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Productivity Hacks in Windows OS

Productivity Hacks in Windows OS

This article contains useful shortcuts and features in Windows OS that can help you to improve your productivity

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Manaj Mohapatra
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3 min read

Objective

Windows is one of the most popular and widely used operating system. We perform many tasks from GUI that could have done using only keyboard. Knowing keyboard shortcuts helps to save time and effort. It also provides many features that helps to manage your workspace. I will share few shortcuts and features that helped me to improve my productivity.

Note: All the shortcuts and features are tested in Windows 10.

Workspace or Virtual Desktop

Workspace refers to grouping of windows on the desktop. We can create multiple workspaces in windows OS. These are meant to reduce clutter and make the desktop easier to navigate. I prefer to maintain different projects and relevant applications in separate workspace.

  1. Create a new workspace
    • Press Windows key + Tab (Opens Task view pane)and click on new desktop + option (Preview)
    • The default name will be Desktop NUMBER. You can rename it.
    • Keyboard shortcut: Windows key + Ctrl + D (creates and moves to new workspace)
  2. Switch between workspaces
    • Press Windows key + Ctrl + Left Arrow to switch to a lower-numbered workspace
    • Press Windows key + Ctrl + Right Arrow to switch to a higher-numbered workspace

File Explorer

File Explorer is the file management application used by Windows operating systems to browse folders and files.

  • Open a file explorer from desktop
    • Windows Key + E
  • Create a new folder in current file explorer
  • Access address bar of current file explorer
  • Open CMD in current file explorer
    1. Press Alt+D to access address bar
    2. Type cmd in address bar and press ENTER key ( preview)
  • Open powershell in current file explorer
    1. Press Alt+D to access address bar
    2. Type powershell in address bar and press ENTER key (preview)
  • Create a new text file in current file explorer
    1. Press menu key (preview)
    2. Press W
    3. Press T
  • Select all files and folders in current file explorer
    • Press Ctrl + A

Applications

  • Open Task Manager
    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
  • Open Run command Dialog box
    • Press Windows key + R
  • Switch between active programs
    • Press Alt + Tab
  • Switch between active programs backward
    • Press Alt + Shift + Tab
  • Toggle between full screen mode and normal mode
    • Press F11

Run Commands

You need to open run command dialog box before using below commands.

  • Open control panel
    • Type control panel and press ENTER (I prefer only control)
  • Open Registry Editor
    • Type regedit and press ENTER

Files and Folders

  • Copy selected files and folders
    • Press Ctrl + C
  • Paste copied files and folders
    • Press Ctrl + V
  • Cut selected files and folders
    • Press Ctrl + X
  • Rename selected file or folder
    • Press F2
  • Delete selected files and folders
    • Press Delete key

Windows

  • Lock the computer
    • Press Windows key + L
  • Display and hide desktop
    • Press Windows key + D
  • Minimize all the applications
    • Press Windows key + M
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