Like most IT Professionals, I use an array of keyboard shortcuts to speed up my working throughout the day. In a two-part series, I'll share some of the more useful ones with you.

For Part 1, I'll cover shortcuts I use when generally working with, and troubleshooting, Windows.

Control + Shift + Escape
Instantly brings up Task Manager. Always handy for troubleshooting, and especially useful in a Domain environment, where the traditional Ctrl+Alt+Del brings up a Windows Security panel.

WinKey + D
Shows the Desktop, minimising all windows. Press it again, and all your windows are restored. This shortcut is superior to WinKey+M, as it retains all window positions.

Alt + Tab
Switches between open windows. To scroll “backwards” use Alt + Shift + Tab. Sometimes quicker than using the taskbar, sometimes not ;)

WinKey + Break (sometimes labeled Pause)
Opens up Systems Properties quickly.