Windows xp

XP

Exploring the Basics
of Windows XP

Exploring the Basics of 1

XP
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


XP
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


XP
Starting Windows XP

• Windows XP
– Starts when computer is turned on
– Elements of the desktop
• Icon
• Pointer
• Desktop
• Date/Time control
• Taskbar
• Start button
• Notification area


XP
Starting Windows XP

Figure 1-1 shows the Windows XP desktop


XP
Starting Windows XP

• Windows XP desktop uses a graphical user
interface
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
– Displays icons to represent items stored on the
computer
• Icons: Pictures of familiar objects


XP
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


XP
Using a Pointing Device

• A pointing device
– Helps the user interact with objects on the computer
screen
– Comes in many shapes and sizes
• Mouse
– Most common pointing device


XP
Pointing

• Pointing device
– Used to move the mouse pointer over objects on the
desktop
• Pointing
– Positioning the pointer over a specific part of the screen


XP
Pointing

• ScreenTips
– Appear when the mouse pointer is positioned over certain objects
– Display the purpose or function of the object
– Figure 1-3 shows a ScreenTip


XP
Clicking

• Clicking
– Pressing a mouse button and immediately releasing it
• Menu
– A list of options which can be used to perform tasks
– Submenus
• Start menu
– Appears when the Start button is clicked
– Provides access to programs, documents, etc.


XP
Clicking

Figure 1-6 shows the Start menu


XP
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


XP
Selecting


XP
Viewing the contents
of the Recycle Bin

• Click the desktop, and then point to the Recycle
Bin icon. After a few moments, a ScreenTip
appears that describes the Recycle Bin
• Click the left mouse button twice quickly to
double-click the Recycle Bin icon. The Recycle
Bin opens


XP
Viewing the contents
of the Recycle Bin


XP
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 options directly related to the object


XP
Right-Clicking


XP
Exploring the Start menu


XP
Starting and Closing a Program

• Starting a program
– A program must be started before it can be used
– To start a program
• Click the Start button
• Locate and click the program’s name in the submenus
• An open or running program
– A program which has been started


XP


XP

• Program button
– Appears on the taskbar for each open program
– Click to switch between open programs
• Close button
– Located in the upper-right corner of the program
window
– Click to close the program


XP


XP
Running Multiple Programs

• Multitasking
– Ability to run multiple programs on Windows XP at the
same time
– Allows the user to work on more than one project at a
time
– The active program is the one you are currently using


XP
Switching Between Programs

• Program buttons
– Located on the taskbar
– Offer the easiest way to switch between programs


Closing Inactive Programs from XP
the Taskbar

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


XP
Anatomy of a Window

• A window
– A rectangular area of the screen that may contain
• A program
• Text
• Graphics
• Data


XP
Anatomy of a Window

• Controls
– Located in a window
– Graphical or textual objects used for
• Manipulating the window
• Using the program
– Examples
• Menu bar
• Sizing buttons
• Status bar
• Title bar
• Toolbar
• Workspace


XP
Anatomy of a Window


XP
Manipulating a Window


XP
Moving a Window

• To drag an object
– Click an object and then hold down the mouse button
while moving the mouse
• To move a window
– Drag the window by its title bar


XP
Changing the Size of a Window

• Options for changing a window’s size
– Sizing handle
• Located at the lower-right corner of the window
– Window borders
• Can be dragged left, right, up, or down


XP
Changing the Size of a Window


XP
Using Program Menus

• Menus
– Organize a program’s features and available functions
• Menu bar
– Typically located at the top of the program window
– Shows the names of the menus


XP
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 the user for more information about the desired action


XP


XP
Using Toolbars

• Toolbars in the 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


XP
Using List Boxes and Scroll Bars

• List box
– Displays a list of available choices
– Usually includes
• Array buttons
• A scroll bar
• A scroll box


XP
Using List Boxes and Scroll Bars


XP
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


XP
Using Dialog Box Controls


XP
Exploring Your Computer


XP
Changing the View

• Change the view by selecting an option from the
View menu on the menu bar


XP
Using 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 Microsoft’s Web site


XP
Using Help


XP
Using 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


XP
Shutting Down Windows XP

• Turn Off Computer option
– Located on the Start menu
– Turns off the computer
• Log Off option
– Located on the Start menu
– Logs off Windows XP but
leaves the computer on


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