Windows: Global Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts. Driving your computer using a mouse pointer may be easiest, but it's also the slowest way to get things done. Take the time to learn Windows' built-in keyboard shortcuts for tasks you perform often, and assign your own to shortcuts you always launch.

Global Windows shortcuts: Windows comes with dozens of keyboard combinations built in. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Control+Esc opens the Start Menu. Update: So does one tap of the Windows key.
• F3 starts a file search
• Alt+Tab cycles through open programs
• First letter of a Desktop shortcut name places the focus on that shortcut, Enter to launch.
• Win+D toggles Show Desktop
• Win+E starts Windows Explorer
• Win+L locks computer (more at Lifehacker)

Also, see Microsoft's Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows