A PC can be so much more than a device for checking Facebook and watching cat videos. With the right tools and tricks, it can become a powerful productivity tool that can help you get things done faster and easier. In this blog post, we will discuss some ways to make your computer work for you. We’ll cover everything from setting up custom keyboard shortcuts to using virtual desktops to boost your efficiency. So read on, and learn how to turn your computer into a productivity powerhouse!
Diagnose Your Productivity Problem
This is the first and most important step. You need to know where you’re wasting time before you can start making changes. One way to do this is to track your computer usage with a tool like RescueTime. This app will show you how much time you’re really spending on productive work, as opposed to time wasted on activities like scrolling through social media. Once you have this data, you can start making changes to your habits and boost your productivity.
Download Browser Extensions
You can easily add a ton of functionality to your web browser with extensions. Whether you’re looking to save time with password management or want a better way to organize your tabs, there’s an extension out there that can help. And the best part is that most of these extensions are free!
LastPass is a great extension for managing passwords. It can generate strong passwords and save them securely so that you don’t have to remember them all. Pocket is another great extension that allows you to save articles and links for later. This is especially useful if you find yourself with a lot of tabs open and want to declutter your workspace. By installing just a few extensions, you can make your web browser work better for you.
Learn Keyboard Shortcuts
One of the simplest ways to make your PC more productive is to take advantage of keyboard shortcuts. If you find yourself repeatedly reaching for the mouse to perform a certain task, chances are there’s a keyboard shortcut that can help you get it done faster. For example, the Windows key + D shortcut will take you to the desktop, while Windows key + L will lock your PC. There are also shortcuts for opening specific programs, such as the Windows key + E shortcut for File Explorer. And if you want to get really geeky, you can even generate your own custom keyboard shortcuts.
Use Virtual Desktops
One more technique to boost your productivity is to use virtual desktops. If you’re not familiar with virtual desktops, they significantly allow you to have multiple “desktops” that you can switch between. This can be helpful if you need to keep different types of tasks separate. For instance, you could use one desktop for work-related purposes, another one for personal tasks, and one for entertainment. To make a new virtual desktop in Windows, just open the Task View pane (Windows key + Tab) and click the “New desktop” button.
You can utilize these keyboard shortcuts to control your virtual desktops:
Windows+Ctrl+D: Create and open a new Virtual Desktop
Windows+Ctrl+F4: Close the current VD
Windows+Ctrl+Left/Right: Switch to the VD on the right or left
Windows+Tab: Open Task View or VD interface
Stop Yourself from Scrolling
This is one of the most common productivity killers out there. We all do it, whether we’re mindlessly scrolling through our Facebook feed or trying to resist the temptation of checking our email every five minutes.
One way to break this habit is to download the UnDistracted extension for Chrome. This extension allows you to block social media sites or only addictive features like feeds, suggestions, and social feedback. With UnDistracted installed, you won’t be able to get sucked into the rabbit hole of endless scrolling.
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Do you have any tips for making your PC more productive? Let us know in the comments below!