Shortcut Keys

Once a year I happen to learn about a new shortcut key that just amazes me. Usually it’s because it’s something I didn’t know was possible or was possible but required to many mouse clicks. Recently I learned of control-space and had that same reaction.

Control-Space

In Microsoft Word, selecting text and typing Control-Space will clear the formatting. Since I do this dozens of times a day when copying/pasting text into Word Mail this is super handy.

Control-+ (NumPadPlus)

This will cause any item list control in Windows to “Auto Fit” I use this all the time in the explorer shell to make all the columns in details view automatically fit to the items in the list.  As far as I can tell, this shortcut is not documented anywhere.

WindowsKey-E

This will launch the Explorer Shell to the My Computer View. I do this dozens of times a day.

WindowsKey-D

This will display the desktop and hide all application windows.

WindowsKey-L

This will Lock your desktop or switch user if you have FUS turned on.

Alt-F1

In Outlook this will hide the folder list, giving your reading pane more room to view a message.

WindowsKey-Q

If you have Office Communicator, this will expand it from the Tray and place focus in the Word Wheel Control so you can quickly initiate a chat.

Control-Alt-M

If you have Windows Desktop Search, and the Taskbar Toolbar visible, this will place focus in that control.