Windows Xp

What is Windows xp?

Windows xp is an operating system control the functions performed by a computer. For example, the operating system on your computer controls the input from the keyboard and mouse to your computer, the opening and closing of programs, the transfer of information to a printer, the organization of the files on your computer, and the screen display. To function, every computer must have an operating system.
Example: Dos, Windows 95 , Windows 98, Windows xp, Unix, etc.
What is a desktop?
When you start your computer, the first thing you see is the desktop. The desktop is your work area.

Taskbar :
By default, the taskbar is located on the bottom edge of the desktop. You can click the taskbar and drag it to other locations. The Start button, active program buttons, icons for quick access to programs, and the current time are located on the taskbar.

My Computer:
The My Computer icon provides access to the resources on your computer. You can access your drives and other peripherals by clicking on the My Computer icon.

Internet Explorer :
The Internet Explorer icon launches the Internet Explorer browser.

The Recycle Bin:
When you delete an object, Windows XP sends it to the Recycle Bin. You can restore objects that are located in the Recycle Bin or you can permanently delete them.

Shortcut icon:
Icons with an arrow in the lower left corner are shortcut icons. Click the icon for quick access to the object they represent (program, document, printer, and so on).

Program, folder, and document icons:
Program, folder, and document icons do not have an arrow in the lower left corner. They represent the actual object and provide direct access to the object.

What is wallpaper?
Wallpaper is the background that displays on your desktop.

How do I change my wallpaper?
To change your wallpaper:
Right-click your desktop.
Highlight Properties.
Click the Desktop tab.
Select the wallpaper you want from the list that appears in the Background box.
Note: If you would like to display an image you created, you can click Browse to find the image.
Select how you want your image to appear on the screen. Choose from the following:

Center :- Place the image in the center of the screen.
Tile :- Have the image display as tiles across and down the screen.
Stretch:- Stretch the image so the image covers the entire screen.

What is a screen saver?
Computer monitors display images by firing electron beams at a phosphor-coated screen. If the same image stays on the screen too long, there is a danger that the image will leave a permanent imprint on the screen. Screen savers help prevent this by providing a constantly changing image.

How do I select a screen saver?
To select a screen saver:
Right-click anywhere on the Windows desktop. A context menu will appear.
Choose Properties. The Display Properties dialog box will appear.
Click the Screen Saver tab.
The Screen Saver field provides the list of available screen savers. Select the screen saver you want from the list.
Click Preview to preview your screen saver.
Click Esc to return to the Display Properties dialog box.
In the Wait field, set the number of minutes of inactivity before the screen saver starts.
Click OK.

How do I shut down my computer?
To shut down your computer:
Click the Start button.

The Start menu will appear.
Click Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box will appear.
Click the Turn Off icon. Your computer will shut down.

How do I restart my computer?
You may need to shut down and restart your computer after installing a new program or if your system becomes unstable. To shut down and immediately restart your computer:
Click the Start button. The Start menu will appear.
Click Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box will appear.
Click the Restart icon. Your computer will restart.

What is Standby mode?
When your computer is in the Standby mode, your computer consumes less electricity, but is ready for immediate use. However, if the computer loses electrical power while in the standby mode, any information you have not saved will be lost.

How do I put my computer in Standby mode?
To put your computer in Standby mode:
Click the Start button. The Start menu will appear.
Click Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box will appear.
Click the Stand By icon.

How do I start a program?
To start a program:
Click the Start button, located in the lower left corner of your screen.
Highlight Programs. The Program menu will appear.
Move to the Program menu and highlight the program you want to start. If you see a right pointer next to your selection, a submenu will appear. Refine your choice by highlighting the appropriate selection on the submenu. Continue until you get to the final submenu.`
Click the program name to start the program.
Note: A chevron at the bottom of the list of options means that there are additional options. To view the additional options, click the chevron.

What is Windows Explorer?
Windows Explorer is a place where you can view the drives on your computer and manipulate the folders and files. Using Windows Explorer, you can cut, copy, paste, rename, and delete folders and files.

