The best Windows hacks and tricks that will make your life easier

If you know how to use it, Windows is incredibly versatile. We've compiled nine of our favorite shortcuts, tips and tricks to make your Windows experience as smooth and easy as possible.

1. Shake window to minimise

my personal favorite. You can shake a window by clicking and dragging it - go ahead, try it! The other windows you have open will automatically minimize, giving you a clutter-free workspace.

2. How to delete browser history

To delete your browsing history without going through the browser settings, press CTRL+Shift+DEL. That'll take you straight to the menu!

3. Highlight address bar

Anyone ever try to copy or delete a long URL from the browser address bar? Do you really need to? Use F6 to highlight it instead. Simple.

4. Forget CTRL+ALT+DEL

When a computer crashes, most people will immediately open the task manager by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. Instead, hit CTRL+Shift+ESC to open the task manager directly. Ultimately, if your computer is crashing, the fewer steps you have to take, the better. The task manager can be opened by right-clicking on the task bar, but this method seems a bit more sleight of hand.

5. God mode

In Windows Master Control Panel, or "God Mode", all the operating system's control panels can be accessed from one folder. You can create such a shortcut by creating a new folder on your desktop (or anywhere else), and renaming it as follows:

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You can change the "GodMode" bit, but the rest should remain the same. After you rename it, the icon will change, and you will be able to access Windows' most powerful features.

6. Entering file names in the command line

The most annoying thing about opening DOS and trying to run a file is typing out the whole file directory: C:LibrariesPictures etc.

Instead, drag the file directly into the command prompt, and the program will enter it for you. It's that simple!

7. Go straight to desktop

It's probably the one I use most often. You may remember when Windows had an icon for show desktop on the taskbar? Actually, you don't need to, since you can just press WIN+D now. If you don't know, the WIN button is between Left CTRL and Left ALT and has the wavy Windows flag icon.

8. Rename many files at once

When you want to rename a whole group of files, select them all at once and press F2. So you won't get confused, Windows will append a (1) or a (2) to the end of every file name.

9. Lock computer instantly

When you leave your laptop open around friends who are likely to change your Facebook information for fun, or simply want to increase security on your PC, it's good to get into the habit of pressing WIN + L every time you leave your desktop unattended.

If you do this, your computer will go back to its lock screen, so anyone who tries to post embarrassing statuses on Facebook will have to know your password. Logging out, on the other hand, closes all your open windows and documents.