TIPS FOR SPEEDING UP YOUR WINDOWS 2000 EXPERIENCE
Have you ever wondered if there were a faster way to perform some of the tasks you routinely access? With keyboard shortcuts, you can sometimes perform these tasks more quickly than using the mouse.
1. Launch the Task Manager Quickly
The Task Manager can be launched in at least three different ways to make it easier to use when you need it the most. You can press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and click on the Task Manager button on the Windows NT Security dialog. Or, you can right-click on the Windows NT taskbar and chose Task Manager. Or, you can press Ctrl+Shift+Esc and the Task Manager will be launched instantly.
2. Windows Keyboard Shortcut: Start Windows Explorer
If you have a keyboard that has a Windows key, it will generally be located between the CTRL and ALT keys on the left and right sides of the space bar. It will also have a picture of a flying window (Microsoft flag emblem) on it. To use the Windows keyboard shortcut to start Windows Explorer, press Windows key + E simultaneously.
3. Toggle Between the Menu Bar and the Main Window in a Program
To Toggle between the menu bar and the your open file, press F10 or Alt. Then use the tab and arrow keys to navigate in the open files and menu choices.
4. Toggle Between Open Files in the Same Application
Keyboard Shortcut: Ctrl+Tab keys pressed simultaneously
5. Use Web View to Navigate Through Files
To navigate through files and folders using Web View, select the Start menu, Settings, then Folder Options. Next, click on the Web Style radio button. When you use Web view, descriptive and hyperlink text appears on the left side of the folder window. In addition, the back button becomes an option when a window is open.
6. Cancel a Loading Program
Sometimes your system freezes while loading a particular program. To cancel the loading program, hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and a menu of open programs will appear. Click the program that you want to cancel, and then select End Task. If you are running Windows 2000 or NT, pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del brings up a window where you will need to select task manager.
7. Be Choosy With Desktop Shortcuts
For quick access to desktop shortcut items, limit them only to high priority documents. If you find that you need all those shortcuts on the desktop, you can create folders on the desktop and group shortcuts into the various folders. Example: you can group all Internet shortcuts into a desktop folder you name Internet Stuff.
8. Use the Installation Wizard
When you install new programs in Windows, use the Installation Wizard. From the Start menu, select Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, then Install/Uninstall.
9. How to Find (a file, folder, etc.) Using a Windows Keyboard Shortcut
To use a Windows keyboard shortcut to find (a file, folder, document, etc.), press the Ctrl+F keys simultaneously.
10. How to Print Using Windows Keyboard Shortcut
To print using a keyboard shortcut, press Ctrl+P keys simultaneously.
11. Windows Keyboard Shortcut: Save As
To use a keyboard shortcut to "Save As”, tap F12.
12. Windows Keyboard Shortcut: Closing a Program
To close a program using a Windows Keyboard Shortcut, press Alt+F4 keys simultaneously.
13. Use a Windows Keyboard Shortcut to Undo the Previous Command
To use a keyboard shortcut to undo the previous command, press Ctrl+Z keys simultaneously.
14. Using Windows Keyboard Shortcuts to Format Fonts as Boldfaced, Underlined, or Italicized
To use a keyboard Shortcut to format fonts as Boldfaced, Underlined or Italicized, press Ctrl+B (for bold), Ctrl+U (to underline) and Ctrl+I (for italics) keys simultaneously.
15. Windows Keyboard Shortcut: Switch from Window to Window Within the Same Program
To use a Windows keyboard shortcut to switch from window to window within the same program, press Alt+F6 simultaneously.
16. Windows Keyboard Shortcut: Cycle Through the Tabs in a Dialog Box
To use a keyboard shortcut to cycle through the tabs in a dialog box, press Ctrl+Tab (to go forward) and Ctrl+Shift+Tab (to go backward) simultaneously.
17. Windows Keyboard Shortcut: Bypass the CD-ROM AutoRun Feature
The Autorun feature basically allows programs to start running automatically whenever a CD is inserted into the CDROM. To use a keyboard shortcut to bypass the CD-ROM AutoRun feature, hold down Shift while inserting the disk. Keep it held for a few seconds while the CD spins.
18. Windows Keyboard Shortcut: Restore All Windows You Previously Minimized
To use a Windows keyboard shortcut to restore all Windows you previously minimized, click on Shift+Windows+M or Windows+D keys simultaneously. *Note: The Windows key is usually located between the Ctrl and Alt buttons on your keyboard and contains the Microsoft flag emblem.
19. Windows Keyboard Shortcut: Minimize All Open Windows to Reveal the Desktop
When you want to minimize all of your open windows to reveal the desktop, press the Windows+M or Windows+D keys simultaneously. *Note: The Windows key is usually located between the Ctrl and Alt buttons on your keyboard and contains the Microsoft flag emblem.