Create an easy-access, keyboard-shortcut list

If I could remember any, I would begin this post with an anecdote about how wonderful a good memory can be.

Instead, I'll just tell you how to put all your keyboard shortcuts and Windows commands in a text file that you can open quickly via keystrokes, or keep minimized for even faster access. And you can do it all without grabbing your mouse.

Start by finding a list of keyboard shortcuts. The one Microsoft put together works for me. Select all the text on the page from "General keyboard shortcuts" to just above "Other information." Press Ctrl-C to copy the text to the clipboard. (That's one of the few shortcuts I can actually remember.)

Open Notepad by pressing the Windows key (or Ctrl-Esc) and N. You can also open it by pressing the Windows key and R (if necessary), typing notepad.exe, and pressing Enter.

Press Ctrl-V to paste the plain text into a blank file, and type Alt-F, A to open the Save As dialog box. Give the file a name--"shortcuts.txt" works for me. Just be sure to use the ".txt" file extension and save the file to your desktop or some other location that's easy to access.

Save a list of keyboard shortcuts as a text file for easy access.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Now open the file in Notepad and either make the Notepad window inconspicuous so it doesn't block your work apps, or keep it minimized and Alt-Tab to Notepad when you need to refer to the file. To move or resize the Notepad window (without using your mouse, of course), press Alt-spacebar, S, and then use the arrow keys to adjust the window size.

If you need to create a custom keyboard shortcut to open Notepad, press the Windows key and use the arrow and Enter keys to navigate to the Notepad shortcut on the Start menu (All Programs > Accessories > Notepad). Press the context-menu--which is sometimes called the application key--and then type R. (Note that Shift-F10 opens this menu in some applications.)

Use the Tab and arrow keys to navigate to the Shortcut keyboard text box under the Shortcut tab. Type the keystroke combination of your choice (Ctrl-Alt-N is one possibility), and press Enter.

Add Windows' commands to the list
Be sure to add your custom keyboard shortcuts to your shortcuts.txt file. While you have the file open, add all those commands you always forget about when you want to use Windows' command line to open a program or system tool. Microsoft provides a list of commands to open Control Panel applets. You'll also find a bunch of Windows commands in an article I posted in January.

Do it quick, before you forget where you put your spare mouse.

Tomorrow: use Gmail as a network drive.

[ivorycruncher]

Glad to see somebody is still promoting keyboard shortcuts. I have always been a "keyboard jockey" so to speak. Keep in mind that there are many things that are very difficult or even (dare I say it?) impossible to do without a mouse. Sure, you can tab through every single link on a web page, but that might take a while, and that probably won't even work with things like Flash. However, some of the most common keyboard shortcuts can ultimately save you lots of time if you learn how to use them effectively. I still cringe every time I see somebody type in their username and password to login to windows, and then waste time trying to click the OK button when they could've just hit Enter.

[sm.gs]

An alternative to having another Notepad window open; is to take a screen-shot of the notepad list and apply it as your desktop wallpaper. There is no need to have a picture of bunnies, your kids, etc. because if you are working / surfing; you cannot see the desktop anyway.
Shrink the current window and there is your list of shortcuts..

[specialsauce]

2 key shortcut words of advice:
1) [Windows key]+D takes you to your desktop and minimizes all Windows, press it again to restore the windows, this is especially handy for sm.gs's post if you have your shortcut list as your desktop background.
2) Right click any Program Shortcut (or file folder) link on your desktop, click "Properties" and there is an option to create a keyboard shortcut. Click in the box hold down CTRL+ (*any letter*), and you can just press "CTRL+ALT+ *letter* to open that program or file folder in the future.

[bighomer]

1 keyboard shortcut word of advice: AutoHotKey!
I use my numpad for program shortcuts (0 + 3 opens Abiword, 0 + 4 opens foobar2000)
I can type a text string to run a program or trigger events
I can use my game controller as a mouse, map keys to letters, etc, etc, etc.
I think you get the point.

[Seaspray0]

Not only is the article good (excellent links), the people who've posted so far are good on keyboard shortcuts. Time to F4 for the day.