Mother’s day is around the corner – this year how about simplifying things for her? Remember how many times you found her seeking help on her Windows 8 system, MacBook, iPhone, iPad or Android device. Wouldn’t it be great if you could give her an assortment of shortcut tips covering tips and tricks to be used on all major platforms? Imagine this: she can glue it on her desktop or take prints and glue it at the desk so that she can take cues with a quick glance upon it.
If you have thought of creating a handy collection of shortcut tips on all major operating systems your mom is using – then here is what you are just looking for. We have compiled 100 shortcut tips on Windows 8, Mac OS X, Android and iOS to bring your mom all the quick tips she needs to continue using her devices and deal with complex features efficiently.
Windows 8 shortcut tips:
1. Windows + C – Open the Charms bar containing tools including Search, Share and Settings from the right side of the display.
2. Windows + I – get quick access to the Power button to use Sleep, Shut down and Restart options.
3. Windows + P – To view PowerPoint on a second screen.
4. Windows + H – To share content from an application via email or social networking channels.
5. Alt + F4 – To quit an application.
6. Windows + Tab – To access thumbnails of applications that are swept aside to the left side of the screen.
7. Windows + Q – To search an application on the Charms Bar
8. Windows +W – To search a Settings option on the Charms Bar
9. Windows + F – To search any file on the Charms Bar
10. Windows + R – Quick access to ‘Run’ menu to launch applications
11. Windows + Number Key (1-9) – Jump to desktop mode and open the Nth application minimized on the task bar. Remember that 1 will be the application that lies at the last left side of the taskbar.
12. Windows + Ctrl + Tab – To open all application windows
13. Windows + E – To open Explorer on Desktop Mode
14. Windows + S – Quick access to Search Settings
15. Windows + . (period key) – Dock recent application to the left or right.
16. Alt + Tab and Alt + Shift + Tab – Alternate between all applications. Release Tab key on the app that you want to access. Press Shift key with Alt + Tab to go back.
17. Windows + X + P – Quick access to Control Panel
18. Windows + X + T – Quick access to Task Manager
19. Windows + X + E – To open File Explorer
20. Windows + X + C – Instant launch of Command Prompt
21. Windows + X + C – Shortcut access to Programs and Features
22. Windows + X + F – Shortcut access to Programs and Features
23. Windows + X + Y – Shortcut access to System Information
24. Windows + X + M – Quick access to Device Manager
25. Windows + B – Quick access to the first item in System Tray
Mac OS X shortcut tips:
1. Command + Option + Control + Eject – To close Mac instantly and avoid traditional shutdown process from Apple Menu.
2. Command + Shift + I – To instantly open a new email message on Apple Mail, paste the URL of a webpage you want to share from Apple Safari browser.
3. Command + Option + M – When your mom will lose track application windows on a Mac machine, this shortcut will help minimize all opened windows.
4. Command + ` – Quick tip to alternate through all the windows open in the active application.
5. Command + Shift + Option + Esc – Press and hold these buttons simultaneously for three seconds to ‘Force Quit’ the app without actually using Force Quit option.
6. Command + Shift + 4 + Space Bar – Quick capturing of a screenshot of a window. This will instantly transform the application window into an image.
7. Command + Control + D – Simply place the mouse cursor over the word you want to search the meaning of and press the combination of keys – the meaning from the built-in Mac OS X dictionary will pop up.
8. Control + D – Use Control + D within a text area to delete the text.
9. Command + Control + Option + 8 – To invert the colors of the screen on Mac OS X the ‘Invert Colors’ box is already enabled.
10. Command + Shift + A/U/D – Use Command + Shift + A shortcut to open Finder, Command + Shift + U for Utilities folder; and lastly, Command + Shift + D to access Desktop folder within Finder.
11. Command + Tab – Use this shortcut to call a horizontal bar of icons of all currently running applications
12. Shift + Command + N – Create new folder on the desktop or in the active Finder window.
13. Shift + Command + U – This combination lets you access Mac Utilities folder, to get quick access to tools such as ‘Disk Utility’, ‘Grab’ or ‘Keychain Access’ that retains username and password data stored on Safari.
14. Command + Space – Try this shortcut to open Spotlight search option at the top-right side. Now, when you type anything, you will see search results displayed instantly.
15. Option + Command + Space – Opens the full-on Spotlight search window, good for performing a more thorough search of your Mac, complete with filters such as “Created date is within last 7 days.”
