8 Keyboard Shortcut Hacks Every Computer User Needs to Know

By Mathhew Paul On Aug 20, 2022

I’m the type of person who likes to switch fast between ten or more open programs, therefore I’m always looking for new keyboard shortcuts.
It’s aggravating when certain apps don’t employ the normal keyboard shortcuts that we’ve grown to anticipate. But what’s even scarier is when these shortcuts have been engineered in by the developers and we, the users, are completely unaware of them!In fact, as stated in this (admittedly dated) Atlantic article, over 90% of computer users are clueless when it comes to using

1. Ctrl+f.

As su uts (quick note: as a PC user, I’ve given some precedence to PC commands in my explanations, but I’ve tried to include each command with PC and Mac controls. If any Mac users feel insulted or dismissed, please accept my apologies in advance.

First, you can use the “Find” function by pressing the Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) key and the letter F Given the preceding data, I suppose I should start with this.

With the use of the CTRL+F / Command+F keyboard shortcut and your search term, you may rapidly locate any text on any webpage viewed in any of the most popular web browsers. All references to it on this page are accessible via navigation.

I rely on this method frequently to find specific phrases in lengthy papers. Also compatible with PDF and Microsoft Word files.

2 Ctrl+c / Command+c>: Copy

If the various keystrokes for moving between windows on a computer were a group of gorillas, CTRL+C would be the silverback in charge.

For the most part, this is the universal keyboard shortcut for copying text in a word processor. Microsoft Word established the norm for a number of the keyboard shortcuts used by developers in other apps, but CTRL+C has to be the most ubiquitous (no, I have no statistics to back this up, it’s just how I feel).

3. Paste with Ctrl+v/command+v

It stands to reason that if you replicate something, you would want to use it elsewhere. The CTRL+C + CTRL+V one-two punch combo is a must-have in your arsenal in keyboard shortcuts. Most users will make frequent use of this feature, whether it’s to copy and paste e-mail addresses, text from Excel into Word, or objects in Photoshop.

4. Ctrl+n / Command+n: New

It’s possible that you’re already making use of this feature in Word. But did you know that you can also use CTRL+N on your web browser to launch a new window?

To Make a New Folder in Windows Explorer, Press Ctrl+n.

To save a file, press Control+S (Windows) or Command+S (Mac OS). If you’ve ever had work disappear without you saving it, raise your hand.

Many modern programs incorporate automatic recovery mechanisms to prevent data loss in the event of an unexpected program crash. Although not perfect, these do have certain drawbacks. Some of your recent work may not have been saved by auto-recover, and it may not even function properly with some programs.

Put away as much money as possible. If you need to take a break from typing for even a few seconds, press CTRL+S to save your work. Make it a habit, and you’ll thank yourself later.

6. ALT+F4 / Command+Q: Close

Here is a phrase that you might not hear very often but could find useful. In the event that you have several programs running and you need to rapidly shut them down. Simply enter ALT+F4 (or sometimes CTRL+W on a PC) in each one (make sure you have everything saved first before closing! See the last point.)

7. Tab Key: Move Through a Form

If you shop online as frequently as I do, you understand the agonising drag of filling out a lengthy credit card form. Just about any online activity that necessitates the input of text into many fields, such as purchasing a flight, completing a survey, or signing up for a service, suffers from this same flaw. If you’re filling out a form online, you can use the TAB key to go to the next field.

Tab+space: Form Submission

There will likely be a “Send,” “Submit,” “Register,” or “Next” button at the end of the form to submit the information and go to the next step.

The tab key selects the next element following the last text field, so you can easily move on to the next step. You can “click” a button on a form by pressing the Space bar instead of using the mouse.
This won’t always work, but it does work reliably 60% of the time.
You should be able to get through some of your applications faster and get more done as a result.
Of course, it’s possible that I forgot a useful keyboard shortcut; if so, please let the world know about it by leaving a comment.