European Computer Driving Licence Module 2 – Using the Computer and Managing Files Chapter 2.5 – Managing The Desktop

Creating/Removing A Desktop Icon ZClick on Start then All Programs and point at the program (eg Solitaire) ZRight click on the program name and point at Send to and select Desktop (create shortcut) ZThe icon will appear on your desktop ZTo delete an icon, right click on it and select Delete ZClick on Yes to confirm

Creating other icons ZCreate a shortcut to your printer to gain quick access to your print jobs!, Click on Start, Printers and Faxes, Drag the default printer icon (the one with a tick next to it) onto the desktop, Double click on the icon to check the status of your print jobs! Z Create a shortcut to a file that is used a lot!, Find the file using My Computer, Drag the file name onto the Desktop, Double click on the icon will open that file in the program that created it!

Basic System Information ZClick on Start ZRight click on My Computer and select Properties ZThe System Properties window appears which will tell you the following:, The current version of Windows, Who Windows is registered to and the serial number, Type and speed of processor, followed by the amount of RAM installed

Changing the background ZRight click on an empty part of the desktop and select Properties ZFrom the window that appears, click on the Desktop tab ZIn the Background section, scroll up and down and click on a background (the preview window will show you what it looks like) ZWhen you find one you like, click on OK

Setting up a screensaver ZClick on Start then Control Panel then Display ZFrom the window that appears, click on the Screensaver tab ZIn the Screensaver section, scroll up and down and click on a screensaver (the preview window will show you what it looks like) ZWhen you find one you like, click on Apply then OK

Changing the screen resolution ZClick on Start then Control Panel then Display ZFrom the window that appears, click on the Settings tab ZDrag the screen resolution slider to change the resolution ZSelect the colour quality required from the Colour Quality dropdown menu

Other Display Options ZClick on the Themes tab – this allows you to choose a scheme of wallpaper, screensavers, icons etc Z Click on the Appearance tab – from here you can change display fonts, windows and dialogue boxes.

Date & Time / Sound ZTo change the date/time, click on Start, Control Panel then Date & Time ZSelect your options then click on OK Z To change the volume, click on Start, Control Panel then Sounds and Audio Devices Z Select your options then click on OK

Change keyboard/language ZYour keyboard should be set to English UK ZTo change the keyboard to type in a different language:, Click on Start, Control Panel, Regional and Language Options, Click the Languages tab, Click on Details to view more options

Formatting a floppy/zip disk ZAlthough most disks come preformatted, here is how to do it yourself ZClick on Start, My Computer ZRight click the icon for 3½ Floppy (A:) or Zip Disk (E:) ZSelect Format ZSelect your options, click OK ZA message appears telling you data will be erased from the disk ZClick on OK ZA message will appear telling you the format is complete

Installing/Uninstalling software ZMost software which comes on CD will automatically run ZOn screen instructions appear telling you how to proceed ZTo remove an application, see if there is an uninstall link on the Start menu ZOtherwise click Start, Control Panel, Add/Remove programs ZClick on the program you want to remove, then click on Change/Remove ZFollow on-screen instructions

Windows Help and Support Centre ZGo the Windows Help and Support Centre for help! ZClick on Start then Help and Support ZEither click on a Help Topic or type a keyword into the search box ZYou can then copy and paste useful information into a Word document for safe keeping! ZAll applications will have their own help system too! Click on Help in the menu bar to get started!

Print Screen Facility ZIt can be useful to take a screenshot of your screen – this is used in all computer manuals and books! ZTo take a screenshot of the whole screen press the Prt Scr key ZTo take a screenshot of the active window, press Alt + Prt Scr ZOpen a new Word document and click on the paste icon!

Changing the default printer ZIf you click on the print icon, the document will be sent to the default printer ZTo change the default printer (so every document prints to it), Click on Start, Printers and Faxes, Right click the printer you want to change to, Select Set as Default, A tick will appear next to it

Installing a new printer ZMost printers will come with an installation CD ZIf you don’t have one, try the following steps:, Click on Start, Printers and Faxes, Click on the Add printer icon, Follow the on-screen instructions Z Make sure you select the correct port – LPT1 or USB Z Select the printer manufacturer and model Z You will be asked if you want to make the printer the default printer (click on Yes or No) and if you want to print a test page – click on Yes Z If the test page doesn’t print out, you can click to start the Printer troubleshooter!