Steve Thomas - IT Consultant

Been putting off that free Windows 11 or 10 upgrade? Windows 7 and 8 diehards need to move fast

Posted on September 29, 2023 in: Windows

Microsoft just implemented something we never thought we’d see the software giant do – namely closing the loophole allowing for Windows 7 and 8 users to upgrade to Windows 10 or 11 at no cost.

We need to rewind time considerably to return to the start of this particular story, all the way back to when Windows 10 was first launched, and Windows 7 and 8 users were allowed a free upgrade to the new OS.

That freebie offer only lasted for a year after the launch of Windows 10, officially, but even after the deadline expired, it actually remained in place.

In short, anyone with a valid Windows 7 or 8 key could still upgrade their PC to Windows 10 just fine (and by extension, Windows 11 too, when that emerged – assuming the various additional system requirements were met including TPM).

Essentially, this was a loophole Microsoft never bothered to close – until now, because as Windows Central spotted, the company just made an official announcement that this unofficial upgrade path is now blocked (with a caveat).

The software giant said: “Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 10 / 11 ended July 29, 2016. The installation path to obtain the Windows 7 / 8 free upgrade is now removed as well. Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 are still free.”

However, as Windows Central points out, it’s important to note that technically, an upgrade is still possible as we write this. This change has just been applied with Windows 11 preview builds for now, but it will come through to the release version of the OS before long, no doubt.

So, if you do want to avail yourself of a free upgrade from Windows 7 or 8, you better move sharpish. It may even no longer be possible by the time you read this.

Analysis: An unexpected development

This is something we didn’t believe would ever happen, frankly, simply because the free upgrade has remained in place, on the sly, for so long. As Microsoft points out, the offer officially expired in mid-2016, over seven years ago – yes, seven years.

So, we just figured, like many others, that Microsoft was happy enough to let Windows 7 and 8 users continue to upgrade at no expense. Our presumption was that bolstered adoption figures for newer versions of Windows were to be welcomed. Apparently, this is no longer a concern for Microsoft (if it ever was – but we can’t imagine why the loophole remained open if it wasn’t).

Anyhow, as we observed above, act quickly if you have been holding off an upgrade, but intend to make the move. You may not have long at all left to pull the trigger.

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Windows 11 update coming today will finally persuade me to upgrade – but not because of Copilot

Posted on September 26, 2023 in: Windows

Windows 11’s next big update – not the annual one for 2023, mind, that comes later – is rolling out today, and there’s some buzz on the rumor mill about what will be included with this upgrade.

PhantomOfEarth, a regular leaker on X (formerly Twitter) with their ear to the ground on all things Windows, pointed out what else is coming with the September 26 update (later today).

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Of course, it’s already known that the star of the show is set to be the Copilot AI. However, as tweeted, there’s another big piece of the jigsaw – at least for me, and a good few other folks – coming in the form of the option to never combine on the taskbar.

That’s the choice for the taskbar that you get with Windows 10 to tell the operating system not to stack up (combine) windows of the same application. (So, for example, if you have multiple browser windows open, they won’t all be lumped into the same entry on the taskbar, stacked up – with never combine, they remain separate icons on the bar).

PhantomOfEarth also clarified that another useful trick is coming for the taskbar, namely the ability to right-click on an app on the bar and end the task right there. Oh, and also the feature to hide the time and date from the taskbar should you wish.

And the new volume mixer, which offers fresh functionality including adjusting the volume of programs that are running on a per-app basis, is also set to roll out with the September 26 update later today.

Analysis: A winning never-combination

Of course, the centerpiece for this update – which is technically Moment 4 for Windows 11 22H2, with the 23H2 update to come later in the year, in Q4 – is undoubtedly Copilot. The introduction of the AI assistant to Windows 11 is, of course, a huge move, and one which may work out better than I anticipate. (I still feel it’s jumping the gun a little, but I’m ready – and happy – to be proven wrong).

For me, though, I’ve been holding back on upgrading to Windows 11 because of the lack of that feature to keep apps on the taskbar separate. That might sound a bit petty, but I have a workflow within Windows, and it involves never combining on the taskbar, and having that option stripped away is just too annoying, and jarring, for my fundamental way of working with the OS.

