Windows Short-cut keys

27Jan12

These are generic Windows® Short Cut Keys that can be used in many ways such as moving or copying a file, a folder, or text in a document.  The key combination and key plus mouse combination are shown below.  To use a key combination first select which means doing a Left-Click on the item or at the starting point.   To then use the key combination on the  selection press the first key and hold and then press the second key in the sequence and release to perform the operation.

As a beginning example try using the;

Ctrl + f to FIND something.  Try using it while at a web page and a small box will appear where you can type in the search text and please feel free to experiment with wild cards.  After typing the search text use the Up and Down arrows next to the find box to move to each item that matches.  This works in most Programs.

Find the z, x, c, v keys on the key-board and notice they are adjacent to each other.  This is important and a way to remember each one.

Ctrl + z  Will undo the last operation so if you just deleted a picture and want it back try Ctrl + z and it will likely re-appear.  Anywhere a program shows an UNDO option this key combination should work.

Ctrl + x Cut, think of scissors detaching the selected text or highlighted item.  If all you wanted to do was remove something then that’s it, however, if you plan to put it somewhere else (see Ctrl + v) and navigate to where you want to place it.  WARNING: When moving a file or folder be sure to click in an empty area in the Window or Desktop before “pasting the item” so it will end up where you want it to go and not in the a Folder that is highlighted.

Ctrl + c Copy, will copy the selected text or item to copy it to a new location while leaving the original item where it is.   Like, CUT, navigate to the destination and use the Ctrl + V to paste the copied item or text.

Ctrl + v Paste, is used after either a Ctrl + x or Ctrl + c has been performed.  Move to the new location and Left-Click to define the insertion point and press this combination.  Example, you can Ctrl + c to copy an image and then Ctrl + v to paste the image in a document.

To assist in selecting multiple items before they are cut or copied the following key combinations can be used;

Ctrl + a  ALL, to select ALL the items in a Folder or all the text in the active window use this key combination.

Another way to select is the ctrl or shift key + Left-Click combination;

To select multiple individual items Hold and DO NOT release the Ctrl key and while clicking on items and each one will be selected, Left-Click on the same item again and it will remove it as a selected item.  For example, start with Ctrl + a (release) and then use Ctrl + Left-Click to remove a few items from the current selection.  So if you have 50 photos and 2 you do not want to cut or copy then use this method.  Once the items are selected use Ctrl + x to cut or Ctrl + c to copy and then navigate to the location to place the items and Left-Click to select the insertion point and press Ctrl + V.

Another way to select a series of files or folder or an area of text is to Left-Click on the starting point or file or folder and release.  Move the mouse to the last file, folder or end point and press SHIFT key + Left-Click and all the text or items in-between will be selected.

Be carefull because a common sinking feeling is to Paste a file and folder and think it dissappeared when it was inserted into the selected Folder since it was highlighted at the time.  If that happens you may need to use the Quick Search to locate the item if you remember all or part of the item name.

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Filed under: Daily Computer Tips   |  1 Comment
Tags: copy a file, cut & paste, cut and paste, move a file, search text, select text quickly, short-cut keys, Undo short-cut key, wild cards