How do I Open Windows Explorer?
To open Windows Explorer:
Click the Start button, located in the lower left corner of your screen.
Highlight programs.
Highlight Accessories.
Click Windows Explorer.

What are drives?
Drives are used to store data. Almost all computers come with at least two drives: a hard drive (which is used to store large volumes of data) and a CD drive(which stores smaller volumes of data that can be easily transported from one computer to another). The hard drive is typically designated the C:\ drive and the CD drive is typically designated the D:\ drive. If you have an additional floopy drive, it is typically designated the A:\ drive. If your hard drive is partitioned or if you have additional drives, the letters E:\, F:\, G:\ and so on are assigned.

What are folders?
Folders are used to organize the data stored on your drives. The files that make up a program are stored together in their own set of folders. You will want to organize the files you create in folders. You will want to store files of a like kind in a single folder.

How does Windows XP organize files and folders on drives?
Windows XP organizes folders and files in a hierarchical system. The drive is the highest level of the hierarchy. You can put all of your files on the drive without creating any folders, but that is like putting all of your papers in a file cabinet without organizing them into folders. It works fine if you have only a few files, but as the number of files increases, there comes a point at which things become very difficult to find. So you create folders and put related material together in folders.
A diagram of a typical drive and how it is organized is shown here.

At the highest level, you have some folders and perhaps some files. You can open any of the folders and put additional files and folders into them. This creates a hierarchy.
When you open Windows Explorer, the screen shown here will appear.

Windows XP separates the window into two panes. If you click an object in the left pane, the contents of the object display in the right pane. Click Desktop and the contents of the Desktop folder display on the right. Click My Computer and your computer resources display on the right. To see the contents of a drive, click the drive. To see the contents of a folder, click the icon for the folder in the left pane.

How do I create a new folder when in Windows Explorer?
To create a new folder:
In the left pane, click the drive or folder in which you want to create the new folder.
Click any free area in the right pane. A context menu will appear.
Highlight New.
Click Folder.
Type a name for the folder.

Windows Explorer views?
Views control how Windows Explorer displays information in the right pane. Windows Explorer provides you with the following choices: Thumbnails, Tiles, Icons, List, and Details.

Thumbnails view displays images. These images represent the contents of folders and files. For example, if a folder contains pictures, up to four of the pictures in the folder will be displayed on the folder icon.

Tiles view and Icons view display icons to represent drives, folders, and the contents of folders. The icons displayed when you choose Tiles view are larger than the icons that display when you choose Icon view.

List view displays all of the files and folders without supplying the size, type, or date modified.

Details view displays the size, type, and date modified.

To change the view:
Right-click any free area in the right pane. A context menu will appear.
Highlight View.
Select the view you want from the drop-down menu.

How do I delete a file or folder?
To delete a file or folder:
Right-click the file or folder you want to delete. A context menu will appear.
Click Delete. Windows Explorer will ask, "Are sure you want to send this object to the recycle bin?"
Click Yes.

How do I copy a file or folder?
To copy a file or folder:
Right-click the file or folder you want to copy. A context menu will appear.
Click Copy. The file or folder should now be on the Clipboard.

How do I cut a file or folder?
To cut a file or folder:
Right-click the file or folder you want to cut. A context menu will appear.
Click Cut. The file or folder should now be on the Clipboard.
Note: Cutting differs from deleting. When you cut a file, the file is placed on the Clipboard. When you delete a file, the file is sent to the Recycle Bin.

How do I paste a file or folder?
To paste a file or folder:
After cutting or copying the file, right-click the object or right-click in the right pane of the folder to which you want to paste. A context menu will appear.
Click Paste.

How do I rename a file or folder?
To rename a file or folder:
Right-click the file or folder. A context menu will appear.
Click Rename.
Type the new name.

What is a window?
A window is an area on your desktop within which all Windows-based programs run.

Control Box
The control box provides a menu that enables you to restore, move, size, minimize, maximize, or close a window.

Border
The border separates the window from the desktop. You resize the window by dragging its borders outward to expand it and inward to contract it.

Title bar
The title bar displays the name of the current file and the name of the current program.

