“Second-nature computing shortcuts for your bag of tricks.”
by Jack Dunning
Sometimes computer techniques are so commonly used that it’s assumed that everyone knows them—and probably most people do. Yet I occasionally observe people navigating through menus when simple key combinations will do. This week I’ve decided to highlight those key combinations that I use so commonly that I don’t even think about it. I would guess that most people know these shortcuts, but just in case I will review.
Cut, Copy and Paste
Going back to the early days of computing the Cut, Copy and Paste series has been a standard part of moving and removing text, objects and files. We’ve learned this series of keystrokes because they are usually listed on the Edit menu next to the associated feature.
Cut is a way to remove selected items and store them temporarily in memory to the clipboard. Since it is removed from view, it is very similar to deleting the selected object. However, a copy is maintained in the clipboard. Cut is accomplished with the CONTROL+X combination.
Copy is similar to Cut, except that the original object is not removed. It is replicated in the clipboard for later use. Copy is accomplished with the CONTROL+C combination.
Paste is the command for recovering whatever has been saved in the clipboard and inserting it at the cursor location. Paste is the completion of a move or a copy started by Cut or Copy respectively. Paste is accomplished with the CONTROL+V combination.
Most likely people use these commands so much that they don’t even think about it, except when they accidentally Cut rather than Copy. The three keys (X, C and V) are conveniently next to each other, which, while easier to use, makes a slip-up much more likely (Cut rather than Copy). In those cases, an Undo is called for. Undo is accomplished with the CONTROL+Z combination. Knowing the Undo command may save a great deal of heartache.
Selecting Text and Objects
Before you can Cut, Copy or Paste, you need to select the text or object. With text it is common to hold the left-mouse button down and drag the mouse over the desired selection. (Selecting an object such as a file is usually just a click of the mouse.) However, there are a few techniques that may make selection even easier.
Double-click on a word and the entire word will be selected; triple-click for the sentence; quadruple-click for the paragraph. (This technique may vary depending upon the program that you’re using.) Double-click on a file or program and the program will be launched.
If you need more accuracy in your selection, use the SHIFT key and the ARROW keys (cursors keys). While holding down the SHIFT key and moving the cursor keys, the contiguous area to the original cursor location will be selected. To speed up this selection with the mouse, after placing the cursor at the start point, move the mouse to the end point, then click the left-mouse button while holding down the SHIFT key. The entire area will be selected. This will also work for selecting groups of files (photos, music, documents, etc.) in a Windows Explorer list.
Using the SHIFT key is effective only when the selection is part of a continuous block or list. What happens when you need to select random items that are not next to each other? This is the domain of the CONTROL key. If you hold down the CONTROL key while selecting an object, other previously selected objects will not be deselected. This means that you can go through a list and select random items for cutting, copying, pasting or dragging. This is handy for situations such as picking photos to attach to an e-mail, or deleting unwanted files. Be sure to hold down the CONTROL key for each selection. Forget for just one click, and all the previously selected items will be deselected.
Another key combination I use regularly for selecting text and objects is CONTROL+A. This combination will select all the objects in a document or all the items in a list. It is very handy for copying entire sets of files.
Opening Window Explorer
Another key combination I use regularly is the Windows logo key+E. (The Windows logo key is the one with the Microsoft flag logo on it. It is between the CONTROL and ALT keys.) This opens Windows Explorer, which is the primary way to navigate your computer.
Opening Windows Task Manager
Since I learned that CONTROL+SHIFT+ESCAPE will open Windows Task Manager, I no longer use CONTROL+ALT+DELETE—which, if I make the wrong selection, is always a little dangerous. If I want to lock the screen to prevent grandkids from weighing in on my current work, I use the Windows logo key+L, which will display the logon screen.
There are other key commands and mouse techniques that I use, but those listed are by far the most common ones I employ. You may have others that you can’t live without. If so, I would like to hear about them. Don’t send me a list of all the other commands, just the most critical ones for you.
I have found other shortcuts that I should add to my bag of tricks, but, since they are not second nature yet, I’ll save them for another column.
Jack is the publisher of ComputorEdge Magazine. He’s been with the magazine since first issue on May 16, 1983. Back then, it was called The Byte Buyer. His Web site is www.computoredge.com. He can be reached at ceeditor@computoredge.com
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