I have given the explanation simply in a way that any one can understand on how to approach to a computer and to obtain it's basic skills on using windows 7 platform.

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Basic Computer Skills
Before moving on to the computer operations let’s discuss about the true purpose of computer
What is Computer?
 Computer is a programmable machine carry out a set of arithmetic or logical operations
automatically in a highly accelerated process. Which ultimately, the computer can solve more
than one kind of problem at a time.
 This is an electronic device that can store and process the input and output data, converting it
into information that is useful to people.
Let’s begin on learning the basic external components of a computer and how to start up a computer.
The above figure shows you the basic external components of a computer. In order to start up the
machine youneedtoreach to systemunit.There are you will find a big button and press it. After doing
so quicklypressthe bigbuttononthe monitor(mostprobably this button is on the right hand corner of
the monitor). If the machine has been already connected to a switched ON plug base this will
automatically run itself and open the windows 7 display.

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Graphical User interface (GUI)
Graphical user interface is a type of interface that allows users to interact with electronic
devices through graphical icons and visual indicators, enabling computer graphic capabilities to make
the program easiertouse for the users. A well designedgraphical interface canfree the user from using
complex commands.
Graphical user interface components
 Windows
 Icons
 Menus
 Cursor
This is the main desktop window for windows 7
This is windows that appear when you click several icons or when you open files. These are all
commonly called as Window

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Cursor (Mouse Pointer)
Cursor isan indicatorwhichshowsthe positions of the computermonitor.
If we place thisonan icon on the desktopwindow anddoubleclickit. The iconwill open
inan anotherwindowdisplayingthe filesinit.
Icons
These are the small figuresthatappearon the desktopwindow whichrepresentfiles,
command,programsand webpages.These are speciallymade forthe userefficiencyinexecuting
commands,opendocumentsandrunprograms.
Followingfiguresshow youthe mainiconsondesktopwindow that’susedindaytodayoperations;
FileExplorer Chrome start menu
Menus
Thisallowsthe userto execute commandsbyselectinga list of choices. Menus can be classified in to 4,
they are;
 Menu bar: Thisdisplay horizontally across the left top corner of an opened window (1st
figure)
 Drop downmenu:whenyoumove cursorto an itemon the menubar and you select it. You will
see a drop down menu will appear from the selecting item towards the downward direction
 Start menu:Whenyouclickthe start menubuttonat the bottomleftcorner,a list of menus will
appear (2nd
figure)
 Menu extra: The menus that appear on the left side bar of a window.

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Windows 7 Shortcuts

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Closing down Applications
In here we will learnhowtoclose down an application or a window. Normally if open any window you
will see the below 3 small squares at the top right corner.
 Dash square: we use this to minimize the window size
 Square shaped square: We use this to enlarge or make the window to its full screen size
 Cross square: This is used to Close any application or a window
If the programis notRespondingandif you need to close it without waiting, before the window figure
out the solution by itself. Follow the below procedure.
1. OpenTask Manager byright-clickingthe taskbar,andthenclicking StartTask Manager.
2. Clickthe Applicationstab,click the program thatisn't responding,andthenclick EndTask.

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Securing / Password Protection
Windows doesn’t provide the capability of locking the folders in computer, but still with the help of
other external software we can lock those folders. These we will learn in future,
In here we are learningonlyto secure ourwhole pc withthe helpof useraccount preventingotherusers
to access to our personal computer (PC). User accounts control which files and programs users can
access andwhat typesof changesuserscan make to the computer. Following are the steps in doing so,
1. Go to the start button
2. There are you will see control panel at the right side, click it and it display the control panel
window
3. Find User accounts and family safety click it, here you will find User Accounts under that click
Add or Remove user accounts.
4. There isalreadya User account namedas GuestAccount,below thatwindow youwill see
Create a newaccount selectit.

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5. Give a name for yourAccount and click Create account button below. Selectthe accountname
youcreated thenthe belowwindow will popup.
6. Choose the Create a password andthere create your ownpassword,repeatpasswordandalso
the passwordhintthenclick Create password button.
You will have yourpersonal computerscreenlockedwhenitisswitchedon.Thenyouneedtotype your
passwordinorderto see the desktopwindow andtoproceedfurther.
How to locate and open a standard software applications like MS Word File Operation
1. Reach the Start button and click it, there you will find a Search bar on the bottom of popup
menu.
2. Type Microsoftword init andit will automaticallyshows you the word file on the top. Click the
word file which will direct you to the Microsoft word document.

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How to open and save a word document
Office Button
 Whenyouopen your word document first you must remember to do is save your document in
a specificlocation.Go to the Office button at the top leftcornerthere youwill see Save As click
it.
 You can give a File name to your document and make sure that Save as type must be Word
Document
 In order to find a specific location Choose a location from the left side bar menu (eg:
Documents)
 From the Document library (as in the example above) that display find a suitable place where
you need to save it inside and click Save and saving process is done.
 If you needa NewWordDocumentreachthe Office buttonand click New,thenyou will receive
a new word document.
 If you wantopena previoussaved word document just click Office button and to the right side
you will see Recent Documents. Or else you can go to Open icon (just below the New) and
choose the word file that you want to reopen from the specific location.
 Click Save button that visible just right to the of Office button at every time you leaving for a
break to save your word file. Keyword shortcuts (ctrl A+ ctrl S).

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Basic tool bars of MS Word 2010
In here we will discuss about Microsoft word 2010. There is no much big difference between the
toolbars of word 2007/ 2010. Only difference is that instead of Office button in 2007 word, we have a
File tab in 2010. Following figure will show you the basic toolbars in MS Word.
Increase indent:
paragraph separatedfromthe left
marginusingblankspaces.
Decrease indent:
paragraph separatedfromthe right
marginusingblankspaces.
Aligntools:Thisalignthe paragraph
Left,Center,RightandJustify.

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How to print view of your Word Document and to get a print out
After completing your Word document you will need to get a print out of it. To do so below steps and
diagram will guide you.
Go to file tab,findprintbelow andclick
it.You will some printoptionscoming
fromthe rightside asgiven.
4- Choose the correct printer
5- Change the settings of the paper
layoutthat youneedtoobtain.
Type the numberof copiesyouwant
that isnear to the printoption(3)
Alwayssee the printpreviewwiththe
adjustments youmake.
3- ClickPrintto obtainthe printouts
aftermakingthe adjustments.

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Hope you learn well from our small tutorial about the basic computer skills.
Thank you!
By : KalinduNimanthaHettiarachchi