Being as productive in Windows as in Linux [closed]

Solution 1:

Think of Windows as a superset of Linux, because that's basically what it is: All the techniques and utilities you use in Linux will translate directly if you use the same programs.

On the other hand, Windows provides many new and rich shortcuts and techniques not available in Linux. Some of my favorites are:

1. Use Win+R shortcut key, type in a program name (notepad), file path (c:\folder), network path (\server\share\folder) or web site address (www.xyz.com). In each case you get filename completion including a drop-down list of suggestions, and no command window is necessary.

2. Use Windows Explorer as your command shell. Browse with the shortcut keys, use Win+R to get somewhere, and use shortcut keys to work with the files.

3. Add programs such as editors and file viewers to your SendTo folder, each with unique prefix, so you activate the program with three keystrokes. For example, I always create a "1 Notepad" shortcut in SendTo every time I start working on a computer, so I can always do Shift-F10, N, 1 (or right-click, N, 1) to open any file in Notepad.

4. Use Cut/Copy/Paste shortcut keys (Ctrl-C, Ctrl-X, Ctrl-V) to move and copy files and folders between directories. You can duplicate a file or folder within a single directory with the quick keystroke combo Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V.

5. Use F2 to edit file names and Ctrl-F to find files

Various Linux GUIs have one or more of these abilities, but you cannot rely on them across various Linux installations. On the other hand, you can always do these things in any modern Windows (eg since Windows 2000), so you are free to focus on the problem at hand.

Solution 2:

First things first: Download PowerShell. It still won't be better than bash, but it's better than the abomination that is cmd.exe

Secondly, Windows has a PATH aswell. Use it.