Handy Windows 10 tricks

Here's a selection of handy tricks and shortcuts for Windows 10. Try them on Windows 7 or 8, most of them work in the earlier versions.

Some of these shortcuts need you to press the Windows key and I am becoming rather concerned at the recent trend to describe the "Windows key" as the "Win key". To say these words without embarrassment, there must be a slight pause between "Win" and "key". Otherwise it comes out as "Winkey". This is not a word that you want to say in public.

Minimise all windows except the active one

Grab the title bar of the window that you want to remain open and move it back and forth quickly (shake it!!). After a couple of quick shakes, all other windows will minimise, leaving only the window you're shaking open.

Shortcut to open the properties menu

In the File Explorer, hold the ALT key and double-click a file, folder or application shortcut to open that object's Properties menu.

ALT key and double-click to open Properties

New Windows key keyboard shortcuts

Windows key + I opens the new Settings menu

Windows key + A launches the new Action centre

Windows key + X opens the Start menu

Pin the Recycle Bin to the Start menu

Do you want your Recycle Bin to be conveniently located in your Start menu? Right-click the desktop icon and click Pin to Start. It will appear on the right side of your Start menu.

Pin Recycle Bin to Start

Background scrolling

You can scroll any window. Even one that's not active (in front of the other windows). It's on by default, but if it's not working, go to Settings, Devices, Mouse & touchpad and toggle Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them to On. Then, simply place your mouse over an inactive window and use your scroll wheel to scroll.

Speed through the Start menu

In the All apps section of the Start menu, click the numbers or letters above each alphabetical section to open a "speed dial" jump list. Click a letter (or number) to jump to that section of the Start menu.

Jump list for the Start menu

Control your Taskbar with keyboard shortcuts

Windows key shortcuts

If you've pinned applications on the Taskbar, you can quickly open them with the keyboard shortcut Windows key + [Number key] (where the number key corresponds to the position on the Taskbar). To cycle through the apps on your Taskbar (both pinned and open windows), Windows key + T does the trick (tap "T" repeatedly to move through the apps). Otherwise known as "Winkey-Tee"