Do you use your computer a lot? Weren’t there times wherein you wished that you could get your tasks done faster? Working with your mouse can be dragging at times because you need to place the pointer in the right icon or command on your computer in order to click it and then execute the desired action.

If you are busy or trying to multitask, a simple task such as this can be frustrating and/or time-consuming. Don’t you wish there is a way to simplify your computing activity? Truth is, you can! There are plenty of keyboard shortcuts that you can use when working on your computer so you do not have to rely heavily on your mouse and you can simply input commands on your keyboard to allow you to perform certain tasks.

If you’d like to increase your productivity on the computer, read on to get useful keyboard shortcuts and tricks that you need to know.

Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows Desktop Keyboard Layout

One of the qualms from people who use the Windows operating system on their computer is accidentally pressing against the little folder icon that launches the Quick Launch toolbar on your PC. Even though this icon on the keyboard was designed to supposedly speed up your navigation, it is not too convenient either. When you open the My Documents folder from there, you are not automatically taken to the desired folder. You will have to navigate a series of folders manually in order to find the file that you want. Therefore, the icon gathers dust as most people opt not to use it anymore these days.

A simple trick that you can use instead would be to press the Windows key and E on the keyboard simultaneously. This will allow you to launch the Explorer feature so you can conveniently navigate the folders you want to use.

In addition, if you want to be directed to your desktop, press the Windows key and D on your keyboard simultaneously. Press the Tab key to activate the Start button and then press Tab again so you can highlight the shortcuts that you want to use on the Quick Launch toolbar. If you want to move to the next shortcut, simply use the arrow keys for that.

A final basic keyboard shortcut is to press Windows and B to proceed to the system tray in an instant. It’s that simple!

Other Useful Keyboard Shorts & Tricks

Using your keyboard to navigate your computer and performing basic to complex tasks is very easy. In fact, you can do most things on your keyboard as you would use a mouse. Take note of these useful shortcuts and tricks on your keyboard in order to simplify and speed up your work.

1. CTRL + C – This is one of the most basic and commonly used shortcuts on computer keyboards. This command allows you to copy any selected texts on a document or web page, which is more convenient than having to right click your mouse and select the Copy command. It is a time-saving keyboard trick when you have to copy several blocks of texts at one time.
2. CTRL + X – This keyboard shortcut enables you to do the reverse of the action above. Instead of copying selected text or texts, you can delete the selected texts off of the document you are working on.
3. CTRL + V – This keyboard shortcut enables you to paste the texts that you have copied from one web page or document to a specified location, whether in another document or web page. Again, this is more convenient and hassle-free than having to right click the mouse to select the Paste option.
4. CTRL + Z – If you have accidentally performed an action that you did not intend to, you can Undo that by using this keyboard shortcut.
5. DELETE – This keyboard shortcut is created specifically for this purpose – for deleting any text or input that you have chosen for a given task. There is no need to right click your mouse to select the Delete option because you can get it done with just a single press of the button.
6. SHIFT + DELETE – This command is not often used but provides a highly useful purpose. It is basically the same as the command above which allows you to delete any selected item. However, instead of that item being automatically sent to the Recycle Bin, this keyboard shortcut will delete it permanently without sending a copy to the Recycle Bin.
7. CTRL + SHIFT while you drag selected item – This keyboard shortcut will allow you to create a Shortcut icon for the selected item. There is no need to click onto the item and right click for the Create a Shortcut option because you can do that in a single step.
8. F2 + select an item – When you click on an item and simultaneously click on the F2 button, this will prompt you to rename the selected file. The original file name will be highlighted and you can type in the new chosen file name.
9. CTRL + RIGHT ARROW – This keyboard shortcut is useful when you are trying to copy a text or texts into a document. You can use the right arrow key to direct where the insertion point is going to be, which in this case is at the start of the next word from the point at which you can pressed on the right arrow key.
10. CTRL + LEFT ARROW – It is a variation of the keyboard shortcut above. Instead of inserting the selected text or texts on the next work, the left arrow key will prompt the insertion on the previous word.
11. CTRL + DOWN ARROW – This is another variation of the shortcut command that allows you to paste a text or object on your specified destination. By clicking the down arrow key, you will prompt the insertion on the next paragraph.
12. CTRL + UP ARROW – This keyboard shortcut enables you to insert the selected object or text into the previous paragraph.
13. Hold CTRL + SHIFT then move the arrow keys (to whichever position you desire). This will enable you to highlight the selected text. When you are done selecting, you can release holding both CTRL and SHIFT buttons.
14. CTRL + A – Select all texts or objects within a page or document.
15. F3 – This keyboard shortcut allows you to search for any file or folder on your computer.
16. ALT + ENTER – This command allows you to view the properties of a selected item.
17. ALT + F4 – This shortcut command can do either of the following (based on what applies): quits an active program or closes an active file.
18. ALT + SPACEBAR – This shortcut command activates the shortcut menu in an active window.
19. ALT + TAB – Use this shortcut trick when you want to rapidly switch from one active window to another.
20. ALT + ESC – Use this shortcut command when you want to cycle through the files or folders you have opened in a particular order.
21. F6 – Use this shortcut key when you want to cycle through your desktop or window’s screen elements.
22. F4 – Use this key to activate the address bar list on your web browser or My Computer folder.
23. CTRL + ESC – This keyboard shortcut allows you to go back to the Start menu.
24. F10 – This keyboard shortcut will activate the Menu Bar in the specific program that you are actively using at that time.
25. BACKSPACE – This shortcut command will allow you to go back to the previous folder that you were viewing prior to opening the one you are currently at. It is also the same shortcut key to use when you want to go back to a previous web page that you were viewing.
26. ESC – You have to press this key when you want to cancel your current task.
27. ENTER – Press on this shortcut key when you want to execute the chosen task in an active window or document.
28. Arrow Keys – You can press Up, Down, Left, or Right on the keys when your active window provides you with a group of options and you can use these keys to navigate through these options.
29. F1 – Use this shortcut key if you want to activate Help window.
30. SPACEBAR – Tap on the spacebar if you want to instantly clear any selected items in a document or web page.

