Summary of customizations:
Keyboard Virtuosity: Customizing Windows
for Mouse-Free Operation

· Move frequently-used Program submenu items to the top of the Program submenu. (This must be done by dragging and dropping.) (Windows 98, Me, and 2000, only.)

· Create folders in the Program menu to store infrequently-accessed applications. (Use Windows Explorer or other file management tool to create folders in c:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs.)

· Uninstall never-used applications. (Control Panel à Add/Remove Programs.)

· Create “Global Keyboard Shortcuts” for items on the “Quick Launch” toolbar (see below), and hide the “Quick Launch” toolbar. (Right-click on the taskbar, or press Ctrl + Esc, Esc, Tab, Shift + F10. Select “Toolbars” from the menu.) (Windows 98, ME, and 2000, only.)

Global Hotkeys

A “Global Hotkey” is a keyboard shortcut that works in almost every context. You can define them to launch applications, and to open specific folders, files, and web pages. To create a global hotkey:

1 Locate the icon of the application, folder or file.

2 Create a shortcut.

3 Move the shortcut icon to the desktop.

4 Select the shortcut icon.

5 Invoke the shortcut menu for the icon (i.e., press 4 or Shift + F10).

6 Choose “Properties.”

7 Select the “Shortcut” tab.

8 Select the “Shortcut key” edit box.

9 Press a hotkey. (Use Function keys, or Shift, Alt, Ctrl combinations.)

10 Press Enter (or tab to the “OK” button, then press Enter).

Folder Options

It is often easier to manage files using folders (e.g., “My Computer” and “My Documents”) rather than Windows Explorer or the “Open” and “Save As” dialogs in mainstream applications. If you use folders, simplify the operation and appearance of the interface. (In Windows ME, 2000 and XP, these settings can be done through Control Panel à Folder Options. Otherwise, use My Computer à Tools à Folder Options.)

1. View menu

· Remove unneeded toolbars. (None are required.)

· Show the Status Bar.

· Choose “List” or “Details” view. (“Large Icon” and “Small Icon” views are harder to access using keyboard-only techniques.)

· Choose appropriate “Columns.” (Windows ME, 2000, and XP only.)

2. Tools menu

· Use “Folder Options” to customize folder views. For example, check “Remember Each Folder’s View Settings” and uncheck “Show pop-up descriptions for folder and desktop items.” After identifying view settings that work well for you, set all folders to the same view in the “Folder View” container (View tab).

Windows Explorer

Simplify the operation and appearance of the interface.

1. View menu

· Remove unneeded toolbars. (Windows Explorer works well without any toolbars.)

· Show the Status Bar.

· Choose “List” or “Details” view. (“Large Icon” and “Small Icon” views are harder to access using keyboard-only techniques.)

· Choose appropriate “Columns.” (Windows ME, 2000, and XP only.)

2. Tools menu

· Use “Folder Options” to customize folder views. For example, check “Remember Each Folder’s View Settings” and uncheck “Show pop-up descriptions for folder and desktop items.” After finding view settings that work well for you, set all folders to the same view in the “Folder View” container (View tab).

Microsoft Word

1. Tools menu

· Generate a list of all Word commands and corresponding keyboard shortcuts (when they exist.) (Tools à Macro à Macros. Type “listcommands” and press “Enter.” Choose “All Word commands.”

· Turn on “Show ScreenTips on toolbars” and “Show shortcut keys in ScreenTips.” (Tools à Customize... à Options.) (Word 2000 and XP only.)

· Turn off “Menus show recently used commands first.” (Tools à Customize... à Options à Personalized Menus and Toolbars.) (Word 2000 and XP only.)

· Check default keyboard shortcuts, or create new ones. (Tools à Customize... à Keyboard.)

· Create a custom toolbar that contains only the commands that you use. (Tools à Customize... Toolbars à New. With the “Customize” dialog showing, hold down Ctrl while dragging and dropping toolbar icons from existing toolbars to your custom toolbar. When complete, close the “Customize” dialog. Hide other toolbars.)

· Rearrange menus so that frequently used menu items appear at the top of menus. (Tools à Customize... With the Customize dialog showing, drag menu items from their default positions, and drop them in their new locations.)

· Create “AutoCorrect” entries to insert words, expressions, foreign characters, formatted tables, and formatted text.

2. View menu

· Increase zoom level to, say, 120% - 130%, to enhance legibility of text.

· Hide toolbars that you do not use.

Macro software

· Use Macro Express (www.macros.com) or other macro software to create hotkeys to launch applications, run scripts, open folders, and insert text.

“Tweaker” programs

“Tweaker” or “hacker” programs, such as Microsoft Tweak and Kernel Toys, and XTEQ (www.xteq.com) allow you to change settings that are hidden in system configuration files, such as the Registry). These programs can turn off features that are not keyboard accessible, improve keyboard response, and in the case of Kernel Toys, permit keyboard remappings.

Note: Software manufacturers generally do not support tweaker programs. Because tweaker programs can corrupt your system, use them at your own risk.