3. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 2
Primary Components of a Windows 7 Desktop
Windows 7 one of the primary operating system for the Windows computers that Google
provides. Here, we have a basic manual to help you find your way! Let’s begin with the desktop. The
desktop is useful, most of the programs and other things you download can be found on the desktop, as
well as many other things!
A Windows 7 desktop should look similar to the image below:
4. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 3
Great! Now that we know what a basic desktop looks like, let’s start identifying some of the key
features! Here is where the “Start Button” is located.
If you click on the “Start Button”, you can access the “Start Menu”.
The menu should look like this by default:
5. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 4
This menu will be very useful for changing settings, looking up programs, and much more! If
you click outside of the menu, it will minimize itself until you click the “Start Button” again.
You might notice that your desktop has little images with names underneath. These are what we
call desktop icons. These will make it a lot easier for you to use your new computer. When you
download a new application, an icon is usually created for it on the desktop. We will go into how to
add/delete icons and why they’re there, later. This is an example of what icons could look like on a
desktop:
6. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 5
Another main component to the Windows Desktop is called the Windows Taskbar. This
bar is where you will find the “Start Button”, the file finder, whatever applications you choose to put
there, your running applications, hidden applications that you want easy access to, the notification area,
and the time.
Bonus tips: You can change the home of your taskbar!
If you right click (also known as secondary click) on the taskbar, a menu will appear!
7. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 6
Click on the “Properties” option, and this window will appear.
From here, you can orient your taskbar! Try out the different options to see that you like better.
* Don’t forget to click “Apply” to apply your changes.
Managing Windows
You might be wondering, “What is a window?” A window is a section of the computer’s screen
that shows a program that is currently being used. A window opens every time you open a program!
To close, minimize, or maximize a window, you just click the appropriate button. These buttons
are, by default, found on the top right corner of any open window.
8. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 7
The minimize option makes the window disappear. Don’t worry, it’s still running. To open it
again, just find it in your taskbar. The maximize option will make the window take up the whole screen.
To make a maximized window not-so-large, you can click and drag the drag area of the window OR you
can simply pressed the button indicated in the diagram below.
When you have multiple web browsers and programs running, it can get very hectic and
cluttered! Sometimes your screen might look like this…
9. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 8
The simplest way to sift through all of the chaos is with the taskbar. You can click on the icon of
whichever program you want to see, and it will bring it to the front.
If the program has many different windows open (occurs often with web browser applications
and file explorer), you can hover over the program’s icon in the taskbar, and it will show you a mini
preview of all of the program’s running windows.
You can select one of the previews to bring it to the front.
10. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 9
Like to be organized? Enjoy multitasking? Windows has a “Snap” feature, and it’s simple to use!
What is “Snap”? Well, it’s a feature that allows you to snap windows to exactly half of the screen. First,
know which two windows you want to actively use. Next, drag the program that you want on the right
all the way to the right of the desktop. You should see a ghost outline of the snapped window. Let go.
Do the same with another window, but to the left side of the screen.
Hint: Snapping does not work normally if you have more than one monitor and are using the
“Stretch Display” option.
Configuring System Preferences
Not enjoying your desktop background? Music too loud? Microphone settings not quite right?
That’s okay! Don’t freak out. There are many ways to access your system settings/preferences. The
fastest access to the majority of the settings is the taskbar!
11. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 10
If you would like to see your volume options, left click on the volume button.
This window will appear:
As the diagram indicates, just the volume of your device/program, and then close the window.
If you would like to go into your audio device settings, right click the same icon from the
taskbar. From there, you should see this window:
12. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 11
Select “Sounds/Playback Devices/Recording Devices” and it will bring you to this window:
From here, you can change your audio devices.
To quickly access your display settings, right click a free area on your desktop. This
menu will appear:
13. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 12
Click on the “Personalize” option. This window will open:
From there, you can change your wallpaper!
To access other system preferences/settings, go to the start menu and find the “Control
Panel” option. If you can’t find it, this diagram should help:
14. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 13
Once you click on “Control Panel”, this window should appear:
From here, the possibilities are endless!
If you want to change your keyboard, mouse, or printer settings/options, just click the
“View devices and printers” option.
15. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 14
This window should appear:
From here, you can right click any of your devices’ icons and change their settings.
If you want to change your audio/sound settings, open the control panel and select “Hardware
and Sound”.
16. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 15
From there, look under the section “Sounds”, and you can find your audio settings there.
If you would like to change your text size, icon size, screen resolution, and other options
regarding your display, follow along!
Go to the control panel and go to the “Hardware and Sound” option.
17. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 16
From there, you can find the display options underneath, “Display”.
