15 important keyboard shortcuts you probably don't know

Most expert computer users know the basic keyboard shortcuts, like pressing Control (Ctrl) + P on a PC to print a document. But did you know there are plenty of other useful-not to mention pretty darn cool-key combinations out there? From instantly zooming in to a larger view to quickly closing your browser window, these shortcuts will put the World Wide Web and more at your fingertips-because every second counts.

1. Add a Bookmark

Tab your new favorite website for easy access by bookmarking the page with the following quick trick.

PC: Ctrl + D

Mac: Apple key (see right) + D

2. Delete Forever

When you know you want to nix a file forever-instead of sending it to clog up the recycling bin first––tap the keys below.

PC: Shift + Delete

3. Close Browser

Whether your boss walks up while you’re reading gossip blogs or your husband comes in the room while you’re buying him a gift, close your browser, stat, with this shortcut.

PC: Alt + F4

Mac: Ctrl + Q

4. Show Desktop

If you have lots of windows open on your computer and you want quick access to your desktop-or a super-quick way to hide your work-hit the following keys.

PC: Window key (see right) + D

Mac: F11

5. Find Files or Folders

Forget painstakingly searching all of your folders to find one file. The shortcut below will do the searching for you.

PC: Window key + F

Mac: Apple key (see right) + F

6. Change Zoom Level

Whether you’re working on the Web or in a word processing program, zoom in or out with this command.

PC: Ctrl + scroll mouse wheel

Mac: Apple key + plus sign; Apple key + minus sign

7. Reopen Previous Tab in Browser

Have you ever accidentally closed the browser tab you were looking at and had to spend time backtracking to find it again? The shortcut below will restore that page to you almost instantly.

PC: Ctrl + Shift + T

Mac: Apple key + Z

8. Switch Between Open Programs

Navigating between open screens can get confusing. Make it easy to move among all your programs with this quick trick.

PC: Alt + Tab

Mac: Apple key + Tab

9. Take a Screen Shot

Capture an image of what you’re working on instantly with a screen grab-it’s particularly useful for Web pages you can’t copy and paste.

PC: Print Screen (then paste [Ctrl + V] into a Word document)

Mac: Apple key + Shift + 3

10. Refresh a Webpage

Whether you’re waiting for a new email to arrive or the latest news story to pop up, easily refresh your screen using the keys below.

PC: F5, or Ctrl + R

Mac: Apple key + R

11. Go to a Previous Location in Browser

Time travel with the neat shortcut below, which lets you quickly go back to the webpage you were looking at before your current one.

PC: Alt + ←

Mac: Apple key + [

12. Spelling/Grammar Check

No more excuses: Perfect spelling and grammar is just one keystroke away.

PC or Mac: F7

13. Add “http://www” to Your Browser’s Address Bar

The quickest route to your online destination? Just type in the name of the webpage you’d like to go to (for example, type “Google”), then press the following keys to add the “http://www.” to the beginning and “.com” to the end.

PC: Ctrl + Enter

Mac: Apple key + Enter

14. Select the Address Bar

When you want to quickly type a new URL into your browser, the shortcut below will easily select the address bar for you, so you can start typing without moving your mouse.

PC: Ctrl + L, or F6

Mac: Apple key + L

15. Launch the Windows Start Menu

Just tap the keys below for an easy way to view your Start Menu options.

PC: Window key, or Ctrl + Esc