You may have noticed that your Windows 11 PC has updated itself whether you intended to or not. As of the end of January 2023 Microsoft began automatically upgrading Windows PCs with the bi-annual feature update codenamed 22H2. Here are some of the highlights.

Tabs in Files Explorer
Some of the more notable changes are things like tabs in File Explorer. This is something that the “Power Users” have wanted for a long time. Just click the plus sign in the upper most menu bar and open a new file explore page. You can also press the CTRL + T keys simultaneously to open a new tab. Much like tabs in your web browser except you can’t just drag them out into a new window like you can with tabs in the web browsers.

You can move or copy files and folders between tabs. Just drag it to the desired tab and down into the files list for that tab. You can also use the ALT + Left or Right Arrows to navigate between tabs.

There have also been some minor changes to the left panel. Some call it streamlining, allowing easier access to your most used locations and system folders.

These changes in File Explorer are only on Windows 11. Those of us using Windows 10 are still stuck with the old File Explorer.

Clipchamp
The Video Editor that Microsoft has had for some time is still here and it still works although it is just a simple program. A more capable video editor was Windows Movie Maker. Many people came to like Movie Maker and it is still available from the Microsoft Store. Clipchamp is sort of the successor to Movie Maker. If you start the old Video Editor Windows bring up Clipchamp. Legacy video editors can still be found in the Microsoft Store.

A while back Microsoft acquired Clipchamp which is a video editor with more features and capabilities. While it is not as powerful as some of the “professional” video editors like Adobe Premiere Pro or Power Director 365 it doesn’t cost an extra arm or leg. Clipchamp is simple and easy to use and it is now the default video editor in Windows 11.

For more information about Clipchamp and video editing see the Ken’s Korner Newsletter from September 2022.

Using the Snap Bar
You have probably seen the Snap Bar if you are in the habit of dragging windows around by the title bar. It is what lets you move windows to halves, thirds or quarters of the screen. It can be great multitasking tool. To access the Snap Bar hover (don’t click) the mouse over the maximize button in the upper-right corner of the window. Alternatively, you can press the Win + Z keys and then choose a number.

Task Bar
One of the quickest ways to manage Windows is the Task Bar. The bar where you can place the programs and tools that you use most often. In Windows 11 it is always at the bottom center of your screen although there are rumors that Microsoft may change that in future updates. An even faster way to use the Task Bar is with the Windows key. Hold the Windows key down and press the corresponding number of the app you want to open. The icons are numbered from right to left.

A few caveats on the numbering of the Task Bar icons. For one if you have a separate number pad as most full-sized keyboard do, those number may not work. You will have to use the number keys above the letter keys, Also, some of the icons like the Multiple Desktops icon or the Chat icon may not be part of the numbering set. Those you will have to open the old-fashioned way, by clicking on them with the mouse.

Touch screens are becoming more common everyday but keyboards are still the main means of input in most offices and for gaming. Not only do keyboards offer that tactile feel they have shortcuts to help you move faster and get more done in less time.

Here are some more handy keyboard shortcuts that can save you time and effort.

Things you can do with the shift key.
The shift key is a modifier that is usually used to type upper case letters and the symbols at the top of other keys. But the shift key can do more than that.

Sticky Keys
Use the Shift key to activate Sticky Keys. Sticky Keys is a Microsoft Windows Accessibility feature that works with other modifier keys like CTRL, ALT and the Windows Key. To activate the Sticky Keys, press the Shift key five times.

In Windows 10 this opens a dialog box. You can turn on the Sticky Keys from there. In Windows 11 the Sticky Key icon appears in the Hidden Icons section of the Task Bar.

With Sticky Keys activated you just have to press one of the modifier keys once and let go. It will act as though you are holding it down. To turn off the Sticky Keys press the Shift button five time of press two of the modifier keys at once.

The Shift key can reverse the action of other key strokes.

• CTRL + T = open a new tab; Shift + CTRL + T = re-open the last closed tab.
• CTRL + Tab = next tab; Shift + CTRL + Tab = previous tab
• ALT + Tab = next app; Shift + ALT + Tab = previous app
• CTRL + Z = undo; Shift + CTRL + Z = redo

Highlighting text
You can highlight text by holding the left mouse key and dragging it across the text you wish to highlight. You can also highlight text by holding the Shift key and using the left or right arrows. This can be handy for fine text or when dragging seems to highlight more or less text than you wanted. Here are a few other ways to highlight text.

• CTRL + Shift + Right Arrow or Left Arrow = selects the whole word to the right or left.
• Shift + Up Arrow or Down Arrow = selects one line of text ending under or above the cursor.
• Shift + End = selects the line of text from the cursor to the end of that line.
• Shift + Page Up or Page Down = selects the text from the cursor to the top or bottom of the page. It will also add a little of the next page or previous page to the position of the cursor.

Cut and Paste

• Shift + Delete = cuts the highlighted sections of text, images or other objects.
• Shift + Insert = pastes the selection.

You can also use CTRL + Insert to copy the selected text or other items

Scroll sideways
You can scroll vertically with the mouse wheel and you can scroll horizontally by holding the Shift key down and using the mouse wheel. Note: This only works with apps and webpages that support horizontal scrolling.

Other handy keyboard shortcuts.

Lock your computer.
Hold the Windows key down and press L. All your programs remain running but it will require your password to get back in. This is something I highly recommend you do whenever you walk away from the keyboard, even if it is just for a short break. It only takes a few moments for an unscrupulous operator to take over while you are not looking.

Switch between open windows.
If you have multiple windows open at the same time, and who doesn’t? Or maybe you have so many open windows that you can’t remember what is happening in the background, like I often do. You can switch between the open windows by pressing CTRL + ALT + Tab. (On a Mac press Command + Tab.)

Zoom in or out.
You can zoom in or out while you work easily by holding the CTRL key down and using the scroll wheel on your mouse. This also works for icons.

For more tips and tricks you can check the May 2022 edition of Ken’s Korner Newsletter.

And remember — always back it up!