Simple Keyboard Shortcuts

Here's my first topic: keyboard shortcuts.  Microsoft provides Windows users with numerous ways to do the same task - through menus (i.e. File, Edit, Tools, etc.), context menus (those popup menus when you right click), and keyboard shortcuts.  Keyboard shortcuts can save a lot of time if you know how to use them, especially for commonly repeated tasks.

First some ground rules:
Ctrl is the Control key.  Usually this is labeled as "Ctrl".  There are two of them, both doing the same thing, just in different locations for convenience.  One is on the bottom left of your keyboard, the other on the bottom right, usually right next to the arrow keys.
Shift is the Shift key.  Same deal as the Control key - there are two on opposite sides of the keyboard, usually the key above the Control key.
Tab key came from the typewriter's ability to move a set amount of space, usually for indenting paragraphs. It can be found on the left side of the keyboard, right below the numbers.
Windows is the Windows key.  It's a tricky little guy - it's not labeled as "Windows" - it instead has the Windows logo on it.  Sometimes there are two of them on opposite sides of the keyboard, but sometimes only one.  If there's only one, then it's usually on the bottom left of your keyboard right next to Control.

If you see a key combo written, for example, as Ctrl+C, that means hold down the Control key, hit the C key, then take your fingers off of both of them.  Think of it as the Shift key, but instead of making the letter capitalized instead of lowercase, you're being provided with a set of command keys.

So here we go.


Common shortcuts
Ctrl+C: copy the selected text, file, or whatever else you can highlight
Ctrl+X: cut the selected text, file, or whatever else you can highlight
Ctrl+V: paste what you just copied
Ctrl+Z: undo your last action
Ctrl+Y: redo your last action (generally only something that you just used the "Undo" command on)
Ctrl+A: select all - can be files/folders in a window, text in a document, or whatever else is up on the active window
Ctrl+S: Save.  If you haven't saved your document yet, it will bring up the "Save As..." window.

Alt+Tab: brings up a window that shows all windows that you have open.  Holding down Alt while hitting Tab multiple times will cycle through your options.  In Vista or 7, hitting the Windows+Tab will cycle through windows in a 3D environment.

Tab: Generally people will only use the Tab key while working in a program like Microsoft Word, but it is much more useful than that.  In any well-coded program, hitting the Tab key while in a window with some text fields, buttons, and whatnot will cycle through them.  The most common example is the Windows login screen - the one where you have to hit Ctrl+Alt+Del.  After you enter your user name, try hitting Tab instead of clicking in the password text box.  It will take you right from the username field to the password field, so you don't have to take your hands off your keyboard to log in.  Website forms can be the same way.  Next time you have to enter a whole bunch of information on a web page, just hit Tab to just to the next text box.  Also, Shift+Tab will go to the previous button or text field.

Ctrl+Left Click: Holding down Control while clicking files or folders in Explorer will select multiple items.  This also works for things like cells in Excel.  Pretty much any program with lists should allow you to use this.
Shift+Left Click: This one is a little hard to explain, so you just might have to give it a try to see how it works.  If you want to select a bunch of files or folders that are sequential in Explorer, select the first one.  Then, Shift+Left Click the last one in the list.  This will highlight your entire list.  As with Ctrl+Left Click, this one works for programs like Excel as well.


Advanced Shortcuts:
Ctrl+B: toggle Bold text in a word editor
Ctrl+I: toggle Italics text in a word editor
Ctrl+U: toggle Underline text in a word editor
Alt+F4: closes active window or program
Windows+Break: brings up System Properties window
Ctrl+Shift+Esc: brings up Task Manager
Shift+Del: permanently deletes a file or folder - this will skip the Recycle Bin, so be careful using this one
Windows+D: minimizes all windows and goes to the desktop
Windows+R: opens the Run window
Windows+L: locks the desktop on the computer.  Useful for when you get up from your computer at work.


Master these keyboard commands, and you'll save time in everyday computing.

If you're looking for more, Microsoft has a great page on about every shortcut there is.  Check it out if you dare.