Shortcuts
What is a shortcut? A shortcut is a tiny file that leads you to the original that it is associated with.
When you download a program, a shortcut is usually created on your desktop. To create a shortcut,
simply right click on any open space on your desktop. Hover over the “New” option. A new submenu
should appear. Move your mouse to the “Shortcut” option and click it.
18. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 17
From there, a new window will open, prompting you to select the program that you would like to
create a shortcut for. To view and select a program, click “Browse…” and choose.
Once you confirm, a new shortcut to the program will be created on your desktop!
To delete a shortcut on your desktop, right click the short that you would like removed. From the
menu that appears, simply select “Delete” and confirm that you want to delete.
19. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 18
To create a shortcut on your taskbar simply right click an existing program’s icon on the desktop
or in any file. From the menu, select the “Pin to Taskbar” option.
An icon should be pinned to your taskbar for that program now! To delete a shortcut on your
taskbar, simply right click the shortcut on the taskbar, and select the “Unpin this program from taskbar”
option.
20. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 19
Applications/Programs
Lost an application or program? No problem! For the simplest way, head over to the Start Menu
and find the search bar. From there, just type in the name of the program/application that you need, and
it should appear in the results.
Installing and downloading programs/applications is a simple task! For installation, most of the
time, you just need to download the install launcher and follow the steps provided on the website.
To uninstall a program, head back to the control panel and select the “Uninstall a program”
option.
21. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 20
From there, you should be taken to a new window. The window should give you a list of
programs that you can uninstall or change. Right click the program you’d like to uninstall and select the
“Uninstall” option in the menu. Confirm your selection. The program is uninstalled!
Navigating Between Folders and Drives
Open up the “File Explorer”. By default, there should be a shortcut available on your taskbar that
leads to the explorer.
22. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 21
If you right click on the file explorer icon, it should give you a menu of your recently opened
folders.
If you left click on the icon, it will open a window that shows you all of the basic primary folders
on your computer. From there, you can navigate through all of your folders and drives. If you have
trouble finding a folder or file, simply look it up in the search bar!
23. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 22
Tools for Files and Folders
To view files and folders, simply double click on the icon/thumbnail of the file/ folder that you
would like to open. If you cannot find the file or folder that you want, utilize the search bar (see
Applications/Programs).
You can do a lot with files and folders! Here are some main options:
Open- Opens the file/folder so you can view the content. Some files will only open if you have a
specific program downloaded (ie: .docx files only open with Microsoft Word by default).
Copy- Copies the selected file or folder. To make an actual copy, you will have to select “Paste”
or Ctrl+V after copying. Generally, it will be named “FILENAME –copy”.
Delete- Deletes the selected file or folder. If you deleted a file by mistake, press Ctrl+Z or check
your recycle bin and move it back before you permanently clear the bin.
24. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 23
Rename- Makes the title/name section of the filer/folder editable. Press enter when done
renaming.
If there is a file/folder with the same name in the same location, you will be prompted to choose
to either overwrite the previous file/folder, or rename it.
25. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 24
PrimaryComponentsof OS X Desktop
OS X is the primary operating system of ALL Apple Products. Here, we have a basic manual to
help you find your way! Let’s begin with the desktop. The desktop is useful, most of the programs and
other things you download can be found on the desktop, as well as many other things!
An OS X desktop should look similar to the image below:
An integral part of the OS X Desktop is the Menu Bar. This bar can always be found on the top
of the desktop, and it spans across the whole width of the desktop. The time, battery level, and much
more can be found here.
26. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 25
You might notice that your desktop has little images with names underneath. These are what we
call desktop icons. These will make it a lot easier for you to use your new computer. When you
download a new application, an icon is usually created for it on the desktop. We will go into how to
add/delete icons and why they’re there, later. This is an example of what icons could look like on a
desktop:
27. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 26
Another main component to the OS X Desktop is called the Dock. The Dock is where
you will find your open applications (indicated by a white light underneath the application icon),
important applications, trash, and much more.
Bonus tips: You can change the home of your dock!
Head over to system preferences and find the Dock option. Select it.
From here, you can orient your dock! Try out the different options to see that you like better.
28. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 27
Managing Windows
You might be wondering, “What is a window?” A window is a section of the computer’s screen
that shows a program that is currently being used. A window opens every time you open a program!
To close, minimize, or maximize a window, you just click the appropriate button. These buttons
are, by default, found on the top left corner of any open window.
The minimize option makes the window disappear. Don’t worry, it’s still running. To open it
again, just find it in your dock.
29. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 28
Not liking the size if your window? Most windows can be adjusted from any side and any corner.