Minimaze button
Use the Minimize button to temporarily decrease the size of a window or remove a window from view. While a window is minimized, its title appears on the taskbar.

Maximize button
Click the Maximize button and the window will fill the screen.

Restore button
After you maximize a window, if you click the Restore button, the window will return to its former size.

Close button
Click the Close button to exit the window and close the program.

Menu bar
The menu bar displays the program menu. You send commands to the program by using the menu.

Toolbars
Toolbars generally display right below the menu, but you can drag them and display them along any of the window borders. You use the icons on the toolbars to send commands to the program.

Work area
The work area is located in the center of the window. You perform most of your work in the work area.

Status bar
The status bar provides you with information about the status of your program.

How do I move a window around on my desktop?
To move a window around on your desktop, left-click the window�s title bar and drag the window.

What does it mean to "cascade your windows"?
Cascading your windows is a way of organizing your windows on your desktop. Cascading windows fan out across your desktop with the title bar of each window showing.

How do I cascade my windows?
To cascade your windows:
Right-click the taskbar. A menu will appear.
Click Cascade Windows.

What does it mean to "tile your windows"?
Tiling your windows is a way of organizing your windows onscreen. When you tile your windows, Windows XP places each window on the desktop in such a way that no window overlaps any other window. You can tile your windows horizontally or vertically.

How do I tile my windows?
To tile your windows:
Right-click the taskbar. A menu will appear.
Click Tile Windows Horizontally or Tile Windows Vertically, whichever you prefer.

What are scrollbars?
In many programs, if the contents of the work area do not fit in the window, scrollbars will appear. A vertical scrollbar will appear at the right side of the window and a horizontal scrollbar at the bottom of the window, depending on the fit. The vertical scrollbar provides a way to move up and down. The horizontal scrollbar provides a way to move from left to right.
The scroll box indicates where you are in your document. If the scroll box is at the top of the scrollbar, you are at the top of the document. If the scroll box is in the center of the scrollbar, you are in the center of the document.

How do the scrollbars work?
To move up and down one line at a time:
Click the arrow at either end of the vertical scrollbar.
To move from side to side one character at a time:
Click the arrow at either end of the horizontal scrollbar.
To move approximately one window at a time:
Click above the scroll box to move up.
Click below the scroll box to move down.
To scroll continuously:
Click the appropriate arrow and hold down the mouse button.
To move to a specific location:
Left-click the scrollbar and hold down the left mouse button until you arrive at the location. For example, if you want to go to the center of the document, click the center of the scrollbar and hold down the left mouse button.
Or, drag the scroll box until you arrive at the desired location.

What is an icon?
An icon is a graphic image. Icons help you execute commands quickly. Commands tell the computer what you want the computer to do. To execute a command by using an icon, click the icon.

What is a menu?
Menus provide a way for you to send commands to the computer (tell the computer what you want the computer to do). When you open a window, menu options are listed from left to right just below the title bar on the menu bar. When you click a menu item, a drop-down menu appears. Select the command you want to execute from the drop-down menu. An ellipsis after a drop-down menu item signifies that there are additional options; if you select that option, a dialog box will appear.

What is a shortcut key?
You can use shortcut keys to execute a command quickly by pressing key combinations instead of selecting the commands directly from the menu or clicking on an icon. When you look at a menu, you will notice that most of the options have one letter underlined. You can select a menu option by holding down the Alt key and pressing the underlined letter. You can also make Alt-key selections from drop-down menus and dialog boxes.
In this tutorial and on this Web site, we use the following notation: a key name followed by a dash and a letter means to hold down the key while pressing the letter. For example, "Alt-f" means to hold down the Alt key while pressing "f" (this will open the File menu in many programs). As another example, holding down the Ctrl key while pressing "b" (Ctrl-b) will bold selected text in many programs. In some programs, you can assign your own shortcut keys.

What is a selection?
A selection is a highlighted area on which you can perform a command. For example, if you are using a word processing program, you can highlight a word and then execute the Underline command to underline the highlighted word.

