Windows XP Basics OVERVIEW Next

Next STARTING YOUR COMPUTER When you start your computer, you will see the following screen: Choose a session at the right to open Windows XP. When you close a session, you automatically come back to this window. You may turn off your computer from this window by clicking on « Turn off computer ». Next

The login name is displayed on top of the Start Menu. This part of the Start Menu includes the programs that you recently used. As you work with other programs, that list will change. To delete a program from the list, right-click on the program and click on « Delete from the list ». Here we find programs that let you access Internet and that are permanent to the Start Menu. For example, we find Internet Explorer (navigator) and Outlook Express (e-mail). The login name is displayed on top of the Start Menu. Next

The Start Menu… Here you can get Quick Support options with « Help and Support », search folders, files or others with « Search » and execute different programs with « Run… ». Check the settings on your computer You can easily find all your files from this list. Next

When you have finished, you have two choices : The Start Menu… When you have finished, you have two choices  : Log Off Or Turn Off Computer Click here to display all the programs that are installed on your computer. Next

Once you have finished, click on « Turn Off ». The Start Menu… Once you have finished, click on « Turn Off ». This will let you  Standby (Hibernation mode), Turn Off (Shut down entire system) or Restart your computer (typically used when new programs are installed).  If you chose to "Turn Off" your computer, make sure no other session is open. See the previous option « Log Off ». In the Log Off menu, you may "Switch Users" or "Log Off".  By switching users, your programs and session will remain open, but hidden to the next user.  The next user must click on their session to activate their programs.  To close your  user session, click Log Off. Next

The Start Menu… Next The task bar includes the following elements : 1. The Start Menu (Information discussed above); 2. Shortcut Icons located beside the Start Menu. 3. All Open programs in your session; 4. In this area you will find system notices, system activities, specific program settings,   reception of e-mail messages etc...  These icons are automatically inserted into the Windows XP taskbar by specific programs and allow a shortcut to the settings of the program Next

RECYCLE BIN Next A valuable icon on the desktop is the Recycle Bin. Recycle Bin : When you delete a file or folder in any program, it goes directly into the Recycle Bin. It remains in the Recycle Bin until you empty the Recycle Bin. This gives you a chance to restore these files or folders if they were deleted by mistake. If you want to empty the recycle bin, right click on the Recycle Bin icon and choose “Empty the Recycle Bin”.  NOTE : If you empty the Recycle Bin, you will no longer be able to restore these files or folders. When you delete a file or folder, the recycle bin fills itself with crumpled paper and looks like the icon you see here. Next Recycle empty Recycle full

Next USING ELEMENTS IN ACCESSORIES By clicking on Start, All Programs and selecting Accessories you will find programs to help you in your day-to-day activities. We will start with Accessibility, Communications, Entertainment, Interactive Microsoft Training and System Tools. Next

System Tools: For the maintenance of your computer (We also find it in the control panel). Accessibility: It lets you adjust the settings on your computer – display (zoom), sounds or use of the mouse or keyboard (we also find it in the control panel). Entertainment: You find the sound control and recorder. Communications: To connect to a network. Tour Windows XP: Interactive training on XP. Next

Notepad: Notepad lets you modify or create text files which do not need formatting and are no larger than 64 Kb. Windows Explorer: The storage capacity of a hard disk is huge; Windows Explorer displays all files and folders that are installed on your computer. Paint: Lets you change, create or display images. You can paste an image into another document or use it as your wallpaper. Calculator: You can use the calculator in standard display to make simple calculations or for more complex calculations in scientific mode. Next

WordPad: Word Pad is a text editor that will allow you to open or create text files that do incorporate some formatting and is a useful if you do not have a specific document creating software. Next

What is a shortcut? Next Shortcut Curved Arrow Shortcut Shortcuts: A shortcut makes it easier for you when you use the same programs frequently. It is a quick way to open your application or file folder. They are represented by an icon with a curved arrow . You can create as many shortcuts as you want. Here is how you would create a shortcut on your desktop from the Start Menu: Click on Start. Drag your mouse on All Programs and then on Accessories. In Accessories, click on WordPad while keeping your finger on the right mouse button. Slowly move (drag) the file to an open space on your desktop and let go of the button. In the displayed menu, chose Copy Here. To open the program, simply double-click on the shortcut. Once you have read these steps, please click on the left mouse button to proceed to the next step. Shortcuts icons Shortcut Curved Arrow Next Shortcut

Next How to create a folder on the desktop? Right click on the mouse while on the desktop.  Select New, then select Folder. . 2. Type in a name for your folder. 3. Double-click on the folder to open it. Next

To open the Control Panel, click on Start and Control Panel. Next

This window will be displayed Lets have a more detailed look at those options: Accessibility Options: It lets you adjust the settings on your computer – display (zoom), sounds, special options for the mouse or keyboard. Several of these features are of great advantage to people with physical, visual or hearing impairments. Performance and Maintenance: This option will let you manage your computer. You can see basic information about your computer, Adjust visual effects, Free up space on your hard disk, Back up your data or Rearrange items on your hard disk to make programs run faster. Printers and Other Hardware: Lets you change the settings of your printer, your mouse, your keyboard and other hardware. User Accounts : People who share your computer have their own personalized desktop and parameters. Date, Time, Language and Regional Options: Lets you change the current date and time, your format and allows you to add other languages. Add or Remove Programs: Lets you change or uninstall programs. Network and Internet Connections : Lets you connect to a network or to Internet. Appearance and Themes: It will let you modify the Theme of your computer, the desktop background, chose a screen saver and modify your screen resolution. You can also change the appearance of the task bar or the Start Menu. We will have a closer look at this option later on. Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices: Lets you modify the settings of the speakers and set the volume of your computer. Next

Next Let’s have a closer look at Appearance and Themes Click on « Appearance and Themes ». Click on « Change the computer’s theme ». The following window will display : Next

Appearance and Themes Next Click on the tab “Settings” The following window will display : Click on the tab “Appearance” Click on the tab “Desktop” Click on the tab “Screen Saver” In this window, we can see that the screen resolution is 1024x768 pixels. If you want a different resolution, you use the small slider between Less and More. If you want a lower resolution, you move towards Less, if you want a higher resolution, you move towards More. Click on Apply to view the changes. Here, you can change the appearance of your desktop. Chose an image on your left and click on Apply. Return on your desktop to view the changes. Themes will let you change the appearance of Windows. If you want Windows to look like previous versions, choose Windows Classic by clicking on the drop-down menu Windows and buttons. You can change the appearance of your windows and your desktop. Click on the small arrows at the end of each menu to choose your options and click on Apply to view the changes. The screen saver appears when your computer remains idle for a certain period of time. To change the screen saver, click on the small arrow located at the right of Settings button. Chose an option and click on Preview. If the screen saver suits you, click on Apply to save the settings. Next

Let’s have a closer look at User Accounts Click on « User Accounts » Next

Next User Accounts Section « Pick a task…» 1. Change an account: Lets you change an existing account. 2. Create a new account: Lets you create new user accounts for your account. Change the way users log on or off: Lets you change users sessions. Section « or pick an account to change » means the same as the step Change an account, except you access it faster. The following window will display: Next

End of Windows XP Basic Quick-Clics Demo Click here to go to the first slide, or close the window to return to your Quick Clics course page.