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Some tips that make things easier with Microsoft Windows™ programs or the Internet

  • Ctrl C and Ctrl V

Select something (graphic or text) and Ctrl C will copy it to the clipboard.  Go to another document and press Ctrl V  to paste it in.  This works almost everywhere.  Ctrl X will cut out the selection so it is slightly more dangerous.

  • Use the Notepad to hold some text.

Sometimes you need a place to put some text before you paste it into a document.  Open the Notepad paste it and save it as Junk1.txt  Leave it open and come back to it when needed.

  • Ctrl A

If you are in a document and need to select All, press Ctrl A.  Then you can Ctrl C to copy everything to the clipboard or in Word make All the document have the same font, etc.

  • Ctrl Enter in Internet Explorer

When you type in an internet address in the address bar just type the main word (e.g. CNN) then add www and .com automatically by pressing Ctrl Enter.  This works only for .com sites.  (DOMINICAN with Ctrl Enter goes to an anti-war site in Spanish.)

  • Window Key

The Window key looks like a window, usually it is between the Ctrl and Alt keys.  If you hold it down and press E you get Explorer, D minimizes all windows so you can see your Desktop,  do Window D again and all the windows are restored to where they were.

  • F12

In most Microsoft products the F12 key brings up the File | Save As  dialog box.

  • F11 in Internet Explorer

Allows you to see a full screen of a web page.  Press again to revert.

  • F1 for Help in context or the little ? in a box

You have just opened a dialog box and you have NO idea what to do.  Press F1 instead of going to Help on the Menu Bar will usually take you directly to a help page about the context you are in.  Or click on the   ?   in the upper right corner and then click on an item you want explained.

  • Using the ! to make it "float to the top"

Name a folder "!my-stuff" and it will float to the top in Explorer and other views.  This works for documents, folders and bookmarks.

  • Using the alphabet to go down a list quickly

You have clicked on one document in a folder containing hundreds.  You are looking for "xman.doc" so you press the X key and you will find yourself in the X section of the list

  • Always try a Right-Click

The most common or logical tasks are available more quickly this way.

  • Cascade or Tile those Windows

Open several windows--several programs or applications. Right-click on the clock and choose Tile Windows Horizontally or Vertically or Cascade them.  Windows 2000 has an undo feature too.

  • Hover (i.e. point and then keep the mouse still) over the clock to see the date

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