tip o' the day

[wowie]

Anyone up for geekiness? Here's a good one I got in my email today folks might not be aware of...

Ahh, the Windows key. I remember the first time I noticed it... It sat lifeless until someone explained to me the power it possessed. And now I will pass the knowledge on to you so that together we can rule the univ..., well, our computers...

The Windows key can be used in conjunction with other keys to act as a keyboard shortcut for faster access to menu commands. Now,

while the Alt key tends to open program menus (ex: Alt+F opens the File menu and Alt+E opens the Edit menu) and the Ctrl key

performs actual operations (ex: Ctrl+C will copy and Ctrl+V will paste), the Windows key will open various Windows tools...

Windows key + R will open the Start menu's Run box

Windows key + F will open the Start menu's Find window

Windows key + E will quickly launch Explorer

Windows key + Pause/Break will open the System Properties window

Windows key + M will Minimize all windows

Windows key + Shift + M will undo Minimize all windows

Windows key + D will switch between minimizing all open programs

and showing them all

Windows key + Tab will cycle through items on the taskbar

Windows key by itself will open the Start menu

You can also open programs or folders on your desktop by pressing

the Windows key + the first letter of the program/folder/shortcut

+ Enter.

Sounds kinda tedious, but if you're in a bind with your mouse, it

can come in quite handy.

Comments

[kisli.livejournal.com]

Well, duh, you mean you didn't already know this! Humpf, as if! OK, I didn't know any of this either. You know, my resume says that I know all of these computer app's. Psst, I can't even turn out damn machine on without a tutorial! Considering hubs is a former applications instructor, and now a networking professor, I think he could probably give me a crash course if needed.

But seriously, we have, let me count... 14 external whosamajiggies attatched to our computer, inluding a wireless router, several removable hard drives, 3 dvd rw's and God knows what else. Our office makes the computer room in the "Lost" hatch look like a laptop!!!! So glad that you know about this stuff!

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

I've been a keyboard geek since our first puter we put Win3.1 on and it really didn't have enough memory for it and the mouse kept locking up. Scary having no working mouse when it's a necessity!

[vigwig.livejournal.com]

Thanks wwowie! I've been using pcs for decades and never used the windows key.

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

The Windows key I use a lot. The key to the right windows key I barely use... it opens (usually) the menu on the right mouse key.

[fomocobaby.livejournal.com]

I'll definitely use Windows + M, I do that task all the time and there's no really truly quick way to do it with a mouse. Thanks!

I was introduced to computers on a Mac, so I am a slave to mousing. I know people who got into working with PC's before Windows who almost never use their mice. It's very impressive to see them swashbuckling their way through programs on a keyboard - the sheer number of commands they must have memorized is staggering!

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

Cookies? For me?!?

*eats desert before lunch*

got into working with PC's before Windows who almost never use their mice

I try! Can't get around it most of the time though. Thanks a lot, Bill!

[pusspower.livejournal.com]

I'm still looking for the windows key...

*searching*

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

Ummmm are we on a Mac?

[pusspower.livejournal.com]

No- never! Can you describe where it is?

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

On most normal keyboards it's between the CTRL & ALT keys on the bottom row on the left.

*wonders if this hotlink will work*

[pusspower.livejournal.com]

Oh- you mean the one that looks like a window?

*hits thick head*

That picture rocked!

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

That picture rocked!

Yeah and you shouldn't hotlink!

[carelessmemory.livejournal.com]

The Windows key is a nifty thing, I use it all the time! :)

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

One they didn't mention was Win+L... for more than one user if you have fast user switching turned on... gets you back to the log in screen :).

[carelessmemory.livejournal.com]

Oo, I didn't know about that one. I think. But then I'm all alone on my computers so it's nothing I've had any use for. Will stuff it in the back of my brain for future use. Thanks. :)

[fernande.livejournal.com]

LMAO!! Wowie, this is certainly geekie with a capital 'Geek'!! I'll have to give it a go although, as you know, computer stuff is hardly my strongpoint....

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

Did you notice your VFB Avatar has gone AWOL?

[fernande.livejournal.com]

No I didn't. Thanks Wowie, I'll try and find out what happened....

[liza59.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I've been using a computer for a very long time but I have hardly used the window key. LOL

[kisli.livejournal.com]

Funny story... Before hubs was a Cisco God, he taught basic applications. He had more than one person in class complain that they couldn't find the "ANY" key on the keyboard! (you know, "hit any key" to begin). Talk about banging your head up against a wall. Then there was the woman who was a seamstress, and decided to learn basic app's. She put the mouse on the floor and proceeded to move it with her foot, like a sewing machine. The best was the woman who held the mouse up in the air shaking it, saying to hubs, "How do you get the cursor to move to where you want it". He very kindly said, "It helps if you place the mouse on the pad like this", and proceeded to guide her through. Thank God the people he teaches now have more than basic knowledge of computers. Common sense, well that's another story!!!!

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

That man could write a book!

[rangerfromlotr.livejournal.com]

ROFLMAO @ kisli! I couldn't find the windows key either. LOL! Thanks for the pic, wowie! LOL! What is the "fn" key for on my laptop? It's right next to the windows key. If I press it, will it type the "f-word"? LOL!