Navigation

Using a mouse is difficult for some people. Windows 95 has keyboard commands that make navigation quick and simple.

Many of the commands are the same as the ones for Windows 3.xx. Click here to review them.

Here are the ones I use the most often:

Ctrl-Esc

This will open the Start button menu.

Alt-F4

Used to close the active window. You will be prompted to save if any changes have been made to it.

Alt-Shift-F4

In 'My Computer', closes all windows opened. (This is a real time saver!)

Alt-Tab

Hold the Alt key and tap the Tab to step to each program currently open. When you see the one you want, release the Alt key. To switch back and forth to the last program you were in and the current one, press the Alt-Tab keys once.

Alt-Space

Opens the current window's option menu. Use the shortcut keys to [R]estore, [M]ove, [S]ize, Mi[n]imize, Ma[x]imize, or [C]lose the current window.

Alt-Esc

Use to switch to the next open program. Each time you press it, the next open window will be on top.

Ctrl-Alt-Del

This will bring up the task manager window. Here you can end any running task, shutdown the system, or locate a task not responding to the system. Press [Esc] to exit the task manager.

F1

Accesses help for the active item.

F3

Accesses searches for the active item.

F10

Accesses the application menubar.

Right Click?

Another major difference, between Windows 95 and earlier Windows versions, is the way files are handled. Windows 95 handles every object with cut & paste techniques. It doesn't matter what the object contains, you can cut, or copy it, then paste it where you want it.

Ctrl-C

This will copy the selected object(s) to another location.

Ctrl-X

This will cut the selected object(s). Use this command to move an object to new location.

Ctrl-V

This will paste the last selected object(s) that were copied or cut to the current location.

For instant access to the commands, right-click on the item(s) for a pop-up menu.

The most powerful tools, in Windows 95, are accessed by means of the right mouse button. Set the mouse over an object, then click the right mouse button. A popup menu appears, with access to all the manipulating tools you need.

Depending on the type of object, you have options to open, print, cut, copy, delete, rename, or examine it's properties.

For more information about using the right-click pop-up menu, click here.