Clear, practical technology insights BSOD Code Lookup · Windows Error Code Lookup · Wi-Fi Troubleshooting · PC Troubleshooting Checklist

Tips to Use Windows 10 You May Not Know

Learn about Tips for Windows 10, including 1. Windows Shortcuts, key uses, practical steps, common issues, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Table of Contents

This guide provides a clear overview of tips for windows 10, including 1. Windows Shortcuts, Popular Windows Shortcuts. Use it to understand the topic, compare the available options, and make a more informed decision.

Table of contents

1. Windows Shortcuts

  • Ctrl + T: Open a new tab in the browser
  • Ctrl + Q: Close the browser
  • Ctrl + I: Write italic in Microsoft Word
  • Windows + C: Start talking to Cortana
  • Ctrl + Alt + D and any arrow button: Rotate screen
  • Ctrl + Tab: Move between the tabs of the browser in order from left to right.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Move between browser tabs in order from right to left.
  • Ctrl + F4: Closes the current number of the currently executing program.
  • Ctrl + Alt + Tab: Use arrow keys to switch between open applications.
  • Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager
  • Ctrl + Esc: Open Start menu
  • Alt + Enter: Opens the Properties window of the currently selected file/folder.
  • Alt + F4: Close a program.
  • Alt + Tab: Switch between running programs
  • Alt + Esc: Orderly select another active window to work with.
  • Alt + mouse click: Move quickly to part of the table from the table of contents.
  • Alt + F8: Show password on login screen.
  • Alt + left arrow key: Return to the previous page.
  • Alt + right arrow key: Go to the next page.
  • Alt + spacebar: Open the shortcut menu for the active window.
  • Backspace: Return to the previous category, similar to Undo.

You can use some great keyboard tricks to navigate Windows and some other common tricks that work with many of your favorite apps. The mouse is a great and versatile tool, but sometimes these tricks are faster. Give it a try!

Keystrokes

Function

Windows logo key + CHEAP

Open the Run command

Windows logo key + WILL

Open Search

Windows your logo + E

Open File Explorer

Alt + Tab

Open the Action Switcher, move forward with each Tab press, switch to that window when Tab is released

Shift + Alt + Tab

Open the Action Switcher, move backwards with each press of Tab, switch to that window when Tab is released

Windows your logo + Tab

Switch to Action View, the selected window will return to the same focus

Windows logo + Up arrow

Move up through the sequence of minimized windows > get > Maximize for focused window

Windows logo key + Down arrow

Move down through the series Maximize > Create Window > Minimize for a focused window

Windows your logo + CODE

Minimize all windows

Windows your logo + EASY

Hide or unhide the desktop

Windows your logo + I

Open Settings

Common Application Shortcuts

Note: These are common keyboard shortcuts that work in most cases, but may not work in some apps. Check the manual for your application if you have other questions.

Keystrokes

Function

Ctrl + X

Cut

Ctrl + _

Copy

Ctrl + DRAW

Paste

Ctrl + A

Select all

F1

Help

Ctrl + FEMALE

New document

Ctrl + P

Print

Ctrl + Z

Undo

Alt + F4

Close the program

Sometimes you need to enter a character that is not on the keyboard, like a long dash (—) or a copyright symbol (©). If you have the number pad area on your keyboard, you don't have to find and copy and paste it, you can still do it! Here's how:

  1. Hold down the Alt key on the keyboard.

  2. While holding down the Alt key, enter the four-digit code on the number pad area for the character you want. (Include 0 at the beginning of the sequence if required).

    Note: This feature only works on the number pad area This feature will not work on the number row at the top of the keyboard.

  3. Release the Alt key.

Here are a few characters that you can type with the Alt key:

Icon

Name

Alt-code

©

Copyright symbol

Alt + 0169

®

Registered icon

Alt + 0174

TM

Brand

Alt + 0153

Click List

Alt + 0149

s

Section icon

Alt + 0167

s

Knife

Alt + 0134

s

Double dagger

Alt + 0135

medium strikethrough

Alt + 0150

long dash

Alt + 0151

s

Paragraph icon (Pilcrow)

Alt + 0182

s

Upside down exclamation mark

Alt + 0161

s

upside down question mark

Alt + 0191

¢

Coin symbol

Alt + 0162

£

GBP

Alt + 0163

 

Euro

Alt + 0128

¥

Yen

Alt + 0165

2. Clean Up Your Desktop to Make Your Computer Faster

Instead of having multiple folders for every little thing on the screen, you can create a shared folder and organize small folders within it. Next, put all your apps in the taskbar and you'll be left with an almost blank screen. This action will instantly maximize your desktop speed.

