How to add a shortcut to the start menu for a commonly used application

Go to Start Menu>All Programs>Right click the application you want to add and select 'Pin to start menu' from the list.

An icon for the application will now appear in the top portion of your start menu !

Keyboard shortcuts (WinKey)

WINKEY - Pressing this key will open the Start menu.

WINKEY + D - Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows.

WINKEY + E - Open Microsoft Explorer.

WINKEY + M - Minimizes all windows.

WINKEY + L - Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).

WINKEY + R - Open the run window.

WINKEY + U - Open Utility Manager.

WINKEY + F1 - Display the Microsoft Windows help.

WINKEY + SHIFT + M - Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D.

WINKEY + Pause / Break key - Open the system properties window

Open control panel items from the 'Run' window

Below are useful shortcuts to items in control panel. Just press 'Winkey + r' to pop open the run dialogue.

Type the commands in bold and the items will open.

control - Control Panel
control folders - Folder Options
control userpasswords - User Accounts
control userpasswords2 - Advanced User Accounts
control desktop - Display Properties
control printers - Printers and Faxes
control mouse - Mouse Properties
control keyboard - Keyboard Properties
control netconnections - Network Connections
control color - Display Properties \ Screensaver
control date/time - Date and Time Properties
control schedtasks - Scheduled Tasks
control admintools - Administrative Tools
control telephony - Phone and Modem Options
control fonts - Fonts Folder
control international - Regional and Language