Use the Computer Faster
Many computer users waste too much time doing tasks, and commands for the sake of doing it the easy way, while they can do it a lot faster, and for some a lot easier. Here are some steps, and techniques that can help you get the job done not very easily maybe but quickly using Windows 2000/XP/Vista operating systems.
Contents
Steps
- Use the Run box to go to locations in your computer. Such as a drive, folder, file, or even a URL instead of going through many folders, or menus.
- Use the Run box to open up well-known soft-wares. Soft-wares like Notepad, Paint, Wordpad, Character Map ..etc. all can be opened directly from the Run box without having to go through All Programs > Accessories > Notepad to open up notepad for instance.
- Use the environment variables. Instead of writing the full path. e.g you can go to Start > Run and then type in %PROGRAMFILES% and hit Enter instead of writing the full path C:\Program File\.
- Use shortcuts. Use your keyboard!, use the operating system and/or your most used software's shortcuts. e.g hit CTRL+C to copy. Or, CTRL+Enter to turn wikiHow into https://www.wikihow.com in your address bar instead of writing the full URL, or going through your favourite/bookmarks menus.
- Organize your folders. By Categorizing your documents, images, videos ..etc. Then you won't waste your time looking for them. Here's a good how-to article: Organize Computer Files.
- Organize your favourite/bookmarks. By also Categorizing them. Here's a good how-to article for IE users: Organize Your Web Page Favorites, and here's for Firefox users Organize Bookmarks in Firefox This can save you time instead of searching for the site on Google.
Windows Common Shortcuts List
For a complete list please see List of the keyboard shortcuts that are available in Windows XP.
- CTRL+C (Copy)
- CTRL+X (Cut)
- CTRL+V (Paste)
- CTRL+Z (Undo)
- CTRL+Y (Redo)
- DELETE (Delete)
- CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
- ALT+F4 (Exit/Close)
Common Software's Name List
Here's a list of some common software's names.
- notepad (Notepad)
- wordpad (WordPad)
- mspaint (Paint)
- charmap (Character Map)
- explorer (Windows Explorer)
- cmd (Command Prompt)
- compmgmt.msc (Computer Management)
- services.msc (Services)
- devmgmt.msc (Device Manager)
- diskmgmt.msc (Disk Management)
- fsmgmt.msc (Shared Folders)
Environment Variables List
These environment variables can be used exactly the same way when we use common software's names to open up a software. For a complete list see the Help Center in your operating system, or find it online, or in Environment Variables in Windows XP by Victor Laurie. You can even build your own variables. More details about environment variables can also be found in Wikipedia.
| Variable | Returned Value |
| %ALLUSERSPROFILE% | Returns the location of the All Users Profile. |
| %HOMEPATH% | Returns the full path of the user's home directory. |
| %HOMESHARE% | Returns the network path to the user's shared home directory. |
| %USERPROFILE% | Returns the location of the profile for the current user. |
Tips
- Memorize the names of your most used softwares so that you can open them through the Run box.
- When you type in a path e.g in the Run box that was a very long path, don't stop doing that 'cause you only have to type it in once, and then when you try to type it again it'll automatically appears in the drop down menu for you to select it.
Warnings
- Not opening your drive locations such as C,D,E ..etc through the run box can cause your computer to be infected if that drive has a Mal-ware. Specially if the drive was Removable Drive such as a Flash Stick, SD Card ...etc.
Related Articles
- Make Your Computer Run Faster
- Maximize the Speed of Your Internet Connection
- Get Your Computer Running at Full Speed
- Make Your Windows Run Faster