16. Option + Command + Eject – Need to put the MacBook in the sleep mode? This shortcut will help put Mac OS X into sleep without using Apple menu.
17. Option + Shift + Command + Q – When your mom needs to leave her Mac machine to check out something this will let he log out quickly. Try this keyboard shortcut for immediate log you.
18. Option + Command + D – This will help you conceal Mac OS X desktop dock. On pressing the same keyboard combinations, the desktop will reappear.
19. F11 – Press this key to access the desktop with no distractions of opened windows. When you press the combinations again, all windows will be restored in their place.
20. Command + Delete – Put the unwanted file to the trashcan of Mac OS X directly from the current window.
21. Shift + Command + 3 – This keyboard combination will snap a screenshot of the entire desktop and stores the screenshot file on the desktop. However, for partial screenshot, use Shift + Command + 4.
22. Control + Shift + Command + 3 – This shortcut will also take screenshot by keeping copies of the screenshots in the clipboard instead of saving on the desktop. Similarly, take partial screenshot and keep a copy of it in the clipboard by pressing Control + Shift + Command + 4 keys.
23. Command + Arrow Key – Navigate to the end of the text line. Use left-arrow will move cursor to the beginning, the up-arrow to beginning of the document, the down-arrow to reach the end of the docoment.
24. Fn + Delete – Since ‘Delete’ key works as the backspace key, use this shortcut to delete characters from in front of the cursor just how the ‘Delete’ key works.
25. Option + Command + Y – This keyboard shortcut will let you switch to Quick Look’s “slideshow” mode to view slideshow of images.
Android Shortcut Tips:
1. Swipe Twice [Android Lollipop] – Swipe from the top on your screen to bottom to see notifications. Swipe this way once again to access settings.
2. Two fingered downward swipe [Android Lollipop] – Use two fingered swipe from top to bottom to get into quick settings. A screen will flash showing status on the mobile data usage. Tap on ‘More Settings’ to set data warning and data limit.
3. Hide Notifications [Android Lollipop] – Hide and protect sensitive notification with passcode. For this, tap ‘Settings’, then ‘Sound and Notifications’. Under the setting option ‘When device is locked’, click ‘Hide sensitive notification content’.
4. Delete spam notifications [Android Lollipop] – Delete unwanted notification such as software or game updates by tapping and holding it for some time. When ‘i’ flashes at the right side, tap it. There, you can restrict app from sending notifications. Otherwise, you can also set as a priority to get notifications even when the device is silent.
5. Volume rocker button [Android Lollipop] – Press volume rocker button up or down, a small window appears, select ‘None’ to set no notifications whether of calls, messages, alarms or updates, will not wake up the device.
6. Swipe down notifications bar [Android Lollipop] – After you swipe down, tap the specific profile icon at the top right corner, create a new guest profile and set limited restrictions before letting someone use the device.
7. Pin app to the screen [Android Lollipop] – Tap ‘Settings’, tap ‘Security’, check ‘Screen Pinning’ to enable this feature. Now, enable multi-task view, tap green pin button at the bottom right corner of an app to pin that app to the screen.
8. Strong contrast of text [Android Lollipop] – Tap ‘Settings’, tap ‘Accessibility’, find ‘High Contrast Text’ under ‘System sub-heading’. Now, text effect will appear at the time of reading or writing any text on your device.
9. Color Correction [Android Lollipop] – Visually impaired users can try this: tap ‘Settings’, ‘Accessibility’, and access ‘Display’ at the bottom. Enable ‘Color Inversion’ to change the look of the device as per the requirement. Similarly, select ‘Color Correction’ to select from three different modes ‘Deuteranomaly’ (red-green), ‘Tritanomaly’ (blue-yellow) and Protanomaly (red-green).
10. Lock Screen Swipe [Android Lollipop] – Look for three icons at the bottom of the screen when the device wakes up, these are phone, camera and padlock. Swipe upwards to unlock the device, swipe left to right to access contacts while unlocking and swipe right to left to access stock camera app while unlocking.
11. Battery Saver [Android Lollipop] – Swipe two fingers from top to bottom on the screen, tap battery icon, tap the three dots at the right-hand corner, and tap ‘Battery Saver’. This ‘Battery Saver’ will help curtail by reducing background data use, display brightness and vibrations.
