I don't know if the same can be done in other versions of Windows, but in Windows 7 I have put a pinned link to the Character Map in my Start menu - saves having to remember stuff!
Arthur,
Have to profess I don't understand the above at all 
I have a computer using xp & laptop using vista.
I bought a brand new windows 10 laptop in Feb 2016 & have yet to try it out....
The first step is to find the Character Map program - for me in Windows 7 it's at C:\Windows\System32\charmap.exe I don't know for certain, but I suspect it will have the same file name in other versions of Windows, though the folder may be different.
(In fact mine also has another version at C:\Windows\SysWOW64\charmap.exe - I think this is because Windows 7 comes with parallel versions of some things to match user preferences and/or hardware. If you have two versions and aren't technically minded, I don't think it matters which you choose.)
Once you've found the file, right-click it and select Properties, and the Description should confirm that it is indeed the Character Map. Close Properties, then right-click it again and select Pin to Start Menu, and a shortcut will appear in the upper part of the Start menu. You can drag the shortcuts around in the upper part of the menu to put them in the order you want. This pinning process can be used with any program file.
Another alternative, if you prefer, is to pin it to the Taskbar (along the bottom of the screen) instead.
If you've never used the Character Map, basically you select a font at the top, and then you get a grid of all possible characters. Highlight what you want, then Select, then Copy, and it's available to paste wherever you want.
Mostly I don't bother changing the font - I leave it set to Arial, and then change it in the destination document if necessary. For posting on forums etc the font selection has no effect anyway, as the fonts are changed with formatting codes instead.
