Keyboard shortcuts are powerful tools that can significantly enhance your productivity by reducing the time spent navigating menus and options. While many users are familiar with basic shortcuts like Ctrl + C for copy and Ctrl + V for paste, there are numerous lesser-known shortcuts that can streamline your workflow even further. This article explores some of these hidden gems for both PC and Mac users, including the handy shortcut for applying strikethrough formatting.

Windows PC Shortcuts

1. Reopen a Closed Tab: Ctrl + Shift + T

Accidentally closed a browser tab? No worries! Press Ctrl + Shift + T to reopen the last closed tab in browsers like Chrome and Firefox.

2. Open the Emoji Panel: Windows Key + Period (.) or Windows Key + Semicolon (;)

Express yourself with emojis anywhere by pressing Windows Key + . or Windows Key + ; to open the emoji panel.

3. Snap Windows: Windows Key + Left/Right Arrow

Organize your workspace by snapping windows to the left or right half of the screen using Windows Key + Left Arrow or Windows Key + Right Arrow.

4. Create a New Folder: Ctrl + Shift + N

Quickly create a new folder in File Explorer by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N.

5. Paste Without Formatting: Ctrl + Shift + V

When copying text from one place to another, use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste without any formatting, matching the style of your destination document.

6. Lock Your Computer: Windows Key + L

Secure your PC when stepping away by pressing Windows Key + L to lock the screen instantly.

7. Open Task Manager Directly: Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Access the Task Manager without going through the Ctrl + Alt + Del menu by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

8. Delete Entire Words: Ctrl + Backspace

Speed up text editing by deleting entire words to the left of the cursor with Ctrl + Backspace.

9. Strikethrough Text in Microsoft Word: Ctrl + D then Alt + K

To apply strikethrough formatting in Microsoft Word:

1. Select the text you want to strikethrough.
2. Press Ctrl + D to open the Font dialog box.
3. Press Alt + K to select the strikethrough option.
4. Press Enter to apply.

For a quicker method in Word versions that support it, you can also use Ctrl + 5 to toggle strikethrough on and off.

10. Reopen Closed File Explorer Window: Ctrl + Shift + E

If you close a File Explorer window by mistake, press Ctrl + Shift + E to reopen it.

Mac Shortcuts

1. Reopen a Closed Tab: Command (⌘) + Shift + T

Just like on Windows, you can reopen the last closed browser tab by pressing Command + Shift + T.

2. Show or Hide Hidden Files in Finder: Command + Shift + Period (.)

Toggle the visibility of hidden files in Finder by pressing Command + Shift + .

3. Lock Your Screen: Control + Command (⌘) + Q

Quickly lock your Mac by pressing Control + Command + Q.

4. Paste Without Formatting: Option + Shift + Command (⌘) + V

When you need to paste text without bringing along its original formatting, use Option + Shift + Command + V.

5. Define a Word: Control + Command (⌘) + D

Highlight a word and press Control + Command + D to bring up the dictionary definition in a popup window.

6. Create a New Folder: Shift + Command (⌘) + N

In Finder, create a new folder by pressing Shift + Command + N.

7. Open Emoji & Symbols Viewer: Control + Command (⌘) + Space

Insert emojis or special symbols anywhere by pressing Control + Command + Space to open the character viewer.

8. Adjust Volume in Smaller Increments: Option + Shift + Volume Up/Down

For finer control over your volume, hold Option + Shift while pressing the volume keys to adjust in smaller steps.

9. Strikethrough Text in TextEdit or Pages: Command (⌘) + Shift + X

To apply strikethrough formatting in applications like TextEdit or Pages:

1. Select the text you wish to strikethrough.
2. Press Command + Shift + X to toggle strikethrough formatting on or off.

In Microsoft Word for Mac, you can also use Command + Shift + X to apply strikethrough.

10. Move Files to Trash: Command (⌘) + Delete

Quickly send selected files or folders to the Trash by pressing Command + Delete.

Cross-Platform Shortcuts

1. Quickly Switch Between Open Applications

• Windows: Alt + Tab
• Mac: Command (⌘) + Tab

Cycle through your open applications and switch to the one you need.

2. Take a Screenshot

• Windows: Windows Key + Print Screen (saves the screenshot) or Alt + Print Screen (captures the active window to clipboard)
• Mac:
  • Entire screen: Shift + Command (⌘) + 3
  • Selected portion: Shift + Command (⌘) + 4

3. Open Spotlight Search (Mac) and Windows Search

• Windows: Windows Key opens the Start menu where you can start typing to search.
• Mac: Command (⌘) + Space opens Spotlight Search.

Conclusion

Mastering these little-known keyboard shortcuts can greatly enhance your efficiency and make your computing experience smoother. Whether you’re navigating through files, editing documents, or browsing the web, these shortcuts save time and effort. Don’t hesitate to incorporate them into your daily routine to become a more proficient PC or Mac user.

Shortcuts Recap

• Strikethrough Text:
  • Windows (Microsoft Word): Ctrl + D, then Alt + K
  • Mac: Command + Shift + X

Shortcuts at a Glance

While all of this may seem daunting at first, the more you use these shortcuts, the more intuitive they’ll become.