5 Control Command Tips

Control commands are essential for navigating and managing your computer efficiently. Mastering these commands can significantly enhance your productivity and user experience. Here are five control command tips that can help you work smarter:
1. Ctrl + Shift + T - Reopen Closed Tabs
This command is a lifesaver for anyone who accidentally closes a tab they still need. By pressing Ctrl + Shift + T
on your keyboard, you can instantly reopen the last tab you closed. This command works in most browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. You can press the combination multiple times to reopen multiple closed tabs in the order they were closed.
2. Ctrl + Shift + > or < - Increase or Decrease Font Size
When reading content on your computer, sometimes the font size is not ideal for your viewing comfort. Instead of navigating through menus to adjust the font size, you can use Ctrl + Shift + >
to increase the font size or Ctrl + Shift + <
to decrease it. This command is particularly useful in web browsers and text editors. Note that in some applications, you might use Ctrl + +
(plus sign) to increase and Ctrl + -
(minus sign) to decrease font size.
3. Ctrl + C, Ctrl + X, Ctrl + V, and Ctrl + A - Essential Editing Shortcuts
- Ctrl + C: Copy the selected text or item.
- Ctrl + X: Cut the selected text or item. This is similar to copy, but it removes the original text after copying.
- Ctrl + V: Paste the copied or cut text or item.
- Ctrl + A: Select all text or items. This is useful for quickly selecting everything in a document, email, or folder.
These commands are fundamental for any computer user and work across various applications, including text editors, word processors, and even file explorers.
4. Ctrl + Z and Ctrl + Y - Undo and Redo
- Ctrl + Z: Undo an action. This command reverses your last action, whether it was typing text, deleting files, or applying changes in an editing software.
- Ctrl + Y: Redo an action. If you’ve undone something with
Ctrl + Z
and then decide you want to reinstate the change,Ctrl + Y
will redo it for you.
These commands are incredibly useful for correcting mistakes without having to manually redo work or for experimenting with different versions of a document or project.
5. Ctrl + Tab - Switch Between Open Windows or Tabs
- In most applications, pressing
Ctrl + Tab
allows you to switch between open windows or tabs. This command is particularly useful in web browsers where you might have multiple tabs open, or in applications like Adobe Photoshop where you have several projects open simultaneously. - Pressing
Ctrl + Tab
and then releasing, followed by pressing it again without holding, will cycle through your open tabs or windows. HoldingCtrl
and pressingTab
multiple times (without releasingCtrl
) will also cycle through them but gives you a bit more control.
Mastering these control commands can significantly streamline your workflow and enhance your computing experience. Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual user, understanding and utilizing these shortcuts can save you a considerable amount of time and effort.