Windows Tips For Computer Users...
Old and New
Whether your computer experience dates way back to the DOS days (remember those white letters on a black screen?) or began with Windows XP, there's always something new to learn about your computer’s Operating System.
Congratulate yourself for the ones you already know, and see how many new tricks you can learn. Except where noted, these tips apply to Windows 98, Me, 2000, and XP. Some tips are applicable to Windows 95 as well.
Remember the Keyboard
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Windows is a WIMP. That is, interaction with you the user is based on Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointers. You will find that by learning a few simple keyboard shortcuts the more you work with your computer, the less you will tend to use the mouse. Taking your hand off the keyboard to grasp the mouse generally disrupts your typing and tempo. Another problem might arise when the mouse is unavailable because there is a mouse driver (software) problem?
Almost anything you can do by clicking and dragging you can do just as well via keyboard shortcuts.
Using the Alt / Tab keys
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Clicking with e mouse on a taskbar button activates or maximizes the corresponding program, but the icons can be small and the writing on the button is often truncated into gibberish.
By holding the Alt key and pressing the Tab key repeatedly you can cycle through larger icons representing open programs, even some that don't show up on the taskbar. Holding the Shift-Alt keys and pressing the Tab key cycles in the reverse direction, in case you missed the application
Windows Logo and Application Key Substitutes
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You may have an older keyboard
that lacks the Windows logo key or the Application (right-click) key (usually found to the left of the right hand Ctrl key). To work around these two key's absence you can substitute Ctrl-Esc for pressing the Windows key. Pressing Shift-F10 opens an application menu like pressing the right hand button on the mouse.
With the convenience that these two keys can bring to your computing you might want to consider replacing that old keyboard. You can do so for about $20.
Find the Missing Window
When configuration changes cause a window to stray outside the visible desktop area (of screen), move it back into view by using your keyboard. Alt-Spacebar opens the particular window's System menu, which typically appears in the upper-left-hand corner. In the case of an off-screen window it will appear as close as possible to that off-screen window. Press the M key for Move and use the Arrow keys to bring the errant window back into view.
Final Words
These are just a few of the powerful shortcut keys available in Windows. To learn more of them, launch Help from the Start menu on your computer (or press the Windows key and hit F1) and search for "shortcut keys".
If you find a shortcut that you want a further explanation on, just write or call me and I will be happy to help you.
As always, should you have any other questions about your computer, do not hesitate in picking up the phone... better to contact me and be sure.
Tom @ Tata Computers