Recursive Creativity LLC

RECURSIVE CREATIVITY LLC

Microsoft WINDOWS

Many computer tips and configuration changes I use to optimize computers will be posted here.



Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts

While you may already know some of these, I realized how extremely useful one is.

I am still shocked how many people do not pin applications to their Taskbar and still go to Windows menu to open Excel! This will change that?

I used to keep my most used icons to the right on my Taskbar.

Per the Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts document, and why I moved Excel, Word and Outlook to the left most positions of my Taskbar, is that I can now simply open them with my left hand! This is faster and more efficient than reaching for and moving the mouse.

I can now open Excel simply by pressing Windows Key Win + 1 with my left hand. Windows Key Win + # will open the application by # position on the Taskbar. Since Excel is listed first or in position #1, Windows Key Win + 1 opens Excel, Windows Key Win + 2 opens Word, etc.

Some other tips:
  1. The Windows Key Win + # trick is also applicable to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in Microsoft 365 applications. Except replace The Windows Key key with Alt. Thus, Alt + # will use whatever icon is located in that # position in the QAT.
  2. Windows Key Win + 0 = Windows Key Win + 10, opens application #10 in your Taskbar.
  3. Windows Key Win + 12 or Windows Key Win + 16 will open application #2 and #6 respectively! Not #12 or #16.
  4. If application is already open, Windows Key Win + # makes that current window. So, if you are in Outlook (or any application) and Excel is already open and you want to go to Excel, Windows Key Win + 1 (for me).
  5. Want to see the MRU (Most Recently Used) list for an application on your Taskbar? Windows Key Win + Alt + 1 displays the Excel MRU (for me).

I hope you find these useful. Like a lot of training I do, not everything is for everyone…your mileage may vary. However, knowing something can be done may help later and make you a better Googler?


KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

I used the above file for a short training exercise. Below are other files with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft application and various browser keyboard shortcuts.

Keyboard shortcuts are one of the simplest ways to become more productive. I encourage everyone to at least read \ peruse the shortcuts to know what is possible.

Why do I create such files when the content is available on the respective web sites?

  1. To develop or customize learning plans
  2. Keep notes or mark those that are known and used frequently (favorites)
  3. Mark those to learn and add to your favorites

Browsers Microsoft Windows Microsoft Applications Microsoft Office, 365 Miscellaneous Other

All versions above are for Microsoft Windows unless otherwise labelled. However, some files may be mixed based upon the source.

I cannot guarantee the URL used to update each file will always work. Late night and early morning (before and after midnight; my local time = CST), the updating or refreshing errors out very often.

There are numerous templates used. As I improved the files and related processes, I did not go back and change older files.


All Keyboard Shortcut Files

File per link below includes all Keyboard Shortcut files available on this web site.

Last Updated: November 9, 2024 Top of Page



Windows Configuration, Tips



Brighten Windows Taskbar

I prefer a lighter shade than default darker shade applied to the Taskbar.

  • Windows Key WIN + I (Windows Settings)
  • Personalization
  • Colors
  • Choose your color (Windows 10), Choose your mode (Windows 11); (drop-down menu)
  • Light

Last Updated: October 2, 2022 Top of Page



Windows PIN

If you work somewhere that requires a long, complicated password or you want to simplify your logon at home or work, Windows 10 login can be configured to use a PIN instead of your password. The requirements are much less stringent. A PIN is a short numeric code.

Windows PIN Setup
  • Windows \ Start button
  • Settings
  • Accounts
  • Sign-in Options
  • Windows Hello PIN (Windows 10), PIN (Windows Hello) (Windows 11)
    • Prompt will ask for your current logon password
    • Prompt will then ask for you to provide a numeric PIN

Before you do this, send yourself an e-mail or do what helps you best remember what your password is. At some point in the future, you will need to know your password. At work, you most likely have a password policy that requires you to reset your password every 30 days, 45 days, or some other preferred period.

When setting up virtual machine (VM) using Hyper-V, there was a lot of content listed when Googling that attempted to address getting the VM to appear on dual monitors. None of them worked.

However, when I set up the VM to use PIN as described above, the VM would display on both monitors in Enhanced session.

Last Updated: October 2, 2022 Top of Page



PowerShell



MicrosoftTeams Module

Create .csv file with list of owners, members or both for a given Team. Provided are names and e-mail addresses.

Embedded in the file available per above link are three scripts:

  1. Install MicrosoftTeams module for PowerShell
  2. Create owner or member list. Option also exists to create list with both owners and members.
  3. Update MicrosoftTeams PowerShell module

The Install script installs the MicrosoftTeams module to the Documents folder of logged in user (current user). If previous version already exists, there are options to uninstall the previous version first or update the current version.

The Create Member List script contains variables that allow the script to be used, once renamed, for unlimited member lists. A date stamp is added to each member list created for versioning if needed.

The third script will update the MicrosoftTeams PowerShell module if needed. Script has been changed to automically answer Yes when prompted.

The scripts are intended to be used with the Microsoft PowerShell ISE (Integrated Scripting Environment).

Hopefully, enough comments and documentation has been included. Feedback and suggestions are always welcome.

Last Updated: October 23, 2022 Top of Page


Microsoft Sysinternals


Link below is Excel file that uses Power Query (web query) to get updated list of all Sysinternals applications. One list is sorted alphabetically. The other list in PivotTable format lists the applications in descending order showing most recently updated applications first. A helper table exists to allow user to highlight their favorites to facilitate knowing when updated files are available.

Windows Sysinternals.xlsb

Please note, the last build date differs from the posted or publish date on web page of each utility. The date differential is testing period.

My favorite Sysinternals utilities are also listed under Freeware Favorites on home page.

Last Updated: December 28, 2024 Top of Page