Windows 7 Microsoft Windows is the dominant operating system on personal computers around the world, and the operating system is the most important software on a computer. The operating system acts as an interface between application software and the hardware and allows users to manage files and applications. Roughly 90 percent of personal computers use Microsoft Windows operating systems. You will encounter Windows operating systems such as Windows 7 on residential, business, and educational computer systems worldwide. Being comfortable in the Windows environment is key to becoming computer literate. This includes being able to navigate around the components of the operating system, adjust system settings, manipulate software applications, and manage files. In this section: Navigating in Windows 7 and Windows 7 File Management. Skills > Windows 7

Navigating Windows 7 Navigating in Windows 7 requires a familiarity with all Windows 7 features including the user interface, customizing and personalizing the Windows environment, changing system settings, searching for files and folders, and getting help. Windows is the dominant operating system in the world. Having a firm understanding of how to navigate and use Windows 7 is essential to gain computer literacy and be productive in today’s technology-centric environment. In this section: In this section: Windows 7 Layout, Programs and Windows, Windows 7 Taskbar, Gadgets, Control Panel, Appearance and Personalization, Help and Support. Skills > Windows 7 > Navigating in Windows 7

Windows 7 Layout Windows 7 consists of three main areas: the Start menu, the taskbar, and the desktop. Each area can be customized and configured for personal use. Bullet 2 modified Skills > Navigating in Windows 7 > Windows 7 Layout

Programs and Windows Software applications, or programs, can be launched in Windows 7 using shortcut icons on the desktop or taskbar, or by finding the program in the Start menu. Multiple programs can run simultaneously. Windows 7 provides numerous ways to preview and manipulate windows, including several that are brand new to Windows. Skills > Windows 7 > Navigating in Windows 7 > Working with Programs and Windows

The Windows 7 Taskbar The Windows 7 taskbar runs across the bottom of the display and is always visible unless customized to be hidden. The taskbar is used to manage running programs and windows, launch frequently used programs, access the Start menu, and view programs running in the background. Skills > Windows 7 > Navigating in Windows 7 > The Windows 7 Taskbar

Gadgets Gadgets are small useful programs that run on your desktop. Available to display time, display the weather, view photos in a slideshow, track stocks or sports teams, follow your friends on Facebook, and thousands of other uses. Gadgets are free and useful. They can be added to the desktop wherever the user desires. Skills > Windows 7 > Navigating in Windows 7 > Gadgets

The Control Panel Where all the settings and configurations for your computer are located. In the Control Panel you can create user accounts, set parental controls, make Internet and network connections, set Windows security, uninstall programs, and much more. Skills > Windows 7 > Navigating in Windows 7 > The Control Panel

Appearance and Personalization Windows 7 is highly configurable and can easily be customized for a personal computing experience. For example, the desktop background can be changed, the Start button icon can be swapped with a more personal image, and Folder Options can be set for preferred behavior. Skills > Windows 7 > Navigating in Windows 7 > Appearance and Personalization

Help and Support Help and Support is a resource for finding answers about Windows 7, from the most basic questions to complicated troubleshooting. If a question cannot be answered from the Windows 7 help files on your computer, Help and Support can search Windows Online Help and Support pages. In Help and Support, you can also find very useful video demos of common tasks in Windows 7. Skills > Windows 7 > Navigating in Windows 7 > Help and Support

Windows 7 File Management File management refers to the important practice of creating and manipulating files, and organizing files in folders on a computer system. Knowing how to organize files into folders and subfolders is essential to keeping your digital life in order. Although the Windows 7 search function is excellent for finding individual files or folders, finding related information is beyond the scope of the search feature. Organizing your files in a hierarchy of folders and subfolders will help you quickly find the information you need. In this section: Files, Folders, and Libraries, Creating and Moving Files and Folders, Copying, Renaming, and Deleting, File Preview and Open With and saving Files. Skills > Windows 7 > Windows 7 File Management

Files, Folders, and Libraries Using the analogy of a filing cabinet, the files and folders on your computer are the digital equivalents of paper documents and folders in filing cabinet drawers. Windows 7 has a feature called Libraries that allows you to collect folders and files from various locations on your computer or on your network into one place. Bullet 2 modified Skills > Windows 7 > Windows 7 File Management > Files, Folders, and Libraries

Creating and Moving Files & Folders Folders typically hold related files. Files can be moved (dragged) from one folder into another folder. Files can be created and saved in an appropriate folder, or they can be placed into a new folder after they are saved. Skills > Windows 7 > Windows 7 File Management > Creating and Moving Files and Folders

Copying, Renaming, and Deleting Files and folders can be duplicated by copying and pasting. Copying a file or folder does not affect the original but makes an identical digital copy. When a file or folder is deleted, it is not truly gone until the Recycle Bin is emptied. Cutting a file or folder removes it from the current location and places it on the Clipboard (in memory) so that it can be pasted in another location. Cutting and pasting a file or folder achieves the same effect as dragging—the original is moved from its current position to a new location. After you have saved a file, you can easily rename it. Skills > Windows 7 > Windows 7 File Management > Copying, Renaming, and Deleting

File Preview and Open With A file’s content can be scanned with the Windows 7 Preview Pane without opening the file. But you can select the program you want to use to open the file using the Open With option. Skills > Windows 7 > Windows 7 File Management > File Preview and Open With

Saving Files Files can be saved into existing folders or they can be placed into a new folder at the time they are saved. Skills > Windows 7 > Windows 7 File Management > Saving Files