5 productivity tips from Microsoft for Windows

In today’s fast paced word we are always looking for ways to save time and become more efficient. One way we can accomplish this is to be smarter about our computing habits.

This article from Microsoft.com outlines 5 simple computing tips for Windows that will help to boost your productivity.

1. Print from Windows Explorer

If you need to print a document, let’s say a Microsoft Word document, there’s no need to launch Word first. Browse your hard drive for the file that you want to print, right-click its icon, and then click Print. This will automatically send the document to your printer without launching Word.

2. Pin programs to the Start menu

Want to add your favorite programs to the Start menu? From the Start menu, click All Programs. Locate a favorite program, right-click the program’s icon, and then click Pin to Start menu. That’s it.

You can also pin an application by dragging and dropping its icon from All Programs to theStart menu. The program is now “pinned” to your Start menu. To remove it, right-click the program icon on the Start menu and then click Unpin from Start menu or click Remove from this list.

3. Use small icons on your Start menu

After you install a few dozen applications, your Start menu can become very crowded. One way to reduce the clutter is to use small icons.

1. To switch to small icons, click the Start button, right-click in the Start menu, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista users: Scroll to the bottom of the list, clear theUse large icons check box, and then click OK twice.

Windows XP users: Select Small icons, and then click OK twice.

4. Search a folder

When I’ve misplaced a file, I almost always know which folder it’s in, but it’s usually lost in a maze of documents or buried in a subfolder. I just can’t remember which subfolder. This is a great way to search a folder quickly.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista users: Locate the folder where you think the file is located. Use the Search box at the top of the open window to search the contents for the selected folder. Type part or all of the name of the file or folder, or type a word or phrase that is in the file. The results list will be updated as you type.

Windows XP users: Locate the folder where you think the file’s located, right-click the folder, and then click Search. A Search window will open, ready to search for the selected folder and only that folder. Type part or all of the name of the file or folder, or type a word or phrase that is in the file. This is much quicker than launching Search and navigating your hard drive to the folder.

5. Send an email attachment from anywhere on the desktop

Here’s a really handy tip.

1. Locate a file anywhere on your hard drive that you want to email, right-click the file’s icon, click Send To, and then click Mail Recipient. A new mail message will open with the file attached and ready to send. But what’s really speedy about this tip is that your mail program doesn’t open. This action creates only a single new mail message.
2. To send your attachment, type the recipient's email address in the To text field, add any accompanying message, and then click the Send icon. The subject and attachment fields are already set.

The only thing to figure out now is what to do with all your newfound free time. If you have any questions, contact Certified CIO by calling 443-283-0666 or click here today!

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