Pcl3e.ch.05

Chapter 5Getting Started with Windows 7

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What’s inside and on the CD?

• In this chapter, you will learn:– How to Start Windows 7– What’s on the desktop– How to use the Windows taskbar– How to arrange icons and windows on your desktop– How to use the Start Menu and Search box– About Windows Controls– How to find your Windows version– About Windows updates– How to access Windows 7 Help– How to shut down Windows 7

Practical Computer Literacy, 3rd Edition

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How do I start Windows 7?

• To start Windows 7, turn your computer on and Windows starts automatically– Might be in power saving mode

• Login screen displays icon that provides access to adapt computer to special needs users

• You may have to enter a user name and password– Allows you to view, change, and delete files– Allows access to network resources such as shared

files and printers• When Windows 7 desktop appears, your computer is

ready to use


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How do I start Windows 7?


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What’s on the Windows 7 desktop?

• Windows 7 desktop is gateway to all tasks performed with PC– Screen seen when boot process is complete– Remains in background as you use other software– Use controls on Windows desktop to:

• Start a program• Access information about your computer

hardware


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What’s on the Windows 7 desktop?


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What’s on the Windows 7 desktop?• Desktop contains small graphics called icons

– Each icon represents a program, hardware device, folder, or document

– Double-clicking icon gives access to component it represents

• A shortcut icon provides alternative access to programs and documents

• Desktop provides work area where programs and files appear in “windows”

• The pointer is used to select and manipulate on-screen objects

• The taskbar contains controls to help launch programs, switch between windows, and access system settings

• Gadgets are customizable mini-applications that perform various tasks (weather, performance, market data)


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How do I use the taskbar?

• Taskbar is divided into several areas– Start button provides access to:

• Programs• Documents• System settings• Help

– Program buttons show what’s open on desktop– Notification area:

• Displays time• Contains shortcuts to programs, and utilities


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• To find out what the taskbar does, point to it and wait. ScreenTip appears with icons title

• Program buttons on taskbar represent open, or “running”, programs

• Computer keeps track of time and date– Clock used when files are created or modified– Always displayed in taskbar notification area– To see date, point to time and wait a second– Automatically keeps track of daylight savings– Right click to adjust when changing time zones


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• Taskbar’s Volume icon lets you adjust sound level• Show Desktop button will temporarily hide all open

windows, click again to reopen• On some computers, taskbar is set to disappear

when not in use. To reveal, pass mouse pointer off bottom edge of screen

• To customize, right-click and select Properties from the shortcut menu


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How do I arrange icons and windows on the desktop?

• To create new icon on desktop:– Right-click any empty area on desktop– Select New– Select icon type from list– Assign name

• To delete icon, right-click, then click delete• To arrange icons

– Right-click anywhere– Select Sort By


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• Also arrange icons by dragging to the new location– Right-click anywhere on desktop– Choose View– Make sure Auto Arrange and Align to Grid not

checked– Drag icon to any desktop location

• To move file into folder or storage device, simply drag it to folder or storage device


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• To rename icon, right-click icon and select Rename• To display icon properties, right-click icon and select

Properties


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How do I use the Start menu and Search box?

• Start Menu appears when Start button clicked– Handy collection of controls for

• Starting programs• Searching for files• Getting help• Adjusting system settings• Shutting down your computer

– Search Box helps you quickly find files and programs• All programs option lists software on your computer


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How do I use the Start menu?

– Top-left area is Pinned items list• Use to show favorite programs

– Lower-left area contains programs used most recently (added automatically)

– Right side provides options for:• Viewing files in your personal folders• Accessing your account settings• Adjusting system settings• Getting help• Shutting down your computer

– Hover mouse pointer over any program to see Jump ListPractical Computer Literacy, 3rd Edition

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How do I use the Start menu?


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What do I need to know about basic Windows controls?

– User Interface is a combination of hardware and software • Helps people and computers communicate• Hardware

– Display device– Mouse – Keyboard

• Software– Command buttons and split buttons– Checkboxes and option buttons– Sliders, lists, and menus


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What do I need to know about basic Windows controls?


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Which version of Windows 7 do I have?

• Helpful to know when troubleshooting hardware and software problems.

• Windows 7 available in several editions– Starter, Home Premium, Professional, and

Ultimate• All except Starter available in 32 or 64 bit

versions• To discover which version you have:

– Enter “System” in Start Menu Search box– Click the System option listed under Control Panel


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Which version of Windows 7 do I have?


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What Should I Know about Windows updates?

• Windows 7 has three categories – Important, Recommended, and Optional– Important offer security, reliability, and privacy benefits

• Installed automatically– Recommended pertain to non-essential problems and

enhancements• Installed automatically

– Optional include updated drivers and Microsoft applications

• Manual install– Type “Update” in search box to check status


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What should I know about Windows updates?


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How do I access Windows 7 Help?

• To access information about Windows features, look for Help and Support option on Start menu

• Help and Support Center is gateway to Windows manuals, FAQs, and troubleshooting wizards

• If Help and Support Center does not help, use search engine to hunt for user groups or articles

• Consider asking local experts• Help is a two-way street


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How do I access Windows 7 Help?


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How do I shut down Windows 7?

• Start menu provides several options:– Shut down option ensures work saved– Log Off option or Switch user option where

multiple users have access to computer– Sleep option puts computer in low power state– Hibernate option saves record of programs and

files, and restores when restarted– Restart option powers computer down and

reboots it


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How do I shut down Windows 7?
