1. Clean up old and unused files

   • Start cleaning the computer out by removing old programs and uninstalling the ones you are no longer using. Click on "Start" > "Control Panel" and under the "Program" tab click on "Uninstall a program." Wait until a full list of all installed programs has loaded, and go through it alphabetically. Click on the name of a program you want to uninstall and on the top bar it will give you the option to "Uninstall" that specific program and its files. Be patient, as the process can take a while if you have large programs and files to remove. Delete only programs that you are familiar with; if you are not sure whether a program is needed for computer operation, leave it alone.
     Click on "Start" > "All Programs" > "Accessories" > "System Tools" > "Disk Cleanup." Select the option for all files on the computer to be scanned. This will check for any leftover files from uninstalled programs, remove Temporary Internet Files, and clean out the Trash Bin. The "Disk Cleanup" will also tell you the exact amount of space that has been freed up by running this scan.

   Run a spyware scan

   • A spyware scan is necessary to clean out any adware, cached cookies and malware that a browser picks up while visiting websites. AVG Anti-Virus and Avast both offer free trial versions for 30 days, and can be used to run a full-system scan. Webroot Spy Sweeper is another spyware detection program that is good to run every day. Run both a spyware removal program and an antivirus program, as it adds an extra element of security and protection. An antivirus may not be able to detect every adware infection, as some malicious scripts are written to trick an antivirus scan and appear harmless.

   Run a virus scan

   • An antivirus program is a must-have for everyday computer protection. Norton Antivirus and McAfee are two popular programs but have to be purchased after a 30-day free trial. Schedule an automatic full scan to run daily (or nightly) so that the computer can be checked for any suspicious files. Antivirus software will also protect from Trojan viruses and keyloggers that can steal personal information.

   Defragment your computer

   • Defragment your computer disk after a full computer cleanup has been completed. Allocation of files can cause your computer to fragment and misplace data, forcing it to work twice as hard to piece program files back together when you try to access them. This can impair the function of the computer.
     Click on "Start" > "All Programs" > "Accessories" > "System Tools" > "Disk Defragmenter." Click on "Defragment now" and let the program run until the process is complete. The process may take several hours as it looks for data to piece together and arrange for easy accessibility. Once complete, the computer will show a significant improvement in faster usability.

1. Saving a Document

   • Save your document by holding down your "CTRL" and "S" keys, also referred to as "CTRL + S." There are two "CTRL" buttons on a Qwerty keyboard, which is the English standard keyboard: one on the bottom left and the other on the bottom right.

   Opening a Document

   • Access your open file menu by pressing "CTRL + O." You can also press "F12" at the top right to do the same thing. In Dreamweaver, "F12" will enable you to view your page on the local server.

   Toggling Between Programs

   • If you have multiple applications open, such as Microsoft Word, your Web browser and Adobe Photoshop, press your "ALT" key, which is next to your space bar, and hold down "Tab" just left of the "Q" key. When you press "Tab" once, a pop-up window will appear showing icons for each application. When you release, it will take you to that program. You can hold your "ALT" key down and keep pressing tab to get to the other open applications.

   The Insert Key

   • If "Insert" is activated, you can add words in the middle of a sentence. This works in Microsoft products. If the feature is not activated, and you try to insert words into a sentence, you'll end up typing over the letters to the right of it. Press the "Insert" key once and start typing in the middle of a sentence to see if it is activated or not. Press it again to get it to do the opposite.

   Undo

   • If you're typing in Word, Excel or Dreamweaver and you delete or add something by mistake, press "CTRL + Z" to undo. Keep doing this if you made the mistake a few commands back.

   Refresh or Find

   • To refresh your screen in the Internet, press the "F5" key at the top of your keyboard. In Microsoft Word, use the "F5" key to access the "Find" feature.

   Other Shortcuts

   • Cut: "CTRL + X." Paste: "CTRL + V." Copy: "CTRL + C." Print: "CTRL + P." Go to end of document: "CTRL + End." Go to beginning of document: "CTRL + Home."

   Access the Menus on Top

   • Press "ALT" plus the letter that is underlined on top to open a specific menu. To open the file menu, "ALT + F." Use the down arrow key to scroll down.

   Print Screen

   • At the top right of your keyboard, press "Print Screen" or "PRTSC" on the laptop to "take a picture" of what you see on your screen. Paste that image in Photoshop or Microsoft Word to include it in a document or print it out. This feature is not the same as printing a document.

   Numeric Keypad

   • If you're using a desktop keyboard, press the "Num Lock" at the top left of your numeric keypad to enter data into programs such as Excel. The "Enter" key in the same key pad will take you to the next cell below.

Extremely Useful Computer Tricks

• Quick UndoI use this very very liberally and find it to be one of the most useful key presses ever. This works for almost everything and I should have really put this in the top section but it seems to have snuck down here for some reason! Hold down the Ctrl key and press Z to undo anything you just did. This works for an absolute ton of programs which includes every single office program.
• Quick Redo
  The sibling of the above key press. This one is useful if you undid something by accident. Ctrl and Y is the key press for this one!