Microsoft Windows 10 operating system powers almost all PCs in the workplace and also for personal use. As such, it has wonderful keyboard shortcuts that can improve one’s productivity level. Here are the 10 most common but essential keyboard shortcuts anyone using a PC should know.
1: Windows Logo key
Press the Windows Logo key on your keyboard when you want to Open or close the Start menu. Pressing the Windows logo key is the fastest way to get started. If you are using desktop PC and has problem with the mouse and hard to click, this will do the trick. Particularly to Shut down, Log Out or even look for applications without using the mousing. In the event of a mouse function, you can access the Start menu and then use the Arrow Keys and Tab key to move around the Start menu items. To accept, press the Enter key.
2: Windows Logo key + L
Press the Windows Logo key + L key is the fastest way to lock your PC or switch accounts. This is very handy, if you are in a rush to go out of your workstation or go out for lunch, attend meeting, go to the loo or attend to something else away from your PC. If you lock your computer using this shortcut, it will prevent someone from using your PC and also, your screen settings will remain intact. Once you return, you will be use the PC desktop will remain exactly the way same way prior to your break.
3: Windows Log key + Tab
The quickest way to see all the open windows (Open Task View) on the desktop is to press Windows Logo key + Tab key. Each press will select a Open window. No need to use the taskbar icons. Particularly if you are working with so many application windows open. Example, multiple Word Files open.
4: Windows Logo Key + X
To open the Quick Link menu, press Windows Logo KEY + X. This will give quick links all the important features in the computer.
5: Windows Logo Key + E
Press Windows Logo Key + E to open the File Explorer Window. This is the faster way to get to My Documents folder and other file areas in the PC.
6: Windows Logo Key + I
Pressing Windows Logo Key + I key will open the Settings windows. Settings window will display all the feature options available under the Control Panel dialog box nicely laid out for quicker navigation.
7: Windows Logo Key + D
Pressing the Windows Logo Key + D will minimize the open windows on the desktop. Pressing it again will display them back on the desktop. In in event, you want to clear open windows on your desktop fast, then this will do the trick for you.
8: Windows Logo Key + M
If you are working with multiple windows displayed on your screen, you can easily minimize everything by pressing the Windows Log key + M. All the open windows will then be minimized onto the Taskbar below the screen. If you want to display them again, click the application icon on the taskbar and select the open file or window. Alternatively just press Windows Logo key + SHIFT + M to have them restored back onto the screen.
9: Windows Logo Key + P
This keyboard short is very handy to choose a presentation display mode during presentations. It is the fastest way to control your PC display mode during presentations. It will give the different display options. Also to connect to a Wireless Display devices or projector.
10: Windows Logo Key + Arrow Keys
Windows Logo Key + Arrow Keys keyboard shortcuts are used to arrange windows side by side on the screen/desktop.
Theoretically if you want to display two windows side by side, here is how you can do that.
- If you want windows to appear side by side on the desktop, you drag the title bar of the first window to the left or right side of the screen until and outline of the expanded window appears, then release the mouse to expand the window.
- After that you drag the title bar of the second window to the opposite side of the screen until an outline of the window appears then, release the mouse to expand the second window.
- To get back to original window size, simply drag the title bar away from the top of the screen and then push it to the top of the screen.
Although you can do it as mentioned above, the technique that works reliably is by using the keyboard, press either Windows Logo Key + Left Arrow or Windows Logo Key + Right Arrow. After you do this, you will be in Task View and you can snap the second window to the opposite side of the screen simply by clicking it.
Windows key + Left Arrow-Snaps the window to the left of the screen
Windows key + Right Arrow-Snaps the window the right of the screen.
Windows key + Up Arrow– Displays the window in Full Screen Mode
Windows key + Down Arrow-Exits Full Screen mode and returns the window to its original window state.
These are the most common ones to make you bit more productive when using your PC. For full list of Windows Shorts, check the Microsoft Windows Keyboard-shortcuts-in-windows.