I couldn’t really believe it when Microsoft removed this choice with Windows 11 – apparently fiddly bits deep within the interface meant it wasn’t a simple implementation for the newer OS, or that’s what the software giant told us.

So, I’ve refrained from upgrading, until now – but with this new feature in place, I’ll be hitting the upgrade button straight away, with a caveat though. That being I’ll fire up the upgrade on my Surface (second PC) first, before my main desktop rig. But the latter will come soon enough (unless I find other things to hate about Windows 11, when I actually get into using it properly – perish the thought, naturally).

Anyway, it’s good to see that there’s a lot of stuff imminent for Windows 11, even if that does leave me scratching my head a bit as to what’s left for the 23H2 update, which at this point feels more minor than this ‘Moment’ (supposedly smaller than annual) upgrade.

So, that’s all a little confusing, but hey – I’m not going to argue about getting super-important features quicker, that’s for sure (though I wouldn’t say never combine has been exactly ‘quick’ off the mark, of course).

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Microsoft clarifies Windows 11 23H2 update isn’t arriving next week

Posted on September 23, 2023 in: Windows

Earlier this week, Microsoft made a big announcement about the launch of its Copilot AI in Windows 11 which is happening with an update next week – but in case you were wondering, this isn’t the 23H2 update.

It is a big update to Windows 11, for sure, just not the annual update for 2023, which will arrive for the OS later, in fact.

As Neowin spotted, Microsoft made the clarification in a blog post following the announcement of the launch of Copilot.

The Copilot update will arrive as part of a rollout kicking off on September 26, and Microsoft said it will “later be included in Windows 11, version 23H2, the annual feature update for Windows 11.”

The 23H2 update won’t be released until Q4 of 2023, though, we’re told, which means it won’t begin to filter out until October at the earliest, and possibly not until later than that.

Analysis: A useful clarification

It’s a useful clarification from Microsoft, and we have to admit, we figured when the software giant talked about a big update coming next week, we assumed this would be the 23H2 update. That’s not the case, after all, but Copilot will be the biggest change to Windows 11 this year, so it’s easy enough to see how the confusion arose.

Still, we know where we stand now, and this won’t affect who gets Copilot next week – presumably those who have ticked the box to get the latest updates for Windows 11 as soon as they’re available.

As to how Copilot will turn out in its initial incarnation, well, we’re still a little dubious about that – though some first impressions we were treated to were positive, no doubt.

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Mastering Windows 11 for work: 7 Tips to enhance productivity

Posted on September 22, 2023 in: Windows

Windows 11 has powerful productivity features that many users often overlook or underuse. In this blog, we highlight these features and discuss how they can improve your workflow and time management.

Snap Layouts

Snap Layouts lets you organize your workspace in new ways. With six versatile layouts, you can easily snap open windows to different sections of your screen, which can help maximize your productivity. To use Snap Layouts, simply press Windows Key and Z, and choose from options like side by side, in a column, or in a grid. This feature proves particularly handy when you’re not using a large monitor, as it allows you to make the most of your screen space and multitask more efficiently.

Voice typing

Boosting your typing productivity can be as simple as letting your computer do the typing for you, and Windows 11 lets you do just that with its voice typing feature. Just press and hold the Windows key + H to activate this built-in voice typist. Click on the microphone icon that appears, and start speaking.

For the initial use, Windows will install speech recognition software to enhance its accuracy and efficiency. Voice typing enables you to articulate your thoughts swiftly and accurately, making your keyboard a more versatile tool.

Focus Sessions

It can be hard to stay focused on a task when there are so many distractions on your computer. Windows 11 introduces a helpful solution through its Focus Sessions feature. This function activates Windows 11’s Do Not Disturb mode, silencing all notifications and preventing apps in the taskbar from demanding attention. It also deactivates badge notifications on taskbar apps. When you start a Focus Session, you can use the Windows Clock to set a time limit so you don’t have to worry about how long to keep Do Not Disturb turned on. This way, you can work without distractions.

