The following are a selection of Windows Vista keyboard shortcuts…

Ease of Access Keyboard Shortcuts:

Right SHIFT for eight seconds – Turn Filter Keys on and off
Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (or PRTSCRN) – Turn High Contrast on or off
Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK – Turn Mouse Keys on or off
SHIFT five times – Turn Sticky Keys on or off
NUM LOCK for five seconds – Turn Toggle Keys on or off
Windows logo key +U – Open the Ease of Access Center

General Keyboard Shortcuts:

F1 – Display Help
CTRL+C – Copy the selected item
CTRL+X – Cut the selected item
CTRL+V – Paste the selected item
CTRL+Z – Undo an action
CTRL+Y – Redo an action
DELETE – Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
SHIFT+DELETE – Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
F2 – Rename the selected item
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW – Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
CTRL+LEFT ARROW – Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
CTRL+DOWN ARROW – Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
CTRL+UP ARROW – Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
CTRL+SHIFT with an arrow key – Select a block of text
SHIFT with any arrow key – Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
CTRL with any arrow key+SPACEBAR – Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
CTRL+A – Select all items in a document or window
F3 – Search for a file or folder
ALT+ENTER – Display properties for the selected item
ALT+F4 – Close the active item, or exit the active program
ALT+SPACEBAR – Open the shortcut menu for the active window
CTRL+F4 – Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
ALT+TAB – Switch between open items
CTRL+ALT+TAB – Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel – Change the size of icons on the desktop
Windows logo key +TAB – Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
CTRL+Windows logo key +TAB – Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
ALT+ESC – Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
F6 – Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4 – Display the Address bar list in Windows Explorer
SHIFT+F10 – Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
CTRL+ESC – Open the Start menu
ALT+underlined letter – Display the corresponding menu
ALT+underlined letter – Perform the menu command (or other underlined command)
F10 – Activate the menu bar in the active program
RIGHT ARROW – Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
LEFT ARROW – Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
F5 – Refresh the active window
ALT+UP ARROW – View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
ESC – Cancel the current task
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC – Open Task Manager
SHIFT when you insert a CD – Prevent the CD from automatically playing

Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcuts:

CTRL+TAB – Move forward through tabs
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB – Move back through tabs
TAB – Move forward through options
SHIFT+TAB – Move back through options
ALT+underlined letter – Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letter
ENTER – Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commands
SPACEBAR – Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
Arrow keys – Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
F1 – Display Help
F4 – Display the items in the active list

Microsoft Windows Logo Keyboard Shortcuts:

Windows logo key – Open or close the Start menu
Windows logo key +PAUSE – Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows logo key +D – Display the desktop
Windows logo key +M – Minimize all windows
Windows logo key +SHIFT+M – Restore minimized windows to the desktop
Windows logo key +E – Open Computer
Windows logo key +F – Search for a file or folder
CTRL+Windows logo key +F – Search for computers (if you are on a network)
Windows logo key +L – Lock your computer or switch users
Windows logo key +R – Open the Run dialog box
Windows logo key +T – Cycle through programs on the taskbar
Windows logo key +TAB – Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
CTRL+Windows logo key +TAB – Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
Windows logo key +SPACEBAR – Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar
Windows logo key +G – Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
Windows logo key +U – Open Ease of Access Center
Windows logo key +X – Open Windows Mobility Center
Windows logo key with any number key – Open the Quick Launch shortcut that is in the position that corresponds to the number. For example, Windows logo key +1 to launch the first shortcut in the Quick Launch menu.

Windows Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts:

CTRL+N – Open a new window
END – Display the bottom of the active window
HOME – Display the top of the active window
F11 – Maximize or minimize the active window
NUM LOCK+ASTERISK (*) on numeric keypad – Display all subfolders under the selected folder
NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN (+) on numeric keypad – Display the contents of the selected folder
NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN (-) on numeric keypad – Collapse the selected folder
LEFT ARROW – Collapse the current selection (if it is expanded), or select the parent folder
ALT+LEFT ARROW – View the previous folder
RIGHT ARROW – Display the current selection (if it is collapsed), or select the first subfolder
ALT+RIGHT ARROW – View the next folder
CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel – Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons
ALT+D – Select the Address bar

Windows Sidebar Keyboard Shortcuts:

Windows logo key +SPACEBAR – Bring all gadgets to the front and select Sidebar
Windows logo key +G – Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
TAB – Cycle through Sidebar controls

Windows Photo Gallery Keyboard Shortcuts:

