ACE Expo ’99
Introduction to Windows®
Laura L. Watts
Penn State Cooperative Extension
Cumberland County
LWatts@psu.edu

Topics covered at this session:

• The Keyboard and Mouse
• The Desktop and Controls
• Disk Management and Creating a Folder
• Renaming Files and Folders
• Creating Shortcuts
• Deleting Files
• Control Panels

Windows^® is an operating system that uses a graphical user interface that is designed to be user friendly. Each file, device or program appears as an object on the desktop.

Point to an item:	When you move the mouse, the mouse pointer also moves. Move the mouse until the mouse pointer is on an item.
Click an item:	Point to the item, then press and release the left mouse button to select or activate the item.
Double-click an item:	Point to the item, then press and release the left mouse button twice in rapid succession.
Drag an item:	Point to the item, then press and hold the left mouse button while moving the mouse. As you move the mouse, the item will move. Release the mouse button to move and drop the item. This action is sometimes called "drag and drop".
Right-click an item:	Point to the item, then press and release the right mouse button. Select desired option from the shortcut menu that appears.
Right-drag an item:	Point to the item. Press and hold the right mouse button while moving the mouse. As you move the mouse, the item will move. Release the mouse button. Select desired option from the shortcut menu that appears.

Objective:	Mouse Action:
Select an item	Click it
Copy a file or folder	Press Ctrl and drag it
Undo an action	Right-click desktop, then click Undo on shortcut menu
Go to a link	Click the Underlined Item
Deselect an item	Click an empty area off the item
Open an Item	Double-click it
Position an item	Drag it
Open a menu	Click the menu name
Close a menu	Click anywhere off the menu
Open a shortcut menu	Right-click an item
Open a submenu	Point to the menu name
Move a file or folder	Press Shift and drag it

Press modifying keys (Shift, Alt, and Ctrl) while performing the mouse action.

To open properties sheet for an item:	Press Alt and double-click the item.
To select multiple items:	Click or point to the first item, then press Shift and click or point to the last item in the group to select.
To select specific multiple items:	Press Ctrl and click or point to the items to select.

Windows® Desktop

Default Items on the Desktop

System folders have special functions and cannot be removed from the desktop.

My Computer: A system folder that contains all drives to which your computer is connected, as well as system folders such as Control Panels and Printers

Network Neighborhood: A system folder that may contain computer icons (network computers) that you can browse to view or use shared resources such as folders and printers.

Recycle Bin: A system folder that stores the items you delete. Items in the Recycle Bin can be restored or permanently deleted at a later time.

Internet Explorer (The Internet): An icon that starts Internet Explorer when clicked, or starts the Internet Connection Wizard that will guide you through the steps to set up an Internet connection.

Taskbar: Contains the Start button, optional toolbars, and the notification area - the right-most area that contains system icons such as the clock and volume control.

The Taskbar shows which applications are running. The taskbar may be moved to any position on the desktop, and its size can be changed. It contains the following:

* Start Button - This is the "command center" of the desktop, the place where applications can be launched, documents opened, files found.

Programs Folder
Documents - 15 most recent
Settings — Control Panel, settings, printer
Find
Help
Run - command line for running a program.
Shut Down

* Notification Area - This area shows the status of Speakers, Power, Printer, Modem, and Program Shortcuts and Time.

* Tasks - When a program is launched, it will appear on the Tasks area of the Taskbar. This allows users to switch between different programs.

Close button:	Click it to close the window.
Maximize button:	Click it to enlarge the window to fill the screen.
Minimize button:	Click it to reduce the window to a button on the taskbar. When working with document windows, click it to reduce the window to a button within the application window.
Restore button:	Click it to restore a maximized window to its previous size.
Sizing pointer:	The mouse pointer becomes a sizing pointer when you rest it on a window border or corner. This indicates that you can size the window by dragging its border.
System menu buttons:	Click these to open a menu of commands that control the window, e.g., Restore, Minimize, and Close. You can open this menu with the keyboard: application or folder window press Alt + Space data window press Alt + - (hyphen)
Taskbar:	Click buttons on it to select a window that is not in view (hidden behind other windows), or to open a window you have minimized.
Title bar:	Drag it to move a window, or double-click it to maximize/ restore the window. Maximized windows cannot be moved or sized.
Window border or corner:	Drag it to change size of the window. The pointer becomes a sizing pointer when positioned on a window border or corner.

Parts of a window:

Title Bar
Minimize Button - (underscore) minimizes to taskbar
Maximize Button - (box) maximizes to full screen
Restore — (double box) restores to original size
Close Button - (x) closes window completely
Menu Bar - offers commands for window and contents
Window Contents - files, folders, programs
Status Bar - contains info about contents and status
Scroll Bar — up & down, left & right
Toolbar - when present contains customized commands
Window Border

 

Windows^® has several Control Panels that allow you to change the settings for your computer. To change the settings, open the Control Panel window, open a control panel, and change the setting.

Following are some of the common Control Panels (not all are included):

Control Panel	Description
Accessibility Options	Customize the computer for those with special needs — vision, use of hands, etc.
Add New Hardware	Set up new hardware on your computer. This control panel opens a wizard that guides you through steps to set up new hardware.
Add/Remove Programs	Set up new programs on your computer. You can also use Start: Run to run an installation program.
Date/Time	Change the date, time or time zone for your computer.
Display	Change display settings for your desktop.
Fonts	Install or delete fonts on your computer.
Keyboard	Change the speed, language or keyboard type for your keyboard.
Mouse	Change mouse settings such as button configuration, double-click speed, pointers, tracking speed and type of mouse.
Network	For sharing printer
Passwords	Change passwords and access rights for your computer.
Printers	Set up printer
Sounds	Assign sounds to different events such as starting Windows, emptying the Recycle bin, or exiting Windows.
System	Check the properties for your computer, check for installed devices, and check the performance capabilities of your computer.

Within the System Panel is an important item called the Device Manager. This is helpful in troubleshooting problems.

Open the Device Manager. Look for an exclamation point in a yellow circle. This indicates problems with a device — it may not be working properly. The device can be removed, then re-installed. If there is a red "X" over a device, it means that it has been turned off or disabled.

Windows^® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cooperative Extension is implied.