101 Keyboard Shortcuts: Little-Known Ways To Save Time and Do More

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.

– Benjamin Franklin

With the advent of computers, we have an excellent opportunity to save time. Mathematical calculations which used to take hours can now be completed in seconds, and tasks such as writing are shortened by electronic word searches.

However, most people do not make full use of these amazing computers.

To fully-utilize these powerful machines, memorize and use the following 101 keyboard shortcuts.

If remembering all 101 seems overwhelming, just memorize the 20 or so bolded ones – they’re the most important.

Tech Note: The shortcuts below mostly apply to Windows operating systems, but some will also work on Mac and Linux syxtems.

General Windows Shortcuts

F1 – Start Windows Help
F2 – Rename a file/folder
F3 – Search for a file/folder
Ctrl + Esc – Display the Start Menu
Alt + Tab – Switch between open programs
Delete – Move the selected item to the Recycle Bin
Shift + Delete – Permanently delete the selected item

Cross–program Shortcuts

Ctrl + C – Copy selected text to clipboard
Ctrl + V – Paste contents of clipboard
Ctrl + Z – Undo
Ctrl + Y – Redo
Ctrl + X – Cut
Ctrl + B – Bold
Ctrl + U – Underline
Ctrl + I – Italics
Ctrl + S – Save changes
Alt + F4 – Close program

Firefox Shortcuts

Backspace – Back (to previous page)
Shift + Backspace – Forward (to next page)
Alt + Home – To homepage
F5 – Reload/refresh page
F6 – Jump to address bar
F11 – Toggle full screen
Esc – Stop loading page
Home – Jump to top of page
End – Jump to bottom of page
Ctrl + U – View page source
Ctrl + P – Print current page
Ctrl + “+” – Zoom in
Ctrl + “-” – Zoom out
Ctrl + 0 – Reset zoom level
Ctrl + D – Bookmark current page
Ctrl + J – View downloads
Ctrl + H – View history

Gmail Shortcuts

C – Compose new message
/ – Move cursor to search box
K – Move to newer conversation
J – Move to older conversation
U – Close message
E – Archive conversation
! – Report spam
R – Reply
F – Forward
Shift + I – Mark as read
Shift + U – Mark as unread
? – Display all shortcuts

Google Reader Shortcuts

J – Move to older item
K – Move to newer item
S – Star an item
L – Like an item
E – Email item
Shift + S – Share item
Shift + D – Share item with note
M – Mark item as read/unread
Shift + A – Mark all items as read
R – Refresh screen
? – Display all shortcuts

MS Word

Ctrl + A – Select all
Ctrl + E – Center selected text
Ctrl + L – Align selected text to the left
Ctrl + R – Align selected text to the right
Ctrl + F – Open find and replace
Ctrl + K- Insert link
Ctrl + M – Indent paragraph
Ctrl + N – Create new document
Ctrl + O – Open new file
Ctrl + P – Open print window
Ctrl + T – Create a hanging indent
Ctrl + Home – Jump to beginning of document
Ctrl + End – Jump to end of document
Ctrl + 2 – Double-space lines
F7 – Run spell and grammar check
Shift + F7 – Run thesaurus on selected word

MS Excel Shortcuts

F2 – Edit the selected cell
F11 – Insert chart
Ctrl + ; – Insert current date
Shift + F3 – Open formula window
Shift + K – Insert link
Ctrl + Page Up/Page Down – Move between worksheets in the same document
Ctrl + Shift + $ – Use currency format
Ctrl + Shift + # – Use date format
Ctrl + Shift + % – Use percentage format
Ctrl + Shift + ^ – Use scientific format
Ctrl + Shift + @ – Use time format
Ctrl + Space – Select column
Shift + Space – Select row

Paint.Net Shortcuts

Shift + Scroll Up/Down – Scroll Left/Right
Esc or Enter – Deselect
Ctrl + I – Invert selection
E – Switch to eraser tool
F – Switch to paint bucket tool
H – Switch to pan tool
K – Switch to color picker tool
M – Switch to move tool
O – Switch to box tool
P – Switch to pencil tool
S – Switch to selection tool
X – Swap primary/secondary colors
Z – Switch to zoom tool
Ctrl + Shift + S – Open “Save As” box
Ctrl + Shift + Z – Open rotate/zoom box

Conclusion

Well, there you are! More than a hundred time-saving computer shortcuts.