Use the PowerToys utility

PowerToys is a free utility that adds a number of additional features and tools to Windows 11. Some of the PowerToys’s productivity-boosting features include:

  • FancyZones: FancyZones allows you to create custom window layouts.
  • PowerRename: PowerRename enables you to quickly rename multiple files at once.
  • Image Resizer: Image Resizer lets you to quickly resize images.
  • PowerToys Awake: PowerToys Awake prevents a computer from going to sleep, without the user having to manually change the power and sleep settings.

Virtual desktops

Virtual desktops allow you to create multiple workspaces on your computer, so you can easily switch between tasks and projects without having to minimize and maximize windows. To create a new virtual desktop, click the Task View button on the taskbar, then click the New desktop button. To switch between virtual desktops, click the Task View button again and then click on the desktop you want to switch to.

Improved clipboard

Microsoft has enhanced the Windows clipboard function — it now stores multiple clips and lets you preview those clips and choose which one you’d like to paste into a document. You can also store clips permanently, which can be valuable for those who copy and paste various templates on emails or documents.

If you have more than one Windows device, you can use this feature on all of them. Here’s how: Go to Settings, then System, and click on Clipboard. Turn on “Clipboard history” and “Sync across devices.” Then, you can copy something on one device and paste it on another.

Need more productivity tips? Contact our professionals to boost your team’s performance and enhance overall productivity.

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Boost productivity in Windows 11 with these 7 tips

Posted on September 22, 2023 in: Windows

While applications often take the spotlight for boosting productivity, the Windows 11 operating system itself offers powerful tools that can streamline your workflow. However, many of these functionalities remain unexplored. In this guide, we’re diving into the heart of Windows 11 to unveil these hidden productivity features.

Snap Layouts

Snap Layouts lets you organize your workspace in new ways. With six versatile layouts, you can easily snap open windows to different sections of your screen, which can help maximize your productivity. To use Snap Layouts, simply press Windows Key and Z, and choose from options like side by side, in a column, or in a grid. This feature proves particularly handy when you’re not using a large monitor, as it allows you to make the most of your screen space and multitask more efficiently.

Voice typing

Boosting your typing productivity can be as simple as letting your computer do the typing for you, and Windows 11 lets you do just that with its voice typing feature. Just press and hold the Windows key + H to activate this built-in voice typist. Click on the microphone icon that appears, and start speaking.

For the initial use, Windows will install speech recognition software to enhance its accuracy and efficiency. Voice typing enables you to articulate your thoughts swiftly and accurately, making your keyboard a more versatile tool.

Focus Sessions

It can be hard to stay focused on a task when there are so many distractions on your computer. Windows 11 introduces a helpful solution through its Focus Sessions feature. This function activates Windows 11’s Do Not Disturb mode, silencing all notifications and preventing apps in the taskbar from demanding attention. It also deactivates badge notifications on taskbar apps. When you start a Focus Session, you can use the Windows Clock to set a time limit so you don’t have to worry about how long to keep Do Not Disturb turned on. This way, you can work without distractions.

Use the PowerToys utility

PowerToys is a free utility that adds a number of additional features and tools to Windows 11. Some of the PowerToys’s productivity-boosting features include:

  • FancyZones: FancyZones allows you to create custom window layouts.
  • PowerRename: PowerRename enables you to quickly rename multiple files at once.
  • Image Resizer: Image Resizer lets you to quickly resize images.
  • PowerToys Awake: PowerToys Awake prevents a computer from going to sleep, without the user having to manually change the power and sleep settings.

Virtual desktops

Virtual desktops allow you to create multiple workspaces on your computer, so you can easily switch between tasks and projects without having to minimize and maximize windows. To create a new virtual desktop, click the Task View button on the taskbar, then click the New desktop button. To switch between virtual desktops, click the Task View button again and then click on the desktop you want to switch to.

Improved clipboard

Microsoft has enhanced the Windows clipboard function — it now stores multiple clips and lets you preview those clips and choose which one you’d like to paste into a document. You can also store clips permanently, which can be valuable for those who copy and paste various templates on emails or documents.

