Hello everybody!
This video will tell you about using key sequences in Windows, also known as hotkeys.
I will show you the key sequences which I find most interesting and useful, and how
to change and assign them.
Here we go.
Using key sequences in Windows or other programs can make your work faster.
Unfortunately, most people rarely use them, and this knowledge seems to be a feature of
advanced users only.
Let’s begin with system shortcuts.
The Windows key can open or close the Start menu when you press it.
If you press Win + X, it starts the system utility menu which is usually opened with
the right click on the Start menu.
The shortcut Win + Pause opens the System Properties window in the view that we remember
from versions of Windows before Windows 10.
Win + R opens the Run dialogue window.
You can use it to start any system utility, such as Registry Editor, Group Policy Editor,
Command Prompt and so on.
It’s a must-have tool if you want to set up a computer.
By the way, there is a special video about it in our channel.
Follow the link in the description to watch it:
To start the Task Manager quickly without using the mouse, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
If you have Windows 10, and you’re using several desktops with a number of windows
and applications opened in them, use Win + Tab to find the one you need and to switch
there.
As a result, all desktops and running applications will be shown.
Click on the one you need to switch there.
I’m sure everybody knows such Windows tool as Magnifier.
Post a comment to let us know if you have ever used it.
I’m sure few people would say, yes, I have.
But why?
Because it’s not convenient enough.
But you think it is too clumsy because you don’t know how to use it properly.
Press Win and + to make Magnifier zoom in to the area of the screen where your mouse
cursor is.
Win and - will zoom out.
The hotkey Win + B moves the cursor to the system tray area and helps to select or set
up a function or application.
It is especially convenient when using a laptop without a mouse.
Using the key PrtScn needs no explanation.
It takes a screenshot which you can inserts into an application like Word or Paint.
However, it is not always convenient to use it.
With the shortcut Win + PrtScn, you can take a screenshot and save it automatically to
the folder Pictures / Screenshots.
Usually it can be done when inserting a screenshot from the clipboard into Paint.
Alt + PrtScn will help you to take a screenshot of an active window and put it into the clipboard.
It takes a screenshot of the active window - not of the entire screen.
It is very convenient.
If a program froze, or the Start menu doesn’t respond when you try to restart or shutdown
the computer, try unblocking it before you use Hard Reset.
To do it, press Ctrl + alt + del.
Select the action.
If you have to leave your workplace quickly but you have no time and reason to shut down
your computer, lock it by pressing Win + L.
Then, to start Windows Explorer and open This PC
folder, press Win + E. It is especially relevant for Windows 8/10 users.
There is a special video about it.
Find the link in the description: Press Ctrl and move the scrolling wheel to
change the size and view of folder elements (icons, details, content and so on).
If you opened a lot of folders of applications while working, you can quickly get to the
desktop by pressing Win + D. All opened windows will be minimized to tray.
In the same way, you can restore them later.
Press Alt + Tab to switch between running applications and opened folders.
Hold Alt and use Tab to move the cursor to the necessary one.
When let go of both keys, the window where the cursor is will open.
With the key sequence Win + 1-9, you can start an application from the taskbar; the position
of the application that starts will correspond to the digit key you are pressing.
The shortcut Аlt + F4 will close the active window.
If you’ve gone too deep into your computer directories, press Backspace (an arrow pointing
to the left) to go back to the previous folder.
To rename a file, there’s no need to go into the right-click menu and look for “rename”
function - just press F2 and rename it.
To open a folder in full screen press F11.
After you press it again, the view will revert to the previous mode.
By pressing Ctrl + F you can switch to the search tool in the current folder.
In our channel, you can find a detailed video about searching for files and programs in
Windows 10, 8 or 7.
You will find the link in the description -
Some more stuff: If there are files in a folder that you need
to copy or move to another folder, you can also do it with hotkeys.
To copy one or several files in a folder, we usually select them with a mouse or by
holding the Shift button and pressing the arrow key in the direction of the file we
want to select.
If you want to copy all the files, press Ctrl + A to select all.
To copy the files, press Сtrl + С.
To cut them, Сtrl + Х.
Go to the other folder and press Сtrl + V.
The files are copied or moved depending on what function you used.
To cancel an action, press Сtrl + Z.
Some may say that everybody knows it, but these shortcuts are the basic things, and
I couldn’t miss them.
After all, these hotkeys must be relevant for almost any application.
This is only a small share of Windows shortcuts.
If you are interested, in the description there is the link to Microsoft official webpage
offering all possible key sequences for all versions of Windows:
Then, After migrating to Windows 10, users accustomed
to Windows 7 will certainly want to change the shortcut to switch keyboard languages.
The problem is that the shortcut Ctrl+Shift doesn’t work in the new operating system.
That is why it is interesting to know how to change keyboard switching methods in Windows
10.
The new operating system has two key combinations for this purpose:
• Alt + Shift • and Windows + Space.
Windows + Space is the system default shortcut.
It works in any case.
To change Alt + Shift to Ctrl+Shift: • Go to Control Panel / Language / Advanced
Settings • In the section “Switching input methods”
go to “Change language bar hot keys” • In the tab “Advanced Key Settings”
click on “Between input languages” / “Change key sequence”
• and change it in the window that opens.
• Ok / Apply • Let’s see if it works.
The key sequence has been changed.
One more interesting thing.
To start any program, you can assign a key sequence in Windows.
It can be done not only for a program, but even for a shortcut.
That is, a key sequence can be created even to run a shortcut of a document or folder.
How can you do that?
• Right-click on the shortcut and go to its properties.
• In the tab Shortcut, find the field “Shortcut Key”
• By default, it is set to “None” • Left-click there and press the key sequence
you want to use to start this shortcut - like this: Cntrl + Alt + any letter you like
• For example, • Apply/ Ok.
• Let’s see if it works.
• Yes, it does work.
• To cancel this key sequence, just delete it from the “Shortcut Key” field.
There are also special programs to assign hotkeys.
They can be free: SharpKeys, Mkey, HotKeyz, Swift Keyboard, MapKeyboard and so on, and
fee-paying: Key Remapper, Hot Keyboard Pro, Comfort Keys, Active Keyboard and others.
I won’t be describing each of them.
If you are interested, you can find them on the Internet.
I will soon make a special video to show you hotkeys for Internet browsers to speed up
your work online.
That is all for now.
If you found this video interesting, click the Like button below and subscribe to our
channel to see more.
Thank you for watching.
Good luck.