Most of us spend hours at a computer every day, but few of us stop to learn the shortcuts that would make that time easier. A few small changes can save minutes every day, and those minutes add up.

Here are ten simple tips that work for most people, whether you use Windows or a Mac.

1. Lock your screen when you step away

It takes a second and protects your work from prying eyes. On Windows, press Windows key + L. On a Mac, press Control + Command + Q.

2. Use clipboard history

Copied something and then copied over it? On Windows, press Windows key + V to see a list of things you’ve recently copied and paste any of them. The first time you use it, you’ll be asked to turn it on.

3. Capture just part of the screen

Instead of taking a full screenshot and cropping it, grab only what you need. On Windows, press Windows key + Shift + S. On a Mac, press Shift + Command + 4 and drag to select an area.

4. Reopen a tab you closed by mistake

In most browsers, including Edge and Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + T on Windows or Command + Shift + T on a Mac to bring back the last tab you closed. Keep pressing it to reopen earlier tabs.

5. Snap windows side by side

Comparing two documents is much easier when they sit next to each other. On Windows, press the Windows key and the left or right arrow to snap a window to one half of the screen.

6. Switch between apps without the mouse

Press Alt + Tab on Windows or Command + Tab on a Mac to move between open apps. Hold the first key and keep tapping Tab to move through the list.

7. Search instead of hunting

Rather than clicking through folders and menus, search. On Windows, press the Windows key and start typing. On a Mac, press Command + Space to open Spotlight. It’s often the quickest way to open an app, file or setting.

8. Use more than one desktop

Virtual desktops let you keep different pieces of work separate. On Windows, press Windows key + Ctrl + D to create a new desktop, and Windows key + Ctrl + left or right arrow to move between them. On a Mac, use Mission Control to add a new space.

9. Save to OneDrive or SharePoint, not your desktop

Files saved only on your computer are lost if the device fails or goes missing. Saving to OneDrive or SharePoint keeps them backed up, lets you open them from any device and gives you version history if you need to roll back a change.

10. Restart and update regularly

Leaving your computer running for weeks can slow it down and delay important security updates. Restart at least once a week and install updates when you’re prompted. It’s one of the simplest ways to keep your device fast and secure.

Want more from your technology?

Small changes like these help, but the biggest gains usually come from making sure your tools are set up properly in the first place. At Aura, we help organisations get more from Microsoft 365 and their devices, so their people spend less time fighting technology and more time doing their jobs.