2. Clean Up Your Desktop to Make Your Computer Faster - Tips for Windows 10

3. Turn on Slide to Shutdown

This trick only works on Windows 10, it's a bit complicated. Right-click on the desktop, select New > Shortcut.

3. Turn on Slide to Shutdown - Tips for Windows 10

In the next pop-up, paste the following line of code:

%windir%System32SlideToShutDown.exe

3. Turn on Slide to Shutdown - Tips for Windows 10

Click Finish to complete. This creates an icon that is clickable on the desktop, which you can feel free to rename to whatever you want.

3. Turn on Slide to Shutdown - Tips for Windows 10

To shutdown by sliding down, double click on the newly created icon, you will see a watermark appear. Then use the mouse to drag it to the bottom of the screen. Keep in mind, this is not a machine in Sleep mode but a Shutdown.

3. Turn on Slide to Shutdown - Tips for Windows 10

4. Find Out How Much Space Apps Are Taking Up

The computer starts to run slower when it runs out of space. A quick way to speed them up is to get rid of apps that take up more space than necessary, especially if you don't use them often. To see how much space apps use, navigate to Settings > System.

4. Find Out How Much Space Apps Are Taking Up - Tips for Windows 10

Select Storage to see the capacity of each item.

4. Find Out How Much Space Apps Are Taking Up - Tips for Windows 10

5. Turn Off Background Apps

Apps running in the background can receive information, send notifications, and be updated, even when you're not using them – which can be helpful, but can also drain battery and data, if you're connected via mobile hotspot.

To control which apps are running in the background, to save some battery and data, go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

5. Turn Off Background Apps - Tips for Windows 10

To prevent all apps from running in the background, toggle Let apps run in the background to Off. Or, you can choose which apps to run in the background individually by visiting the list on the same page.

5. Turn Off Background Apps - Tips for Windows 10

6. Reduce Distractions with Focus Assist

It's annoying to be constantly interrupted with notifications at work. You can determine how many notifications you get with Focus assist, a Windows 10 tool added in the April 2018 Update.

6. Reduce Distractions with Focus Assist - Tips for Windows 10

Set it up by going to Settings > System > Focus assist. Choose one of three options:

  • Off (get all notifications from apps and contacts)
  • Priority (see only the selected notifications from the priority list that you customize and send the rest to the Action Center)
  • Alarms only (hide all notifications, except alerts).

6. Reduce Distractions with Focus Assist - Tips for Windows 10

You can also choose to automatically enable this feature during certain hours or when you are playing a game.

If you search too long in Windows, you can narrow things down a bit thanks to the May 2020 Update. In Settings > Search > Searching Windows.

7. Advanced Windows Search - Tips for Windows 10

Set search to Classic, apply only to Libraries and Desktop, or select Enhanced indexing to search the entire computer. A new algorithm also helps Windows adjust when it's active, using fewer resources when gaming, or when disk usage is above 80%.

7. Advanced Windows Search - Tips for Windows 10

8. Smile and the World Will Smile at You

Emojis aren't just for your phone anymore! The new emoji keyboard in Windows 10 lets you express yourself like never before. To use this app:

  1. While entering text, press Windows logo + key . (dot) . The emoji keyboard will appear.

  2. Select an emoji with your mouse or keep typing to search for an emoji you like among the available emojis.

8. Smile and the World Will Smile at You - Tips for Windows 10

9. Change Language

If you type characters that are used more often in other languages, you can always set up keyboards for other languages and switch between them easily. For more details about this feature, see Manage display and input language settings in Windows 10.

9. Change Language - Tips for Windows 10

Above is a collection of Windows tips that you may not know. Wish you success and don't forget to share this computer tips article to your friends and relatives!

Good luck!

Conclusion

Understanding Tips for Windows 10 makes it easier to compare options, avoid common mistakes, and apply the information in this guide more effectively. Review the relevant requirements before making changes or choosing a solution.

FAQ

What is Tips for Windows 10?

Find Out How Much Space Apps Are Taking Up 5.

Why is Tips for Windows 10 important?

Understanding Tips for Windows 10 helps you evaluate features, compatibility, performance, and potential limitations before you choose a product or follow a procedure.

What should you consider when using or choosing Tips for Windows 10?

Consider your specific goal, compatibility requirements, available features, cost, security, and the practical recommendations described in this guide.

Discussion

Reader Comments 0

Sign in with email or Google to join the discussion.