Timesavers

One Click Shutdown or Restart

To make a shortcut which will Shutdown or Restart Windows with a single mouse click:

1. Right click on the Desktop and select New > Shortcut

2. In the Command line box type:  for one click shut down or  for one click restart.

3. Click Next and name the shortcut appropriately, either Shutdown or Restart.

Using Templates

To protect your original documents from error, save frequently used documents or worksheets as templates within your application.

1. Remove any extraneous data from your frequently used document or worksheet

2. Select File > Save As, and save the file as a .DOT (document template) in Word or .XLT in Excel.  (other applications also allow this function, simply check their help files for the file extensions)

3. To create a new file from the template simply open your template file and select File > Save As then give your new file a name with a regular extension.

Signature Files

Automatically add your name, title and contact information to each of your email messages automatically with a signature file.

For Navigator: 

1. Create and save a signature file containing your data

2. Select Edit > Preferences > Mail and Newsgroups

3. Add the path and filename of your signature file in the Signature File Box.

For Explorer:

1. Select Tools > Options then click on the Mail Format tab

2. Click on Signature Picker > New

3. Follow the on screen instructions to add a new signature file

Access Desktop from Taskbar

By adding the desktop toolbar to your Windows taskbar, you can have quick access to all desktop icons right from the taskbar without having to minimize all of your open windows just to see your desktop.

To add the desktop toolbar:

1. Right click on an empty space on the taskbar

2. Move the mouse over Toolbars and select Desktop

3. The desktop toolbar will appear on your taskbar

4. Slide the desktop toolbar as far to the right as possible so only the work Desktop is visible and it will take up very little space on your taskbar.  Simply click on the toolbar's chevron to display the list of desktop icons/files.

Quick Backups

Make it a habit when you're working on important documents or detailed projects to keep several backup copies in case of emergency.  For instance, store a copy on a floppy disk and email a copy to yourself.

To create automatic file backups and timed saves in Word:

1. Select Tools > Options> Save

2. Be sure the Save AutoRecover Info box is marked

3. Select a time interval, generally every 10 minutes is adequate

Simply use drag and drop to put it in the Startup folder, typically located at C:\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\Startup.

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