* Moderators Weekly (Shift & Alt keys) (All)

[POBrien]

Shift Key

Here's another use for the shift key

Click once on My Computer on the desktop (to highlight it)

Hold down the shift key

Double click on My Computer

Explorer will automatically open up with My Computer as the default view.

This works for any folder


Alt Key

Here's another use for the Alt Key

Click once on My Computer on the desktop (to highlight it)

Hold down the Alt key

Double click on My Computer

The My Computer properties will automatically display.

This works on any folder or file.

Patrick (http://www.winguides.com/forums/sendprivate.php?Cat=&User=POBrien&Board=&Number=&what=online&page=&view=&sb=&part=&vc=><font)</font color=green> /images/forums/icons/smile.gif
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.winguides.com/subscribe/?guide=registry>WinGuides</a>

[homeflash]

FOR THE shift key,
I thought and I tried without hitting or holding down the shift key, I got the same result

[report_2]

Some people when they open Explorer it opens to My Documents and I am thinking that Pat is suggesting for those to try his tip to get it to open to My Computer. If yours already does then the tip would be moot although the tip still performs as suggested..

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by report_2 on 08/12/02 06:40.</FONT></P>

[POBrien]

Thanks for the assist Report_2.

Homeflash,

Actually, the Shift key tip does work. If you normally double click on My Computer a single window opens and displays the drive letters etc...

If you use the tip it will open up Windows Explorer (in double pane view) and set My Computer as the highlighted folder.

If you try it with other folders it will do the same and set that folder as the highlighted folder.

Pat

[BertImmenschuh]

Works as advertised on my Win98SE computer.

We all, each of us, have a uniqueness, some of us enjoy it, some of us don't.

[Nana]

Works on WinME - although I have web view set on the desktop, so I normally only single click everything. I had to double click once I had My Computer highlighted & hold shift down to get the double pane view.

Because it took me three clicks & holding down shift, it's faster for me to single click, open My Computer & click once on folders to get the same result.

Nana /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

[federico_s10]

you can just hold the shift key and double clickt the desktop intem or just hold the alt key and double click the desktop item to get the task you want to accomplish... you dont need to click the item first and try to hold the shift or alt and then double click it.....this will save you time to accomplish the task you want to do....

&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;Neo&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;™•

[POBrien]

Thanks for pointing that out federico_s10. One less step (which is always good in computing).

Pat

[Deke]

Here is something I started using that gives you a quick access to your most used programs or links:

There are a lot of F Keys that you never use. Here is a use for them.

First make a shortcut for the item you want to use.

Then right click the shortcut, click "Properties", move your cursor into the area that says Shortcut Key and hit the F* key you want to use for that item.

This will take away the original use of the F key you use for this.

This gives you one click access to your most used functions without Ctrl+Alt+(Letter) or using the cursor.

I have used this with no apparent ill effects. Let me know if you incur a problem.

Here are some additional notes provided by davey7549:

Here a few notes using the method outlined. For W98SSE and possible others:

1) When cursor is moved over shortcut area left click to activate box for change.

2) Items listed in your Quick Launch bar will not work when used in this process. You must have shortcut placed elsewhere on desktop or some other folder.(This applies to WME and maybe other OS.)

3) To reverse action back to "none", if that was original setting, repeat procedure but hit "Backspace" instead of the "F" key you have previously set.

4) You are not limited to just whatever "F" key as a selection. If you wish to not interfere with system functions instead of just selecting the "F" key use "CTRL" "F" or "Alt" "F" whichever you prefer.

Note: Best to use a currently not used function key for new shortcuts to prevent a problem with system controls

This tip was borrowed from MARK on a computing.net post dated 5-21-00. Thanks Mark.



Deke