If you have more than one Windows device, you can use this feature on all of them. Here’s how: Go to Settings, then System, and click on Clipboard. Turn on “Clipboard history” and “Sync across devices.” Then, you can copy something on one device and paste it on another.

Need more productivity tips? Contact our professionals to boost your team’s performance and enhance overall productivity.

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7 Ways to boost your productivity in Windows 11

Posted on September 22, 2023 in: Windows

Did you know that you can leverage Windows 11 to enhance your efficiency? The operating system actually offers a trove of productivity features that many users overlook. In this guide, we uncover the valuable yet little-known features of Windows 11 that can help you optimize your workflows.

Snap Layouts

Snap Layouts lets you organize your workspace in new ways. With six versatile layouts, you can easily snap open windows to different sections of your screen, which can help maximize your productivity. To use Snap Layouts, simply press Windows Key and Z, and choose from options like side by side, in a column, or in a grid. This feature proves particularly handy when you’re not using a large monitor, as it allows you to make the most of your screen space and multitask more efficiently.

Voice typing

Boosting your typing productivity can be as simple as letting your computer do the typing for you, and Windows 11 lets you do just that with its voice typing feature. Just press and hold the Windows key + H to activate this built-in voice typist. Click on the microphone icon that appears, and start speaking.

For the initial use, Windows will install speech recognition software to enhance its accuracy and efficiency. Voice typing enables you to articulate your thoughts swiftly and accurately, making your keyboard a more versatile tool.

Focus Sessions

It can be hard to stay focused on a task when there are so many distractions on your computer. Windows 11 introduces a helpful solution through its Focus Sessions feature. This function activates Windows 11’s Do Not Disturb mode, silencing all notifications and preventing apps in the taskbar from demanding attention. It also deactivates badge notifications on taskbar apps. When you start a Focus Session, you can use the Windows Clock to set a time limit so you don’t have to worry about how long to keep Do Not Disturb turned on. This way, you can work without distractions.

Use the PowerToys utility

PowerToys is a free utility that adds a number of additional features and tools to Windows 11. Some of the PowerToys’s productivity-boosting features include:

  • FancyZones: FancyZones allows you to create custom window layouts.
  • PowerRename: PowerRename enables you to quickly rename multiple files at once.
  • Image Resizer: Image Resizer lets you to quickly resize images.
  • PowerToys Awake: PowerToys Awake prevents a computer from going to sleep, without the user having to manually change the power and sleep settings.

Virtual desktops

Virtual desktops allow you to create multiple workspaces on your computer, so you can easily switch between tasks and projects without having to minimize and maximize windows. To create a new virtual desktop, click the Task View button on the taskbar, then click the New desktop button. To switch between virtual desktops, click the Task View button again and then click on the desktop you want to switch to.

Improved clipboard

Microsoft has enhanced the Windows clipboard function — it now stores multiple clips and lets you preview those clips and choose which one you’d like to paste into a document. You can also store clips permanently, which can be valuable for those who copy and paste various templates on emails or documents.

If you have more than one Windows device, you can use this feature on all of them. Here’s how: Go to Settings, then System, and click on Clipboard. Turn on “Clipboard history” and “Sync across devices.” Then, you can copy something on one device and paste it on another.

Need more productivity tips? Contact our professionals to boost your team’s performance and enhance overall productivity.

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Panic over: Windows 10 users won’t be left out in the cold with Wi-Fi 7 after all

Posted on September 21, 2023 in: Windows

We’ve been hearing a lot about Wi-Fi 7, the next-gen wireless standard, of late, and one of the bits of chatter was worrying – namely that Windows 10 users may not get the benefit of these faster wireless speeds. Fortunately, we can now put paid to any notion that Windows 10 users will be left out in the cold.

This episode started a month ago when a leaked Intel document appeared on X (formerly Twitter), courtesy of one of the regular hardware leakers on that platform, and it omitted any mention of Windows 10 support for Wi-Fi 7. It listed support for Windows 11, Linux, and ChromeOS, but that was it.