Keyboard Shortcuts For Microsoft

Below are a list of keyboard shortcuts that you can use to easily navigate your Microsoft PC and its features:

31. Windows Logo + D – This will take you back to the Desktop, even when you are working on an active window.
32. Windows Logo + M – This will promptly minimize any active windows on your computer.
33. Windows Logo + Shift + M – This will quickly restore any windows that you have minimized using the previous shortcut command.
34. Windows Logo + E – This will launch the My Computer folder.
35. Windows Logo + F – Use this shortcut command to quickly search through the files or folders in your computer.
36. Windows Logo + R – This will launch the Run dialog box, which will help you instantly find and launch any program on your computer.
37. Hold NUM LOCK for 5 seconds – This will switch your computer’s Toggle Keys on or off.
38. END – This will take you to the bottom part of an active window.
39. HOME – This will show you the top part of an active window.
40. NUM LOCK + * – This command will provide you with a list of subfolders available in your chosen folder.
41. NUM LOCK + “+” – This will provide you with a list of files contained within a chosen folder.
42. NUM LOCK + “-” – This will do the opposite of the command above as it will collapse the list of files within a folder.
43. CTRL + F – This will prompt the Find utility within a web page or document.
44. CTRL + E – This will launch the Search bar in an active window.
45. CTRL + H – This will launch the History bar in an active window.
46. CTRL + O – This will launch the Open dialog box that will enable you to select files from folders to open and use.
47. CTRL + N – This will launch a new instance of the same, whether you are using a web browser or making a new blank document.
48. CTRL + P – This will launch the Print dialog box so you can print out a document or web page.
49. CTRL + R – This shortcut command will update the current Web.
50. CTRL + B, or I, or U – This is one of the most basic shortcut commands in Microsoft that allows you to bold, italicize, or underline chosen text or texts (respectively).

With these new keyboard shortcuts and tricks, you do not have to worry when all of a sudden your mouse stopped working. This is also advantageous for those who prefer working on their keyboards instead of the mouse. Remember the list of useful shortcuts above so you know what keyboard input to use and execute the command on your computer without any worries.