Basic Windows



Basic Microsoft Windows



Contents


Microsoft Windows Basics


  • Toolbars
  • Menu toolbar
  • Standard toolbar
  • Formatting toolbar
  • Title Bar
  • Task Bar
  • Select Toolbars
  • The Desktop
  • Displaying the Start Menu
  • Opening a Window
  • Closing a Window
  • Minimizing a Window
  • Maximizing a Window
  • Restoring a Window
  • Moving a Window
  • Resizing a Window
  • Scrolling a Window
  • Using Menus
  • Using Shortcut Menus
  • Arranging Windows on the Desktop
  • Using a Dialog Box
  • Looking Up a Help Topic in the Table of Contents
  • Looking Up a Help Topic in the Index
  • Searching for a Help Topic
  • Getting Context-Sensitive Help
  • Shutting Down the Computer

Using Applications in Windows


  • Starting an Application from the Start Menu
  • Starting an Application from a Shortcut Icon
  • Starting an Application and Opening a Document
  • Switching Between Applications
  • Closing an Application (four ways)
  • Saving a Document
  • Opening a Document
  • Creating a New Document
  • Closing a Document
  • Selecting Text
  • Copying Text
  • Moving Text
  • Copying Data Between Applications
  • Moving Data Between Applications
  • Linking Data Between Applications

Working with Disks, Folders, and Files


  • Opening Folders
  • Editing a Document Using Toolbar Buttons
  • Using the Toolbar Buttons in a File Window
  • Changing How the Contents of a Window Are Displayed
  • Sorting the Contents of a Window
  • Changing the View Style
  • Working in Web View
  • Creating a Folder
  • Copying Folders
  • Moving Folders
  • Renaming Folders
  • Deleting Folders
  • Selecting Multiple Files That Are Next to Each Other
  • Selecting Multiple Files That Are Not Next to Each Other
  • Selecting All Files
  • Copying a File to Another Folder
  • Copying a File to a Floppy Disk
  • Moving a File
  • Deleting a File
  • Undeleting a File or Folder
  • Creating a Shortcut to a File or Folder
  • Finding Files and Folders
  • Using Windows Explorer

Printing with Windows


  • Previewing a Document
  • Printing a Document
  • Viewing the Print Queue
  • Pausing and Restarting the Printer
  • Canceling Printing
  • Setting the Default Printer
  • Changing Printer Settings
  • Adding a Printer
  • Deleting a Printer
  • Adding a Printer Icon to the Desktop

Microsoft Windows Basics


Toolbars


Menu toolbar


  • The Menu toolbar is at the top of the screen with a descriptive word on each button.

Standard toolbar


  • The Standard toolbar has icons and is below the Menu toolbar.

Formatting toolbar


  • The Formatting toolbar shows formatting information and is below the Standard toolbar.

Title Bar


  • The title bar is across the top of a document.

Task Bar


  • The task bar is across the bottom of the screen. It has the Start button at the far left.

Select Toolbars


  • To view and select toolbars, click View on the Menu toolbar; click Toolbars; click the toolbars you want to see. Those that are already in use are shown with a checkmark to the left of them.

The Desktop


  • The Desktop is the entire area of the Windows screen.

Displaying the Start Menu


  • Click the Start button at the lower left of the screen. The Start Menu is displayed on the desktop.

Opening a Window


  • Double-click the My Computer icon.
  • The contents of this icon are displayed in a window on the desktop, and a button for the My Computer window appears on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

Closing a Window


  • If too many windows are open at one time, the computer may run more slowly.
  • There are two ways to close a window. One way is to click the small icon at the upper left corner of the window’s title bar. A pull down tab shows commands such as Restore, Move, Size, and Close. Click Close.
  • Another way to close a window is to click the Close button with the "x" in it on the top right corner of the title bar.
  • When a window is closed, it disappears and the button for the window no longer appears in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

Minimizing a Window


  • Minimizing a window removes it from the desktop but keeps it available as a taskbar button in case you wish to bring it back.
  • Click the minimize button, the one with the dash "-"in it on the top right corner of the title bar.
  • To bring the window back, click on the button for it on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

Maximizing a Window


  • Maximizing a window enlarges it to fill the entire screen.
  • Click the Maximize button, the one with the box in it on the top right corner of the title bar.
  • The Maximize button changes to the Restore button that looks like a pair of boxes or windows.

