20 PC Tips You Need to Know About
Tip 1: Accessing Emojis
If you want to use emojis while typing on your computer, simply press "Windows" and "." simultaneously. This will bring up your computer's built-in Emoji Library, allowing you to easily add emojis to your text.
Tip 2: Reopening Closed Tabs
If you accidentally close a tab while browsing on Google, there's a quick way to reopen it. Just press "Ctrl + Shift + T" and the closed tab will be restored, saving you the hassle of searching for the page again.
Tip 3: Closing Multiple Windows
When you have multiple windows open on your desktop and want to quickly close all of them except one, try this handy trick. Grab the window you want to keep open and give it a shake. All the other windows will automatically close, leaving only the one you shook.
Tip 4: Creating a Shortcut to Shutdown
If you want a quick way to shut down your PC, you can create a shortcut on your desktop. Right-click on your desktop, go to "New", then "Shortcut". Type in "slide to shutdown", click "Next", and finally "Finish". Now, whenever you double-click the shortcut, a sliding bar will appear, allowing you to easily shut down your computer.
Tip 5: Global Media Controls
If you enjoy watching videos while multitasking, you can enable global media controls in Google Chrome. Simply type "chrome://flags" in your search bar, scroll down to "Global media controls", and make sure it is set to "Default". Now, when you're watching a video, you can click the media control icon at the top-right corner of your browser and continue watching while performing other tasks.
Tip 6: Launching Apps with Shortcut Keys
If there are specific apps you frequently use, you can create shortcut keys to quickly launch them. Right-click on the app, go to "Properties", then "Shortcut Key". Choose a combination that is not currently being used, click "OK", and now you can open the app by pressing the assigned shortcut keys.
Tip 7: Quick Virus Scan
To perform a quick scan for viruses on your computer, press "Windows + R" to open the Run window, type in "MRT", and hit "OK". This will launch the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, allowing you to quickly scan your computer for any potential threats.
Tip 8: Task Manager Shortcut
If you need to access the Task Manager quickly, press "Ctrl + Shift + Escape". This shortcut will instantly bring up the Task Manager, enabling you to manage running processes, monitor system performance, and troubleshoot any issues.
Tip 9: Optimizing Startup
To improve the startup speed of your PC, you can disable unnecessary programs from launching at startup. Open the Task Manager, go to the "Startup" tab, and right-click on any programs with high startup impact that you don't need. Select "Disable" to prevent them from running when you start your computer, resulting in a faster boot time.
Tip 10: Customizing Google Home Page
If you want to personalize your Google home page, you can set a custom background using a GIF. Find a GIF you like on Google, right-click on your Google home screen, select "Customize Chrome", go to "Upload from device", and choose the GIF you downloaded. Now, your Google home page will display your chosen GIF as the background.
Tip 11: Quick Lock Screen
If you need to lock your computer quickly, press "Windows + L" on your keyboard. This shortcut will instantly take you to the lock screen, ensuring your computer is secure when you step away.
Tip 12: Refreshing Graphics Card
If you encounter any graphics card issues, you can try refreshing it by pressing "Windows + Shift + Control + V". This key combination will reset your graphics card, and you'll know it worked when your screen momentarily flashes black.
Tip 13: Closing Windows with Keyboard Shortcut
Instead of manually clicking the "X" button to close a window, you can use a keyboard shortcut. Press "Ctrl + W" to quickly close the active window, saving you time and effort.
Tip 14: Changing Cursor Size and Color
If you find it difficult to locate your cursor on the screen, you can adjust its size and color. Go to "Settings", then "Ease of Access", and select "Mouse pointer". Here, you can choose a larger size for your mouse pointer and even change its color for better visibility.
Tip 15: Text Suggestions and Autocorrect
To enhance your typing experience, enable text suggestions and autocorrect for misspelled words. In the Windows search bar, type "typing settings", scroll down to the corresponding settings, and turn on "Show text suggestions" and "Autocorrect misspelled words". This will help you type faster and minimize errors.
Tip 16: Changing App Icons
If you want to customize the appearance of app icons on your computer, you can easily do so. Right-click on the app, go to "Properties", select "Change icon", and click "Browse". Choose any image on your computer, but make sure it is in the .ico file format. If you don't have an .ico file, you can convert an image to .ico using online tools. Once you've selected the desired image, click "OK" and then "Apply". You may receive a pop-up message; simply click "Continue" and then "OK".
Tip 17: Quick Window Switching
Instead of using the traditional Alt + Tab combination to switch between windows, you can use a quicker alternative. Press "Windows + Tab" to activate the Task View feature, which allows you to switch between open windows more efficiently.
Tip 18: Quick File Explorer Access
If you frequently use the File Explorer, there's a faster way to open it. Press "Windows + E" on your keyboard to instantly launch the File Explorer, saving you time navigating through menus.
Tip 19: Easier Web Page Scrolling
When scrolling through web pages, you can use your spacebar to scroll down quickly. This not only saves you from continuously scrolling with the mouse or touchpad but also ensures you don't miss any content on the page.