When designing and developing software, one of our aims is to ensure that each of our users is able to make the best use of their time. If you are using the desktop version of our software you are likely to be using Windows 10, which has a number of features and shortcuts that can result in simple tasks being completed in less time than may otherwise be possible.

It may well be that you have been using Windows for a number of years and are therefore already familiar with some of the features we are about to explain. If this is the case, then the following might act as a useful aide-memoire. If one or more are new to you, being aware of them might mean you can save some valuable time by completing simple tasks faster, or by organising your desktop in a more efficient way.

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Windows 10 allows the creation of multiple desktops. You might find you want to start something new and a clean space in which to work would help you think more clearly. However, you may want to quickly move back to the original task without having to reopen and organise the windows you previously had open. To achieve this multiple desktops are the solution.

Click on the Task View icon close to the Windows Start button:

 

To then create a new desktop click on add a new desktop, and once you have created one or more – you can create as many as you need – you click on the one you want to work on from the same screen.

 

 

 

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“Snap Assist” for split screen viewing – this allows you to display two windows, one on each half of your screen. Start by dragging the first window to the side – effectively “throwing” it at the side of the screen with the mouse (if you are using multiple screens make sure you “throw” it towards an outside edge otherwise it will merely move to the adjacent screen).

 

The window will then fill half of the screen allowing you to click on any other window that is also open (on the right hand side), which will then expand to fill the other half of the screen.

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In a similar way you can also organise your screen by dragging windows into a corner of the screen. This time, instead of “throwing” the chosen window at the side, choose a corner. Choose up to four windows – with all four windows aimed at each corner you are then left with four perfectly arranged rectangles filling your screen.

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Focus Assist is a useful Windows 10 feature that helps you get on with the task in hand, free from interruptions from other apps. To set up your personal preferences, go to Settings>System>Focus Assist.

From here you have three options: the first is to disable the feature (which means you receive all notifications from all open apps); the second is to select notifications that you choose, any others being sent straight to the action centre, found on the far right of the Taskbar); or finally you can select alarms only. Further rules enable you to fine tune your preferences, for example applying your choice during non-working hours only.

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You are probably already aware that by pressing Alt + Tab you can scroll through open windows, but if you find it easier to move in the opposite direction do so by holding down the shift key at the same time

 

… and when composing emails

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Deleting the last letter you typed is achieved by pressing the backspace key, but to delete the last word then press Ctrl + backspace – this should save you some time if you notice that you miss-typed a whole word.

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Again, when editing emails, you can move the cursor manually from word to word while typing, moving it to the beginning of the next word by pressing Ctrl + right arrow, to the beginning of the previous word by pressing Ctrl + left arrow.

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When composing emails it is helpful to know where to quickly find the hundreds of different symbols that come with Windows 10. To access the Windows Character Map app, type “character” in the Windows search box next to the start button. Once the app is open select the symbol you need in the font you need, press “select”, then copy – you are then ready to paste the symbol into your email.

 

… or when using a browser

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A few words about CompassAir

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Through its shipping and shipbroking clients, ranging from recognised World leaders through to the smallest, most dynamic independent companies, CompassAir has a significant presence in the major maritime centres throughout Europe, the US and Asia.

Our flagship solution is designed to simplify collaboration for teams within and across continents, allowing access to group mailboxes at astounding speed using tools that remove the stress from handling thousands of emails a day. It can be cloud based or on premise. To find out more contact solutions@thinkcompass.io. If you are new to shipping, or just want to find out more about this exciting and challenging sector, the CompassAir Shipping Guide might prove to be an interesting read.

 

Contact us for more information or a short demonstration on how CompassAir can benefit your business, and find out how we can help your teams improve collaboration and increase productivity.