Lesson 9: Looking at the Windows Desktop how to start and exit Windows what the Windows desktop is how to use the Start button how to use the Taskbar how

Lesson 9: Looking at the Windows Desktop

• how to start and exit Windows

• what the Windows desktop is

• how to use the Start button

• how to use the Taskbar

• how to manipulate windows

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What is the Windows Desktop?


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Desktop Icons

Mouse Pointer

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Windows Sidebar

Windows SidebarDesktop

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Start Button

Quick Launch Toolbar

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Taskbar

Notification Area

What is the Windows Desktop?


Desktop Icons Shortcut buttons that open frequently used programs, folders or files.

Desktop The work area where windows, icons, menus, and dialog boxes appear.

Windows Sidebar

Where mini-programs called gadgets display.

Start button Start programs, open documents, find items, get help, or log off and shut down computer.

Quick Launch Toolbar

Shortcuts that launch programs, open documents, or open folders.

Taskbar Contains Start button, taskbar notification area, and Quick Launch or other toolbars. Each open program or file displays as a button.

Taskbar Notification Area

Small icons may notify of a program status, or be another shortcut route to open programs.

Using the Start Button


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Recently Used Programs(dynamic items that change automatically based on programs used the most frequently)Useful System Folders

Search Box

Pinned Program Area (shown in a boldface)


• Primary means of starting programs, finding files, accessing online help, logging off the network, switching between users, or shutting down computer

• To activate Start button:– Click Start

– Press

– Press +

• Command with indicates submenu available

• To return to main Start menu, click Back

• Items with indicate submenu with more options

• Can select items on Start menu using mouse or keyboard




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Recently Used Programs(dynamic items that change automatically based on programs used most frequently)

Useful System Folders

Search Box

Pinned Program Area (shown in a boldface)

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Exiting the Computer Properly

• Extremely important to save files, close programs, and log off computer – Prevents unauthorized access to files or to company’s network

• Can shut down computer completely using Shut Down command

• Never turn off computer without closing files and software programs in correct manner– Protects software and data files from being corrupted or lost


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Lock

Power State

Shut Down Options

Exiting the Computer ProperlyPower State • Reduces power to computer without completely shutting it down

• When restart computer and logon, returns to where you left off

Lock • Hides desktop and shows logon screen

• To return, select your user account

Shut Down • Switch User: Switches to another account without logging out of current account

• Log Off: Closes all open items, logs out of current account, and returns to login screen

• Lock: Hides desktop behind login screen

• Restart: Closes all open items and restarts computer

• Sleep: Goes into state to consume less power without losing what’s on screen

• Hibernate: Only on notebooks; saves what’s on desktop and then shuts down computer to consume no power; when restart computer and log in, desktop returns to where you left it

• Shut Down: Closes all open items and shuts down computer


Exiting the Computer Properly• Always allow Windows to complete Shut Down or Restart process

properly– Reactivating before Windows has completed processes may cause files to

be corrupted and result in error message

• Power Options scheme and configuration may enable computer to go into Sleep or Standby mode– Monitor or hard disk turns off after set interval of time

– If power failure occurs while in this state, will lose any unsaved information

– To return to normal, move mouse or press key

– Use when you want to leave computer on but not using it for length of time

• Use Hibernation to close notebook and take it somewhere else


Restarting the Computer

• To display Task Manager:– Press + + , or + + ,

then click Start Task Manager

– Right-click taskbar and click Task Manager

• Use to switch programs, start program, check which programs running and status, or safely close program if problems occurring

• If Task Manager not responding or closing applications appropriately, will need to press keystrokes to restart computer

• To activate Start menu, use Restart from Shut Down


Using the Taskbar

• Notification Area displays time with access to startup programs

• Can move the taskbar or change the way it displays– Hover mouse pointer over blank area of taskbar and drag to any side of

screen

– Hover mouse pointer over and then drag to show more or less of taskbar

– To change size, hover mouse over edge of taskbar and drag to desired height

– To prevent changes or movement, right-click area of taskbar and click Lock the Taskbar

– To customize properties, right-click area to customize, or right-click Start button and click Properties


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Looking at a Typical Window


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Back/Forward Navigation Buttons

Title Bar

Address Bar

Command Bar

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Navigation Pane

Details Pane

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Looking at a Typical Window


Back / Forward Navigate between different views of files and folders.

Title Bar Displays name of feature or application program currently active.

Command Bar Contains commands to organize, view, or protect your data.

Address Bar Click folder name in trail to go to that folder, or click arrow to see items in same folder.

Search box Enter criteria to search for file or folder.

Control buttons closes window to button on taskbar, displays window full screen, restores to size before maximized, and closes window.

Favorite Links Displays commonly used folders or locations as links.

Navigation Pane

Displays list of folders and drives you can access to view contents.

Contents Pane Displays contents for selected folder or drive in Navigation pane.

Details Pane Displays properties or details for selected file or folder in Contents Pane.

Moving a Window

• Hover mouse pointer anywhere on title bar and drag to new location

• With keyboard, press + to activate control icon1. Press to select Move command and press

2. Use arrow keys to move window to new location and then press to exit action

• Can only move window that is not full screen


Sizing a Window

• Position mouse pointer anywhere on border to size and drag to desired size

• To size vertical and horizontal sides at same time, position mouse cursor on any corner of window, and then drag to desired size for window

• With keyboard, press + to activate control icon1. Press to select Size and press

2. Use arrow keys for side to size, pressing that key until window is size you want, and then press to exit action

– Need to repeat this for every side to size


Using Scroll Bars • If window too small to display all contents,

scroll bars appear on right side or at bottom– Arrow button at each end of scroll

bar, scroll box, and scroll area

– Scroll box provides approximate gauge of where information currently is in relation to entire contents

– Click lighter shaded area above or below scroll box to display previous or subsequent screen of information

– Click arrow at either end of vertical scroll bar once to display line of information in that direction

– Click arrow at either end of horizontal scroll bar once to display column of information in that direction

– Click and hold mouse button on arrow at either end of scroll bar to have screen scroll in that direction

– Drag scroll box to specific area in scroll area to move directly to that location


Scroll Box

Documents

Lesson 9: Looking at the Windows Desktop how to start and exit Windows what the Windows desktop is how to use the Start button how to use the Taskbar how