[Windows] [Microsoft Office] [Internet]

Microsoft Windows is an operating system. Operating systems are computer software that control the computer hardware.  They manage the devices of the computer, such as the monitor, keyboard, disk drives.  Operating systems also manage the environment for the various computer applications.

Here are some important items, including terminology, to know about Microsoft Windows operating systems.

• Desktop.  The opening screen of Windows is referred to as the desktop.  Double-clicking on an icon on the desktop will start that program.
• Taskbar.  At the bottom of the desktop is the taskbar.  The taskbar has the Start menu.  Click the Start menu to display a menu of your programs.
• Windows.  Applications open in “windows.” You can have more than one application open at a time and switch between them.
• Title bar. The blue bar at the top of the window is the title bar.  There are three important buttons on the right side of the title bar.
• Minimize.  Closes the window and places a button for the application on the taskbar. Does not close the application.  Return to the application by clicking the application’s button on the taskbar.
• Maximize/Restore.  Switches between a full size view of the window and a view that you can resize.
• Close. Closes the application.
• Resize windows.  You may resize a window that is not maximized.  Place the pointer over the edges.  When you see a line with an arrow on each end, click and hold the mouse button down. Drag the mouse to resize the window.
• Cut or Copy, then Paste
• Copying text does not delete the original; cutting text does.
• Select or highlight the text to be cut or copied
• place the cursor at the beginning of the text
• hold down the left mouse button
• drag the mouse over the text
• then release the mouse button
• Four options to cut the selected text
• right-click on the highlighted text and select Cut on the popup menu, or
• on the menu bar select Edit > Cut, or
• on the toolbar select the cut icon, or
• with the keyboard press Ctrl+X (simultaneously)
• Four options to copy the selected text
• right-click on the highlighted text and select Copy on the popup menu, or
• on the menu bar select Edit > Copy, or
• on the toolbar select the copy icon, or
• with the keyboard press Ctrl+C (simultaneously)
• Four options to paste after positioning your cursor in the new location
• right-click and select Paste on the popup menu, or
• on the menu bar select Edit > Paste, or
• on the toolbar select the paste icon, or
• with the keyboard press Ctrl+V (simultaneously)
• Tip: To copy an entire document you can use the Select All command from the menu bar
• Right-click menu.  The right-click menu is available in many Windows applications.  The right-click menu options vary depending on where you click. Click in an open space on the desktop and you see options such as Arrange Icons and Properties.  Highlight text within an application and the right-click menu usually displays options such as Cut, Copy, Paste, and Print. On the taskbar select Start > Programs. Right-click on the list of programs and see options such as Create Shortcut and Sort by Name.
• Browse for files. Directories and subdirectories organize the location of files. A folder icon represents directories.  There are several ways to browse your computer for files:
• Windows 95/98/2000
• Double-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop, or
• Right-click on the My Computer icon and select Open or Explore, or
• On the taskbar select Start > Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer.
• Windows XP
• On the taskbar select Start > My Computer.
• Right-click on My Computer and select Open or Explore.
• On the taskbar select Start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer.
• Search for files.
• Windows 95/98/2000
• On the taskbar select Start > Find > Files or Folders.
• Windows XP
• On the taskbar select Start > Search
• Information about the computer.  You can identify the version of the Windows operating system on machine. You can also see the amount of memory in the machine.
• Windows 95/98/2000
• Right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop.  Select Properties.
• Windows XP
• On the taskbar select Start > My Computer.
• On the menu bar select Help > About Windows.
• Version number of an application.  Open a Windows application. On the menu bar select Help > About.  The version number of the application is displayed.
• Recycle Bin.  Deleted files are transferred to the Recycle Bin. Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. You may restore deleted files from the Recycle Bin or you may remove them permanently from the computer.
• Settings.  Information about computer settings is located in the Control Panel.  This includes information about your display, mouse and printer. The Add/Remove programs function is also in the Control Panel.
• Windows 95/98/2000
• On the taskbar select Start  > Settings > Control Panel.
• Windows XP
• On the taskbar select Start > Control Panel.
• Windows Update.  Microsoft provides software updates to Windows and its Office applications. Establish an Internet connection and open Internet Explorer.  On the Internet Explorer menu bar select Tools > Windows Update.