Date: May 31, 2004

Subject: Useful Keyboard Shortcuts

This bulletin is the first of a series that will highlight some time-saving features of the Windows operating system. The keyboard shortcuts that are shown in this month's bulleting were first published in the May 4, 2004 issue of PC Magazine. Note that when the Windows key is mentioned I am referring to the keys on either side of a standard keyboard that have the Windows logo printed on them.

WINDOWS

- CTRL-C copies the currently highlighted text/item(s) to the clipboard. This works almost anywhere within Windows and Windows based programs.

- CTRL-X copies the currently highlighted text/item(s) to the clipboard and deletes the original.

- CTRL-V pastes the text/item(s) from the clipboard to the current cursor position.

- CTRL-Z universal undo, reverses the last text operation you performed.

- CTRL-ESC functional equivalent to the Windows key. Does not work in any of the combinations listed below but serves only to bring up the Start Menu.

INTERNET EXPLORER

- Press CTRL-Enter to add "www." before and ".com" after the text currently entered into the Internet Explorer address bar (this works only if Web Addresses, in the Content/AutoComplete settings in the Internet options menu is checked).

- Press F11 to toggle Kiosk mode (full screen with no title bar, status bar, or menu).

- Press CTRL-I to toggle the Favorites pane.

- Press CTRL-B to bring up the Organize Favorites dialog.

OUTLOOK EXPRESS AND OUTLOOK

- Press CTRL-Enter to send a message.

NETWORKING

- Press Windows-CTRL-F to launch the Find Computer dialog to search for a computer on your local area network

WINDOWS EXPLORER

- Highlight a folder in the Windows Explorer folder tree and press Shift-Asterisk (on the number pad) to open that folder and all subfolders.

- Highlight one or more files or folders and press Shift-Del to delete them permanently, bypassing the Recycle Bin.

- ALT-Enter shows the properties of the currently selected item.

WINDOWS KEY COMBINATIONS

- Windows-E calls up the Windows Explorer program

- Windows-F starts a file search.

- Windows-L locks your system until you enter your password.

- Windows-M minimizes all open windows.

- Windows-R calls up the Run dialog.

- Windows-Pause/Break calls up the System Properties dialog.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this or any other issue.

If you have an associate who you think would also appreciate receiving these bulletins please let me know (with their approval) and I will add them to the bulletin mailing list. Please feel free to forward these bulletins to anyone you wish. If you no longer wish to receive these bulletins, or if you received this bulletin by mistake please send me an email with "Please remove me" in the subject line and I will take your name off of the bulletin mailing list.