How to use Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows XP

In today’s high speed, fast paced environment, it’s important to be able to work quickly and efficiently. To do this, you should learn how to use both the keyboard and the mouse simultaneously to do many tasks, such as ‘finding a computer on your network’ with nothing but a quick and simple keystroke. This article will teach you all the basic shortcuts you need for everyday computing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Keyboard

1. Quickly getting to the start menu- Instead of using the famous “Start Button”, you can simply press the Windows Key, located on the bottom left side of the keyboard between the “Control” and “Alt” keys, and also two keys to the right from the spacebar. By pressing and releasing this key, the start menu will appear. Note that depending on the vendor and time that your keyboard was made, you may not have the windows key.

2. Locking your System- Hold down the windows key and press L. This will keep your computer safe from prying eyes or children while you are gone for a few minutes. The same could be achieved by using the “Switch User” feature from the “Log off” section of the Start menu.

3. Minimizing and Restoring Windows- Hold down the windows key, and then press D. This saves time rather than having to scroll all the way to the top, and is an alternative to the Alt+ Tab method (discussed below.)

4. Switch between open windows- By selecting the Alt key and then holding it down (try this with your left thumb) and then use the tab key to switch between running programs, highlighting and selecting a specific program will bring that one to the foreground, maximized in your screen so that you can work within it. Releasing the Alt key brings up the program you want to use.

5. Getting to Task Manager- Hold down the control, alt, and delete buttons, all at the same time. This is definitely the most used shortcut of them all, and the task manager is one of the most useful features of the operating system

6. Getting to the Run dialog Box- Hold down the windows key, and press R. Instead of opening the dialog box through the start menu, this is also a frequently used shortcut, and will help you bring up any files or programs almost instantly.

7. If you want to find files (or other random things on your system) you will want to use the Search feature built into Windows XP. Hold down the Windows Key and then press F. This will invoke the Search function and within a few seconds, you should see your Search Results dialog box come up.

8. - Getting to Windows Explorer- If you want to access Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer), you can hold down the Windows Key and then press E. This will open up Windows Explorer for you so you can manage files and other data on your system.

9. Getting to Help and Support- If you are in need of help or support, look no further. By holding down the Windows Key and then pressing F1, you can use the help and support system that comes with Windows XP.

10. Creating a shortcut- To make a shortcut, follow these steps: Simply right-click an application shortcut in the Start menu or on the desktop and choose Properties. If not already selected, go to the “shortcut” tab. Click in the 'Shortcut key' box and press your desired shortcut keys. I use a lot of Ctrl + Shift + Alt key sequences. Your shortcut must use at least two modifier keys (Ctrl, Shift, or Alt and/or a function key or a key on keypad). Click OK to close the properties windows and use your new keyboard shortcut.

Tips & Warnings

• It helps to be familiar with the keyboard layout, so it is easier to remember the shortcuts.
• Be careful with what you press, as the wrong key combination can trigger the oppostie of what you wanted.