to paste "blank" text, ie without formatting, just add "Shift" - "Ctrl + Shift + V" to the shortcut. **5. Ctrl + X: Cut** Don't want a specific piece of text / table, image / file in a specific location? Simply select this part and use the shortcut "Ctrl + X". The selected part will be removed and copied. You can then use the "Paste" shortcut again and paste the cut part to the desired location. **6. Alt + Tab: Replace screen / tab** This shortcut has been with us for quite some time, and has undergone quite a few upgrades in recent updates. Simply select "Alt" and then "Tab" and you can already choose between any screens or tabs. A shortcut that comes in especially handy for multitasking. **7. Ctrl + Alt + Del: Launch "Task Manger"** What to do when the app starts running slowly or stops responding? What to do when Windows "freezes"? Use the shortcut "Ctrl + Alt + Del". When you press all three buttons at once, "Task Manager" appears. Here you can check which applications or. which programs caused the shutdown, you can also shut down the computer and restart it. **8. Alt + F4: Close the application** This shortcut has been active for decades. All you have to do is select “Alt + F4” and the app you are using closes. Fortunately, the feature is so smart that it asks you if you want to save your work before closing, and it’s compatible with virtually everything from browser games to more advanced apps. **9. Ctrl + F: Search** You’ve probably already found yourself in a situation where you wrote a sentence and then you just couldn’t find it anymore. Or did you really need a keyword in a document or browser? "Ctrl + F" is a useful shortcut to open a search engine where you enter a keyword and find all the results within the document. **10. Ctrl + H: Search and replace** You’ve just finished writing an essay, article, or document and you’ve found that you’ve misspelled the name of some scientist all along. Now, of course, you have to find the right name first, and then replace all the misspelled words. If this sounds like a big problem, we have good news for you. Using the shortcut "Ctrl + H" can solve the matter quickly. When you enter a shortcut, a window will open in which you simply enter the wrong word. The shortcut works for most document types. **11. Ctrl + E: Select a search box** Whether you are in a file browser or a web browser, "Ctrl + E" opens a search / navigation box where you can type directly. If you need a quick search, this shortcut can make your life easier. **12. Ctrl + N: Open a new window** The key combination "Ctrl + N" will open a new window or folder, depending on whether you are in a web browser or you are "off-line". **13. Ctrl + mouse wheel: "Zoom In / Out"** Is the text too small? Want to take a closer look at certain things? Are you looking at an infographic where certain things shown are very small? With this shortcut, you can quickly adjust the size of things on the screen. If you are in documents, the "Ctrl + mouse wheel" combination will make files and folders larger (or smaller). But if, say, you are in a browser, it will simply zoom in on the page. ***ADVANCED WINDOWS KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS:*** **1. Win + L: Lock the screen** You accidentally walk away from the computer for a few minutes, but don’t want to put the device to sleep? The combination of Win + L (Win is a key on the keyboard with an icon for Windows) is just right for that. The screen is locked and can only be unlocked by entering a password. **2. Win + D: Look at the desktop** This is basically a quick minimization option. No matter how many tabs / windows you have open, the shortcut quickly minimizes everything and shows you the desktop. **3. Win + Tab (+ Shift): The most commonly used programs** This shortcut is very similar to the aforementioned "Alt + Tab", but is slightly more advanced. When you enter this combination, all open and most frequently used programs open. You can skip between these programs by pressing the "Shift" key again. **4.Win + C: Cortana opens** Are you a fan of voice commands or do you enjoy using Cortana? You can call up the voice assistant with the "Win + C" shortcut. **5.Win + Prt Sc: Save the screenshot** While the "Prt Sc" button can be used to capture a screenshot, an additional click on the "Win" button can save the image directly. There is a "Screenshot" folder in the "Pictures" folder, where screenshots are saved directly in PNG format. **6.Win + I: Open settings** Do you need settings quickly? No worries, you don’t need to click on three or four places from now on. Just press "Win + I" and the settings will open directly from the Windows menu. **7.Win + S: Windows search engine** Do you often look for a file or application on your computer, but simply can't find it? That's what Windows did with the search engine. You can access it using the "Win + S" shortcut. To find the file you are looking for, enter a name or keyword in the search engine. **8.Fn + F2: Rename** Depending on the hardware manufacturer, the F2 key allows various activities such as lowering / increasing the volume, turning off / on the "Wi-Fi" connection, etc. It also allows you to quickly rename a file or folder. **9.Fn + F5: Refresh** If you overload the processor for a moment, a "Refresh" problem is a good method. The shortcut "Fn + F5" is also a good choice if, say, you are working in a web browser. **10.Win + X: Hidden menu** Did you know that Windows has a hidden menu? Select the combination "Win + X" and it will appear. This hidden menu provides access to all key areas of the system. **11.Win + V: Navigate through notifications** If you have well-organized notifications and alarms in your system, then this shortcut can help you manage them. This shortcut is especially useful for all those who receive a larger amount of notifications. **12.Win + Ctrl + B: Open the application in which you received the notification** You are right in the middle of work and a notice appears asking for your attention. Use the shortcut Win + Ctrl + B and the application for which you have been notified will open. **You probably agree that all of the above shortcuts are at least somewhat useful, right? My advice is to try them out, and then decide for yourself which ones are right for you based on how you use Windows.** Thank you for reading my article. I wish you Happy Sunday.@Zlatolaska