THE CONTROL PANEL THE CONTROL PANEL Some useful bits The Control Panel is one of the areas that varies most with different versions of Windows. Illustrations in this presentation are taken from Windows 8.1 unless otherwise specified. Some visual and/or functional differences may occur on your computer

introduction The Control Panel gives the user access to a number of Utility programs These can be used, amongst other things, to enhance security, personalize the computer and fix problems Some of this functionality requires more knowledge before it is used. We are going to look at some things you SHOULD know how to use.

Accessing the control panel Windows 7Windows 8.1

A FIRST LOOK

SOME SECURITY ITEMS Windows Update Windows Firewall Windows Defender Recovery Backup & Restore

WINDOWS UPDATE Windows Update gives you: – Changes to Windows for SECURITY reasons – Enhancements to Windows – Optional Updates to other software in your computer It is recommended that Windows Update should always be set to run automatically!

WINDOWS UPDATE

Updates are grouped under three headings: – IMPORTANT: Will be installed automatically when Update runs – RECOMMENDED: Will be installed automatically IF Update is set to do so. If not, can be chosen manually – OPTIONAL: Must be chosen manually to install

WINDOWS UPDATE

When updates are downloaded, immediate updating MAY take place. In some cases, the updating MAY have to wait for shut down – This means it is critical to shut down in the proper manner Finally, some updating may have to wait for the next start – booting may take longer than usual

WINDOWS FIREWALL A Firewall is software or hardware that checks information coming from the Internet or a network, and then either blocks it or allows it to pass through to your computer It is your first line of defence and should be ON A separate piece of hardware [e.g. Router] may have a Firewall and this is OK Should have only one software Firewall to prevent clashes. Be aware that some programs ask to install a Firewall

WINDOWS FIREWALL

Unless you are knowledgeable, it is best to make sure you are set to ON for both private [home] and public/guest networks and then use the default settings Customizing may create more problems than it solves

Windows defender Windows Defender is present in all recent versions of Windows Up to and including Windows 7, Defender is basically anti-spyware software From Windows 8 on, it has had the anti-virus capability of Microsoft Security Essentials added to it [MSE not available for W8] REMEMBER: Only 1 anti-virus at a time!

Windows defender Windows 7 & earlier Windows Defender by itself is better than nothing – JUST! We recommend that you should install BOTH anti-virus and an anti-malware programs. We have always suggested Microsoft Security Essentials & Malwarebytes for effectiveness and economy

Windows defender Windows 7 & earlier Once you install an anti-virus program, Defender should be switched OFF. This may happen automatically but must check! Defender could stay ON if only Malwarebytes but this is NOT full protection Other anti-malware – check with manufacturer May need to set up exclusions – see Keeping Your Computer Safe – Our Web Site

Windows defender Windows 8 & 8.1 Defender switches OFF when another anti- virus is installed Uninstalling another anti-virus [e.g. trial version with new machine] may NOT switch Defender back on automatically. May need help to uninstall some of these. Leave Defender ON if no other anti-virus and Malwarebytes

Windows defender

recovery Recovery has a number of functions in some Windows versions & some of these need more knowledge before they are used The basic function can be used with a minimum of knowledge& can solve some quite serious problems This function permits the computer to be rolled back to a previous time - A RESTORE POINT – before the problem occurred This does NOT affect any files YOU have created

recovery Restore Points are created automatically by Windows Update & by some [but not all] programs when they are installed Over time, there will be many Restore Points On the first screen, you may see an option to display earlier ones Rolling back lets you get the computer working again WHILE you solve the problem

Recovery Recovery Illustrations from Windows 7 Windows 8/8.1 varies and requires initial set-up

recovery

recovery

recovery

recovery If the problem was caused by Windows Update it will, in theory, occur again since it will try the same update next time BUT Microsoft get enough feedback that it usually gets changed quickly

recovery Before installing new software or making any major change to the computer, it is a good idea to create a Restore Point just in case it causes problems The procedure for this varies according to Windows version – the following is for Windows 7

CREATING A RESTORE POINT

Before the final step as shown, check that – in the area indicated by the large red arrow, Protection is on for your drives If it is not, it needs to be switched on Unless you are more experienced, it is suggested to ask for Home Help to do this

