17 Tech Tricks Everyone Should KnowSidetracked Sisters

17 Tech Tricks

I’ve been working with computers for 30+ years. I’ve found lots of keyboard shortcuts over the years to help me. Here are 17 keyboard shortcuts/tech tricks that are not commonly known to help you at both home and work!

CTRL + scroll button (changes zoom factor of the display)

If you want to either increase or decrease the zoom factor of your display, simply press and hold the CTRL (control) key and use the scroll button on your mouse

CTRL + 0 (resets display back to 100% zoom)

If you have resized your screen and you want to quickly get back to the default of 100% zoom factor, just use CTRL + 0 (zero)

CTRL + PrintScreen (capture a screenshot of your display)

Do you need to send a screenshot of your display to someone? Maybe you need to send an error message to someone to help you? By using CTRL + Printscreen (PrtScn), a screenshot is captured and placed onto your Windows clipboard. You can then paste that screenshot into an email to send to the desired person. (see below for shortcut on how to do that)

CTRL + C (copies current selection)

Maybe you need to copy text in your document to another location or copy files from one folder to another. CTRL + C will copy whatever you currently have selected into the Windows clipboard. All you need to then do is go to where you want it placed and paste the information/files. (see below for shortcut on how to do that)

CTRL + X (cuts current selection)

Maybe you need to move text in your document to another location or move files from one folder to another. CTRL + X will cut whatever you currently have selected into the Windows clipboard. All you need to then do is go to where you want it placed and paste the information/files. (see below for shortcut on how to do that)

NOTE: Cut is different from Copy because it will remove the information from the first location whereas Copy makes a duplicate of the information.

CTRL + V (pastes whatever is in the Windows clipboard)

Once you have something in the Windows clipboard that you want to paste in a new location, press CTRL + V.

CTRL + Z (undo the last action)

Did you make a mistake on something you were doing? Pressing CTRL + Z will undo the last action. In some applications, you can continue using CTRL + Z to keep undoing actions.

CTRL + Y (undo an undo)

Did you undo your last action and then realize that undoing was a mistake? Well, CTRL + Y will undo your undo.

CTRL + SHIFT + T (opens the last closed tab)

When in your browser, maybe you closed a tab and then thought “Shoot – I needed that information!!” You can use CTRL + SHIFT + T and reopen the last tab you closed.

CTRL + T (opens a new tab)

While in your browser, using CTRL + T will open a new tab.

CTRL + F5 (clear cache and refresh page)

Sometimes information isn’t displaying properly in your browser or you are told by your IT staff to clear your cache and refresh your page. A quick way to do that is CTRL + F5. This will clear the cache and reload the current page in your browser.

CTRL + D (saves a page to bookmarks)

Using CTRL + D will quickly save the current page to your bookmarks.

Windows Key + E (open Explorer)

Windows Key + E will open your file explorer so you can browse the files on your computer.

Windows Key + D (go to Desktop)

Pressing the Windows Key + D will minimize all open applications and take you to the desktop. When doing this – don’t panic – all applications are still open – just look at the taskbar at the bottom of your screen to find your applications.

Windows Key + Up Arrow (maximize a window)

The Windows Key + Up Arrow will take the current window and maximize it to fill the screen. Similarily Windows Key + Down Arrow will restore the window back to it’s previous size.

SHIFT + DELETE (permanent delete)

Do you have confidential information on your computer that you want to remove? Using just the delete key will remove the document, but put it in the recycle bin. In order to prohibit the document from being restored, you will also need to go into the recycle bin and delete the document from there. By using SHIFT + DELETE – the document is removed and does NOT go to the recycle bin.

Windows Key + L (lock computer)

When leaving your computer at any time, either at home or at work, you should be protecting your information by locking the screen. Windows Key + L is a quick way to lock your computer so when you return, you simply enter your password to resume your work.