CTRL+F – Open the Fix pane
CTRL+P – Print the selected picture
ENTER – View the selected picture at a larger size
CTRL+I – Open or close the Details pane
CTRL+PERIOD (.) – Rotate the picture clockwise
CTRL+COMMA (,) – Rotate the picture counter-clockwise
F2 – Rename the selected item
CTRL+E – Search for an item
ALT+LEFT ARROW – Go back
ALT+RIGHT ARROW – Go forward
PLUS SIGN (+) – Zoom in or resize the picture thumbnail
MINUS SIGN (-) – Zoom out or resize the picture thumbnail
CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel – Change the size of the picture thumbnail
CTRL+B – Best fit
LEFT ARROW – Select the previous item
DOWN ARROW – Select the next item or row
UP ARROW – Previous item (Easel) or previous row (Thumbnail)
PAGE UP – Previous screen
PAGE DOWN – Next screen
HOME – Select the first item
END – Select the last item
DELETE – Move the selected item to the Recycle Bin
SHIFT+DELETE – Permanently delete the selected item
LEFT ARROW – Collapse node
RIGHT ARROW – Expand node

Keyboard Shortcuts For Working With Movie Maker Videos:

J – Move back one frame
K – Pause the playback
L – Move forward one frame
I – Set the start trim point
O – Set the end trim point
M – Split a clip
HOME – Stop and rewind all the way back to the start trim point
ALT+RIGHT ARROW – Advance to the next frame
ALT+LEFT ARROW – Go back to the previous frame
CTRL+K – Stop and rewind playback
CTRL+P – Play from the current location
HOME – Move the start trim point
END – Move to the end trim point
PAGE UP – Seek to nearest split point before the current location
PAGE DOWN – Seek to nearest split point after the current location

Windows Help Viewer Keyboard Shortcuts:

ALT+C – Display the Table of Contents
ALT+N – Display the Connection Settings menu
F10 – Display the Options menu
ALT+LEFT ARROW – Move back to the previously viewed topic
ALT+RIGHT ARROW – Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topic
ALT+A – Display the customer support page
ALT+HOME – Display the Help and Support home page
HOME – Move the to beginning of a topic
END – Move to the end of a topic
CTRL+F – Search the current topic
CTRL+P – Print a topic
F3 – Move to the Search box.

Regards

Marc Liron
Windows OS Specialist

Internet conection become a bit flakey?  Try and flush the Windows Vista DNS cache.

Follow these simple instructions…

http://www.instantvista.com/flush-the-vista-dns-cache.html

Kind Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP (2004-2010)

As I mentioned in an earlier post:

http://blog.marcliron.com/windows-vista/windows-vista-rtm-deadline

Windows Vista RTM (Thats Windows Vista with NO service pack installed) goes out of support TODAY!

Make sure you visit Windows Update and download the current service pack for Windows Vista.

For more information please read:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935791

Kind Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

If you are running a PC/laptop with Windows Vista installed and it has NO services packs (also known as Windows Vista RTM or SP0), please use Windows Update to install the latest service pack available ASAP.

For security and stability reasons you SHOULD be on Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2), please note you’ll need to install Service Pack 1 first.

I also recommend checking out Windows 7 as an upgrade.

On April 13th, 2010, Windows Vista RTM (SP0) will reach the end of support.

Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

Looking for a cheap way to add a dvd decoder to Windows Vista?  ….that way you can enjoy your favourite movies on your PC.

A common way to achive this is using a “plugin” that will turn Windows Media Player into a fully fledged DVD player.

You can read more about a dvd decoder vista here:

http://www.instantvista.com/dvd-decoder-vista.html

Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

In most cases, you can do an in-place upgrade of Vista to Windows 7. For most Windows Vista users the upgrade process will be painless with just some small tweaking needed post upgrade.

Watch this video from CNET to get a quick overview of the process:

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

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The Safely Remove Hardware feature and the Windows Explorer “Eject” command do not work correctly with an Apple iPod that is connected to a Windows Vista-based computer.

When you try to disconnect an iPod from a Windows-Vista based computer, the data on the iPod may become corrupted!

The solution?

Make sure you have SP2 for Windows Vista installed on your Vista PC.

OR, on a Viste SP1 PC Install update 936824.

To download update 936824, complete these steps:

Download the Download the update for Windows Vista 32-bit version (KB936824) package now.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=6A9FC712-F518-44AB-A11F-B6AA22525DEC

Download the update for Windows Vista 64-bit version (KB936824) package now.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A7A9FD92-7521-4A6F-BDD2-790EE2612D66

Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

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The US Army is in the process of migrating hundreds of thousands of computers to Windows Vista to improve Internet security and upgrade information systems.

The systems change, which includes swapping Office 2003 for Office 2007, is set to be completed by Dec. 31.

About half of the Army’s 744,000 desktop computers have already installed Office 2007, estimated Dr. Amy Harding, director of Enterprise Information Technology Services for the Army’s G-6. She said about 13 percent of the computers have migrated so far to VISTA.

The migration was mandated in a Fragmentary Order published Nov. 22, 2008. It was sent out Army-wide as FRAGO 2 to Department of the Army Executive Order 056-05.

