Written by Terry Bibo
Written by
Terry Bibo
We are all undoubtedly familiar with the dreaded Ctrl-Alt-Del key combination to reboot the computer from DOS and Windows 3.1 failures. In learning to use Windows 95 over the past few months I have found extensive use for the three-finger salute and the reset button as the only ways to get my computer working again. Who says you can’t crash Windows 95? But there is a wide application for Ctrl-Alt combinations in both Win3.1 and Win95 for quick and easy access to programs.
While this allows switching between open programs in Win3.1 -- like the Alt-Tab switch -- it does not allow a new program to be opened except from the Program Manager screen unless it is included in the Startup Group. Win95 allows access to the associated program from anywhere at any time because it applies the key combinations to shortcuts in its Start Menu. I use Ctrl-Alt-W to open Microsoft Works in both systems, and Ctrl-Alt-F for File Manager in Win3.1, amongst others. In Win3.1 my File Manager is always available to me because I load it minimised in my Startup Group.
In Win3.1 it is the essence of simplicity to apply these shortcut keys. When adding a new application to a group under the File/New/Program Item procedure, the dialogue box’s bottom line is Shortcut Key: and its default is none. Put the cursor in this box and press the desired key -- let’s say B. This immediately appears as Ctrl-Alt-B, and when the OK button is clicked this combination will open the associated program from the Program Manager screen. Or switch to that program at any time if it is still open.
If you have an existing program you want to open with a shortcut, highlight its icon, press Alt-Enter and you’ll see the Program Item screen we’ve just discussed.
Windows 95 is a little different in that it does not require an icon in order to have a shortcut key, and the shortcuts are always available.
The Win95 equivalent of File/New/Program Item is to right click the Taskbar and select Properties. Select the Start Menu Programs tab, select Add and follow the instructions. The end result of this is to have a shortcut to your selected program in the Windows/Start Menu folder by default -- or some sub-folder depending on your preferences. Now in Explorer go to that destination and right click on your program. Select Properties, click on the Shortcut tab and enter your shortcut letter in the Shortcut key: box.
If you already have shortcuts on your desktop in the form of icons, their programs can be given shortcut keys by right clicking the icon, selecting Properties and working through the Shortcut tab as above. This procedure is valid for files or devices and extends into folders on the desktop. Ctrl-Alt-L opens my Lexmark printer control program from the desktop -- handy for when it is covered by the word processor, and Ctrl-Alt-S opens my font display program that is one of 21 items in a dedicated folder on the desktop.
Simple procedures; foolproof; and they make life ever so much easier than having to go through the Start/Programs or My Computer rigmarole to get at popular applications.
Enjoy your computing.
Copyright © Terry Bibo tbibo@pcug.org.au November 1997
(This item was broadcast on 20th November, 1997)
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