12. Facial unlocking [Android Lollipop] – Tap ‘System’, ‘Settings’, tap ‘Smart Lock’, and choose ‘Trusted Face’. Follow onscreen steps to enable facial unlocking system.
13. Use Chromecast [Android Lollipop] – Double swipe from top to bottom to see notifications bar, choose ‘Cast’ option to enable your device to detect Chromecast device and start casting instantly.
14. Quick alarm [Android Lollipop] – Drag from top to bottom twice or do a two-finger swiping. A new clock icon will appear at the time and the alarm is ready to go off. Thus, you don’t have to access clock app.
15. Unlock using voice [Android Lollipop] – Swipe right to left into Google Now from Home Screen. Select three bars at top left hand corner; tap ‘Settings’, ‘Voice’ and tap ‘OK Google Detection’ option. Turn on voice detection to unlock your device by when you say ‘OK Google’.
16. Retain apps after restart [Android Lollipop] – Now access apps where you left after a restart – don’t have to launch it again. To retain apps were in use before restart, tap square button at the bottom right corner and access ‘Overview’ screen (earlier ‘Recent Apps’).
17. Tap and Go [Android Lollipop] – Tap ‘Tap and Go’, hold the old Droid device against new device. Thus, all the data will be shared to the new device using Bluetooth connection and avoid installing all the apps manually and the pain of typing all contacts.
18. Clear download wastes [Android Lollipop] – You have to manually clear shortcut icons of apps after downloading it. Now, prevent this clutter before download – access Google Play Store, tap on three bars at the top left corner, tap ‘Settings’ and deselect ‘Add icon to Home screen’ setting and you are done.
19. Sound boost [Android Lollipop] – Boost the sound quality while watching movies or TV – tap ‘Google Play Movies & TV’, tap three bars at the left side, choose ‘Settings’, check ‘Enable Surround Sound’ to turn on 5.1 surround sound.
20. More Wi-Fi [Android Lollipop] – Access Wi-Fi Settings option, tap ‘Menu’ and tap ‘Advanced’ to access additional settings. Locate IP and MAC addresses to change Wi-Fi sleep policy to switches to mobile data connectivity.
21. Change default apps – To change a default app, locate the app in ‘Settings’, tap ‘Manage Applications’ and hit ‘Clear Defaults’. You can also select between home screen and launcher apps by pressing ‘Home’ to find options to choose between all installed launchers.
22. Instant view of date – Tap and hold the notifications bar without pulling it down to instantly view the day, the week, and the month.
23. Mute ringtone – Silence incoming call ringtone by simply pressing the volume rocker. HTC Android devices feature an option called ‘Sound and Display’ under ‘Settings’, activate ‘Quiet ring on pickup’ option to automatically mute the ringtone.
24. Android contacts on computer – Login using your Gmail account on the computer (make sure your device is linked to that Gmail ID you signed in), now find your phone contacts including numbers, email ID and other details from ‘google.com/contacts’.
25. Resize widgets – To change the size of widgets on the Home Screen, long-press on that widget to flash it on the Home Screen, drag from the corner of the widget to resize it.
iOS Shortcut tips:
1. iPhone Keyboard tips – You don’t need to toggle back and forth between ‘123’ and ‘ABC’ button to add symbols. Try this instead – tap and hold the 123 button, slide finger to choose a symbol and it will be added. As soon as it is added, the keyboard will change to alphabets mode.
2. Find hidden symbols – There are many hidden symbols you have hardly used on iOS. Tap 123 button to find numbers and symbols, then tap and hold any symbol to find related symbol.
3. Find period button without going to ‘123’ button – After typing a word, double tap on the space bar. This will add full stop or a period at the end of the word you typed.
4. Undo changes – If you have mistakenly deleted a sentence you just typed, just shake the iPhone to initiate the ‘Undo’ or ‘Redo’ button. Now. Tap ‘Undo’ or ‘Redo’ when needed.
5. Remove last digit in calculator – Have you just typed a long number and now want to remove the last digit of it? Just swipe finger in the black area, left or right to delete it.
6. Stop music automatically – Do you often wish if you had a sleep timer like you had on your TV? Actually you have it on iOS. Get ‘Stop Playing’ timer option – access clock app, hit ‘Timer’ at the bottom. Select the time minutes or hours after which you want the music to stop automatically. Tap ‘When Timer Ends’, .tap ‘Stop Playing’. Now start the timer, now play the music on Music app. Now, the music will automatically stop after the set time limit.