Now, as we commented at the time, that didn’t necessarily mean that Windows 10 won’t support Wi-Fi 7, but it was certainly taken as a hint that the older OS may not, somehow.

The good news is that this isn’t the case, and we’ve now had confirmation – albeit an indirect confirmation – from Intel that Windows 10 PCs will be just fine to benefit from Wi-Fi 7.

Neowin reports that Intel has now listed a pair of Wi-Fi 7 modules on its official Ark product database – the Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 and Wi-Fi 7 BE202 – both of which are marked down as having Windows 11 and Windows 10 support (along with Linux, though ChromeOS is omitted with these product listings, oddly – again, we wouldn’t read too much into that either).

Analysis: Minor panic over, thankfully

So, if there was any panic for Windows 10 users – and there was a bit, for sure – they can now rest easy that when Wi-Fi 7 comes fully into play, they will be able to enjoy those much, much faster wireless speeds (compared to Wi-Fi 6, it’s in the order of a fivefold speed increase).

When will Wi-Fi 7 actually be usable? Well, it’s still relatively early days yet for the standard, and those first Intel modules won’t be in hardware for some time (and you’ll need not just client devices which support Wi-Fi 7, but of course one of the best wireless routers that does, as well). We’re looking at next year for the new wireless standard to be fully formed and certified, with supporting hardware to rollout following that in 2024.

There’s plenty to look forward to then, no matter what version of Windows you’re running.

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Windows 11 Paint app is set for its biggest upgrade ever

Posted on September 19, 2023 in: Windows

Windows 11’s Paint app is set for some major upgrades which have been seen coming through in testing right now.

And when we say major changes, we really mean big new avenues of exploration for Microsoft, the most tantalizing of which is the introduction of a layers feature for Paint compositions.

This new addition was revealed in a blog post that notes the Paint app in the Canary and Dev testing channels now has the feature (version 11.2308.18.0 or higher).

Layers mean you can use multiple layers in one image, with different elements placed in different layers. Those layers can be shown or hidden, worked on separately, and indeed merged together if needed, for a more flexible and advanced way of editing any given image.

There’s a Layer button in the Paint app’s toolbar, and you can work with the feature by clicking it (whereby a side panel pops up showing the different layers that you add).

Microsoft Paint Image with Layers

(Image credit: Microsoft)

A new transparency effect has been brought in, too, with a checkboard pattern representing parts of an image that are transparent. Paint will also let you open (and save out) transparent PNG image files.

Here’s another big introduction for Paint, too: as spotted by PhantomOfEarth on X (formerly Twitter), that same new version of the app has hidden strings pertaining to an AI-powered image generation feature.

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In short, the idea is that Paint will be bolstered with Dall-E image creation chops in a feature apparently called ‘Cocreator’ which allows you to describe an image and have it composed for you (including specifying art styles).

Analysis: Hacks become a reality...

If that AI-powered image creation functionality sounds familiar, it’s because this is already in the armory of Bing AI, so it’s nothing new as such – and it isn’t really a big surprise to see Microsoft pull it over to Paint.

Well, okay, maybe it’s a little bit of a surprise in terms of Paint getting fleshed out considerably more than we ever thought it would, with the introduction of layers certainly coming out of left field.

In fairness, the ability to work with layers is something that has been hacked into Paint in the past, and that did prompt a whole lot of badgering of Microsoft about why it wouldn’t officially introduce the capability.

So, fair play to Microsoft, the software giant has listened and is doing just that – assuming that the layers and transparency elements make it through testing to the release version of Paint (which seems very likely).

Maybe we’ll see other hacks become official Paint features – you may recall that simple animations were also unofficially introduced to Microsoft’s creative app in the past.

Paint has certainly come a long way in the past half a decade or so, given that there was chatter about Microsoft considering canning the software back in 2017, if you remember. How things have changed for the better…

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Simplify your workflow with these Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

Posted on August 23, 2023 in: Productivity, Windows

Did you know that Windows 11 has a bunch of shortcuts that can make your life easier and help you get things done more quickly? We’ve put together a handy list of these keyboard shortcuts to help you streamline your workflow effortlessly. Give them a try and see how much more productive you can be!

