9 of the Best Computer Tricks That Every Beginner Should Know

Nearly 25% of people from around the world struggle to understand computers and other modern technology.

This is a large portion of people that can’t handle basic abilities and functions. This is a serious problem when most businesses utilize technology.

If you feel that you need to freshen up on your computer skills, some tricks will save you time. They will also make your life easier.

Continue reading to discover some of the best computer tricks that will help make you look and feel like a technology pro!

 

1. Take a Screenshot

One of the best computer tricks that you need to know is how to take a screenshot on your computer.

Taking a screenshot is easy with a phone or tablet, but when you use your laptop, you have a couple of extra buttons to press. If you own a Macbook or other Apple computer product, you take a screenshot by holding down shift, command, and “3.” You can also do the same code but with a “4” and it will let you select what you want to take the picture of.

For windows products, simply press the Windows key, shift, and “S” for a screenshot. If you want to print the entire screen on a Windows computer, press the Windows key and the PrtScn key.

 

2. Save Files as a PDF

School and work often require people to create documents and share them with their peers.

Simply sending out a document can put your work at risk and can easily be manipulated. By changing your documents into a PDF, or portable document format, you can enable file sharing and protect your work.

When you go to save your documents, select the file type as .pdf. This is easy to do, even in webpage form, here’s a guide on how to do it! If you want to secure your document, you can also set up a password protector.

 

3. Shortcut to Pausing Videos

Youtube is one of the most-used apps for watching videos from around the world.

Chances are, you have seen a fair share of Youtube videos, even businesses use them for training purposes. The next time you are watching a video, and need to press pause, instead press the “K” key.

Pressing “K” will automatically pause your video so that you don’t have to go out of your way. This is perfect for when you are scrolling and can no longer see the video but don’t want to lose your spot.

 

4. Bring Back a Tab

How many times have you been doing research, and you end up exiting out of a tab that had crucial information?

When this happens, it can be annoying to go back; luckily there is a solution. To bring back your tab, you can press Command, Shift, and “T” on a Mac product. Windows will bring it back by holding down Control, Shift, and “T.”

This trick comes in happy on research papers and while your searching accounts at work.

 

5. Add Monitors on Windows

Certain jobs, hobbies, and interests require detailed information from various sources.

Windows computers are recommended to people with this type of work because you can add monitors to create more working space. A helpful computer trick is to move your tab to another screen. By selecting the “Windows” key and the arrow key of your direction, you can move it.

The window will go where you put it. The best part is, you have multiple screens and can fluidly move them around and have them together.

 

6. Clear up Space Quickly

Many people recommend clearing your cache on your computer frequently. This helps protect your information.

Last year, more than 8 billion consumer records were accessed and exposed by hackers. Simply clearing out your computer cache can help prevent this exposure and allow the system to run better.

You can clean your computer cache by holding down the control, shift, and “R” keys. While you clear your cache, the webpage will refresh and the system should improve with the newly available space.

 

7. Delete More Efficiently

Typing out documents for school and work can be tedious, especially when you notice an error that impacts a lot of your work.

The next time you have a lot of words to erase, press Crtl and Backspace (or delete on Mac products). By pressing the control key while you backspace, you will erase entire words rather than letters. Just be sure not to go too far!

 

8. Search for Specific Information

At some point or another, you have likely spent more time than you should have, searching for information on a document.

Instead of straining your rolls while scrolling through pages and pages of work, use a shortcut! By pressing Command and “F” you can search for specific details. After you press the keys, a small box will appear on your screen. Type whatever terms you are looking for and all of the spots it appears will be highlighted.

This saves a lot of time and can ensure that your references are relevant to your topic.

 

9. Secure Your Screen

Many people that use a computer don’t realize how easy it is to lock it to protect your documents and accounts.

By selecting the Windows key and “L” key, you can secure everything and lock other people out of your account. If you use Apple products, like a Macbook, you must hold down Command, Option, and Eject. If your computer doesn’t have an optical drive, you will need to press Power in place of Eject.

Use this at work to secure everything and on while viewing personal information.

 

Learn the Best Computer Tricks

By utilizing this guide, you can learn the best computer tricks that will help make you look like a professional.

Saving time can be as simple as pressing a few keys on your keyboard. You can delete entire words at a time rather than letter by letter. You can also search for specific words and terms on documents and webpages.

Don’t be afraid to try these tricks out; there is typically a way to reverse them.

Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about computers and technology. With this information, you can become skilled at any technological task!