When you have multiple web browsers and applications running, it can get very hectic and
cluttered! Sometimes your screen might look like this…
30. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 29
The simplest way to sift through all of the chaos is with the dock. You can click on the icon of
whichever window/application you want to see, and it will bring it to the front.
Like to be organized? Enjoy multitasking? OS X has a multiple desktop feature. Drag and drop
whichever applications you want running in the different desktops and organize yourself! Great for
splitting up project research, projection screens, and much more.
31. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 30
Configuring System Preferences
Not enjoying your desktop background? Music too loud? Microphone settings not quite right?
That’s okay! Don’t freak out.
In your dock, there should be an icon for your “System Preferences”.
Click on it, and this window will open:
32. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 31
Here are some of the commonly modified settings. The display, keyboard, mouse, trackpad, and
sound options are highlighted in the diagram.
Shortcuts
What is a shortcut? A shortcut is a tiny file that leads you to the original that it is associated with.
When you download a program, a shortcut is usually created on your desktop. To create a shortcut,
simply secondary click on the application/folder you would like to create a shortcut for, and click the
“Make Alias” option.
33. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 32
To delete an alias/shortcut, simply secondary click on the icon that you want to delete, and click
the “Move to Trash” option.
34. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 33
To create a shortcut on your dock simply drag the application’s icon onto your dock.
To delete a(n) icon/shortcut on your dock, just grab the icon you want to remove and drag it
about an inch away from the dock. Wait a few moments and a cloud will appear. Release.
35. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 34
Applications
Lost an application or program? No problem! For the simplest way, head over to the Menu Bar
and find the magnifying glass.
This magnifying glass is called “Spotlight”. From there, you can search for misplaced
applications/ downloads and more.
Installing and downloading programs/applications is a simple task! For installation, most of the
time, you just need to download the install launcher and follow the steps provided on the website. By
default, all applications downloaded will be downloaded to the “Applications” folder. You can find this
folder by opening Finder from the dock, or utilizing Spotlight.
36. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 35
After opening Finder, find the “Applications” folder.
From here, you can secondary click any application in this folder and select the “Move to Trash”
option. Remember that nothing is actually uninstalled until you permanently empty your trash!
37. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 36
Navigating Between Folders and Drives
Open up Finder. By default, there should be a shortcut available on your dock that leads to the
explorer. There is also a Finder option on the Menu Bar
Open finder. A new window will open. From here, you can search through all of your folders,
drives, USBs, and more. If you have trouble finding certain applications/folders, just use the search tool.
38. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 37
Tools for Files and Folders
To view files and folders, simply double click on the icon/thumbnail of the file/ folder that you
would like to open. If you cannot find the file or folder that you want, utilize spotlight.
You can do a lot with files and folders! Here are some main options:
New Folder- Allows you to create a new folder with selected items. No dragging and dropping
here! Another way to create a new folder would be to secondary click free space on the desktop/finder
and selecting the “New Folder” option.
Open- Opens the file/folder so you can view the content. Some files will only open if you have a
specific program downloaded (ie: .PAGES only opens with Pages by default). There’s also an “Open
With” option, and that lets you attempt to open the file with another application.
Move to Trash- Deletes the selected file or folder. If you deleted a file by mistake, press
Command+Z or check your recycle bin and move it back before you permanently clear the bin.
39. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 38
Rename- Makes the title/name section of the filer/folder editable. Press enter when done
renaming.
Duplicate- Immediately creates a copy of highlighted files/folders, generally named
“FILENAME –copy”, or “FILENAME (#)”.
Copy- Copies the selected file or folder. To make an actual copy, you will have to select “Paste”
or Command+V after copying. Generally, it will be named “FILENAME –copy”.
If there is a file/folder with the same name in the same location, you will be prompted to choose
to either replace the previous file/folder, or rename it.
40. Meredith Ku, LCH:A
Page | 39
Super Searching with Google
There are ways to make your Google search even better!
Text in bold and highlighted in yellow is the necessary piece for searching. Formatting is
not optional.
Please do not add extra spaces to your search.
It will not work.
Search for a specific file: filytype:PDF
Search on a specific website: site:buzzfeed.com
Search for a timerange: 2001..2011
Search for related words: ~WORDHERE
Search omitting a word (will exclude this word): -WORDHERE
Search for words in the title: intitle:Huskies
Search with common terms (will also search with common terms): *wood
Search for specific authors (full name or initials in quotes): “R.L Stein”
Thank You for Reading!
If you have further questions, please check Google Support: https://support.google.com/
Feel free to contact me for further questions at: mku@sfo.yearup.org
