Windows Tips & Productivity Workshop | VUB Intermediate Computer Skills

Step 1 — Open Notepad

Open Notepad using a keyboard shortcut Press the Windows key on your keyboard (between Ctrl and Alt). Type "notepad" (just start typing!). Press Enter — Notepad opens!

Step 2 — Type a Practice Paragraph

Type: “I am learning keyboard shortcuts at VUB today.”

Step 3 — Try Copy and Paste

Copy and paste using keyboard shortcuts Press Ctrl + A to select ALL text. Press Ctrl + C to COPY. Press Enter twice to make blank lines. Press Ctrl + V to PASTE.

Step 4 — Try Undo and Redo

Undo and redo your changes Press Ctrl + Z to UNDO (paste disappears!). Press Ctrl + Z again (blank lines disappear!). Press Ctrl + Y to REDO (brings it back!).

Step 5 — Try Cut

Cut and paste text Select all text with Ctrl + A. Press Ctrl + X to CUT (text disappears — it is on your clipboard!). Press Ctrl + V to paste it back.

Step 6 — Save Your File

Save with a keyboard shortcut Press Ctrl + S to SAVE. Save to Desktop as “Shortcuts Practice”.

Tip: Think of C-V-X as: C = Copy, V = paste down (like a V arrow), X = cut (like scissors X).

Shortcut Reference

Shortcut	What It Does
Ctrl+C	Copy
Ctrl+V	Paste
Ctrl+X	Cut
Ctrl+Z	Undo
Ctrl+Y	Redo
Ctrl+A	Select All
Ctrl+S	Save
Ctrl+P	Print
Alt+Tab	Switch windows
Win+L	Lock screen

Checkpoint — Raise your hand when done:

☐ I can copy, paste, undo, redo, and save using keyboard shortcuts

Step 1 — Open Three Programs

Open 3 programs at once Notepad (already open). File Explorer: press Windows + E. Your web browser: click its icon on the taskbar.

Step 2 — Snap Windows Side by Side

Snap two windows side by side Click on Notepad to make it active. Press Windows + ← — it snaps to the left half! Click on File Explorer. Press Windows + → — it snaps to the right half!

Step 3 — Switch Between Windows

Switch windows with Alt+Tab Press Alt + Tab — a preview shows all open windows. Keep holding Alt and press Tab again to cycle through. Release to switch to that window.

Step 4 — Maximize and Minimize

Maximize and minimize with keyboard Press Windows + ↑ to MAXIMIZE a window. Press Windows + ↓ to RESTORE it (or minimize if already restored).

Step 5 — Pin a Program to the Taskbar

Pin a program to your taskbar Right-click the Notepad icon on the taskbar. Click “Pin to taskbar.” Now it stays there even after you close Notepad!

Tip: Snapping windows is great for following instructions on one side while working on the other side — like following this workshop!

My favorite window shortcut so far:

Checkpoint — Raise your hand when done:

☐ I can snap windows side-by-side
☐ I can switch between programs with Alt+Tab
☐ I pinned a program to my taskbar

Step 1 — Full Screen Screenshot

Take a full-screen screenshot Press Print Screen key (might say PrtScn on your keyboard). Open Paint (Windows key, type “paint”). Press Ctrl + V to paste your screenshot there.

Step 2 — Active Window Screenshot

Capture just one window Click on a window to make it active. Press Alt + Print Screen (captures only that window!). Open Paint and press Ctrl + V.

Step 3 — Snip & Sketch (Best Method!)

Use Snip & Sketch to capture a selection Press Windows + Shift + S. Your screen dims — draw a rectangle around what you want. A notification appears — click it to open Snip & Sketch. Click the save icon to save as an image.

Step 4 — Save Your Screenshot

Save your screenshot as a file In Snip & Sketch or Paint, press Ctrl + S. Save to your Desktop as “My Screenshot.”

Tip: Windows+Shift+S is the MOST USEFUL screenshot shortcut. It works everywhere and lets you select exactly what you want.

Caution: Screenshots can capture sensitive information (passwords, personal data). Be careful what is on screen before sharing screenshots.

I saved my screenshot to:

Checkpoint — Raise your hand when done:

☐ I can take a screenshot using at least two different methods
☐ I saved a screenshot as a file

Step 1 — Make Text Larger

Increase display scale Right-click on the Desktop → click “Display settings.” Find “Scale and layout” section. Change “Scale” from 100% to 125%. Everything gets bigger and easier to read!

Step 2 — Try the Magnifier

Use the Magnifier tool Press Windows + + to turn on Magnifier. Move your mouse around — the screen zooms in! Press Windows + + again to zoom in more. Press Windows + - to zoom out. Press Windows + Esc to turn off Magnifier.

Step 3 — Change Your Desktop Wallpaper

Personalize your desktop background Right-click on the Desktop → “Personalize.” Click “Background.” Choose a picture or solid color you like.

Step 4 — Adjust Mouse Pointer Size (Optional)

Make the mouse pointer larger Open Settings (Windows + I). Go to “Accessibility” → “Mouse pointer and touch.” Drag the slider to make the pointer larger. Try different pointer styles.

Step 5 — Try Night Light (Optional)

Turn on Night Light for easier viewing Open Settings → System → Display. Find “Night light” and turn it on. Makes the screen warmer/less blue — easier on eyes at night.

Tip: You can always change these settings back! Nothing here is permanent. Experiment and find what is comfortable for you.

Two settings I changed: 1.

Checkpoint — Raise your hand when done:

☐ I changed at least 2 settings to make my computer easier to use

Workshop Complete!

Congratulations! You have mastered Windows productivity skills that will save you time every day!

Use keyboard shortcuts for copy, paste, undo, and more
Snap windows side-by-side for multitasking
Take and save screenshots
Customize your computer display and accessibility settings

Practice these shortcuts daily — they will become second nature!

Windows Tips & Productivity

Today You Will

Part 1: Keyboard Shortcuts Boot Camp

Step 1 — Open Notepad

Step 2 — Type a Practice Paragraph

Step 3 — Try Copy and Paste

Step 4 — Try Undo and Redo

Step 5 — Try Cut

Step 6 — Save Your File

Shortcut Reference

Checkpoint — Raise your hand when done:

Part 2: Window Management & Multitasking

Step 1 — Open Three Programs

Step 2 — Snap Windows Side by Side

Step 3 — Switch Between Windows

Step 4 — Maximize and Minimize

Step 5 — Pin a Program to the Taskbar

Checkpoint — Raise your hand when done:

Part 3: Screenshots & Snipping Tool

Step 1 — Full Screen Screenshot

Step 2 — Active Window Screenshot

Step 3 — Snip & Sketch (Best Method!)

Step 4 — Save Your Screenshot

Checkpoint — Raise your hand when done:

Part 4: Personalize & Accessibility

Step 1 — Make Text Larger

Step 2 — Try the Magnifier

Step 3 — Change Your Desktop Wallpaper

Step 4 — Adjust Mouse Pointer Size (Optional)

Step 5 — Try Night Light (Optional)

Checkpoint — Raise your hand when done:

Workshop Complete!