BACKUP & RESTORE This function creates a copy of all or part of your Hard Drive in case of loss This can be on a separate area of the Hard Drive BUT if there is catastrophic failure, fire or theft THIS IS USELESS!!!! This should be done on a removable medium [External Hard Drive. DVD, Flash Drive] that can be stored separately and securely

BACKUP & RESTORE This function is one that has changed the most with each version of Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 are all different These differences will be addressed fully in the manual Keeping Your Computer Safe – on our web site The following slides refer to Windows 7 - being the most common for members currently

BACKUP & RESTORE Backup can be selective – usually all or part of files you have created – or Systems Image The choice of backup medium will depend on what you plan to do and how much space it requires – remember to allow for growth! Some external Hard Disk Drives are not formatted for System Image – this can be changed

WHAT IS SYSTEM IMAGE Microsoft describes System Image as follows:

SETTING UP BACKUP These slides MAY look slightly different during first time set-up

SETTING UP BACKUP

Commonly used FACILITIES Ease of Access Centre Mouse & Keyboard Display & Personalization Programs & Features Trouble Shooting Devices & Printers

MAKING YOUR COMPUTER EASIER TO USE Windows has a number of options that change the way you interact with your computer These can help those with various forms of impairment or simply offer an approach that is more comfortable The Primary tool is the Ease of Access Centre

EASE OF ACCESS CENTRE

EASE OF ACCESS CENTRE Time to Explore

MOUSE & KEYBOARD There are settings that are useful for those with lesser manual dexterity Under Keyboard, you may see settings to change your keyboard layout. If your keyboard is OK – leave well alone! If you think you need to change the keyboard layout, make a note of the old setting before you start!!!!

USEFUL MOUSE SETTINGS The Mouse can be set up for left handed operation Double click speed refers to how long the Mouse waits to interpret a second click as double rather than two individual clicks. Choose a slower speed if more practical ClickLock helps with highlighting. When turned on, just hold down the left button at the start of desired text [time can be adjusted under Settings] then release and click again at the end –Text is highlighted between the two clicks Remember to Apply

USEFUL KEYBOARD SETTINGS All character keys plus Space & Enter are repeat keys – that is, if they are held down, the character [or action] is repeated until release Repeat delay controls how long you can hold the key before repeating starts Repeat rate controls the speed of repetition. Useful if you use often Remember to Apply

DISPLAY & PERSONALIZATION

DISPLAY Adjusting the size of all items is useful for anyone with visual difficulty If you go to a large size, extra scrolling may be necessary, especially on web pages 115% is a good compromise size – only go larger if really neccessary

PERSONALIZATION

PROGRAMS & FEATURES

This function permits you – in theory - to Uninstall, Change or Repair any program identified as being installed on the computer Some Malware programs manage to avoid being listed Which options are available depends on the individual program

PROGRAMS & FEATURES Some programs will NOT uninstall here due to special needs. They may have an uninstall function in the All Programs menu or may need to download an uninstall program from the manufacturer

PROGRAMS & FEATURES Some pop-up intrusions can be found and removed here – usually of the annoying variety Can also view – and uninstall – updates by clicking as shown Uninstalling Updates rolls back to the previous version. Updates can cause problems. Uninstalling them one at a time until problem is resolved [sort by date] may help

Devices & Printers

In this area we can, in fact, look at and personalize many features of our computer We can also solve some common problems The big secret is the RIGHT MOUSE CLICK

PRINTERS – REAL & VIRTUAL Real printers physically exist. Virtual printers - not a good name - are usually a way of putting a document in a different format for a specific purpose

DEFAULT PRINTER The CURRENT default printer is identified with a green tick This is the printer that will be automatically used by your programs UNLESS you so specify AT THE TIME OF PRINTING You can change the default ay any time

DEFAULT PRINTER RIGHT click on the default printer shows some options These options are variable – for example, if the printer has stopped for any reason, you will see a resume option TROUBLESHOOT can solve many common printer issues

DEFAULT PRINTER See What's Printing – click any document shown to see options

Devices & Printers A RIGHT click on the Computer Icon provides an alternative to the general Control Panel for many items most commonly needed by members Note especially TROUBLESHOOT

TROUBLESHOOTING

TROUBLESHOOTING Troubleshooting runs diagnostics on the most common types of problem in the indicated areas. It can correct certain types of problem It can advise of others – e.g. apparent disconnected cables. It can suggest manual steps for you to try