If for example you have multiple instances of Notepad.exe running:

1. Open your Start Menu and click “Run” or just hit windows key + R
2. Type in “taskkill /im notepad.exe” and hit enter
3. If the program is not responding, you may need to type “taskkill /im /f notepad.exe” to forcefully end it.

The great thing about this command aside from allowing you to end many things at once is that it can also be executed from within a batch file or php command to help you automate various tasks on your computer and even allow you to control applications remotely via a web interface.

Windows Key + D – Takes you directly to your desktop and minimizes any open applications.

Windows Key + L - Logs you out of your current Windows user account.

Windows Key + R - Brings up the Run menu, allowing you to easily start applications, such as those listed in the Start-Run Shortcuts list.

Windows Key + F - Opens up the Windows search where you can look for files.

Ctrl + Shift + Esc - Opens up the task manager, usefull when applications crash or stop working and you need to end them.

Prt Scr/Sys Rq - Most people have no idea what this button by their number pad actually does, when pressed it will copy a snapshot of your screen to your clipboard which you can then paste into any editing program such as MSPaint and save as a screenshot.

Alt + Prt Sc - Same as above, only it will capture just the window currently in focus.

Windows Key + Pause/Break - Brings up your system properties dialogue, same as right clicking ‘My Computer’ and selecting Properties.

Ctrl + T and Ctrl + W - Most browsers that support multiple tabs such as firefox will use these shortcuts to open a new tab or close the current tab respectively.

Shift + Enter - Will insert a line break in most applications that would otherwise use Enter as a ‘send’ command, such as messenger programs.

Most of these tips will work on Windows XP or Windows Vista, and some work on other operating systems as well.

So, here’s how ya do it:

Hold down the windows key on your keyboard and hit R. This will bring up the RUN window. Next you can enter in the name / alias of the program you’d like to start. Keep in mind it doesn’t work with all programs, and sometimes the alias is not very intuitive.

Here’s a list of some of the more common ones that I use:

- photoshop
- illustrator
- firefox
- iexplore (Internet Explorer)
- cmd (Command Prompt)
- notepad
- calc (Windows Calculator)
- msmsgs (Some Older Version of MSN Messenger)
- msconfig (Windows System Configuration)
- outlook
- excel
- winword (Microsoft Office Word)
- groove
- mspaint (Microsoft Paint)

Even if you don’t know the alias, just try out the name of the program to see if that particular app will open for you. There are many others that you can use to impress your friends or coworkers, with a quick shortcut 1-2 maneuver of the keyboard. Once it’s in your blood, you’ll hate using the mouse to start programs the old and slow way.