Speedy Shortcut Alt-ernatives

In the June 2000 issue, I listed a handful of double-click tricks for getting around your system faster. You can get even faster access to your Properties dialog boxes by adding the Alt key to your repertoire of clicks and double-clicks. Note that Windows XP users who have selected 'Single-click to open an item' in Explorer's Tools, Folder Options dialog box should congratulate themselves for already knowing about one of the simplest ways to speed up their work. But be sure to substitute "single-click" for "double-click" in the following tips.

System, Network, and Recycle Bin Properties: Alt-double-click My Computer on the desktop to open the System Properties dialog box, and Alt-double-click the desktop's My Network Places or Network Neighborhood (depending on your version of Windows) to open your Network, Network Connections, or Network and Dial-up Connections properties dialog box. Note that in some versions of Windows, these dialog boxes may open in the background (that is, behind any other windows that you currently have open). Finally, Alt-double-click Recycle Bin to open the Recycle Bin Properties dialog box and check or adjust its settings.

Quick Launch Properties: By Alt-single-clicking an icon in the Quick Launch area of your taskbar, you can see its Properties dialog box. And that goes for Desktop, Links, and custom toolbar icons, too (if you've made any of your own).

Launch in back: In some versions of Windows, Alt-double-clicking the speaker icon and the clock in the taskbar tray will open the Volume Control and Date/Time Properties (Date and Time Properties in Windows XP) dialog boxes, respectively, in back of any currently open windows. This is a good thing to do whenever you want to be reminded to check your clock or calendar, or to change your speaker volume, after you close the windows that you currently have open.

Other properties: Alt-double-clicking most drive, folder, file, and shortcut icons opens their Properties dialog boxes. This is handy if you want to change an item's file attributes or network sharing settings, or you want to give a shortcut a custom icon, among other options.

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