Exploring the Basics of Windows XP

Exploring the Basics of Windows XP
Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Exploring the Basics of Microsoft 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 Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

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 Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

The most popular and widely used operating system. The earlier version is Windows 2000 Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Starting Windows XP Windows XP Starts when computer is turned on Elements of the desktop Icon Pointer Desktop Date/Time control Taskbar Start button Notification area Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Starting Windows XP Figure 1-1 shows the Windows XP desktop

Starting Windows XP Windows XP desktop uses a graphical user interface Graphical user interface (GUI) Displays icons to represent items stored on the computer Icons: Pictures of familiar objects Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

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 Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Using a Pointing Device
Helps the user interact with objects on the computer screen Comes in many shapes and sizes Mouse Most common pointing device Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Pointing Pointing device Used to move the mouse pointer over objects on the desktop Pointing Positioning the pointer over a specific part of the screen Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Pointing ScreenTips (ToolTips) Appear when the mouse pointer is positioned over certain objects Display the purpose or function of the object Figure 1-3 shows a ScreenTip Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Clicking Clicking Pressing a mouse button and immediately releasing it Menu A list of options which can be used to perform tasks Submenus Start menu Appears when the Start button is clicked Provides access to programs, documents, etc. Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Clicking Figure 1-6 shows the Start menu

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 Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Selecting Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Viewing the contents of the Recycle Bin
Click the desktop, and then point to the Recycle Bin icon. After a few moments, a ScreenTip appears that describes the Recycle Bin Click the left mouse button twice quickly to double-click the Recycle Bin icon. The Recycle Bin opens Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Viewing the contents of the Recycle Bin

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 options directly related to the object Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Right-Clicking Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Exploring the Start menu

Shortcut keys You can save an incredible amount of time and mouse movement by using shortcut keys to activate your most frequently used tools or functions. Windows XP and almost all application software displays default shortcuts next to many menu items. In my application software, you can even set your own by playing with the Preferences or options dialog box. Try and remember some most frequently used shortcut keys. Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Short cut keys work even on systems with no mouse. It has therefore become conventional to use keyboard control characters for many functions, as this avoids you having to move your hand away from the keyboard to use the mouse for common functions, and then back again. Save you a lot of time! Hopefully you'll be hooked and wonder how you ever worked without using shortcuts! Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Different kinds of Shortcuts
Shortcut menu Shortcut keys Shortcut desktop icons Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Starting and Closing a Program
Starting a program A program must be started before it can be used To start a program Click the Start button Locate and click the program’s name in the submenus An open or running program A program which has been started Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Program button Appears on the taskbar for each open program Click to switch between open programs Close button Located in the upper-right corner of the program window Click to close the program Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Running Multiple Programs
Multitasking Ability to run multiple programs on Windows XP at the same time Allows the user to work on more than one project at a time The active program is the one you are currently using Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Switching Between Programs
Program buttons Located on the taskbar Offer the easiest way to switch between programs Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Closing Inactive Programs from the Taskbar
Options for closing a program Use the Close button on the title bar of the program window Use the shortcut menu associated with the program button on the taskbar Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Anatomy of a Window A window A rectangular area of the screen that may contain A program Text Graphics Data Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Anatomy of a Window Controls Located in a window Graphical or textual objects used for Manipulating the window Using the program Examples Menu bar Sizing buttons Status bar Title bar Toolbar Workspace Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Anatomy of a Window Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Manipulating a Window Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Moving a Window To drag an object Click an object and then hold down the mouse button while moving the mouse To move a window Drag the window by its title bar Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

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 Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Changing the Size of a Window

Using Program Menus Menus Organize a program’s features and available functions Menu bar Typically located at the top of the program window Shows the names of the menus Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

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 the user for more information about the desired action Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Selecting Options from a Menu

Using Toolbars Toolbars in the program window 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 Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Using List Boxes and Scroll Bars
Displays a list of available choices Usually includes Array buttons A scroll bar A scroll box Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Using List Boxes and Scroll Bars

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 Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Using Dialog Box Controls

Exploring Your Computer

Changing the View Change the view by selecting an option from the View menu on the menu bar Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Using Help Windows XP Help 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 Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Using Help Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Using 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 Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Shutting Down Windows XP
Turn Off Computer option Located on the Start menu Turns off the computer Log Off option Logs off Windows XP but leaves the computer on Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

A windows joke Libby walked into a store to buy curtains. She went up to the salesman and said, "I want those curtains in pink, the size of my computer screen. The salesman said, "Computers don't need curtains." Libby said, “Come on, they have windows!" Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows XP

Exploring the Basics of Windows XP

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Exploring the Basics of Windows XP"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Exploring the Basics of Windows XP

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Exploring the Basics of Windows XP"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback