How do you know if you have a Windows keyboard? It's easy. Look at the keyboard; a Windows keyboard labels one or two keys on the bottom row with the Microsoft Windows logo. While most people ignore these keys, they shouldn't. These simple keys are very handy for everyday computing.

One of my favorite shortcuts is to press the Windows key and the E key at the same time. In Windows 95, 98, and Me, this will bring up the Windows Explorer. In Windows XP, this brings up My Computer. Once you are in My Computer or Windows Explorer, you have a fast and easy way to access your files.

Another quickie: pressing the Windows key alone will display the Start menu. If you happen to have your hands on the keyboard, this is a much faster way to access the Start menu, since you don't have to move your hand to the mouse and move the cursor to the Start button.

As a heavy-duty computer user, I frequently have several programs open at once. Then I find I need to get back to the Windows desktop. Instead of closing each and every window, I just click on the Windows key and press the D key at the same time. This minimizes all the open windows and quickly returns me to the Windows desktop. Pressing Windows +D again restores all windows to their previous location.

Applications Key

If you have a Windows keyboard, you will also see a key to the right of the space bar with a design that looks like a list of words on a piece of paper. This is called the application key. It is a shortcut for right clicking. It will display an item's shortcut menu.

Fun with the Windows Key

Holding down the Windows key with the following keys will perform the function listed:

• Windows+R - Opens the "Run" dialog box
• Windows+E - Windows Explorer
• Windows+F - Find files or folders
• Windows+BREAK - shows System Properties dialog box
• Windows+F1 - Windows Help
• Windows+D - minimize all open windows and show desktop
• Windows+TAB - Cycle through Taskbar buttons
• Windows+M - Minimize all
• Windows+SHIFT+M - Undo minimize all
• Windows Key  +U - Open Utility Manager
• Windows Key  + L - Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain.
• CTRL+ Windows Key  +F - Search for computers on your network

Most folks do not take advantage of the Windows key, but once you start using it, you will be amazed at how handy it really is. So don't ignore that Windows key, use it for your everyday computing.

Undocumented tip: If you are using Windows XP and Word XP or Word 2002, put your cursor in the middle of some text in a Word document and press the Windows Key plus S at the same time to hear your computer read to you!!