Restoring a Window


  • Restoring a window reduces its size from filling the entire screen to its original size.
  • Click the Restore button, the one with the pair of boxes or windows in it on the top right corner of the title bar.

Moving a Window


  • Moving a window is used to uncover other windows or information that you want to see.
  • To move an open window, place the cursor on the title bar at the top of the window.
  • Click and hold down the mouse button.
  • Drag the window to a new position.

Resizing a Window


  • Resizing a window can be helpful if you want to view more than one window at the same time. You cannot resize a window that is maximized to fill the entire screen. If you want to resize a maximized window, first restore it to its original size (see Restoring a Window, above).
  • Place the cursor on an edge or corner of the window.
  • When a double arrow appears, click the mouse button and drag the edge of the window where you want it, then release the mouse button.

Scrolling a Window


  • If a window is too small to show all of its contents, horizontal and vertical scrollbars appear along the right and bottom edges of the window. These scrollbars can be used to scroll the window so that you can see the rest of the contents.
  • To scroll in small increments, click one of the single arrow scroll boxes at each end of the scrollbar.
  • To scroll in large increments, click on the scrollbar itself.

Using Menus


  • At the top of the window or program, click a menu name, for example, View. A pull-down panel will appear. Click the command you want.
  • To close a menu without making a selection, click outside the menu.

Using Shortcut Menus


  • Shortcut menus, also called pop-up menus, show common commands that are related to the item that has been selected. Different pop-up menus appear, depending on what the cursor is pointing at when the mouse button is clicked.
  • For example, right click on the blank part of the desktop.
  • Click the command you want in the pop-up menu.

Arranging Windows on the Desktop


  • When more than one window is on the desktop, you can arrange the windows in different ways.
  • Right-click a blank area on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
  • Click the arrangement selection you want.
  • To work in one of the windows, click it to make it active.

Using a Dialog Box


  • A dialog box prompts you to select options to complete a command.
  • Dialog boxes may contain tabs, radio buttons, and check boxes.
  • Only one radio button can be selected at a time.
  • Any number of check boxes can be selected.
  • To view a tab, click it.
  • To use a list box, scroll through it and click the item in the list that you want.
  • To use a drop-down list box, click the arrow at the right of the selection area, then click the desired item in the list.
  • To use a spin box, click the arrows to increment or decrement the value or type a value in the spin box.
  • To select a radio button, click it. Clicking a different radio button deselects the one that was selected before.
  • To select a check box, click it. You may click more than one check box.
  • To deselect a check box, click it.
  • A text box may have an entry typed into it.
  • When all of your selections have been made, click OK.

Looking Up a Help Topic in the Table of Contents


  • Click the Start button.
  • Click Help.
  • Click the topic you want help on.
  • Continue clicking book topics until you find the topic you need, then click that topic.
  • You may print the topic by clicking the Options button, then click Print.
  • You can click any underlined text in the help area to display a definition of a term or to display related help information.
  • Close the help window.

Looking Up a Help Topic in the Index


  • Click the Start button.
  • Click Help.
  • Click the Index tab in the Windows Help dialog box.
  • Type the topic you need help with.
  • Double-click the topic you want to review.
  • You may print the topic by clicking the Options button, then click Print.
  • You can click any underlined text in the help area to display a definition of a term or to display related help information.
  • Close the help window.

Searching for a Help Topic


  • Click the Search tab in the Windows Help dialog box.
  • Type the topic you need help with.
  • Click the List Topics button.
  • Double-click the topic you need help with.
  • Close the help window.

Getting Context-Sensitive Help


  • When you open a dialog box, you can find out more information about it using context-sensitive help.
  • In the dialog box, right click the option you need help information for, then click the What’s This? command to display the information.

Shutting Down the Computer


  • First, close all programs.
  • Click Start.
  • Click Shut Down.
  • Click on the Shut Down radio button.
  • Click OK.

