Are you looking for an easier way than searching through a list of programs to open programs in Windows? You can put a shortcut for your most-used programs on your desktop or in the Start menu. Shortcuts also speed up students' computer work and make it easier for younger students to find programs. Open a shortcut to one of your favorite programs:

• Click Start>Programs (or All Programs) and find the program for which you want to make a shortcut.
• Click the program's icon (image) and drag the icon to the desktop.
• The icon on the desktop is a shortcut -- a quick way to open the program.
• You also can drag the icon to the Start menu to make it part of your quick list of programs.

Next: Take control!