Anything that can increase your productivity is a godsend. If it’s a simple process it’s even better. And that’s exactly what you can do with a PC shortcut.

Working with a mouse and a keyboard at the same time can become a fiddly task. But, thankfully, much of this complexity can be removed by using PC shortcuts. When we say PC shortcut we’re not referring to the icons on your desktop that launch applications. We’re talking about quick tricks that you can execute in seconds to save you time. These mostly involve either the keyboard or the mouse and you should be able to start implementing them immediately.

Increasing Your Productivity

The best PC shortcuts you should know are:

  • Switching Apps: When you have numerous applications open it can be difficult to navigate your way between them with a mouse. However, if you hold down the ALT key and then tap the TAB key you can quickly switch between each application. A mini preview window will open in the center of the screen to make things as simple as possible.
  • Select a Paragraph: If you want to select an entire paragraph of text to move, copy or delete then you have two options. The first is to manually click and drag your mouse cursor over the entire text. The second, and much quicker, option is to do a triple click of the left mouse button anywhere on the paragraph.
  • Select Everything: If you want to select everything in, for example, a Word document, a text box in any application or even MS Paint, all you have to do is press and hold the CTRL key and then the A key. This will highlight everything instantly and allows you action further processes immediately.
  • Close Your Current Window: The most common way to close a window on your PC is by clicking the X icon in the top right corner. But sometimes this may not be visible or your mouse may not be working correctly. In these cases you can still close the window quickly by pressing and holding the ALT key and then the F4 key.
  • Rescue Your Closed Browser Tab: We’ve all closed a tab on our internet browser by mistake and not been able to remember the address. Rather than digging through your internet history, though, there’s a quick way to re-open that tab. In most internet browsers, if you click and hold the SHIFT key and then the CTRL key and finally the T key, your last closed tab will be re-opened.
  • Zoom In: There’s always a need to zoom in on documents and images, but finding the zoom function in an app isn’t always easy.  There is, however, a quick solution. If you hold down the control key and then move the scroll wheel of a mouse up and down then you should zoom in and out. This works in a wide range of applications such as MS Office, Chrome, Firefox and most graphic design software.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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If there’s a piece of hardware that’s crucial for maximizing productivity on a PC then it’s the mouse. However, which one is right for your business?

It’s inevitable that, at some point this week, you’ll grasp a mouse in the palm of your hand and use it to get the best out of your work. Whether it’s helping you navigate your way round a spreadsheet or granting you the dexterity to design a new logo, a mouse is a vital tool in business. Not all PC mice, though, are the same. In fact, the amount of variance in terms of functions and features is so wide ranging that it can be difficult to pick the right one for your needs.

To save you a headache, we’ve done a little bit of research to help you choose the best PC mouse for your business.

Optical Mice

Although basic in terms of features, an optical mouse is perhaps the best type of mouse for your basic business needs. Using an LED sensor to detect movement, an optical mouse attaches to a PC by a USB cable and provides quick and easy interaction for tasks such as data entry, word processing and email.

Customizable Mice

Creative industries such as app development and music production involve working with complex pieces of software, so making this task easier is essential. And, with a mouse that comes complete with customizable buttons and wheels, you can not only save time, but reduce your frustration levels. With more buttons and wheels than your average mouse, the user has the option to program specific commands into these peripherals to minimize the time spent executing commands.

Wireless Mice

A wireless mouse is similar to an optical mouse except for one small difference. Yes, you guessed it, there’s no wire involved. It’s a small difference, but also a significant one in terms of accessibility. No longer do you need to be restricted by the length of a wire, you’re limited only by the range of your wireless signal. Where wireless mice really shine is in presentations as they allow the presenter to sit with their audience rather than beneath the presentation screen.

Mouse Pen

When it comes to drawing on a PC, a mouse pen provides a highly realistic option. Whereas a standard mouse will contribute only unsteady movements, a mouse pen delivers more finesse and accuracy to any design projects you’re working on. With a number of these devices now taking advantage of wireless technology, they’re vital pieces of kit for designers.

Ergonomic Mice

Available in a wide range of designs, ergonomic mice look very different to your standard mouse, but they’re just as effective and sometimes more so. Featuring a variety of twists, tilts and button positioning, ergonomic mice provide enhanced comfort to the user. Reducing the amount of unnatural wrist movements can make a real difference to productivity, particularly for tasks such as data entry and word processing.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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