How do I make a selection?
To make a selection:
Left-click where you want to start your selection.
Hold down your left mouse button and drag the mouse until you have highlighted the area you want.
Or
Left-click where you want to start your selection.
Hold down the Shift key while you use the arrow keys to highlight the area that you want.
Note: Typing over highlighted text replaces the old text with the new text you type.

Explain cut, copy, and paste:-

The Cut, Copy, and Paste commands are nearly universal. These three functions are used by almost every Windows program and perform more or less the same function in each of them. You can cut, copy, and paste programs, disks, and text, to name just a few things.

Cut: When you cut something, it is deleted from its current location and saved to the Clipboard. Information saved to the Clipboard stays there until new information is either cut or copied. Each time you execute Cut or Copy, you replace the old information on the Clipboard with whatever you just cut or copied. You can paste the same Clipboard information as often as you like.

Copy: Copy is similar to Cut except the original item is not deleted. When you copy something, a copy of the item is saved to the Clipboard. Information stored on the Clipboard stays there until new information is either cut or copied. Each time you execute Cut or Copy, you replace the old information on the Clipboard with whatever you just cut or copied. You can paste Clipboard information as often as you like, until you replace it with something else.

Paste: You can place information on the Clipboard wherever you like. Execute the Paste command and information you have cut or copied is placed wherever your cursor is located.

Clipboard: The Clipboard is the storage area for items that have been cut or copied. Each time you execute Cut or Copy, you replace the old information on the Clipboard with whatever you just cut or copied. You can paste Clipboard information as often as you like, until you replace it with something else.
There are three major methods of cutting, copying, and pasting. The three methods are using the menu, using keyboard shortcuts, and using icons. We will review all of them. In most programs, they will work exactly as described here.

Using the Menu:
Cut
Select what you want to cut.
Click Edit, which is located on the menu bar. A drop-down menu will appear.
Click Cut.

Paste
Place the cursor at the point where you want to place the information that is currently on the Clipboard.
Click Edit. A drop-down menu will appear.
Click Paste.

Copy
Select what you want to copy.
Click Edit, which is located on the menu bar. A drop-down menu will appear.
Click Copy.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts:
Cut
Select what you want to cut.
Press Ctrl-x.

Paste
Place the cursor at the point where you want to place the information that is currently on the Clipboard.
Press Ctrl-v.

Copy
Select what you want to copy.
Press Ctrl-c.

Are there any universals that apply to almost all programs?
Yes, there are and I list a few of them here. I use the following convention to indicate a menu path: View > Toolbars. When you see View > Toolbars, it means choose View from the menu bar and select Toolbars from the drop-down menu. The following list applies to many, but not all programs. Check each program's documentation for information specific to the program.

Shortcut Key ---> Menu Path----> Command Description
Ctrl-n ---------> File > New ----> Create a new file.
Ctrl-o ----------> File > Open ---> Open an existing file.
Ctrl-s ----------> File > Save ----> Save the current file.
Ctrl-p ----------> File > Print ---> Print the current file.
Ctrl-f ----------> Edit > Find ----> Find text in the current document.
Ctrl-x ---------> Edit > Cut -----> Cut the current selection.
Ctrl-v ---------> Edit > Paste ----> Place the material currently on the Clipboard in the file at the current location.
Ctrl-c ---------> Edit > Copy------> Copy the current selection to the Clipboard.
Ctrl-z ---------> Edit > Undo ------> Reverse the most recent command. Place the program in the state it was in before executing the last command.
Ctrl-y --------> Edit > Redo ------> Reverse the last undo. Place the program in the state it was in before executing Undo.
Ctrl-b --------> Format > Font -----> Bold the current selection.
Ctrl-i ---------> Format > Font ------> Italicize the current selection.
Ctrl-u---------> Format > Font ------>Underline the current selection.
Ctrl-l -------------------------------->Left-align the selection.
Ctrl-r ------------------------------- >Right-align the selection.
Ctrl-e -------------------------------->Center the selection.
Ctrl-j ---------------------------------> Justify the selection.

How to save a file?
To save a file:

Click File, which is located on the menu bar. A drop-down menu will appear.
Click Save. A dialog box similar to the one shown here will appear.

