Using some common keyboard shortcuts can really help your gaming experience. Additionally, if you work on your computer all day, being able to use it efficiently can really help save you time and make you more productive. One way to do this is by learning and using some common shortcuts.
Benefits of Using Keyboard Shortcuts
First, as mentioned in the intro, using keyboard shortcuts can drastically improve your efficiency while working or playing. For example, it is so much easier to use Ctrl+A to highlight all text in a document versus using the mouse cursor to highlight all the text.
Next, as a more advanced tactic, you can customize your shortcuts to actions that you may perform often. You can even set up a shortcut to run a macro.
One more big benefit of getting used to keyboard shortcuts is that it will cut down your need to use the mouse as much. This could reduce your risk of getting carpal tunnel or just general wrist soreness.
Gaming Specific Useful Keyboard Shortcuts
- Windows + Number keys – This opens the app on the taskbar corresponding to the numbered position. This is useful to easily switch between the game and other apps. For example, you will easily be able to switch between a game, discord, or even streaming software.
- Windows + A – This opens the Action Center (where you can turn on Wi-Fi). This is useful if you need to diagnose connection issues.
- Windows + G — This opens Xbox Game Bar. The Xbox Game Bar offers all kind of useful tools and information such as recording software and the ability to see how your hardware is performing.
- Windows + Alt + G — This will record the last 30 seconds of gameplay.
- Windows + Alt + R — This shortcut will start or stop recording.
Common Productivity Shortcuts
A few shortcuts work across the board in different software packages, such as Word, Chrome, Firefox, Paint, etc. These are ones that are really worth learning and using since they are commonly used and since once you learn them, they work everywhere. I will try to list these in order of importance. However, this is just my opinion. If you are doing a ton of writing, my order below may be a little off for you personally.
- Ctrl + C – Let’s you copy selected text/files
- Ctrl + X – Cuts selected text/files
- Ctrl + V – Pastes copied or cut text/files
- Ctrl + Z – Undo Previous action
- Ctrl + Y – Redo the last performed action
- Ctrl + A – Let’s you select all the contents of a document, file, etc
- Ctrl + B – Let’s you bold highlighted text
- Ctrl + I – Changes highlighted words to Italic
- Ctrl + U – Underline highlighted words
- Ctrl + P – Print
- Ctrl + S – This is often used to Save a file, spreadsheet, or document
- Ctrl + O – This is often used to Open a file, spreadsheet, or document
- Ctrl + Home – Move the cursor to the top of the document
- Ctrl + End – Move the cursor to the end of the document
These are just a few of the common ones that I would recommend learning. You will be amazed how much faster you are able to get your work done if you are efficient at using your PC.
Software Specific Shortcuts
To go along with the above shortcuts, if you use a specific software often, it would be a great idea to learn and use the shortcuts for that specific software. For example, I do a lot of programming, so it makes sense for me to learn the shortcuts in MS Visual Studio and MS Code. By using the basic shortcuts above plus a few software specific ones, I am really able to be efficient when coding.
Do you have a favorite shortcut that isn’t on this list? Let me know if the comments!