Using Applications in Windows


Starting an Application from the Start Menu


  • Click the Start button.
  • Click Programs.
  • Click the program group that has the application you wish to start. (For example, Accessories).
  • Click the application you want to start. (For example, Note Pad).

Starting an Application from a Shortcut Icon


  • On the desktop, select the icon for the application you wish to open.
  • Double-click the icon to start the application. (Make sure you hold the mouse still as you click it or the application may not open.)

Starting an Application and Opening a Document


  • Click the Start button.
  • Click the Documents button.
  • Click the documents button.
  • Click the name of the document you want to work on.

Switching Between Applications


  • When two programs have been opened, they will have button displayed on the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
  • Click the button for the program you wish to switch to and it will become active.
  • Now you can click the button for the other program, and it will become active.

Closing an Application (four ways)


  • 1.Click File; Click Exit.
  • 2.Click the close button at the far right of the application’s title bar.
  • 3.Click the program’s small icon at the far left of the title bar; Click Close.
  • 4. Press Alt-f4

Saving a Document


  • To save a file with the name listed in the title bar:
  • Click File.
  • Click Save.

  • Another way to save a file with the name listed in the title bar:
  • Click the diskette icon in the toolbar at the top of the screen.

  • To save a file with a different name from that listed in the title bar:
  • Click File.
  • Click Save As.

Opening a Document


  • Click File.
  • Click Open.
  • If the file is listed, double-click it.
  • If the file is not in the list, click the down arrow to the right of the Look In box.
  • Drill down until you find the file.
  • If you need to go up a level in the windows file structure, you can click the Up One Level button to the right of the Look In box.
  • When you find the file, double-click it.

Switching Between Open Documents (when you have at least two documents open)


  • Click the Window button on the toolbar at the top of the screen.
  • The current document has a check mark next to it. Click the name of the document you wish to open.

Creating a New Document


  • When you are in an application such as Excel or Word, and you wish to create a new document:
  • Click File.
  • Click New.
  • Click the tab for the type of document you wish to create.
  • Click OK.
  • Or, you can create a new document this way:
  • Click the New button that looks like a blank sheet of paper. It will use the existing document template.

Closing a Document


  • In most programs, the document window has its own set of controls from those of the program. The program controls are usually above those of the document window when both the program and document windows are maximized.
  • Click the Close button at the far right of the title bar.
  • Or
  • Click the small icon at the far left of the title bar.
  • Then click Close.

Selecting Text


  • Click at the start of the text you wish to select, holding down the mouse button and dragging it across the text.
  • At the end of the text to be selected, release the mouse button.

Copying Text


  • Select the text you wish to copy.
  • Click the Edit button on the tool bar at the top of the screen.
  • Click the Copy command.
  • Click the spot in the text where you wish to copy the data.
  • Click Edit.
  • Click Paste.
  • Note: Text can be moved from one document to another.

Moving Text


  • Select the text you wish to move.
  • Click the Edit button on the tool bar at the top of the screen.
  • Click the Cut command.
  • Click the spot in the text where you wish to move the data.
  • Click Edit.
  • Click Paste.
  • Note: Text can be moved between two different documents.

Copying Data Between Applications


  • Select the text you wish to copy.
  • Click the Edit button on the tool bar at the top of the screen.
  • Click the Copy command.
  • Either click the button on the Taskbar of an open program that you wish to copy to or open the program.
  • Click the spot in the text where you wish to copy the data.
  • Click Edit.
  • Click Paste.

Moving Data Between Applications


  • Select the text you wish to move.
  • Click the Edit button on the tool bar at the top of the screen.
  • Click the Cut command.
  • Either click the button on the Taskbar of an open program that you wish to move to or open the program.
  • Click the spot in the text where you wish to move the data.
  • Click Edit.
  • Click Paste.

