Using keystroke combinations to perform actions on computers have been a massive time saver, since the days when Douglas Engelbart basically invented the macro keypad at the same time that he invented the mouse. They were always meant to be used together. I find that when I’m navigating my Pixelbook and my Surface I tend to use the screen to tap, more and more – similar to how they used light pens introduced in the MIT Whirlwind in the 50s. But those keystrokes still save three or 4 taps at times and not only are they great time savers, but they kinda’ make you look wizardly to those watching over…
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Keystrokes for Windows 7
Windows Keys: Alt+ Enter: shows properties for selection Alt+ Esc: switch between applications in the order they were opened Alt+ F4: closes the active window Alt + Shift + F4: closes all open windows of the type matching the Active Window Alt + Spacebar: shows the System menu Alt + Tab: switch between open applications Control + Escape: opens the Start Menu F1: requests help Shift: while inserting removable media, skips auto-run Shift: while logging in, bypasses startup items Shift + Delete: deletes the selection permanently Windows Key: opens the Start menu Windows Key+D: shows Desktop Windows Key + E: opens Internet Explorer (or the default browser if it is…
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New Windows Keystroke and Xsan Keys
OK, probably not new but oddly enough, this one is new to me. Control-Alt-Escape launches the Task Manager instead of using the ole’ three finger salute to fire up the screen to get to the Task Manager. I was on a KVM, switched between a Mac and PC accidentally, hit the same keystroke (funny keyboard map) and bam, there it was… Also, in Xsan. You can click on the Command key plus a number to cycle through the various options in the list along the left hand side of the screen. For example, the overview page when you first log in is Command-1 whereas the next one down in the…
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Keystrokes For Windows/Windows Server Explorer
There’s nothing that makes you faster with navigating around any GUI-based OSen than keystrokes. Navigate around the system, browse web pages and even swap between command windows at blazing speeds. You’ll get faster but you’ll seem exponentially faster to those trying to watch you work. I’ve done posts on Mac OS X and Safari. Now, here’s one for navigating around Windows with the same speed with which you navigate OS X. If I skipped something feel free to let me know and I’ll add it; there are a plethora of options and these are the ones off the top of my head… While I was shooting for Windows Explorer, most…
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Mac OS X: Command-Tab
The other day I was sitting at a computer and I hit Command-Tab to shift between applications. Someone from the Windows side of the fence was peeking over my shoulder and was astonished that Mac OS X had that functionality. So I went on to show what else Command-Tab can do. For example, press Command-Tab and hold the Command key and you’ll keep the Application Picker window open. Then press the Tab key again and it will move to the next application or continue pressing it and it will cycle through all of the open applications until coming back to your current application. Press the Command-Shift-Tab and it will back…
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Mac OS X: Browse to a Folder in Finder
Browse to a specified folder using the Finder: Apple-Shift-G Here you could type in /var to go to the var folder, otherwise invisible. BTW, the whole tab auto-complete works here too…
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Mac OS X: Finder Shortcuts
I originally posted this at http://www.318.com/TechJournal When you’re active application is the Finder then check out these shortcuts: Command-N opens a new finder window Command-Shift-N creates a new folder in the active folder of your finder Command-W closes a window Command-Shift-W closes all the windows (if you have more than one open) Command-Shift-Escape Command-E ejects a disk or mounted volume Command-Tab switches to the previous application Command-Shift-Tab switch to the next application Command-Shift-Delete trashes an item Command-Shift-Option-Delete empties the trash without a warning dialog