With the sunsetting of Windows 10 this month, it seems like a good time to give some tips on using the Windows key on your keyboard. This key was added in the mid 90s, but I didn’t start using it until a few years ago. It’s a replacement for clicking on the “Start” button in the lower-left of your screen (which Microsoft started phasing out with Windows 8), and when combined with other keys opens up a plethora of shortcuts and features. Here’s five ways that I use the Windows key daily:

1. At it’s simplest, the Windows key is a shortcut to finding programs, settings, and documents on your computer. Just press the windows key and start typing a few letters of what you’re looking for – I use this to pull up the Printers folder, Task Manager, launch programs, and much more. It’s quicker than trying to find these folders and settings via a file explorer window, and I even use it to open recent documents by typing a bit of the document name. Did you know it can also launch a web search via Edge? Try clicking the Windows key and typing something like “pot roast recipe” and hit the enter key.

2. Windows Key+L  quickly locks your screen.

3. Windows Key+V (or Windows Key+.) has two helpful features: It will open your clipboard history, which is handy when you’ve copied something (a bit of text, and email address, a new password) and need it again. This combo will also let you quickly add emoticons, gifs, and symbols (like ℉ ✓ ←) to anything you’re typing in from emails to blog posts to Word documents.

4. Windows Key++ (Windows Key and the plus button) will open a Magnifier that lets you zoom in on your screen by 100% – handy when showing someone a tricky formula in Excel. For some reason, this feature also includes a screen reader – click your cursor at the beginning of what you want it to read, and click the play button on the Magnifier.

5. Windows Key+Z opens the screen Snap Layouts, so you can arrange several windows on your screen quickly and neatly.

6. Bonus Windows tip: the scroll wheel on your mouse – did you know it works on the volume icon in your task bar? No need to click and drag the volume bar or search for your headset controls, just hover your mouse over the little microphone icon and use your scroll wheel to adjust the volume.