Computer Productivity Tips

Bits & Bytes returns this month with some quick computer tips to help improve your organization and productivity. Note that these are given specifically with Windows users in mind (sorry Mac users).

Pin your programs to your taskbar

The main display interface of your computer is called your “desktop” for a reason. When this type of interface was first introduced, the hope was that new users would instinctively understand how to interact with it by using a physical desktop as a relatable metaphor. And while it’s not a perfect metaphor (e.g. most people don’t keep a trash bin on their desk), it still worked well enough that it’s become ubiquitous to the way we think about how computers should look and function.

Of course, an unintended consequence of the desktop as a metaphor is that it’s easy to clutter up with junk just like an actual desk. Our desktops have become the de facto home for all our pre-installed and newly installed programs, downloaded files, unzipped folders, and other random icons we deal with on a daily basis. Before you know it, that calming seascape or that cute picture of your niece’s baby that you’ve set as your background is buried beneath a pile of disorganized crap.

But there’s hope! You know that bar at the bottom of your screen where all your open programs are listed? That’s your taskbar, and it can be used as a permanent home for your programs and apps instead of your desktop. Just drag any program icon from your desktop to your taskbar to pin it there instead for easy access. If you want to pin a program that’s already open, just right-click its icon in the taskbar and select “Pin to taskbar.” Since the taskbar is always visible no matter how many programs or windows you have open, you can easily find what you’re looking for without having to minimize everything just to get back to your desktop.

Learn keyboard shortcuts

Nearly every program provides keyboard shortcuts for the most commonly used menu options and actions. And until we start building computers that can read our minds, nothing will save you more accumulated time than learning those shortcuts so you don’t have to constantly navigate and find those menu options with your mouse. Most keyboard shortcuts involve holding one or more of the modifier keys (Ctrl, Shift, and Alt) and then pressing another key, but there’s also some SUPER SECRET Windows shortcuts involving the Windows key at the bottom-left of the keyboard that everyone thinks is useless.

Here’s a handy list of useful keyboard shortcuts that I recommend memorizing.

In a text or image editor:

• Cut/copy/paste: Ctrl-X / Ctrl-C / Ctrl-V

• Highlight or select all: Ctrl-A

• Undo/redo previous action: Ctrl-Z / Ctrl-Y

• Delete one word at a time (instead of one character): Ctrl-Backspace

In a web browser like Google Chrome:

• Copy text on a page: Ctrl-C

• Select all text on a page: Ctrl-A

• New browser tab: Ctrl-T

• Close current browser tab: Ctrl-W

• Search text on the current page: Ctrl-F

• View browser history: Ctrl-H

• View browser download history: Ctrl-J

Applicable to nearly all programs:

• Close the current open program: Alt-F4

• Switch between open programs: Alt-Tab

• Open file: Ctrl-O

• Save changes: Ctrl-S

• Print: Ctrl-P

SUPER SECRET Windows shortcuts:

• Search bar: Win-S

• Open Windows File Explorer: Win-E

• Open Windows Settings: Win-I

• Hide all open programs and return to desktop: Win-D

• Lock your computer (useful if you’re stepping away for a moment): Win-L

Think about an additional monitor

The time is now to start investing in real estate … screen real estate! If you’re a multitasker like me and are constantly switching between programs, the real estate afforded by a single monitor just isn’t enough. Most desktop computers have connection ports for at least two monitors, and most laptops have a video out port that allows you to extend the display to a second screen. So if you’re only using one monitor and you have the opportunity to obtain a second one, I’d highly recommend it. I typically keep my main programs on one screen and all web browsers and communications (email or chat programs) open on a secondary screen so I can monitor them (yuk yuk) without losing focus on what I’m currently working on.