Tame your computer - an (underscored) shortcut to shortcuts

In her regular series for Cambridge Network members - now in its 15th year - software training expert Karen Roem offers handy tips to help you 'Tame your computer'. This week she describes how to turn on the underscored letter option (Windows 10).

Roem tip time logo

As you know (see related tips at the bottom ;) I absolutely love Windows 10, but there are certain settings that drive me around the bend. One of those is that I can no longer press the underscored letter to activate a command.

What do I mean? Well, back in the days when a blog was called a web log the ribbons were menus and all commands could be used by holding down the ALT key and typing an underscored letter. With the introduction of Office 2007, the menus were replaced by ribbons, but occasionally underscored letters still pop up, such as when you close a file without saving (i.e. the S and the n in the dialogue box here) …

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 Or when you right-click somewhere …

[[{"fid":"294263","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Dialogue box","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Dialogue box"},"link_text":false,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Dialogue box","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Dialogue box"}},"attributes":{"alt":"Dialogue box","title":"Dialogue box","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]

So if you like the idea you can simply press the letter n when you don’t want to save the file or use the relevant underlined letter (as F, P, e, R, s, i or m in the above!) when you are a right-mouse clicker.

Why not change the setting?

Here’s how:

  1. Press the WIN key and type access keys.

  2. Make sure Underline access key shortcuts in menus when possible is selected and press ENTER.

  3. In the Change how keyboard shortcuts work section click on the button underneath Underline access keys when available to turn it on.

[[{"fid":"294264","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"access key settings box","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"access key settings box"},"link_text":false,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"access key settings box","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"access key settings box"}},"attributes":{"alt":"access key settings box","title":"access key settings box","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]]

Next time you close all your files you can simply press the letter S or N to save or not.  Have a go and see whether you like it. (I do!)

 

Related tips

Arrange windows side-by-side without being asked what to snap next to it

Show running applications and find recently opened documents

Show the day of the week in the taskbar

Set the Print Screen key to open screen snipping

View and paste your copied items from one place

PS To help you put these tips into practice I have developed a series of 60-minute webinars, giving you the opportunity to see the hints, tips and time-saving shortcuts in action. I also offer 15-minute sessions for you and your colleagues.

19 July 2021

Karen Roem offers software training and support through her company Roem Ltd.  Contact her by email (Karen@roem.co.uk) or visit her website at www.roem.co.uk

 



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