Are you the alpha geek in your office? Are you the family member that everyone else calls when they have a computer problem? If so, a big timesaver when it comes to providing phone support is to know all the keyboard shortcuts.

The Easy Way:
For just one example, in Windows, the Windows Explorer can be opened using WinKey+E. (WinKey refers to the special key with the flying Windows logo on it. There’s one on either side of the space bar.) No matter what, telling someone to hold down the WinKey while pressing the letter E always brings up an Explorer window.

The Hard Way:
Compare that to trying to describe to someone over the phone how to do something using a mouse. If you need him to click on an icon on the desktop, well first you might have to talk him through minimizing or closing all of the currently open windows. Then, hunting for the icon on a cluttered desktop is always fun. When he finally finds the icon and double-clicks on it, can you be sure it worked? Perhaps he didn’t double click fast enough. Or, maybe the mouse moved slightly between the two clicks. — You get the picture. These are all issues that shortcut keys avoid.

The WinKey Shortcuts:
For those of you who happen to be on Windows, here is a recap of the WinKey shortcuts, along with the new ones that were introduced for Vista:

Windows XP & Vista

• WinKey (by itself) - Show or hide the Start menu
• WinKey+Pause - Display the System Properties dialog box
• WinKey+D - Display the desktop (same as WinKey+M)
• WinKey+E - Open Windows Explorer
• WinKey+F - Search for a file or folder
• Ctrl+WinKey+F - Search for computers (if you are on a network)
• WinKey+L - Lock your computer or switch users
• WinKey+M - Minimize all windows (same as WinKey+D)
• WinKey+Shift+M - Restore minimized windows to the desktop
• WinKey+R - Open the Run dialog box
• WinKey+U - Open Ease of Access Center
• WinKey+Tab - Cycle through programs on the taskbar
• WinKey+F1 - Bring up Windows Help

Windows Vista Only

• WinKey+(any digit) - Open the corresponding Quick Launch shortcut
• WinKey+G - Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
• WinKey+T - A different way to cycle through programs on the taskbar
• WinKey+X - Open Windows Mobility Center
• WinKey+Spacebar - Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar
• Ctrl+WinKey+Tab - Yet another way to cycle through programs on the taskbar

Read more: Windows, Productivity