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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Starting Windows XP

• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows is the operating system, XP is
  the version (next version is Windows Vista)
• Starts automatically when computer is turned on
• Windows XP screen 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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Starting Windows XP

• Elements of the desktop
• Icon
• Pointer
• Desktop
• Date/Time control
• Taskbar
• Start button
• Notification area

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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

• Pointing device
• Helps user interact with objects on computer
  screen
• Comes in many shapes and sizes
• Used to move mouse pointer over objects on
  desktop
• Pointing
• Positioning pointer over a specific part of the
  screen
• Mouse
• Most common pointing device

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Using a Pointing Device

• ScreenTips
• Appear when mouse pointer is positioned over
  certain objects
• Display 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
• Tells computer you want to perform an action on
  object clicked
• Typically use left mouse button to click

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Clicking

• Menu
• A list of commands which can be used to perform
  tasks
• Submenus (additional choices related to menu)
• Start menu
• Appears when the Start button is clicked
• Provides access to programs, documents, etc.

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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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Double-Clicking

• Click the desktop. Point to Recycle Bin icon. A
  ScreenTip appears that describes the Recycle Bin.
• Click the left mouse button twice quickly to
  double-click Recycle Bin icon. Recycle Bin opens.

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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 commands directly
  related to the object

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Exploring the Start menu

• Start menu
• Central point for accessing programs, documents,
  and resources.
• Organized in two panels

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Starting and Closing a Program

• Starting a program
• You must start a program before it can be used
• To start a program
• Click the Start button
• Locate and click the programs name in the
  submenus
• or
• Click name or icon of program in pinned items
  list or most frequently used programs list in
  Start menu

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Starting and Closing a Program
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Starting and Closing a Program

• An open or running program
• A program that has been started
• Program button
• Appears on the taskbar for each open program
• Click to switch between open programs
• Close button
• Located in upper-right corner of program window
• Click to close 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 user to work on more than one task at a
  time
• Active program is the one you are currently using
• Switching between programs
• Program buttons
• Located on the taskbar
• Offer easiest way to switch between programs

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Closing Programs from the Taskbar

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

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Anatomy of a Window

• Window
• Rectangular area of screen that contains
  program, text, graphics, or data
• Controls
• Located in a window
• Graphical or textual objects used for
• Manipulating the window
• Using the program
• Examples
• Menu bar, Status bar, Title bar, Toolbar
• Sizing buttons
• Window title
• Workspace

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Anatomy of a Window
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Manipulating Windows
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Moving a Window

• To drag an object
• Click object
• 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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Using Program Menus

• Menus
• Organize a programs features and available
  functions
• Menu bar
• Typically located at the top of the program
  window
• Shows 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 user for more information about 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 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 arrow buttons, scroll bar,
  scroll box

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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 a command from the
  View menu on the menu bar

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Navigating with Windows Explorer

• Like My Computer, Windows Explorer also lets you
  easily navigate the resources on your computer

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Getting 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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Getting Help
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Getting 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 command
• Located on the Start menu
• Turns off the computer
• Log Off command
• Located on the Start menu
• Logs off Windows XP but leaves the computer on