This document provides information about windows in Windows XP. It discusses how windows allow you to work with multiple applications simultaneously in separate rectangular areas on the desktop. Windows can overlap or be arranged side by side. The document uses WordPad as an example window, describing the title bar, minimize, maximize, restore, and close buttons. It also discusses the menu bar, toolbars, and how to move and resize windows.

1. R.D.SIVAKUMAR, M.Sc.,M.Phil.,M.Tech.,
Assistant Professor of Computer Science &
Assistant Professor and Head, Department of M.Com.(CA),
Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College,
Sivakasi – 626 124.
Mobile: 099440-42243
e-mail : sivamsccsit@gmail.com
website: www.rdsivakumar.blogspot.in
Windows

2. Windows
Windows XP allows you to work with different applications in the same way. When
you start an application, it occupies a rectangular area on the desktop. This
rectangular area is called a window.
You can have several windows on your desktop at the same time. These windows
may be big (as big as the desktop) or small (as small as a button on the taskbar),
overlapping others or one beside the other. Fig shows you the desktop with three
windows.
Desktop with three windows

3. Parts of a Windows
Let us use the application WordPad, to manage windows well. WordPad is one of the
applications that comes as part of Windows XP. It is a simple word processor - you can
enter and store text using it.
To start WordPad, click on Start All Programs Accessories WordPad. The
above command means first click the Start button, then click All Programs in the
menu , then click Accessories from the ensuing submenu, and finally click WordPad in
the last submenu that appears.
Starting WordPad

4. Parts of a Windows
The Wordpad window opens. Windows XP is designed in such a way that all
windows are similar. The methods used for sizing, moving and closing these
windows are also the same.
At the top of each window is the Title Bar. As the name indicates, the title bar
tells you the name of the application. It also contains three of the following four
Sizing buttons, at the top of the right corner.
WordPad window

5. Parts of a Windows
Minimize Button:
The minimize button is used to reduce the size of the window to a button on
the taskbar. Remember that minimizing a window does not close a window. It
simply hides it from you. Fig shows the WordPad window minimized.
Minimized WordPad window

6. Parts of a Windows
Maximize Button:
 Clicking on this button enlarges the window to fill the entire
desktop. Fig shows the WordPad window maximized.
Maximized WordPad window

7. Parts of a Windows
Restore Button:
This button is used to restore the window to its original size (that is, to
the size before you maximized it).
Restored WordPad window
Close Button:
This button is used to close a window. Remember that closing a
window will remove its con tents from memory and screen.

8. Parts of a Windows
Below the title bar is the Menu Bar. This displays the different menus
available to you. When you click on a menu option, say Edit, all the sub-
options appear as a drop-down menu. You can select any one of them by
pointing to it with the mouse pointer and clicking it.
Edit menu
One or more Toolbars appear below the menu bar. Toolbars consist of icons
representing shortcuts for the most frequently used commands.
For example, to save a file, you can click on the File menu and select Save from the
drop-down list. An easier method would be to click on the Save icon on the toolbar. (
Ctrl + S (or Ctrl +s) combinations also will save the file ). If you save for the first
time, you will be prompted to enter the name of the file.

9. Moving a Window
Often, while working with multiple windows, you need to move a window to
different area of the desktop to see one of the underlying windows. You do so by
clicking and dragging the title bar of the window.
Note : You cannot drag a Window when it is either maximized or minimized.
Changing the size of a Window
Every window has a Border that can be used to change its size. Point to the window
border with the mouse. The mouse pointer changes into a double-headed arrow. Click
and drag this arrow to increase or decrease the size of window.
To change the length and breadth of the windows simultaneously, you have to move
the mouse pointer to either of the bottom corners of the window. Now, the mouse
pointer changes into a double headed arrow as said above. Click and drag the arrow to
increase and decrease the length and breadth of the window simultaneously.

10. Thank you..!!