Exploring the Basics
of Windows XP
FIRST COURSE
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
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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
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Starting Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows XP
– Microsoft Windows is the operating system, XP is the
version (next version is Windows Vista)
– Starts automatically when computer is turned on
• Windows XP screen uses a graphical user interface
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
– Displays icons to represent items stored on the computer
• Icons: Pictures of familiar objects
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Starting Windows XP
– Elements of the desktop
• Icon
• Pointer
• Desktop
• Date/Time control
• Taskbar
• Start button
• Notification area
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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
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Using a Pointing Device
• Pointing device
– Helps user interact with objects on computer screen
– Comes in many shapes and sizes
– Used to move mouse pointer over objects on desktop
• Pointing
– Positioning pointer over a specific part of the screen
• Mouse
– Most common pointing device
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Using a Pointing Device
• ScreenTips
– Appear when mouse pointer is positioned over certain
objects
– Display purpose or function of the object
– Figure 1-3 shows a ScreenTip
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Clicking
• Clicking
– Pressing a mouse button and immediately releasing it
– Tells computer you want to perform an action on
object clicked
– Typically use left mouse button to click
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Clicking
• Menu
– A list of commands
which can be used to
perform tasks
– Submenus
(additional choices
related to menu)
• Start menu
– Appears when the
Start button is
clicked
– Provides access to
programs,
documents, etc.
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Selecting
– To select an object in Windows XP
• Point to and then click the object
– The selected object is highlighted
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Double-Clicking
• Click the desktop. Point to Recycle Bin icon. 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.
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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 commands directly related to the
object
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Exploring the Start menu
• Start menu
– Central point for accessing programs, documents, and resources.
– Organized in two panels
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Starting and Closing a Program
• Starting a program
– You must start a program before it can be used
– To start a program
• Click the Start button
• Locate and click the program’s name in the submenu(s)
or
• Click the name or icon of a program in the pinned items list
or the most frequently used programs list in the Start menu
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Starting and Closing a Program
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Starting and Closing a Program
• An open or running program
– A program that has been started
• Program button
– Appears on the taskbar for each open program
– Click to switch between open programs
• Close button
– Located in upper-right corner of a program window
– Click to close a program
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Starting and Closing a Program
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Running Multiple Programs
• Multitasking
– The ability to have multiple programs loaded into memory
that you can switch between
– The Active program is the one you are currently using
• Switching between programs
– Program buttons
• Located on the taskbar
• Easiest way to switch between programs
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Closing Programs from the Taskbar
• Options for closing a program
– Use the Close button on the title bar of program window
– Use the shortcut menu associated with the program button on
taskbar
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Anatomy of a Window
• Window
– A Rectangular area of the screen that contains: a program, text, graphics,
or data. Windows are opened for applications or folders.
• Controls
– Located in a window
– Graphical or textual objects used for
• Manipulating the window
• Using the program
– Examples
• Menu bar, Status bar, Title bar, Toolbar
• Sizing buttons
• Window title
• Workspace
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Anatomy of a Window
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Manipulating
Windows
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Moving a Window
• To drag an object
– Click the object
– Hold down the mouse button while moving the
mouse
• To move a window
– Drag the window by its title bar
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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
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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
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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
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Selecting Options from a Menu
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Selecting Options from a Menu
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Using Toolbars
• Toolbars in a 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
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Using List Boxes and Scroll Bars
• List box
– Displays a list of available choices
– Usually includes: arrow buttons, scroll bar, scroll box
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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
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Using Dialog Box Controls
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Exploring Your Computer
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Changing the View
• Change the view by selecting a command from the View
menu on the menu bar
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Navigating with Windows Explorer
• Like My Computer, Windows Explorer also lets you easily navigate
the resources on your computer
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Folders Pane in the Windows Explorer Window
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Getting 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
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Getting Help
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Getting Help
• Windows XP Help and Support window
– Organizes information into pages ( tabs )
• Home page
• Index page
• Favorites page
• History page
• Support page
• Options page
– Search box
• Used to search for keywords contained in Help pages
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Shutting Down Windows XP
• Turn Off Computer command
– Located on the Start menu
– Turns off the computer
• Log Off command
– Located on the Start menu
– Logs off Windows XP but leaves the computer on
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