Exploring the Basics of Windows XP

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Exploring the Basicsof Windows XP
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Objectives

• Start Windows XP and tour the desktop
• Explore the Start menu
• Run software programs, switch between them, and
  close them
• Manipulate windows
• Identify and use the controls in menus, toolbars,
  and dialog boxes

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Objectives

• Navigate your computer with Windows Explorer and
  My Computer
• Change the view of the items in your computer
• Get help when you need it
• Shut down Windows

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Windows XP

• The most popular and widely used operating
  system.
• The earlier version is Windows 2000

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Starting Windows XP

• Windows XP
• Starts when computer is turned on
• Elements of the desktop
• Icon
• Pointer
• Desktop
• Date/Time control
• Taskbar
• Start button
• Notification area

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Starting Windows XP

• Figure 1-1 shows the Windows XP desktop

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Starting Windows XP

• Windows XP desktop uses a graphical user
  interface
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
• Displays icons to represent items stored on the
  computer
• Icons Pictures of familiar objects

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The Windows XP Desktop

• Desktop
• Area that appears on the screen when Windows XP
  starts
• A workspace for projects and tools
• Uses default settings when the computer is first
  started
• Default settings settings preset by the
  operating system
• Appearance can be changed by the user

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Using a Pointing Device

• A pointing device
• Helps the user interact with objects on the
  computer screen
• Comes in many shapes and sizes
• Mouse
• Most common pointing device

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Pointing

• Pointing device
• Used to move the mouse pointer over objects on
  the desktop
• Pointing
• Positioning the pointer over a specific part of
  the screen

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Pointing

• ScreenTips (ToolTips)
• Appear when the mouse pointer is positioned over
  certain objects
• Display the purpose or function of the object
• Figure 1-3 shows a ScreenTip

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Clicking

• Clicking
• Pressing a mouse button and immediately releasing
  it
• Menu
• A list of options which can be used to perform
  tasks
• Submenus
• Start menu
• Appears when the Start button is clicked
• Provides access to programs, documents, etc.

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Clicking

• Figure 1-6 shows the Start menu

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Selecting

• Selecting a menu command
• Two possible ways of selecting objects in Windows
  XP
• Pointing to an object
• Pointing to and then clicking an object
• A selected object is highlighted

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Selecting
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Viewing the contents of the Recycle Bin

• Click the desktop, and then point to the Recycle
  Bin icon. After a few moments, a ScreenTip
  appears that describes the Recycle Bin
• Click the left mouse button twice quickly to
  double-click the Recycle Bin icon. The Recycle
  Bin opens

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Viewing the contents of the Recycle Bin
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Right-Clicking

• Right-clicking
• Clicking an object with the right button of the
  mouse
• Selects an object and opens its shortcut menu
• Shortcut menu a list of options directly related
  to the object

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Right-Clicking
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Exploring the Start menu
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Shortcut keys

• You can save an incredible amount of time and
  mouse movement by using shortcut keys to activate
  your most frequently used tools or functions.
• Windows XP and almost all application software
  displays default shortcuts next to many menu
  items.
• In my application software, you can even set your
  own by playing with the Preferences or options
  dialog box.
• Try and remember some most frequently used
  shortcut keys.

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• Short cut keys work even on systems with no
  mouse. It has therefore become conventional to
  use keyboard control characters for many
  functions, as this avoids you having to move your
  hand away from the keyboard to use the mouse for
  common functions, and then back again. Save you
  a lot of time!
• Hopefully you'll be hooked and wonder how you
  ever worked without using shortcuts!

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Different kinds of Shortcuts

• Shortcut menu
• Shortcut keys
• Shortcut desktop icons

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Starting and Closing a Program

• Starting a program
• A program must be started before it can be used
• To start a program
• Click the Start button
• Locate and click the programs name in the
  submenus
• An open or running program
• A program which has been started

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Starting and Closing a Program
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Starting and Closing a Program

• Program button
• Appears on the taskbar for each open program
• Click to switch between open programs
• Close button
• Located in the upper-right corner of the program
  window
• Click to close the program

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Starting and Closing a Program
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Running Multiple Programs

• Multitasking
• Ability to run multiple programs on Windows XP at
  the same time
• Allows the user to work on more than one project
  at a time
• The active program is the one you are currently
  using

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Switching Between Programs

• Program buttons
• Located on the taskbar
• Offer the easiest way to switch between programs

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Closing Inactive Programs from the Taskbar

• Options for closing a program
• Use the Close button on the title bar of the
  program window
• Use the shortcut menu associated with the program
  button on the taskbar

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Anatomy of a Window

• A window
• A rectangular area of the screen that may contain
• A program
• Text
• Graphics
• Data

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Anatomy of a Window

• Controls
• Located in a window
• Graphical or textual objects used for
• Manipulating the window
• Using the program
• Examples
• Menu bar
• Sizing buttons
• Status bar
• Title bar
• Toolbar
• Workspace

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Anatomy of a Window
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Manipulating a Window
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Moving a Window

• To drag an object
• Click an object and then hold down the mouse
  button while moving the mouse
• To move a window
• Drag the window by its title bar

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Changing the Size of a Window

• Options for changing a windows size
• Sizing handle
• Located at the lower-right corner of the window
• Window borders
• Can be dragged left, right, up, or down

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Changing the Size of a Window
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Using Program Menus

• Menus
• Organize a programs features and available
  functions
• Menu bar
• Typically located at the top of the program
  window
• Shows the names of the menus

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Selecting Options from a Menu

• Menu items or commands
• Choices for a menu
• Appear when a menu name is clicked
• Possible actions when clicked
• Immediately carry out an action
• Show submenus
• Ask the user for more information about the
  desired action

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Selecting Options from a Menu
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Selecting Options from a Menu
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Using Toolbars

• Toolbars in the program window
• Provide one-click access to frequently used
  commands
• Have buttons grouped and organized by tasks
• To perform a command
• Select a toolbar button by clicking it

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Using List Boxes and Scroll Bars

• List box
• Displays a list of available choices
• Usually includes
• Array buttons
• A scroll bar
• A scroll box

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Using List Boxes and Scroll Bars
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Using Dialog Box Controls

• Dialog box
• Opens when a menu command or item followed by an
  ellipsis is selected
• Allows the user to provide more information about
  how a program should carry out a task
• Groups different kinds of information in panes
• Panes bordered rectangular areas

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Using Dialog Box Controls
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Exploring Your Computer
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Changing the View

• Change the view by selecting an option from the
  View menu on the menu bar

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Using Help

• Windows XP Help
• Provides on-screen information about programs
• Available by
• Clicking the Start button and selecting Help and
  Support from the Start menu
• Windows Help and Support Center window
• Provides access to
• Help files stored on the computer
• Help information stored on Microsofts Web site

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Using Help
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Using Help

• Windows XP Help and Support window
• Organizes information into pages
• Home page
• Index page
• Favorites page
• History page
• Support page
• Options page
• Search box
• Used to search for keywords contained in Help
  pages

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Shutting Down Windows XP

• Turn Off Computer option
• Located on the Start menu
• Turns off the computer
• Log Off option
• Located on the Start menu
• Logs off Windows XP but leaves the computer on

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A windows joke

• Libby walked into a store to buy curtains. She
  went up to the salesman and said, "I want those
  curtains in pink, the size of my computer
  screen.The salesman said, "Computers don't need
  curtains."

• Libby said, Come on, they have windows!"