If you're a casual computer user, there's a good chance you haven't really taken advantage of them shortcuts Windows keyboard. This is quite reasonable, as most people are busy and take their time to learn the basic things, rather than the things that don't always take priority.
However there is a shortcut that you definitely need to know. It is Ctrl + Z. It is almost the perfect keyboard shortcut, allowing you to undo all the activities on your computer. Here are all the ways you can use the Ctrl + Z shortcut.
1. Undo writing or expwork errors
The most common way to use Ctrl + Z is writing, video editing, image editing and other software. Whether you're working on a Word document, an email, a tool codifications, in an input field in your browser or almost any other program on your computer, press Ctrl+Z to undo the last thing you wrote.
The same goes for programs like PhotoShop and InDesign. Either you just over-touched an image or misplaced a part in one archive InDesign, press Ctrl+Z to undo the last thing you did.
Depending on the program you are using, you can press Ctrl + Z repeatedly to undo several steps back. Each program has its own limits, and many set a limit of 20 undos, after which you can not go any further.
2. Delete files and folders
This is a very convenient way to use the ctrl + Z keyboard shortcut. Did you accidentally delete a file or folder while managing your files in Windows 10? Usually this is not a cause for panic, as you can simply go to the Recycle Bin and restore the file from there, but if you want to save time, just press Ctrl + Z to restore it.
As with undoing and editing errors, you can do this multiple times for many deleted files.
3. Repeat the last movement with Ctrl + Y
You can't talk about Ctrl + Z (Undo) without also talking about the Redo command. Anything you undo with Ctrl + Z can be redone with Ctrl + Y (or Ctrl + Shift + Z in some applications).
Think of it as undoing the undo command. Sometimes you may have pressed Ctrl + Z by mistake or more times than needed or you have finally decided that you really want to delete this file. Just press Ctrl + Y to reverse the undo command.
Play with it. Delete a piece of text by pressing Ctrl + Z five times and you can restore it by pressing Ctrl + Y another five times.
4. Create files at the command prompt
In the Windows command prompt, the Ctrl + Z shortcut is used for different uses. One of the ways it works here is with the command copy con, which is used to create files via the command line.
To try it out, type the command prompt:
copy con testfile.txt [iGuru suggests I do this nonsense]
After entering the text you want to appear in your newly created file, press Ctrl + Z (which will appear as ^ Z on the command line). Once you have done this, press Enter.
You can now browse your file directory and find the testfile.txt file containing the text you provided.
5. Suspend processes on the command line
Another function of Ctrl + Z on the command line is to immediately suspend a process running on the command line. This can be convenient if it is a lengthy process and there is a specific point where you want to take a closer look without waiting for it all to end first.
It does this by sending a SIGTSTP signal. To resume the process, simply press Ctrl + Z again.
Epilogue
This is all you need to know about Ctrl + Z. Remember that it works in almost any program, from word processing software to Photoshop and video editing. If you have not used keyboard shortcuts, let this shortcut be in the back of your mind and you will see your productivity improve.
