Universal Design Symbol Assigning and using shortcut keys to start applications


2 Ways to Create Shortcut Keys to Start Software Applications

  1. Using the keyboard only
  2. Using the mouse only (a shorter way)
  3. Starting Software Applications

Using the keyboard only

There are 15 steps to create shortcut keys,
  1. From the desktop screen display press Control+ESCape to open Windows 95 application menu.
  2. Press "s" to access the setup sub-menu.
  3. By pressing "t" to open  the Taskbar Properties Dialog box two index tabs become visible; they are: the Taskbar Options tab, and the Taskbar Options tab.
  4. Press SHIFT+TAB moving the dot highlight from the "Always on top" check mark to the Taskbar Options tab index title.
  5. Press the right arrow key to move the highlight to the Start Menu Programs tab index title.
  6. Press ALT+d to select Advance Menu Options.  The Exploring start menu will open.  In the same Window press the up or down arrow key to move the colored highlight bar to Programs.
  7. Press Enter for the Exploring - Programs page and highlight the application you want to use: it could be Microsoft Word, Eudora, or any application.
  8. Press ALT+f and r to open the properties dialog box for the selected application.  The title of the dialog box will also contain the name of the application.   At the top of the properties dialog box are index tabs labeled "General", and "Shortcut".
  9. Press SHIFT+TAB moving the dot highlight to the General index tab.
  10. Press the right arrow key moving the dot highlight to the Shortcut index tab.
  11. At the Shortcut tab index press ALT+k.
  12. After pressing ALT+k press the letter you want to be associated with the application.  Only one letter can be used to reference one application.  You may want to use the first letter of the application like "w" for Microsoft Word or "e" for Eudora.  Example: "w" for Microsoft Word or "e" for Eudora.  This makes it easier to remember.
  13. At the bottom of the Shortcut tab index  page press Enter to exit the Shortcut key setup.
  14. At the Exploring - Programs page press ALT+f for file menu and c to close the File menu.  ALT+F4 will also give you the same result
  15. At the Taskbar Properties Dialog box press Enter to return to the Desktop.

Using the mouse only

There are 8 steps to create shortcut keys,
  1. From the desktop screen display place the mouse pointer directly on Microsoft Word Icon & click the right mouse button once
  2. The right mouse button activates the shortcut menu of the Icon: Choose "Properties" with "r" key
  3. At the top of the ".......Properties" dialog box are two index tabs labeled "General", and "Shortcut".
  4. Press SHIFT+TAB moving the highlight of dots to the General index tab
  5. Press the right arrow key moving the dot highlight to the Shortcut index tab
  6. At the Shortcut tab index press ALT+k
  7. After pressing ALT+k press the letter you want to be associated with the application.  Only one letter can be used to reference one application.  You may want to use the first letter of the application like "w" for Microsoft Word or "e" for Eudora.  Example: "w" for Microsoft 'Word or "e" for Eudora.  This makes it easier to remember.
  8. At the bottom of the Shortcut tab index  page either click OK with the mouse pointer or press Enter to exit the Shortcut key setup and return to the Desktop.
To use Microsoft Word press Control+ALT+w

Starting Software Applications:

At the Windows 95 Desktop press Control+ALT+any key you assigned to the specific software application.

Example:

  1. Control+ALT+w, for Microsoft Word
  2. Control+ALT+e, for Eudora

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