windows shortcut keys

General keyboard shortcuts

Press	To
CTRL+C	Copy.
CTRL+X	Cut.
CTRL+V	Paste.
CTRL+Z	Undo.
DELETE	Delete.
SHIFT+DELETE	Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.
CTRL while dragging an item	Copy selected item.
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item	Create shortcut to selected item.
F2	Rename selected item.
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word.
CTRL+LEFT ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word.
CTRL+DOWN ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph.
CTRL+UP ARROW	Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys	Highlight a block of text.
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys	Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document.
CTRL+A	Select all.
F3	Search for a file or folder.
ALT+ENTER	View properties for the selected item.
ALT+F4	Close the active item, or quit the active program.
ALT+Enter	Displays the properties of the selected object.
ALT+SPACEBAR	Opens the shortcut menu for the active window.
CTRL+F4	Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously.
ALT+TAB	Switch between open items.
ALT+ESC	Cycle through items in the order they were opened.
F6	Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
F4	Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
SHIFT+F10	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
ALT+SPACEBAR	Display the System menu for the active window.
CTRL+ESC	Display the Start menu.
ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name	Display the corresponding menu.
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu	Carry out the corresponding command.
F10	Activate the menu bar in the active program.
RIGHT ARROW	Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
LEFT ARROW	Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.
F5	Refresh the active window.
BACKSPACE	View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
ESC	Cancel the current task.
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive	Prevent the CD from automatically playing.

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

Press	To
CTRL+TAB	Move forward through tabs.
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB	Move backward through tabs.
TAB	Move forward through options.
SHIFT+TAB	Move backward through options.
ALT+Underlined letter	Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option.
ENTER	Carry out the command for the active option or button.
SPACEBAR	Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
Arrow keys	Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.
F1	Display Help.
F4	Display the items in the active list.
BACKSPACE	Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.

Natural keyboard shortcuts
You can use the following keyboard shortcuts with a Microsoft Natural Keyboard or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key () and the Application key ().

Press	To
	Display or hide the Start menu.
+BREAK	Display the System Properties dialog box.
+D	Show the desktop.
+M	Minimize all windows.
+Shift+M	Restores minimized windows.
+E	Open My Computer.
+F	Search for a file or folder.
CTRL+ +F	Search for computers.
+F1	Display Windows Help.
+ L	Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain.
+R	Open the Run dialog box.
	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
+U	Open Utility Manager.

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts

Press	To
Right SHIFT for eight seconds	Switch FilterKeys on and off.
Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN	Switch High Contrast on and off.
Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK	Switch MouseKeys on and off.
SHIFT five times	Switch StickyKeys on and off.
NUM LOCK for five seconds	Switch ToggleKeys on and off.
+U	Open Utility Manager.

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Press	To
END	Display the bottom of the active window.
HOME	Display the top of the active window.
NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)	Display all subfolders under the selected folder.
NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)	Display the contents of the selected folder.
NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-)	Collapse the selected folder.
LEFT ARROW	Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder.
RIGHT ARROW	Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder.

Recommended Software in Design and Technology

3D CAD modelling

***PTC ProDESKTOP v8*** (Now ProEngineer) - the most used 3D design software in D&T departments provided free through the Design and Technology Association (DATA), but only after teachers go on a training course and pay a nominal registration fee. N.B. ProDESKTOP is no longer supported by PTC, it is to be replaced by the more complex ProENGINEER.

http://www.cadinschools.org/index.php

SolidWorks Education Edition – a bit of a newcomer to schools due to recent price decreases. In July 2008, it was sold as a 60 user site licence for around £700. This allowed schools to distribute ‘student’ copies of the software with limited functionality. Like ProDesktop and ProEngineer, it can generate 3D parts and assemblies. Students can quickly draw 3D images, rendered images and working drawings.

http://www.techsoftuk.co.uk/solidworks.htm

Google SketchUp 6 (free version) – this excellent 3D design software can be downloaded free from Google. It is very quick and easy to pick up. Designs can only be saved as a jpeg (or as a propriety SketchUp file type) therefore designs cannot be exported as files for machining; but because of its accessibility, it is an absolutely ideal sketching and modelling application for creating and developing design ideas.