Linking Data Between Applications


  • This function is useful if you have a source document that is updated and another document with the same text that you want updated automatically when the source document is updated.
  • In the source document, select the data you wish to link.
  • Click Edit.
  • Click Copy.
  • Click the button on the Taskbar of the program where you want to paste the linked data.
  • Click in the document where you want the linked data to go.
  • Click Edit.
  • Click Paste Special.
  • Select the Paste Link radio button.
  • Select the format in the As list box.
  • Click OK.
  • The data is inserted with an invisible link between the source and destination files. When the data in the source file is updated, the same data in the destination file is also updated.

Working with Disks, Folders, and Files


Opening Folders


  • Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.
  • Double-click C: for your hard drive. A list of folders will be displayed.
  • Double-click on a folder to open it.

Editing a Document Using Toolbar Buttons


  • Select a file or folder by clicking on it.
  • Click the Cut button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to move a document or folder.
  • Click the Paste button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to place a document or folder.
  • Click the Copy button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to copy a document or folder.
  • Click the Delete button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to delete a document or folder.

Using the Toolbar Buttons in a File Window


  • Click the Back button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to return to the previous page.
  • Click the Forward button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to go forward to the next page.
  • Click the Up button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to display the next level up in the folder structure.
  • Click the Undo button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to undo the last action.
  • Click the Properties button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to show additional information about the selected item.
  • Click the Address button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to select a different folder or drive.
  • Click the Views button on the toolbar across the top of the screen to see a different view.

Changing How the Contents of a Window Are Displayed


  • Click the View button on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Select the view you want.

Sorting the Contents of a Window


  • Open the window you want to sort.
  • Click view.
  • Select Details.
  • Click view again.
  • Select Arrange Icons.
    • Select your desired sort order. Another way to sort the contents of a window is to double click the column heading you want sorted: Name, Size, Type, or Modified.

Changing the View Style


  • Click View.
  • Click Folder Options at the bottom of the pull-down list.
  • Click the Web style radio button.
  • Click OK. This will display the window contents like a web page. The folders and files are displayed as links.

Working in Web View


  • Click any folders once.
  • The left side of the window shows information about the selected item, and the right side displays the contents of the folder.

Creating a Folder


  • Open the disk or folder where you wish to create a new folder.
  • Click File on the toolbar at the top of the screen.
  • Click New in the drop-down panel.
  • Click Folder.
  • Enter the new name of the folder (folder names can contain spaces and be up to 255 characters in length).
  • Press enter.

Copying Folders


  • Select the folder you wish to copy.
  • Click Edit on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Copy.
  • Open the folder or drive where you want to copy the folder.
  • Click Edit on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Paste.

Moving Folders


  • Select the folder you wish to move.
  • Click Edit on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Cut.
  • Open the folder or drive where you want to copy the folder.
  • Click Edit on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Paste.

Renaming Folders


  • Right-click on the folder you want to rename.
  • Click on Rename.
  • Type the new name of the folder. Folder names can contain spaces, can be up to 255 characters in length, but cannot contain the following special characters: |?/:"*<>\
  • Press Enter.

Deleting Folders


  • Right-click on the folder you want to delete.
  • Click on Delete.
  • Or
  • Click on the folder you wish to delete.
  • Click File on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Delete.
  • Click Yes.

Selecting Multiple Files That Are Next to Each Other


  • Click the first file in the group you wish to select.
  • Hold down the Shift Key and click the last file in the group you wish to select.

Selecting Multiple Files That Are Not Next to Each Othe


    r
  • Click the first file you wish to select.
  • Hold down the Ctrl Key and click each of the other files you wish to select.

Selecting All Files


  • Click Edit on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Select All.

Copying a File to Another Folder


  • Select the file or files you wish to copy.
  • Click Edit on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Copy.
  • Open the folder where you want to copy the file or files.
  • Click Edit on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Paste.

Copying a File to a Floppy Disk


  • Insert a floppy diskette into the diskette drive.
  • Select the files you want to copy to the diskette.
  • Right-click the selected files.
  • Click Send To on the drop-down list.
  • Click the floppy drive (usually the A or B drives).

