Tech Tips

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Windows Classics for CAs – Essential Shortcuts & Time-Savers

WINDOWS CLASSICS #01

Three shortcuts worth knowing by heart.

1. Win + D — Show/Hide Desktop

Press Win + D to instantly hide all open windows.

Press it again → everything returns.

2. Win + Shift + S — Screenshot only what you need

Select any part of the screen and it is copied to the clipboard.

Perfect for portal errors, notices, figures or specific portions of documents.

3. Win + V — Clipboard History

See things you copied earlier — text, links, screenshots and file paths.

Very useful when copying several pieces of information repeatedly.

Three tiny shortcuts. A lot less clicking.

WINDOWS CLASSICS #02

Too many windows open? Don't keep juggling them.

1. Win + Tab

Shows all open windows at once.

It also lets you create Multiple Desktops.

For example:
Desktop 1 → Excel + working papers
Desktop 2 → Email + browser
Desktop 3 → Meeting / screen sharing

2. Win + Arrow Keys

Win + ← / → => split screen
Win + ↑ / ↓ => maximise, restore or move to a corner

Compare an Excel sheet with a PDF or portal without constant Alt + Tab switching.

Windows already has a workspace system. Use it.

WINDOWS CLASSICS #03

Three shortcuts to remember.

1. Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Opens Task Manager directly.

Use it to close a frozen application or see what is consuming CPU/RAM.

2. Win + R

Opens the Run box.

Type:
`excel` → Excel
`control` → Control Panel

and press Enter.

3. Win + L

Locks your computer instantly.

Especially important when client information is open and you step away from your desk.

Three shortcuts that can save both time and trouble.

WINDOWS CLASSICS #04

Stop clicking through folders.

1. Win + E

Opens File Explorer instantly.

2. Ctrl + Shift + N

Creates a new folder immediately.

No right-click → New → Folder.

3. Alt + P

Turns on the Preview Pane in File Explorer.

You can inspect supported files without opening each one.

Useful when dealing with lots of client documents.

Small shortcuts, repeated hundreds of times, become big time-savers.

WINDOWS CLASSICS #05

Three useful File Explorer tricks.

1. Rename many files together

Select the files → Right-click → Rename → type the common name → Enter.

Windows numbers them automatically.

2. Copy or move by dragging

Ctrl + Drag → Copy
Shift + Drag → Move
Alt + Drag → Create shortcut

3. Copy a full file path

Select a file → Shift + Right-click → Copy as path

No typing long folder paths.

Useful when sharing exact file locations with colleagues.

WINDOWS CLASSICS #06

Three small Windows features you may not be using.

1. Win + .

Opens the panel for symbols, kaomoji and emojis.

Useful in emails, notes and messages.

2. File Explorer tabs

In Windows 11, press Ctrl + T in File Explorer to open a new tab.

Keep client folders, downloads and working papers in one Explorer window.

3. Pin important folders to Quick Access

Right-click a frequently used folder → Pin to Quick Access.

Your current-year audit or GST working folder can then be opened in one click.

Less navigation. Less clutter.

WINDOWS CLASSICS #07

Three quick Windows productivity tips worth remembering:

1. Focus Mode

Need uninterrupted work?

Open Clock app → Focus sessions to reduce distractions and stay focused.

2. Search Files Faster — Win + S

Press Win + S and type what you’re looking for.

Search apps, files, settings and more without hunting through folders.

3. Extract Text from Images — Win + Shift + T

Have text in an image, screenshot or scanned document?

If Microsoft PowerToys is installed, press Win + Shift + T, draw a box around the text, and it’s copied automatically.

Useful for circulars, portal messages, WhatsApp images and screenshots.

OCR without retyping.

Tech Zone – Simplifying Technology for CAs