http://sketchup.google.com/product_suf.html

2D CAD drawing

***TechSoft 2D Design Tools v2*** - the most used 2D design software in D&T departments. It is sold through TechSoft and is most often used for engineering drawings, drawings to convert to machine tool paths for milling machines, vinyl cutters and laser cutters. Not really suitable for complex graphics, but the new version (v2) can let you import jpeg/bitmap images that can be incorporated into packaging designs, etc. The new version is really worthwhile. If you already have an older version, the upgrade costs £295 (site license V1 to site licence V2.)

http://www.techsoftuk.co.uk/

Food

Nutrients Software - diet analysis software that analyses ingredients related to particular groups of people. The analysis can be turned into a spreadsheets, word tables and even food labels. Its use could also be incorporated in PSHE courses supporting the ‘Food in Schools’ strategy.

http://www.nutrientssoftware.co.uk/

Textiles

SpeedStep – this textiles design software, like ProDESKTOP, is supported by DATA. Similarly, teachers must go on accredited training courses, which incurs a fee, but the software is then freely distributed. The software is starting to be better supported, with some of the network issues being solved.

http://www.cadinschools.org/index.php

Free alternative: Wild Things - Excellent pattern making software that has loads of standard project items in like bags and hats, type in the size and it creates the patterns ready for printing.

http://www.wildginger.com/products/wildthings.htm

Electronics

Yenka (formally Crocodile Technology 3D) - the new version of this electronics modelling software incorporates virtual circuit modelling, 3D - real world - circuit modelling, circuit track design mechanisms and PIC modelling. There is also a useful website with examples and tutorials. School site license costs between £400 -£600

http://www.crocodile-clips.com/

CD ROMs

Focus on Design Technology CD-ROM – this is a range of CD-ROMs from Focus Educational Software Ltd. There are a wide range of titles covering Resistant Materials, Graphic Products, Plastics, Wood Joints and Mechanical Toys. There are excellent titles ideal for Primary design and technology too. Each CD-ROM has lots of animations, videos, text, databases and useable teaching material. Pricing starts from £19.95 per title for a single user to £79.95 for unlimited site license.

http://www.focuseducational.com/html/category.php/cid/2

Art drawing and painting

Revelation Natural Art – A great art package that allows users to paint with a wide range of media to produce a realist effect. It is a much more pleasant experience than using some generic painting packages such as Microsoft Paint. A 40 user license costs £219.45.

http://www.rm.com/primary/Products/Product.asp?cref=PD155270&srcurl=g_s_na

SketchBook Pro 2009 – This is a great drawing package to be used with tablet PCs and graphics tablets. It is as naturalistic as they come. Download a 15-day (non-sequential) fully featured trial from Autodesk.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=6848332&siteID=123112

Free alternative: ArtRage 2 – free painting package. http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/freesoftware/ig/Free-Graphics-Software/ArtRage2.htm

Photo editing / Graphics

***Adobe Photoshop Elements 6*** – not as feature packed as the full Photoshop application, but is still an excellent choice for use in schools.

Free alternatives: Picasa – free Google photo editing software. http://picasa.google.co.uk/intl/en/#utm_source=en-all-more&utm_campaign=en-pic&utm_medium=et

Paint.NET – free photo editing software. http://www.getpaint.net/index2.html

Systems and Control

Economatics Logicator - Control systems are created by flowcharts by dragging commands onto the screen and drawing lines between them. Logicator includes six Soft Systems on-screen control simulations.
It is also ideal for developing real control systems with Smart Box or Control Station which are bought separately. Can be purchased with eLearning Credits.

http://www.economatics-education.co.uk

Free alternative: Scratch - a free programming software that makes it easy to create your own interactive animations, games, music, and art and share your creations on the web. This is a brilliant, easy to use systems based icon driven software.

http://scratch.mit.edu/