10 WINDOWS TRICKS YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW

 

I decided to write this article because I realized most people don't know these simple but powerful tricks for Windows. I use them every day and I think you should, too.

Windows window resize with window dragging (too many windows!)

If you take a window and drag it (from the top of the window) to the up corner of the screen, Windows will take all the space available on the screen and will fill it. If you do the same thing on the right or left corner, the window will take 50% of the screen right or left.

 

Windows window resize with keyboard

If you want to be more effective, you can also do the same thing by pressing the Windows key (the key on the keyboard that has the Windows logo) + right / left / up / down cursor key (it’s the key that has an arrow).

 

Block the computer just using two keyboard keys

Do you need to lock your computer immediately? (Obviously you have a password set, already). You click on start, click your profile and then Lock. No, no, no!!! How to do it faster?

(Suspense)

Use Windows + L key...

Slide between opened windows

If you have too many opened windows, you can press Windows + Tab to view them and slide between them (if you are using Windows 7, this will only slide between opened windows). 

 

 

A new desktop 

Yes, a new desktop! If you are using Windows 10, you can press Windows + Tab and click on New desktop to create a new desktop. You can come back with the same command to see opened desktops and also close one. Don’t forget you can also rename every desktop with a custom name clicking on the desktop default title. If you have problems opening new windows on the new desktop, just drag and drop one from the slide view.

What can you do with it? You can improve your computer windows management, in fact, you can separate work or school from your personal environment. This is very,  very useful! 

 

 

Secret start menu

If you right click the Windows icon at the bottom of the screen, you’ll see some simple but useful snap commands. If you prefer the keyboard, you can also use the Windows + X key.

 

 

 

Remove Cortana from application bar

Sorry Cortana, but it’s true… most people hate you or also don’t know who you are…

So, let’s hide this intrusive circle button on our application bar: right click on it, then click on “Show Cortana button” to toggle it off.

 

 

 

Turn off intrusive notifications

Do you also receive too many notifications on your computer? To block unimportant ones, click on the notifications center button (where you see all notifications) and click on the notification assistant. If you don’t see it, click on expand before.

 

 

 

Make a screenshot with Windows (10)

 

To maximize your speed you can use this keyboard shortcut: Windows + Shift + S: a screenshot will be taken and you can now choose what to save on the screen, from the top buttons.

With an older version of Windows, you can just open your screenshot favourite app.

 

Open apps from the application bar with the keyboard

Yes, you can also open an application from your application bar with the keyboard: Windows + (app position on the application bar, ex. 1-2-3…). For example, if you have Google Chrome as third on the application bar, you can open it just by pressing Windows + 3.

Remember the number you press can’t be invoked by the numeric keypad, but only with the integrated one.

Giorgio B., 3sc