7. Flash blink notification – when you have muted your iOS device, try this flash notification to get alerted of messages. Tap ‘Settings’, ‘General’ and tap ‘Accessibility’ and scroll to the ‘Hearing’ option. There, enable ‘LED Flash for Alerts’ to let rear-facing camera blink when a message arrives.
8. Font size and style – You can change the font size and style to make it more prominent. Tap ‘Settings’, ‘General’, tap ‘Larger Text’ and ‘Bold Text’.
9. Accessibility in ‘Triple Clicks’ – Go to ‘Settings’, tap ‘General’ and tap ‘Accessibility’ and now, scroll down and hit ‘Accessibility Shortcut’, there you can activate ‘Home button triple click’. Use this option to invert the colors and zoom in to difficult to see parts of the screen.
10. Easy search of words or phrase online – After typing any word or phrase in the search bar, go to the bottom of that list called ‘On This Page’. Tap the option to see highlighted on in yellow, tap arrows at the end of the screen to navigate to the next search process.
11. No distraction reading – Use ‘Safari Reader’ option remove unwanted elements from a web page such as ads and tabs to read without any distraction.
12. Adjust contrast – Tweak the contrast of the background by tapping ‘Settings’, ‘General’ and ‘Accessibility’. There you can lower transparency and white point and increase dark colors.
13. Zoom in images or text – Zoom enables enlarging text and image up to 1500% on Apple Safari and Apple Mail. Tap ‘Settings’, ‘General’, and ‘Accessibility’ to activate the Zoom feature. Select picture mode or full screen mode to display the element in a new window.
14. Handwriting instead of typing – Turn on VoiceOver option by tapping ‘Settings’, ‘General’ and hitting ‘Accessibility’. With VoiceOver turned on, draw alphabets and decoded into text while using Notes, Mail, browser and other applications.
15. Image will tell – If you enabled VoiceOver option in Camera app, your device will describe you about the image and the people in the image.
16. A selfie using a headphone – Open the Camera app, use volume up rocker button of the headphones to capture photos – now you can take those selfies from further distance using hands-free.
17. Add acronyms – You can create your own abbreviations of words which you may spell incorrectly or your sign in information of your accounts. Tap ‘Settings’, then, ‘General’ and tap ‘Keyboard’ and tap ‘Add New Shortcut’.
18. Add emoji icons or your preferred language – If your mom loves emojis, then try this shortcut: tap ‘Settings’, ‘General’, ‘Keyboard’ and hit ‘Keyboards’. There, choose ‘Add New Keyboard’, scroll down, tap ‘Emoji’ or any preferred languages of your choice. When you use keyboard next time, find the globe icon or the smile icon and tap it to access the keyboard you choose.
19. Ascent on alphabets – When you want to type in words in any foreign language that requires ascents, you just need to hold that specific key to see all the ascent options you need to apply.
20. Split keyboard on iPad – Do you need to split keyboard on your iPad in half? This is no miracle but very much possible. All you need to do is tap two fingers at the center of the keyboard and now drag two fingers is two different directions to split into two keyboards.
21. Join split keyboard – Now that you have split the keyboard into two parts, do not feel apprehensive about how to fasten together – tap and hold the keyboards and drag to join them together.
22. Hide QuickType predictions – You can turn off the predictive inputs and retrieve the autocorrect option. Just swipe on the gray bar and hide it. To get back QuickType, swipe back up.
23. Embed images and videos to messages – Just tap camera icon, open photo library right from the compose message editor. There, press and hold camera icon. A radial menu appears to take still image or record video within the app.
24. Quick addition of audio clips to messages – Look at the right side of the compose area in Messages app, find the microphone icon. Tap and hold the icon, the radial menu appears to allow you to record audio and embed in the message instantly with a tap.
25. Clear selective browsing history – With iOS 8, you can delete the part of the history you want to keep and remove unwanted history data. Go to Apple Safari history menu, hit ‘Clear’ option, then, select the data you want to clear by swiping over it.
Do you want to keep it handy on your computer or smartphone screen or pin the printed version on the desktop? Click below to download the PDF and surprise your mom by embedding the complete set of shortcut tips on her device – your mom will thank you for making it extremely easy for her to manage her device on her own, without much hassles or running to people for help.
Download the PDF version of 100 shortcut tips for Mothers