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Windows Tips and Tricks
Quick access is a feature of Windows Explorer that allows you to pin your favorite and most recently used folders for easy access. Quick access appears on the left hand side of Windows Explorer and features folders with pins to the right of their name with frequently used folders below them.
In order to pin a folder, right click on the folder then left click on “Pin to Quick Access.” This will ensure that the folders stays easily accessible to you when using Windows Explorer.
Similarly, you can pin folders to the Windows Explorer icon itself. Right click on the Windows Explorer taskbar icon will show you your frequently used folder list. Mousing over a folder name will cause a pin icon to appear, left click on that to pin the folder to the “Pinned” list.
Snapping Windows
In Windows 10, it’s easy to view two folders or programs at the same time. This provides a way to compare the contents of two different folders or do data entry while working from one document or email and entering it into another.
In order to snap a window to either the left or right half of your screen, click the top of the window and drag it to either left or the right edge of your monitor. When you move it, it will occupy the appropriate half of your screen and the other side will display a collection of the other windows which are currently open. Click on one of those windows and it will occupy the other half of your screen.
Notifications
The Notifications area in Windows 10 will allow you to see the your most recent emails, informational updates and screenshots with a single click.
The notifications icon appears on the far right-hand side of the taskbar. A single left click will expand the Notifications area and allow you to access the previously mentioned information, along with allowing quick access to several useful features including a blue-light reducing feature called “Night Light” and the “Screen Snip” tool.
Keyboard Shortcuts
There are many useful keyboard shortcuts in Windows that make it easier to navigate Windows and perform various functions. What follows are some of the keyboard shortcuts that may help your day move along a little more quickly.
General Keyboard Shortcuts
|
Keyboard Shortcut
|
Action
|
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy – Will make a copy of a file or selected text to your clipboard |
| Ctrl + V | Paste – Will place a copy of the file or selected text in your active window or cursor position |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Deletes an entire word instead of one character |
| Alt + Tab | Press once to toggle between current and previous window. Hold down Alt and press tab multiple times to move between all windows that are open. |
| Windows Key + D | Minimizes all windows to bring you to your desktop |
| Windows Key + E | Opens a new Windows Explorer window |
| Windows Key + L | Locks your computer |
Screen Shot Keyboard Shortcuts
|
Keyboard Shortcut
|
Action
|
|---|---|
| Windows Key + Print Screen | Creates a screen shot and saves it to Pictures\Screenshots |
| Windows Key + Shift + S | Allows you to create custom screenshots using selection tools. |
Window Resize and Movement Keyboard Shortcuts
|
Keyboard Shortcut
|
Action
|
|---|---|
|
Windows Key + |
Maximizes the active window |
| Windows Key + Down Arrow | Press once: Reduces the size of the active window. Press twice: Minimizes the active window to the taskbar |
| Windows Key + Left Arrow |
Snaps the active window to the left half of the screen |
| Windows Key + Right Arrow |
Snaps the active window to the right half of the screen |