“It’s for all desktop computers on the SIPR and NIPRNET,” Harding said, referring to both the classified and unclassified networks. She added that the only exemptions are standalone weapons systems.

First-time Vista users will discover added support for data encryption, a new Windows Explorer, upgraded icons and navigation structure. There are also graphical replications of clock, calendar, weather and Outlook mail functions.

The switch to Office 2007 actually began earlier than the Vista migration, Harding said.

The new Office suite provides more straightforward document security, according to reviews, which add there’s better integration throughout applications. But the new tools interface is not always intuitive and many reviews say there’s a steep learning curve.

In the continental United States, the Army has installed Vista so far in about 44,000 computers. Fort Campbell, Ky., is leading the charge with more than 5,350 computers migrated to Vista, according to G-6 data.

Fort Stewart, Ga., has about 3,800 computers installed with Vista. Fort Lewis, Wash., and Fort Drum, N.Y., both have more than 2,150 computers migrated.

Fort Jackson, S.C., has just over 1,000 of more than 7,500 computers converted to Vista. But Directorate of Information Management officials there say they are on track to meet the December deadline.

“The goal is to minimize the impact to the installation’s training mission,” said Marcus D. Good, chief of the Information Technology Systems Support Division at DOIM.

“We want to handle this migration in a way that makes sense to the organizations fielded.”

“As for the impact on Fort Jackson, the DOIM has been working with the installation’s IT professionals and Information Management Officers from many different organizations to test Vista in a controlled and limited deployment,” Good said.

Fort Jackson’s DOIM officials say the initiative will strengthen Army LandWarNet security by reducing opportunities for hackers to access and exploit government computer systems.

“The Army has been testing Vista since its release and has run it through the Army Golden Master program. The Army Golden Master program is responsible for the release of the Army standard baseline configurations for commonly used computing environments within the Army Enterprise Infrastructure, the team responsible for making sure applications that ran on XP will run on Vista,” Good said.

As with the implementation of any new technology, there will be challenges to overcome — not to mention this will be a change for users who have gotten comfortable with Windows XP and Office 2003. The new look and feel will take some time to adjust to, Good said.

The Soldier Support Institute staff was first to begin migrating to the new operating system at Fort Jackson.

Sharon Reed, chief of IT at the Soldier Support Institute said the division is providing several resources to facilitate the transition for its employees and customers.

“During this process, we are offering several in-house training sessions, helpful quick-tip handouts and free Army online training,” Reed said.

Reed added that because several of the division’s employees already use Vista and Office 2007 at their homes, it has shortened the learning curve for SSI overall.

The 171st Infantry Brigade started the Vista system last week, said Lashanda Howard, DOIM Vista migration project leader.

Howard said the roll-out is well planned and strategic. Classroom computers, dayroom and kiosk computers, new computers (such as life cycle replacement computers) and computers with minimal impact to mission readiness will be part of the initial implementation.

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Vista Service Pack 2 has undergone “release to manufacturing,” said Brandon LeBlanc, Microsoft’s in-house Windows blogger, in a post Wednesday. Release to manufacturing, or RTM, is software industry lingo that means work has been completed on the service pack and it’s been sent off for duplication and distribution.

What’s included in Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Windows Vista? Service Pack 2 (SP2) is an important update that includes support for new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards, and it also includes all the updates that have been released since SP1. You’ll find information about the specific changes and improvements included in SP2 below. For more information about installing SP2, see Learn how to install Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Here are some of the improvements in SP2:

# Program compatibility. Microsoft works to ensure that your programs work seamlessly on Windows Vista. We also work with our partners to improve the reliability and compatibility of non-Microsoft programs. So, SP2 includes previously released updates that are available to you when you use Windows Update, and it also includes new compatibility fixes for individual programs.

# Hardware support. Among other improvements, SP2 provides you with additional support for Bluetooth wireless technology and improved performance for Wi?Fi connections after the computer resumes from sleep mode. Additionally, you can now record data to Blu-ray Disc media.

# General operating system updates. SP2 includes Windows Search 4.0, which has improved indexing and searching capabilities. SP2 also includes fixes that can improve recording TV using Windows Media Center.

For more information about how to obtain Windows Vista Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

There have been a few blogs talking about the leaked news that DELL plan to offer Windows Vista on a new Netbook soon.

This will be the 1st time DELL offers the world a small notebook running Windows Vista.

You can read more here at these blogs:

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/334/C17137/

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Desktops-and-Notebooks/Dell-No-Comment-on-Inspiron-Mini-11-Netbook-Rumors-250599/

http://pianoblack.wordpress.com/2009/04/05/leaked-dell-internal-product-roadmap-reveals-mini-11-netbook/

Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP