5 Cool Things You Can Do Using Only Your Basic Computer Knowledge

You don’t have to be a computer tech guru, programmer, or any of those to be more than productive in your office using only your basic computer knowledge. The fact that you can use your computer pretty well in the office is enough to know a few tips and tricks to increase your work productivity.

1. Manual Task Switching

If you’re in the middle of a typing spree and need to swap programs or windows, you don’t need to reach for your mouse. Use the hold Alt + Tab to quickly swap between programs and windows. On new Windows, users can access another task switcher by holding one Alt button, pressing and releasing the other while still holding the first and subsequently pressing Tab to change windows or programs.

2. Pin Frequent Items Used

For PC programs pinned to your taskbar, it’s easy to immediately access that program’s recently opened files if you right click on its icon. Even more useful, you can pin specific files after right clicking by dragging the file from recent to the pinned section above it. This tip can save plenty of time if you frequently access a document or file on a daily basis. Now it will only require two clicks.

3. Snap Various Windows Side by Side

This can be very useful if you’re writing a document or spreadsheet and at the same time using a background source for information. Rather than swapping back and forth between your document and the Web page or other source by constantly minimizing and maximizing, PC users can fit various windows side by side if they drag a window to the right or left top corner of their screen. This is a great time-saver if you’re writing a research-heavy paper or article.

4. CTRL + Z is the Magic Button for “Undo”

We all happen to accidentally delete something at some point. A quick fix to this, as opposed to digging through your recycle bin or whatever folder you misplaced the file in, is pressing Ctrl + Z. This will effectively undo the prior action. In the same Ctrl-oriented combo, Ctrl + C will copy a file or text, Ctrl + X will cut out, and Ctrl + V will paste it.

5. SHIFT + CLICK = New Program

Another start menu trick involves holding down the shift key while you click on a program. Whereas not holding down the shift key would minimize or maximize the program, the shift key addition opens up a new instance of a program.

If you can gradually implement the tips above while working at the office or at home, these tips and tricks will eventually become second nature and begin to dramatically increase your productivity for work.