Blog

Tech Tip - How To Open Multiple Instances of File Explorer Quickly

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

There may be times when it is useful to have multiple instances of Windows Explorer open on your desktop, for example if you are sorting out data and putting it in various repositories, it would be useful to have each repository open as its own instance so you can drag and drop the files into the correct target directory.

This saves a lot of time, rather than finding the file, copying or cutting it, then navigating to the target and pasting the file, then repeating this for each subsequent file.

Here is how to do it:

Open Windows Explorer
Whilst you are in Explorer, open another copy by pressing the Windows key + E
Repeat this key sequence for each new Explorer you want to open
You can then manage your files and folders more efficiently

Have a go and see if it is useful and helps you save time and speed up your filing

Tech Tip - Get More Screen Real Estate By Auto-hiding The Task Bar

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

There are times when you may need to have as much screen space as possible, maybe it is to have as much of the display for one thing as possible or maybe you want to focus on one thing without the distractions of other open applications sharing sharing the screen or even if they aren't, just the distraction of having badges and alerts popping up on applications on the task bar.

This is where auto-hiding the task bar may be of use to you.

Here is how to enable it:

Right click on the taskbar on a part where there is nothing running, for example not on an application in the task bar, then select Taskbar settings from the menu that pops up
Toggle the auto-hide menu
- in Windows 10 go to Taskbar, then click on the check box next to "automatically hide the task bar in desktop mode"
- in Windows 11 go to Taskbar behaviours, then click on the check box next to "automatically hide the task bar"
After it is enabled, the taskbar will automatically disappear, to get it back, move your mouse to the very bottom of the screen, the taskbar will appear, so you can use it.

NOTE: if you want to turn off auto-hide on the taskbar, move the mouse to the bottom of the screen so the taskbar appears, and then right click, bring up the settings and untick the box (as per above but unticking the box instead of ticking it) and the taskbar will remain visible again.

Tech Tip - How To Keep Frequently Used Items Pinned In Your Clipboard For Future Use

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Are there items that you use frequently that you add to documents or other files? Things like the company logo for example or other images or portions of text you may use on a regular basis and you keep going back to the original source to copy and paste it.

There is a way to pin frequently used items in the clipboard so they are easily accessible to paste again and again.

Here is how to do it:

Click Start, select Settings from the menu
Navigate to System, then Clipboard
Turn on the toggle slider next to Clipboard History
Once this is enabled, you can now pin items by opening the clipboard (Windows Key + V)
Click on the "Pin icon" or select the Pin option (this is found under the three dot menu) next to the item in the clipboard you want to keep available for future use

This is a really useful time saver for items you need to use regularly, enable it and give this a go, see if it helps you with your work

Tech Tip - Pin Frequently Used Locations Using File Explorer Quick Access

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

If you have files or folders or drives that you access the most frequently, then you can use Windows File Explorer to pin them to "Quick Access" meaning you do not have to navigate through layers of directories to get to them.

Here is how to do it:

Open Windows File Explorer (Windows key + E)
Browse through the files and folders to find the file or folder you want to pin
Right click on the drive, file or folder and select "Pin to quick access"
This will now appear in the quick access area of Windows Explorer, making things far easier to find and use
If you no longer need it on quick access, in the quick access area, right click on what you no longer need to pin and select "Unpin from quick access"

This is a really good tip if you regularly find yourself browsing through layers of files and folders to access the same files and folders every day

Tech Tip - How To Use A Virtual Keyboard If You Need To Do On Screen Typing

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

What can you do if your keyboard stops working or is malfunctioning or is not mapped correctly so you cannot type what you need to?You can use an on-screen virtual keyboard instead, which will allow you to type using your mouse to press the keys on screen instead of using the physical keyboard.

Here is how to use it:

Press the Windows Key + S and type on-screen keyboard and select the application from the results listed

This will bring up the on-screen keyboard allowing you to move your mouse to select the keys that are not working for you onscreen, or if you are lucky and have a touch screen you can tap the keys on the screen instead.

This can be such a useful tool if you cannot get the key you need, especially when using a foreign keyboard of if the keyboard is not mapped properly so the keys you are expecting do not match on screen!

Tech Tip – How to Open the Power User Menu

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Do you know about the Power User menu in Microsoft Windows? It is a menu where you can access things very quickly like:

Apps and Features
Power Options
Event Viewer
System
Device Manager
Network Connections
Disk Management
Computer Management
Windows PowerShell
Windows PowerShell (Admin)
Task Manager
Settings
File Explorer
Search
Run
Shutdown or sign out
Desktop

To access the Power User Menu

Press the Windows Key + X, then select from the above menu options to access that power user function quickly and easily