Moving a File


  • Select the file or files you want to move.
  • Click Edit on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Cut.
  • Open the folder where you want to move the file or files.
  • Click Edit on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Paste.
  • Or
  • You can open both the source window and the destination window.
  • Hold down the Shift Key.
  • Click on the file or files, hold down the Mouse Button, and drag the cursor to the destination.
  • Release the Mouse Button.
  • Release the Shift Key.

Deleting a File


  • Select the file or files you want to delete.
  • Click Edit on the toolbar across the top of the screen.
  • Click Delete.
  • Click Yes.
  • The files are moved to the Recycle Bin.

Undeleting a File or Folder


  • Double-click the Recycle Bin icon.
  • Select the file or files or folder or folders you wish to undelete.
  • Right-click the selected items.
  • Click Restore from the drop-down menu. The selected items are moved to their original locations.

Creating a Shortcut to a File or Folder


  • Select the file or folder for which you want to create a shortcut.
  • Move the cursor to the file or folder.
  • Holding down the right mouse key, drag the file or folder to the desktop.
  • Click the Create Shortcut(s) Here button.
  • To rename the shortcut icon, right click on it.
  • Change the name.
  • Press Enter.

Finding Files and Folders


  • Click the Start button.
  • Click Find.
  • Click Files or Folders.
  • Enter the name of the file or folder you wish to find.
  • To change the drive to be searched, click Look in and click the drive to be searched.
  • Click Find Now.
  • Wild card characters are * and ?. The astrisk (*) selects everything and each question mark replaces only one character.

Using Windows Explorer


  • Click the Start button.
  • Click Programs.
  • Click Windows Explorer.
  • To expand a folder, click the plus (+) sign to the left of it. To collapse the folder, click the minus (-) sign.
  • Another way to start Windows Explorer is:
  • Right-click the Start button.
  • Click Explore.

Printing with Windows


Previewing a Document


  • Click File.
  • Click Print Preview.

Printing a Document


  • Click File.
  • Click Print.
  • Specify all or the page range.
  • Specify the number of copies desired.
  • Click OK.

Viewing the Print Queue


  • Click Start.
  • Click Settings.
  • Click Printers.
  • Double-click the printer you are interested in.

Pausing and Restarting the Printer


  • Click Start.
  • Click Settings.
  • Click Printers.
  • Double-click the printer you are interested in.
  • Click Printer.
  • Click Pause Printing.

Canceling Printing


  • Click Start.
  • Click Settings.
  • Click Printers.
  • Double-click the printer you are interested in.
  • Click Document.
  • Click Cancel Printing.

Setting the Default Printer


  • Click Start.
  • Click Settings.
  • Click Printers.
  • Double-click the printer you are interested in.
  • Click File.
  • Click Set as Default.

Changing Printer Settings


  • Click Start.
  • Click Settings.
  • Click Printers.
  • Double-click the printer you are interested in.
  • Click File.
  • Click Properties.
  • Click the Details tab.
  • Make the changes you want.
  • Click the Paper tab.
  • Make the changes you want.
  • Click the Graphics tab.
  • Make the changes you want.
  • Click the Fonts tab.
  • Make the changes you want.
  • Click the Device Options tab.
  • Make the changes you want.
  • Click OK.

Adding a Printer


  • Click Start.
  • Click Settings.
  • Click Printers.
  • Double-click the Add Printer icon.
  • Click Next.
  • Select the name of the Manufacturer of the Printer.
  • Select the Printer model.
  • Click Next.
  • Select the Port.
  • Click Next.
  • Enter a name for the printer if you want to change the default name.
  • Click Next.
  • Click the Default selection if you want this printer to be the default printer.
  • Click Next.
  • Click Yes radio button if you want the printer to print a test page.
  • Click Finish.

Deleting a Printer


  • Click Start.
  • Click Settings.
  • Click Printers.
  • Right-click the printer you wish to delete.
  • Click Delete.
  • Click Yes.

Adding a Printer Icon to the Desktop


  • Click Start.
  • Click Settings.
  • Click Printers.
  • Place the cursor on the icon for the printer you want to have a shortcut for.
  • Hold down the right mouse key and drag the printer icon to the desktop.
  • Release the right mouse button.
  • Click Create Shortcut(s) Here.