Access your programs using Start in Vista and Windows 7

I was watching someone today launch a program in Vista by clicking (with the mouse) Start then All Programs then scroll through the list and try to find the right Program folder… 

This isn’t the first time and I watch people over and over do this.

Don’t do this.  It’s taking you minutes for what could be seconds.  Imagine all the time added up and you might get a week back to your life in just a year…

Built in the Start menu is a very handy search ability.  In fact, you could improve your productivity immensely by not touching your mouse at all.

Simply hit the Windows key, and start typing the name of the program, the website, the filename or whatever you’re looking for.

Imagine I want to launch Excel.  Windows key then two words ‘Ex’ and I get Excel second in the list.  I could then use the down arrow key (remember to keep your hands off your mouse to save you from wasting your life) to highlight Excel and hit the Enter key.  (note I could just type one extra key ‘Exc' and hit enter as well).

Remember.  Start.  Type.  Enter.  Hands off of mouse.