Tech Tips - Windows

Closing and shutting down

Shut down Windows
Click on the desktop and press ALT + F4 at the same time. This will bring up a dialog box asking if you'd like to Stand by, Shut down, Restart, or Restart in MS-DOS mode. Chose one and press OK.
Close a window
Find a program or file you'd like to close, make sure to save anything you're working on, and hit ALT + F4 at the same time. This will close the topmost window that is open. Continue closing open windows by activating them with a single-click and pressing ALT + F4.

Shortcuts

Wanna act like a nerd? Wanna be cool? Wanna at least look like you know what you are doing? Then have no fear, we got your back! Try a few of these shortcuts and then the next thing you know, you will be thinking you should be making big bucks and transfering to head the IT department at work! Trust me, they work!

Function Key Combination
Help: F1
Open Start menu: Ctrl+Esc
Switch between open programs: Alt+Tab
Quit program: Alt+F4
Delete items permanently: Shift+Delete
Highlight items in window: Ctrl+A
Copy: Ctrl+C
Cut: Ctrl+X
Paste: Ctrl+V
Undo: Ctrl+Z

If you are surfing the web and you start to feel that carpal tunnel (we wont ask why), then go ahead and remember a few simple tips:
F5 to refresh the window
F6 to highlight the address bar
BACKSPACE to move back one page
ALT F4 to close the page.

Customize your browser in Win XP

Did you know that in Windows XP, you can customize your browser, get rid of logo's and make it into your own thing? This is really easy and even if you mess it up, you can always unsave your work and reboot. Here you go. Try it out.

You must be logged in as administrator for this tip to work.
Open the Group Policy Editor by going to Start, Run, then typing Gpedit.msc.
The Group Policy Editor is only available in Windows XP Professional.
Click to User Configuration\Windows Settings\Internet Explorer Maintenance\Browser User Interface.
Click and modify Browser Title to change the title settings.
Choose Custom Logo to modify the "thinking" logo in the corner of your browser.
Choose and modify Browser Toolbar Customizations to change the bitmap background of your browser.

Win XP system resources

Dont you hate it when your computer is taking forever and "hangs"? If you have WIN XP, I will show you a quick and easy way to keep an eye on your computer's system resources. Just follow these simple steps.

Open your Task Manager by hitting Ctrl + Alt + Del and then choose Task Manager. You should see a little CPU meter in your System Tray. You can also open your Task Manager by going to Start --> Run and typing "taskmgr" without the quotes.
In your Task Manager, choose Options, then check "Minimize on Use" and "Hide when Minimized."
When your Task Manager is minimized, you won't see it in your taskbar, but you'll still see your little CPU meter in the System Tray.
If you put a link to your Task Manager in your startup folder (you should find the Task Manager in C:/Windows/System32, or search for "taskmgr" on your system drive), the Task Manager will start in your System Tray every time you start your computer.