Small Business

Access Frequently Used Commands in a Flash with Windows-Key Shortcuts

By Rick Broida

Updated on: May 16, 2008 / 8:01 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

Any time you can keep your hands on your keyboard instead of reaching for your mouse, you're saving time. Sure, it might be just a few seconds, but seconds add up to minutes, minutes to hours -- and pretty soon you've got yourself an extra week's vacation. Okay, maybe not, but keyboard shortcuts definitely help maintain the workflow. Here are three worth learning right now:

Windows-D - Minimize all open windows so you can see the desktop. Tap it again to restore them.
Windows-E - Open Windows Explorer. Much quicker than right-clicking the Start button and then clicking Explore, or trying to find Explorer in the Start menu.
Windows-F - Launches Windows' search tool (remember "F" for "find").

Of course, nothing beats pressing Alt-Tab to cycle through open programs, but these Windows-key shortcuts are almost as useful. Try 'em out! [via Productivity Cafe]