40+ Computer Tips You'll Actually Use

Forget `Ctrl + Alt + Del`. This is a list of lesser-known but incredibly useful tips for your browser, operating system, and favorite apps.

Google Chrome

To open Chrome’s built-in task manager: Press Shift + Esc. Extremely useful when Chrome freezes.
To remove a specific suggestion: Select it, then press Shift + Delete. Go and delete your embarrassing searches now.
To drag multiple tabs to a new window: Press Ctrl + Click on the tabs you want to move. This works for moving them to an existing window, too.
To scroll horizontally: Press Shift + Scroll.

To access your address bar directly: Press F6 or Ctrl + L.
To access a blocked web page: Go to Google Translate, paste the URL, and translate it. It acts as a free web proxy.
To close a tab: Middle-click on it.
To view multi-page articles on one page: Press Ctrl + P to open the Print Preview.
To open all web pages in a bookmark folder: Middle-click on the folder.
To reset zoom to default: Press Ctrl + 0.
To highlight long sections of text: Click the start point, then hold Shift + Click on the end point.
To fit more bookmarks on your bar: Edit them and remove the text, leaving only the icon (favicon).
You can undo sent mail in Gmail. Go to Settings and turn on the "Undo Send" feature now!
When researching products, search for [product name] vs [rival product] to see direct comparisons.

To open Task Manager directly with one hand: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. You’re welcome.
To minimize all windows except the active one: "Shake" the active window by dragging its title bar back and forth quickly. Shake again to restore them.
To freeze Task Manager to inspect processes: Hold the Ctrl key.
To automatically record your steps to reproduce a problem: Search for and open Problem Steps Recorder (psr). It's amazing.
To take a screenshot of only the active window: Press Alt + Print Screen.
To delete one word at a time: Press Ctrl + Backspace.
To open applications on the taskbar: Press Windows key + [Number] corresponding to the app's position.
To paste text without its original formatting: Press Ctrl + Shift + V.
To rename a file: Select it and press F2. This also works for batch renaming multiple files.
Open the Windows Calculator and change its mode in the View menu. You can calculate mortgages, fuel economy, and more.

To boost your Wi-Fi signal: Use software like Virtual Router to turn your computer into a Wi-Fi hotspot, extending your network's reach.
To easily share your Wi-Fi access: Generate a QR code with the network details. Guests can just scan it to connect.

Use Wikipedia Nearby to find articles based on your current location. Great for traveling.
Use Wikipedia Random to discover new topics. A great way to learn something new!

To play or pause a video: Press K.
To skip 10 seconds backward or forward: Press J and L.
To search for videos from a specific user: Type @username before your search query.
To change playback speed: Press > to speed up and < to slow down.
To view all keyboard shortcuts: Press ? (the question mark key).

To use your mouse as a laser pointer in PowerPoint: Hold Ctrl + Left-click.
To open a PowerPoint file directly in presentation mode: Right-click the file and select Show.
To significantly shrink an Excel file size: Save it in the binary format (.xslb).

In VLC Media Player, fix out-of-sync audio by pressing J and K.
In VLC, watch videos faster by pressing ] to speed up playback by 0.1x increments. You can save 15 minutes on a 2.5-hour movie without a noticeable difference.
To get discounts when online shopping: Add items to your cart, go to checkout, and then leave the site. Many retailers will email you a discount coupon within a few days to combat "shopping cart abandonment."