Windows Tips to Help You Get Work Done More Quickly
From About.com
Whether you're a executive or a stay-at-home parent, you use Windows to get work done. Here you'll find tips and advice to help you get work done so you can get on with your life. Find the information you need quicker, start programs and perform common actions with fewer clicks and keystrokes, and learn how to speed up your computer so you don't have to wait on it.
Productivity tips help save you time, but you've got to do meaningful work. These resources will also help you manage your calendar, organize contact information, use word processing software, and share your files via networks, email, or the Web.
- Finding, Opening, and Organizing Files
- Putting News and Other Essential Info at Your Fingertips
- Starting Programs with Fewer Clicks
- Switching Between Programs more Effectively
- Performing Common Actions with a Keyboard Shortcut
- Using and Managing Email
- Organizing Contact Information
- Using Calendars to Schedule Appointments and Events
- Getting Started with Note Taking, Word Processing, and Calculations
- Using Internet Explorer like a Pro
- Automating Tasks and Actions
- Speeding Up Your Computer
Finding, Opening, and Organizing Files
To get work done, you've got to be able to find the files you need. Instead of wasting time hunting through folder after folder, learn how to use folders, tags, and search to always find what you're looking for.
Once you find a file, there is more than one way to open it. Learning several ways to open files helps to ensure you open the file the fastest way possible every time. Sorting, grouping, and previewing files also help you open the right file the first time.
- Find files quicker with better search options for Windows XP
- Instantly find files with Vista's desktop search
- Use Windows Explorer to find and open any file
- Create new folders in which to organize files
- Save files where you want them by creating a folder just when you need it
- Using tags to organize files and make them easier to find again later
- Change the previews and order of files to find the right file quickly
- Sort files and folders in Windows XP to find the right one in less time
- Use options in Open dialog boxes to find the right file quickly
- Open any file from any program's open dialog box
- Add custom toolbars to the XP taskbar for quick access to files
- Add custom toolbars to the Vista desktop for quick access to files
Putting News and Other Essential Info at Your Fingertips
Chances are, you look at the same types of information every day or even several times a day. For some people, it's the weather and stocks; for others, you want to know if your favorite blog or Web site has been updated. To save time, put the information you need most at your fingertips with RSS feeds, the Vista Sidebar, and Windows SideShow.
- Using RSS feeds to get news and website updates easily
- Subscribing to RSS feeds in Internet Explorer 7
- Read RSS feeds in Windows Live Mail
- Get quick access to information through the Vista Sidebar & Gadgets
- Best Vista gadgets for added productivity
- Windows SideShow can display info on a computer's external display
Starting Programs with Fewer Clicks
Windows wouldn't be very useful without the programs that can run on it. These tips will help you save time by showing you ways to start programs with fewer clicks and keystrokes.
- Start a program from a desktop shortcut
- Pin a shortcut to the Start menu so it is always available
- Use the Quick Launch toolbar to start a program with a single click
- Start a program by searching for it in Windows Vista
- Create a custom keyboard shortcut to open any program
- Use keyboard shortcuts to open programs in less time
- Schedule a program to start automatically in Vista
Switching Between Programs more Effectively
Modern computing wouldn't be what it is if you couldn't run multiple programs at a time. When you have multiple windows open, however, it can be hard to spot the one you want. Windows Vista makes the process easier by adding small images of open windows (called live previews) to the taskbar and other screens. You can also get a similar effect in XP by using a free PowerToy to add live previews to the Alt+Tab screen.
- Add a live preview to the Alt+Tab screen in XP
- View live preview of open windows with Flip and Flip 3D in Vista
- View live previews of open windows on the taskbar in Vista
- How to switch between windows in Windows Vista
Performing Common Actions with a Keyboard Shortcut
Since they allow you to keep your hands on the keyboard, keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time.
- Learn some of the most useful Windows keyboard shortcuts
- How to discover keyboard shortcuts for actions you frequently take
Using and Managing Email
Learn about Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Hotmail and other email programs and services. Using email, you cankeep in touch with friends and get work done.
- Set up Windows Live Mail in Vista (video)
- Reviews of email programs and services
- How to read a RSS feed in Windows Live Mail
- Send email to a contact using Windows Mail
- Change the email program pinned to the XP Start menu
Organizing Contact Information
Phone numbers, email addresses, and other types of contact information can be hard to keep track of. Windows Contacts and Windows Live Contacts help you keep your contact information organized and available to email and instant messaging programs.
Using Calendars to Schedule Appointments and Events
Keeping track of your child's soccer games, your work appointments, and the responses to invitations to a party can be quite a chore. Windows Calendar, Windows Live Calendar, and Windows Live Events all give you new ways of managing your calendar and scheduling events.
- Introducing Windows Calendar
- Create an appointment in Windows Calendar
- Create and manage a task list in Windows Calendar
- Change the Windows Calendar view
- Create a new calendar using Windows Calendar
- Subscribe to a calendar using Windows Calendar
- Publish a calendar using Windows Calendar
Getting Started with Note Taking, Word Processing, and Calculations
Taking notes, creating documents, and making calculations and spreadsheets is an essential part of using a computer for work. These resources will give you the basic skills everyone needs.
- Using WordPad to create simple documents
- Using the Vista notes gadget to leave short notes for yourself
- Calculate, paint, or leave yourself a note with Vista's accessories
- Using Word, WordPerfect, Open Office Writer, and other Word Processing Software
Using Internet Explorer like a Pro
With so much information available on the Web, it pays to know how to use Internet Explorer efficiently. These tips will help you get the most out of IE.
- Change text size in Internet Explorer
- Search from the IE address bar
- Change IE7 so CTRL+Tab switches to the most recent tab
- Add Sites to the Trusted Sites Zone in Internet Explorer 7
- Add Sites to the Trusted Sites Zone in Internet Explorer 6
- How do Firefox and IE compare?
- Internet Explorer 7 features
Automating Tasks and Actions
You computer can run itself - well, almost. It's possible to automate some tasks and have Windows start programs automatically. Taking the few minutes required to set up automatic tasks can save you a little time each day.
Speeding Up Your Computer
Computers should make it easier for you to get work done, but too often, we have to wait on them to perform actions. These resources will help you speed up your computer.