It's difficult, but possible. It's much more convenient than working with just a mouse and no keyboard. Obviously, if your mouse dies, you have to run to the store for a new one. But if it's nighttime and you REALLY NEED to do something…
So, let's start from the very beginning.
The Windows OS loaded, orphaned without a cursor.
It would seem like a hopeless situation. In fact, there are at least two solutions.
First, press the Windows logo key (it's the four-part flag at the bottom of the keyboard, look for it on either side of the spacebar) and the Latin “M” (or “D,” in this case, it's a matter of taste). You're on the desktop (see how the active icon is highlighted? Press “Enter ,” and the program will launch).
The second option is the Tab key on the left side of the keyboard. Press it several times, and one of the icons on the desktop will take on a distinctive “selected” appearance. Then, use the arrow keys to select whatever you like, press Enter, and get to work.
If you need the Start menu, press the same Windows key or simply hit Tab. Once Start is activated (you'll know this has happened by any change in its appearance), press Enter and look at the menu that appears.
Generally speaking, the Tab key moves focus (i.e., the active element, the thing you're working with) sequentially from the desktop (with icons) to the Start button, then to the Quick Launch bar (to the right of Start), then to the taskbar (where minimized apps are stored), then to the language and time menu, and back to the desktop. There may be slight variations—just pay close attention to what's being activated. If you miss the desired option too quickly, don't throw it at the monitor, heavy and clumsy. Press Shift+Tab to return to the previous position.
If you're unlucky enough to have multiple users on your computer and don't see a window asking who's logged in and what their password is, all is not lost. The window can be accessed with the “magic” Ctrl+Alt+Delete . Enter your login (that is, who you are), and use Tab to access the password window.
The Tab key is useful in any application. It comes in handy where the arrow keys can't do anything. For example, in email, it lets you navigate between folders and messages.
Okay, you've started working. You've launched one program, now you need a second one.
No problem. Press Windows+M. All windows will minimize, focusing on the desktop. Use the arrow keys to navigate and launch whatever you need. You can also press D instead of M, which will minimize all windows, and then press Windows+D again to open them all. This won't work with the M key.
Now you have two (or more) programs running at once. How do you switch between them? It's even easier than clicking the windows at the bottom. Alt+Tab will bring up a window with icons of all running programs. Hold Alt and press Tab until you select the one you want. Release the keys, and you're there.
Typically, every program has a menu at the top—you can access it with the Alt key, back (if you pressed it by accident) with Esc , and there's a separate button in the top left, for those unfamiliar. It also dismisses dialog boxes, those that offer the option to choose OK or Cancel. To select OK, press Enter. Another option, especially if the choice is between Yes, No, or Cancel, is to select the desired button with the arrow keys or the Tab key.
Everything you can do in the program is located in one of the menu items (navigate them with the arrow keys, left and right, or try the down key—you won't regret it!). There's also usually a hotkey combination in the menu that, when pressed, will get you what you want—without having to go through the menu. This option may be disabled by default, so if everything works for you but you're not relying on the quality of your mouse, you should specify in advance that you want to see hotkey information in the “Settings” menu.
A few more “tricks” for popular programs.
The “erase” key (also known as BackSpace ) is on the right, above “Enter” – it goes up one level in directories.
Selection. Ctrl+A – select all objects. If the objects are contiguous, hold Shift and move up/down. If they're not contiguous, it's more complicated, but we can handle it. Hover over the first object and press Ctrl . Don't release the key until all objects are selected. Use the arrow keys to move to the next “client.” Press the spacebar to add to the selection. See – it's simple, and you were afraid!
Ctrl+C – copy, Ctrl+V – paste, Ctrl+X – cut (not only in Word, but also in Explorer!).
Ctrl+S almost always means save. Ctrl+L means load. Ctrl+O means open.
Ctrl+Z – undo, or “roll back” one step. How many steps you can roll back, and whether you can do it at all, depends on the specific program. This combination is paired with Ctrl+Y , which moves you forward one step if you've rolled back too far.
Remember! If letter combinations aren't working, check to see if you're simply using a language other than English. I hope you know how to switch languages without a mouse (it's configured differently, but Ctrl+Shift or Alt+Shift usually works).
A few words about working on the Internet.
If you're using Internet Explorer, you can access the address bar by pressing Tab . Refresh is usually F5 . Go back is BackSpace (“clear”). To select something from Favorites, use Alt to jump to the menu, use the arrow keys to navigate to “Favorites,” then press the down arrow key to select your favorite website. You can also use Tab to navigate between hyperlinks on a page.
So you have done everything you wanted, mentioning the mouse with kind words more than once.
The program closes with Alt+F4 .
Close all programs, try pressing the combination again.
Well, are you surprised? It's much more convenient for me than clicking “Start” and “Power Off.”
Remember all these tips—you never know what might come in handy. Although, I sincerely hope your mice don't break and you can work the way you're used to!