Once you start using these shortcuts you will be amazed by how much time you save.

What are your favorite computer tricks and shortcuts

Seven Ways to Improve Wi-Fi Performance

Jennifer Bosavage

When Wi-Fi performance isn’t up to snuff, it is frustrating. It is common knowledge that distance plays a role in Wi-Fi performance, as do obstructions such as walls and floors. The closer a router is to a computer, the better the connection. But, assuming your equipment is relatively up-to-date, that your modem is nearby, and there are no huge obstacles between the unit and the computer, there are still a few additional ways to improve Wi-Fi performance. 

1. Update your router’s firmware. Firmware functions as the foundation for your router. It is somewhat permanent, because it cannot be changed until a new firmware update becomes available. Consider updating the firmware to improve performance, fix bugs and upgrade security options. However, be cautious: A firmware update can be a bit dangerous because if the update is interrupted, your router could become useless. Connecting the router to the computer with a cable during the updating process greatly reduces that risk.

2. Use a signal or range extender. This device plugs into a main socket to rebroadcast and boost Wi-Fi signals, and it can help the signal get to a building’s hard-to-reach places. All Wi-Fi routers can work reliably up to a certain distance, but past that, the signal gets spotty. Wireless range extenders—also called wireless repeaters or Wi-Fi expanders—will boost signal strength. Although it is not a router, it should be located using the same protocols. Place it near the router so it gets a good signal, but also close enough to the edge of coverage so it can revive the weak points. 

3. Avoid interference. Other electronic devices—including other Wi-Fi routers—cell towers, microwaves, Bluetooth devices and even satellites can cause trouble and speed up degradation. Generally Wi-Fi is on a different frequency than such devices, but the sheer amount of “radio noise” can cause interference. Android users can check out Wi-Fi Analyzer to find the perfect channel. In a holiday twist of fate, Christmas lights, especially blinking ones, can emit an electromagnetic field that interacts with Wi-Fi bands. This is true even for newer LED lights. However there’s no need to turn off the holiday spirit; simply move the router.

4. Place limits. Small businesses that offer guest Wi-Fi should limit that access to 20MHz, so the business has a stronger, more stable signal. When possible, use the 5GHz channel.

5. Lock it up with current authentication and encryption. Obviously your network should be password protected. But even with a password, the latest wireless technology (802.11ac) and two or three radio access points that support speeds up to 1.3 Gbps, performance could be slow. That is because wireless networks with the faster speed technology do not support older types of authentication and encryption. Check that security on the network is WPA-2 or better.

6. Plan wireless networks based on capacity, not just coverage. If you have 60 users on an access point, that bandwidth is shared among all of them. In addition, if any of those users connect with multiple devices, the network can come to a crawl. Also, position APs so they are broadcasting their signals in the specific direction they are needed. Approaches such as Wi-Fi Mesh add intelligent access points to extend the signal, helping to eliminate dead zones. A wireless mesh network spreads a network connection among many nodes that communicate with one another. Another benefit is low cost: using a wireless mesh network avoids the cost of installing wires between buildings, for instance.

7. Use the Quality of Service tools (QoS). The QoS settings are usually found under advanced settings in the network’s administrator interface. Limits can be placed on the bandwidth certain applications use, and downloads may be scheduled to run more slowly during times of increased network traffic. In addition, measuring real-time performance and analyzing that data can provide insights regarding how Wi-Fi is being used. Information that can be collected includes: the connection rates of wireless APs and third-party devices; the distribution of 802.11g, 802.11n or 802.11ac clients; the speed capability and distribution of various wireless devices and 5GHz versus 2.4 GHz connection rates.

The increased use of Wi-Fi devices puts more strain on any network, but, regardless, users expect fast, reliable performance. By focusing on improving the user’s experience, a strategy can be implemented to boost Wi-Fi performance quickly and cost effectively.