Ten Simple Computer Tips to Boost Productivity

Many people aim to quickly complete their to-do lists and leave work behind. Others may spend extra hours trying to finish their tasks. Often, busy work at the computer, like searching for files, filling in forms, and managing endless notifications, can hinder productivity.

Here are some effective strategies to save time and enhance your work efficiency.

Shortcuts

If you aren’t familiar with them, keyboard shortcuts can save time. Use select-all (Ctrl + A), then copy (Ctrl + C) and paste (Ctrl + V) to move text efficiently. To undo, use Ctrl + Z, and for redo, use Ctrl + Y. Start a new document with Ctrl + N and save with Ctrl + S. For multitasking, Alt + Tab allows easy switching between programs.

Setting Up Hotkeys

You can simplify frequent tasks, such as accessing a website, with designated hotkeys. A hotkey, a combination of keys, can quickly execute a command. To create one, right-click the app or folder and select 'Properties.' Enter your desired shortcut key, and Windows will prefix it with Ctrl + Alt. Be cautious about creating many, as you might forget them.

Pinning Recent Items

Jump lists help you access apps quickly. Instead of searching through files for yesterday's presentation, find it pinned to your taskbar. To set up your jump list, right-click the application to pin it, then right-click its icon to pin specific documents.

Print to PDF

Managing PDF files is common in the workplace. You can easily save documents directly to PDF format, avoiding slow third-party software. Simply right-click and select print, then choose the PDF option.

Turn Off Notifications

While working, distracting email notifications can be frustrating. To minimize interruptions, visit your settings, go to System or Notifications, and enable "Do Not Disturb" mode. This lets you focus without distractions while completing tasks.

Clean Up Your PC

When your computer slows down, buying new hardware isn’t always an option. Simple steps can improve performance. Consider upgrading your RAM for speed and additional storage. Remove outdated files, scan for malware, and ask your IT provider to check for potential threats.

Schedule Updates

Software updates are essential but often take time. Adjust the active hours in your system settings so updates occur during off hours, ensuring you can work uninterrupted. This minimizes downtime while maintaining your software up to date.

Manage Emails

Setting up rules for your incoming emails can streamline organization. Emails will automatically move to designated folders, making it easier to find messages from your employer. In Microsoft Outlook, use the 'Rules' option to create these helpful folder allocations.

Search Hacks

While most people use Google frequently, few know how to use it efficiently. To search an exact phrase, place it in quotation marks. To exclude a term, use a dash before the word. Other options include searching within a site, specifying number ranges, or finding missing words in phrases. Many useful search tricks are just a search away.

Collate Data

In Excel, the VLOOKUP function can quickly retrieve data from specific columns in a table. This feature is handy for inventory management or locating employees by ID, streamlining data handling.

Implementing these computer tips takes mere minutes and significantly enhances productivity.

Earlier, SSP told how to keep laptop battery healthy: tips for both MacBook and Windows users.