10+ Useful Tips and Tricks for Using Your Desktop Computer

10-useful-tips-and-tricks-for-using-your-desktop-computer

People have been using desktop computers for years, and many people think they know all there is to know about them. However, there are still some tricks and tips that can make using a desktop computer easier.

1. The Basics

There’s more to using a desktop computer than simply turning it on and getting to work. In order to get the most out of your machine, it’s important to know a few basic tips and tricks. Here are a few to get you started:

  • Keep your desktop clean and organized. This will help you find the files and applications you need quickly and prevent clutter from slowing down your computer.
  • Use shortcuts. Learning keyboard shortcuts can save you time and make using your computer more efficient. For example, instead of moving your mouse all the way to theFile menu at the top of your screen, you can press the Alt + F keys on your keyboard.
  • Get to know your taskbar. The taskbar is located at the bottom of your screen and contains shortcuts to the applications and files you use most often. It also includes the Start button, which allows you to access all of your computer’s features and settings.
  • Keep an eye on your system tray. The system tray is located in the lower-right corner of your screen and contains icons for things like battery life, wireless connections, and more. Paying attention to what these icons represent can help you troubleshoot problems and keep track of important information.

2. Organizing Your Desktop

A well-organized desktop can help you be more productive and reduce stress. Follow these simple tips to get your desktop in order.

  • First, create a folder for each project that you are working on. This will help you keep track of all the files associated with the project in one place.
  • Second, save important documents in a clearly labeled folder so that you can find them easily when you need them.
  • Third, delete any files that you no longer need. This will help to declutter your desktop and free up space on your hard drive.
  • Finally, arrange your files and folders in a way that makes sense to you.

This will help you find the files you need quickly and efficiently. By following these tips, you can take control of your desktop and make it work for you.

3. Customizing Your Desktop

While the standard desktop that comes with your computer may be fine for some general tasks, it may not be ideal for more specific needs. Fortunately, Windows provides a number of ways to customize your desktop to better suit your work style. For example, you can change the desktop background to a photo of your family or a scenic landscape.

You can also add shortcut icons to quickly launch your most-used programs. If you have trouble finding a particular file, you can even create a custom toolbar that gives you quick access to folders containing the files you need. By taking advantage of these customization options, you can make your desktop more efficient and productive.

4. Working with Multiple Desktops

The ability to work with multiple virtual desktops is a handy productivity boost, whether you’re trying to keep unrelated windows open and organized or just want to get a better overview of what’s on your screen. Windows 10 has had support for multiple desktops for a while, but it’s still a feature that many users don’t know about or don’t bother to use. Here’s a look at how virtual desktops can help you boost your productivity, and how to use them in Windows 10.

When you have multiple desktops open, you can quickly switch between them by using the keyboard shortcut Windows+Tab. This will bring up the Task View, which shows you all of your open windows and makes it easy to move between desktops. You can also add and remove desktops from this view. To add a new desktop, click the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen. To remove a desktop, click the X next to the desktop name in the Task View.

You can customize each desktop by adding and removing programs, just as you would with any other window. To move a program from one desktop to another, open the Task View and drag the program window to the desired desktop. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Windows+Arrow keys to move windows between desktops.

Virtual desktops are a great way to boost your productivity by keeping your work organized and separating different tasks into different spaces. By taking advantage of this feature, you can get more done in less time.

5. Adding Gadgets and Widgets to Your Desktop

Over the last few years, the popularity of widgets and gadgets has exploded. While once the domain of tech-savvy early adopters, these simple applications are now used by millions of people every day.

Whether it’s checking the weather, reading the latest news headlines, or tracking a package delivery, widgets and gadgets can make your life just a little bit easier. And best of all, they’re easy to add to your desktop.

Just choose the ones you want from a wide variety of options, and then drag and drop them into place. In no time at all, you’ll have a custom-tailored desktop that provides you with all the information you need, right at your fingertips. So why wait? Start adding gadgets and widgets to your desktop today!

6. Changing the Appearance of Windows and Menus

The Windows and Menus can be customized to better suit the needs of the user. For example, the colors of the windows and menus can be changed to better match the colors of the walls or surrounding objects.

Additionally, the font size and typeface of the menus can be changed to improve legibility.

Finally, the layout of the menus can be customized to provide quick access to frequently used features. By making a few simple changes, the Windows and Menus can be transformed to better suit the user’s needs.

7. Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Speed Up Your Workflow

As anyone who has ever worked on a computer knows, even the simplest task can take longer than necessary if you don’t know the right keyboard shortcut. For example, did you know that you can instantly create a new folder in Windows by pressing the “Ctrl+Shift+N” keys?

Or that you can quickly close all open tabs in your web browser by pressing “Ctrl+Shift+W”? Learning just a few simple keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time and make working on your computer much more efficient. Not only that, but once you get into the habit of using shortcuts, they can actually be quite fun to use. So why not give them a try? You might be surprised at how much time you can save.

8. Automating Tasks with Scripts and Hotkeys

We all know how frustrating it can be when we have to perform the same task over and over again. Whether it’s something as simple as copying and pasting text, or something more complex like creating a report from a database, doing the same thing multiple times can take a toll on our productivity.

Fortunately, there are ways to automate these tasks using scripts and hotkeys. Scripts are small programs that can be written to automate a variety of tasks, such as copy and paste operations, or interacting with a database. Hotkeys are keyboard shortcuts that can be programmed to perform specific actions, such as opening a new document or closing a window. By taking advantage of these tools, we can save ourselves a lot of time and effort.

9. Preventing Problems (and Fixing Them Quickly)

In any business, it’s important to prevent problems before they start. By taking proactive steps and being vigilant, you can often avoid potential issues entirely. However, even the best preventive measures can’t always stop problems from arising.

That’s why it’s just as important to have a plan for quickly and efficiently dealing with problems when they do occur. The first step is to identify the problem as early as possible. Once you’ve done that, you can take steps to fix the issue and prevent it from happening again in the future. In some cases, this may mean making changes to your processes or procedures.

In others, it might involve investing in new equipment or training your staff. Whatever the solution may be, the key is to act quickly and decisively to get the problem under control. By following these steps, you can ensure that your business runs smoothly and efficiently, with minimal disruptions.

10. Taking Advantage of Advanced Features

Most desktop computers come with a variety of advanced features that can make life much easier. For example, many computers now come with built-in WiFi, which allows you to connect to the internet wirelessly.

This can be extremely useful if you often find yourself working in locations where there is no easy way to get wired internet access. In addition, most modern computers also come with a variety of USB ports, which can be used to connect external devices such as storage drives and printers.

And if you’re looking for a computer that can handle more demanding tasks such as video editing or gaming, you’ll want to make sure it has a powerful processor and plenty of RAM. By taking advantage of the advanced features that are available on today’s desktop computers, you can make your life much easier.

If you need any help with any of the above, get in touch with our technicians who are excellent at computer setup.

Author:
I am a computer engineer holding a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, complemented by a Master's in Business Administration from University of Strathclyde, Scotland. I currently work as a Senior IT Consultant in Melbourne, Australia. With over 15 years of...