Use special characters from Windows

Symbols like £ (UK Pound), © (Copyright), ¥(Japanese Yen) can be easily used by following a few simple steps:
1. Firstly, these characters are not provided as keys with the keyboard. So stop staring at the keyboard.
2. Go to Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Character Map.This opens the Character Map as shown below.
3. This window displays all the possible charaters you can enter.

• Click on any of the symbols to get an enlarged view.
• Then, click on the Select button to select a character.
• To copy the selected symbol, press the Copy button (the symbol is actually copied to the clipboard).

4. That's it! Now you can paste the character where you need it.

Also notice the lower-right corner of the Character Map screen. This displays the keystroke required to produce the character you want.
In the figure above its Alt+0163. This means if you Press and Hold the ALT key and type 0163, you will get the UK Pound symbol.
( NOTE: the numbers must be typed from the keys to the right of your keyboard and NOT from the keys above the character keys).

Source: http://txpress.blogspot.com/2006/11/use-special-characters-from-windows.html