Save In field:-Click to open the menu-box and select the drive and folder to which you want to save the file.

Up One Level icon :- Click this icon to move up one level in the folder hierarchy.

View Desktop icon :- Click this icon to move to the Desktop folder.

Create a New Folder icon :-Use the Create a New Folder icon to create a new folder:

Click the Create New Folder icon :-Type the folder name and press Enter.
Click the folder you just created to open the folder.

List icon :- Your program displays files and folders in the center of the dialog box. To have the files display without the size, type, and date modified, click the List icon.

Detail icon :- Your program displays files and folders in the center of the dialog box. To have the files display with the size, type, and date modified, click the Detail icon.

File/Folder box :-Your program displays files and folders in File/Folder box. Click a folder to open the folder. Click a file if you want the current file to write over (replace) that file.

File Name field :-Enter the name you want your file to have in this field.

Save As Type field :-Click to open the drop-down box and select a file type.

Save button :-Click the Save button to save your file.

Cancel button :- Click the Cancel button if you have changed your mind and do not wish to save your file.

What is a dialog box?
Whenever you see an ellipsis (�) after a menu option, selecting that option causes a dialog box to appear. You use dialog boxes to send commands to the computer. Most dialog boxes provide an OK button and a Cancel button. Press the OK button if you are satisfied with your entries and you want to send the commands to the computer. Press the Cancel button if you have changed your mind and do not want to send the commands to the computer.

What are tabs?
Some programs provide dialog boxes with several pages of options. You move to a page by clicking on the tab or by using Ctrl-Tab (hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the Tab key to flip through the pages).

What are fields?
You type entries into fields (also referred to as text boxes). For example, in the Save As dialog box, you type the name you want the file to have in the File Name field.

What are list boxes?
List boxes enable you to make a choice from a list of options. To make your selection, simply click the option you want. In some list boxes, you can choose more than one item. To choose more than one item, hold down the Ctrl key while you make your selections. If there are more options than can be displayed in the box, a scrollbar appears on the list box. Use the scrollbar to view the additional choices.

What is a drop-down or pull-down menu?
Fields with a drop-down menu have a small downward-pointing arrow next to them. You click the arrow and a list of options appears. You select the option you want from the list. You can also open the drop-down menu by holding down the Alt key and pressing the down arrow.
You can use the arrow keys to move up and down in a drop-down menu. You can also move to an item by typing the first few letters of the option.

What are radio buttons?
Windows XP and programs that run under Windows XP use radio buttons to present a list of mutually exclusive options. You can select only one of the options presented. Radio buttons are usually round. A dot in the middle indicates that the option is selected.

What are checkboxes?
Check boxes are another method used to select options. You click the checkbox to select the item. An X or a checkmark appears in a selected box. You toggle checkboxes on and off by clicking in the box.

What is a slider?
You use a slider to increase or decrease a value. You increase a value by moving the slider from left to right; you decrease a value by moving the slider from right to left.

What is a spinner?
A spinner is a set of arrows located on the side of a text box. You use the up arrow to increment a value and the down arrow to decrement a value. You can also type the value you want directly into the text box.

How do I change the date and/or time?
To change the date and/or time:
Click the Start button, which is located in the lower left corner of the screen. The Start menu will appear.
Highlight Settings. A submenu will appear.
Click Control Panel. The Control Panel will open.
Click Date/Time. The Date/Time Properties dialog box will appear.
In the Date frame, select the month and year.
In the Month field, click to open the drop-down menu and select the current month.
Type the year in the Year field or use the arrows next to the field to move forward or backward until you get to the current year.
The Time field is divided into four segments: hour, minutes, seconds, and AM and PM. To make an adjustment:
Click in the segment and either type in the correct information or use the arrow keys on the right side to select the correct hour, minute, second or AM or PM.
Time Zone:
Click the Time Zone tab.
Choose the correct time zone from the drop-down menu.
If you want the clock to automatically adjust to daylight saving time, check the box on the screen.
Click the Apply button.
Click OK.