General Windows 11 shortcuts

These shortcuts enable you to perform common functions, including copying and pasting text, switching between windows, and more.

Command Function
Ctrl + A Highlights all items in the active window
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copies the highlighted items
Ctrl + X Cuts the highlighted items
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Pastes the cut or copied items
Ctrl + Z Undoes recent changes
Ctrl + Y Redoes recent changes
Ctrl + Arrow key + Spacebar Selects multiple items in a window
Ctrl + O Opens a file
Ctrl + S Saves a file or folder
Ctrl + Shift + S Opens the Save As dialog box
Ctrl + N Opens a new window
Ctrl + R (or F5) Refreshes the active window
Alt + Tab Switches between active tabs or windows
Alt + F4 Closes an active window
Shift + Delete Deletes a file or folder without moving it to the Recycle Bin

 

Windows 11 Command Prompt shortcuts

The Windows Command Prompt is a powerful tool used to perform various operations on your computer. The following shortcuts can help you save time when using it.

Command Function
Ctrl + A Selects all items
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copies the selected items
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Pastes the cut or copied items
Ctrl + M Enters Mark mode
Ctrl + F Opens the Find dialog box
Esc Deletes everything you typed
Arrow keys Moves the cursor in the specified direction
Page Up/Page Down Moves the cursor up or down a whole page
Shift + Home Repositions the cursor at the start of the current line

 

Windows 11 File Explorer shortcuts

Navigating and managing files can be tedious, but with these shortcuts, you can open, view, and organize files more quickly.

Command Function
Windows logo key + E Opens File Explorer
Ctrl + N Opens another File Explorer window while you’re in File Explorer
Ctrl + E Goes to the search box
Ctrl + W Closes File Explorer
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel Changes the size and appearance of file and folder icons
F4 Goes to the File Explorer address bar
F5 Refreshes the current File Explorer window
F6 Toggles between the screen elements in a window
Ctrl + Shift + N Creates a new folder
Alt + P Shows/Hides the preview panel
Alt + Enter Shows the Properties dialog box of the selected item
Alt + Left/Right arrow key Toggles between the next and previous folders
Alt + Up arrow key Goes to the parent folder or directory
Num Lock + Plus (+) key Expands the selected folder
Num Lock + Minus (−) key Collapses the selected folder

 

New Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

Windows 11 has unique features that you can access with these handy shortcuts.

Command Function
Windows logo key + C Opens the Microsoft Teams chat app
Windows logo key + H Opens Voice Typing
Windows logo key + A Launches the Quick Settings flyout
Windows logo key + N Opens the Notification Center
Windows logo key + W Brings up the Widgets pane
Windows logo key + Z Launches the Snap Layouts flyout

 

Mastering these Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts can greatly enhance your productivity and efficiency. So, try incorporating these shortcuts into your daily routine and experience the optimum functionality of Windows 11.

If you want to find more ways to increase your productivity using Windows 11, call our experts today.

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The ultimate cheat sheet: Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts you need to know

Posted on August 23, 2023 in: Productivity, Windows

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 and want to navigate it like a pro, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore handy keyboard shortcuts that can make your Windows 11 experience smoother and more efficient. Whether you’re a seasoned Windows user or a beginner, these shortcuts will make it easier to manage your workflow and boost your productivity.

General Windows 11 shortcuts

These shortcuts enable you to perform common functions, including copying and pasting text, switching between windows, and more.

Command Function
Ctrl + A Highlights all items in the active window
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copies the highlighted items
Ctrl + X Cuts the highlighted items
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Pastes the cut or copied items
Ctrl + Z Undoes recent changes
Ctrl + Y Redoes recent changes
Ctrl + Arrow key + Spacebar Selects multiple items in a window
Ctrl + O Opens a file
Ctrl + S Saves a file or folder
Ctrl + Shift + S Opens the Save As dialog box
Ctrl + N Opens a new window
Ctrl + R (or F5) Refreshes the active window
Alt + Tab Switches between active tabs or windows
Alt + F4 Closes an active window
Shift + Delete Deletes a file or folder without moving it to the Recycle Bin

 

Windows 11 Command Prompt shortcuts

The Windows Command Prompt is a powerful tool used to perform various operations on your computer. The following shortcuts can help you save time when using it.

Command Function
Ctrl + A Selects all items
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copies the selected items
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Pastes the cut or copied items
Ctrl + M Enters Mark mode
Ctrl + F Opens the Find dialog box
Esc Deletes everything you typed
Arrow keys Moves the cursor in the specified direction
Page Up/Page Down Moves the cursor up or down a whole page
Shift + Home Repositions the cursor at the start of the current line

 

Windows 11 File Explorer shortcuts

Navigating and managing files can be tedious, but with these shortcuts, you can open, view, and organize files more quickly.

Command Function
Windows logo key + E Opens File Explorer
Ctrl + N Opens another File Explorer window while you’re in File Explorer
Ctrl + E Goes to the search box
Ctrl + W Closes File Explorer
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel Changes the size and appearance of file and folder icons
F4 Goes to the File Explorer address bar
F5 Refreshes the current File Explorer window
F6 Toggles between the screen elements in a window
Ctrl + Shift + N Creates a new folder
Alt + P Shows/Hides the preview panel
Alt + Enter Shows the Properties dialog box of the selected item
Alt + Left/Right arrow key Toggles between the next and previous folders
Alt + Up arrow key Goes to the parent folder or directory
Num Lock + Plus (+) key Expands the selected folder
Num Lock + Minus (−) key Collapses the selected folder

 

New Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

Windows 11 has unique features that you can access with these handy shortcuts.

Command Function
Windows logo key + C Opens the Microsoft Teams chat app
Windows logo key + H Opens Voice Typing
Windows logo key + A Launches the Quick Settings flyout
Windows logo key + N Opens the Notification Center
Windows logo key + W Brings up the Widgets pane
Windows logo key + Z Launches the Snap Layouts flyout

 

Mastering these Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts can greatly enhance your productivity and efficiency. So, try incorporating these shortcuts into your daily routine and experience the optimum functionality of Windows 11.

If you want to find more ways to increase your productivity using Windows 11, call our experts today.

Read more

Work smarter, not harder: Essential keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11

Posted on August 23, 2023 in: Productivity, Windows

Cut down on time spent navigating menus and opening programs with the help of these useful Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts. Learn how to quickly switch between windows, open new tabs, and access the Start Menu, all with just a few keystrokes.

General Windows 11 shortcuts

These shortcuts enable you to perform common functions, including copying and pasting text, switching between windows, and more.

Command Function
Ctrl + A Highlights all items in the active window
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copies the highlighted items
Ctrl + X Cuts the highlighted items
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Pastes the cut or copied items
Ctrl + Z Undoes recent changes
Ctrl + Y Redoes recent changes
Ctrl + Arrow key + Spacebar Selects multiple items in a window
Ctrl + O Opens a file
Ctrl + S Saves a file or folder
Ctrl + Shift + S Opens the Save As dialog box
Ctrl + N Opens a new window
Ctrl + R (or F5) Refreshes the active window
Alt + Tab Switches between active tabs or windows
Alt + F4 Closes an active window
Shift + Delete Deletes a file or folder without moving it to the Recycle Bin

 

Windows 11 Command Prompt shortcuts

The Windows Command Prompt is a powerful tool used to perform various operations on your computer. The following shortcuts can help you save time when using it.

Command Function
Ctrl + A Selects all items
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copies the selected items
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Pastes the cut or copied items
Ctrl + M Enters Mark mode
Ctrl + F Opens the Find dialog box
Esc Deletes everything you typed
Arrow keys Moves the cursor in the specified direction
Page Up/Page Down Moves the cursor up or down a whole page
Shift + Home Repositions the cursor at the start of the current line

 

Windows 11 File Explorer shortcuts

Navigating and managing files can be tedious, but with these shortcuts, you can open, view, and organize files more quickly.

Command Function
Windows logo key + E Opens File Explorer
Ctrl + N Opens another File Explorer window while you’re in File Explorer
Ctrl + E Goes to the search box
Ctrl + W Closes File Explorer
Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel Changes the size and appearance of file and folder icons
F4 Goes to the File Explorer address bar
F5 Refreshes the current File Explorer window
F6 Toggles between the screen elements in a window
Ctrl + Shift + N Creates a new folder
Alt + P Shows/Hides the preview panel
Alt + Enter Shows the Properties dialog box of the selected item
Alt + Left/Right arrow key Toggles between the next and previous folders
Alt + Up arrow key Goes to the parent folder or directory
Num Lock + Plus (+) key Expands the selected folder
Num Lock + Minus (−) key Collapses the selected folder

 

New Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

Windows 11 has unique features that you can access with these handy shortcuts.

Command Function
Windows logo key + C Opens the Microsoft Teams chat app
Windows logo key + H Opens Voice Typing
Windows logo key + A Launches the Quick Settings flyout
Windows logo key + N Opens the Notification Center
Windows logo key + W Brings up the Widgets pane
Windows logo key + Z Launches the Snap Layouts flyout

 

Mastering these Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts can greatly enhance your productivity and efficiency. So, try incorporating these shortcuts into your daily routine and experience the optimum functionality of Windows 11.

If you want to find more ways to increase your productivity using Windows 11, call our experts today.

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Microsoft kills Cortana in Windows as it focuses on next-gen AI

Posted on August 4, 2023 in: Microsoft, Windows

Microsoft is shutting down its digital assistant app Cortana this month, having now put more of its focus on modern-day AI advances, like its ChatGPT-like Bing Chat and other AI-powered productivity features across Windows and its web browser Edge. A support page confirms the end of Cortana as a standalone app in Windows, starting in August 2023.

The company also confirmed to TechCrunch the page was first published earlier in June, but declined to share more of its thinking on the matter beyond what was referenced on the page itself.

However, reading between the lines from the explanation provided, it appears that Microsoft sees Cortana as something that was a stepping stone toward this new AI future, where users will instead rely on a smarter chatbot running GPT-4, powered thanks to Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI. The company also announced in May that it would build this new ChatGPT-based Bing experience right into Windows 11.

In the meantime, Windows users will be in a transitional period where Cortana will still be around in some form, though the standalone Windows app will no longer be supported. For now, however, Cortana will continue to be available in Outlook mobile, Teams mobile, Microsoft Teams display, and Microsoft Teams rooms, the company notes.

Those Cortana-powered experiences may not be long for this world either, as Microsoft has already detailed its plans to bring Bing Chat to the enterprise, where Microsoft 365 Copilot will be integrated into its productivity software, plus Outlook, Teams, and more.

“We know that this change may affect some of the ways you work in Windows, so we want to help you transition smoothly to the new options,” Microsoft explains on the support page. “Instead of clicking the Cortana icon and launching the app to begin using voice, now you can use voice and satisfy your productivity needs through different tools.”

The company then points users to Cortana alternatives like Windows 11 voice access which lets users control their PC with voice commands, the new AI-powered Bing, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Windows Copilot, which offers centralized AI assistance for Windows users.

The website Windows Latest (not affiliated with Microsoft) was the first to report on the Cortana app’s shutdown, having noticed that the latest update for the Cortana Windows app caused the app to stop working. Upon launching the app, a message informed users that “Cortana in Windows as a standalone app is deprecated” and pointed to the support page through a “Learn More” button.

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Microsoft’s shift to Bing Chat from its first-gen assistant Cortana may be later mirrored by other big tech companies.

This week, The Information reported, for example, that Amazon promoted its head scientist for Alexa, Rohit Prasad, to run a team developing artificial general intelligence. That signals that Amazon, too, may be thinking about how Alexa could evolve into something more capable than the digital assistant it is today. Apple has also been developing its own generative AI tools, Bloomberg reported, but hasn’t yet decided how they would be released to customers.

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