Exploring the Basics of Windows XP

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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Starting Windows XP Elements of the desktop Icon Pointer Desktop Date/Time control Taskbar Start button Notification area Figure 1 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Using a 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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 Figure 3 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Clicking Menu Start 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. Figure 4 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Selecting Selecting a menu command Two possible ways of selecting objects in Windows XP Pointing to an object Pointing to and then clicking an object A selected object is highlighted New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 Recycle Bin icon. Recycle Bin opens. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Exploring the Start menu Central point for accessing programs, documents, and resources. Organized in two panels Figure 7 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 submenus or Click name or icon of program in pinned items list or most frequently used programs list in Start menu New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Starting and Closing a Program Figure 8 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 program window Click to close program New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Starting and Closing a Program Figure 9 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Running Multiple Programs Multitasking Ability to run multiple programs on Windows XP at the same time Allows user to work on more than one task at a time Active program is the one you are currently using Switching between programs Program buttons Located on the taskbar Offer easiest way to switch between programs New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Closing Programs from the Taskbar Options for closing a program Use Close button on the title bar of program window Use shortcut menu associated with the program button on taskbar Figure 11 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Anatomy of a Window Window Controls Rectangular area of screen that contains: program, text, graphics, or data 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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Anatomy of a Window Figure 13 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Manipulating Windows Figure 14 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Moving a Window To drag an object To move a window Click object Hold down the mouse button while moving the mouse To move a window Drag the window by its title bar New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Using Program Menus Menus Menu bar Organize a program’s features and available functions Menu bar Typically located at the top of the program window Shows names of the menus New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

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 user for more information about desired action New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Selecting Options from a Menu Figure 16 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Selecting Options from a Menu Figure 17 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Using Toolbars Toolbars in program window To perform a command 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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Using List Boxes and Scroll Bars Displays a list of available choices Usually includes: arrow buttons, scroll bar, scroll box Figure 18 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Using Dialog Box Controls 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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Using Dialog Box Controls Figure 19 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Exploring Your Computer Figure 21 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Changing the View Change the view by selecting a command from the View menu on the menu bar Figure 24 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Navigating with Windows Explorer Like My Computer, Windows Explorer also lets you easily navigate the resources on your computer New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Getting Help Windows XP Help Windows Help and Support Center window 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 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Getting Help Figure 27 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Getting Help Windows XP Help and Support window Organizes information into pages Home page Index page Favorites page History page Support page Options page Search box Used to search for keywords contained in Help pages New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

Shutting Down Windows XP Turn Off Computer command Located on the Start menu Turns off the computer Log Off command Logs off Windows XP but leaves the computer on Figure 29 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition