Windows 95 Overview

Benefits and Key Definitions

What is Windows?

• Windows is an Operating System– It is a computer program

• You can think of it as the Core Program of your computer.

– All other Programs talk to Windows so they can be RUN on your computer.

– It is not MSWord or MSExcell• These are other programs also created by

Microsoft which interact with Windows in order to RUN on you computer.

What is the Benefit of Windows?

• Windows allows for Multi-tasking– Before Windows, only one program could be

RUN on a computer at a time.– The Operating System manages multiple

programs by creating “Windows” for each• Hence the name!

• Window Management– Windows can be Minimized, Maximized,

Restored, Moved, and Re-sized to assist users in managing multiple programs.

Window Management

• Some Key definitions critical to understanding Window Management:– Desktop– ICON– Start Menu– Programs Menu– Task Bar

Desktop

• The Desktop is the screen you see when you launch Windows– This usually

happens automatically when you turn on your computer or log-in to the Network.

ICON

• An ICON is a Picture which represents a Program or a Feature within Windows– Different Programs

have different ICONs

– Different Features also have different ICONs

Start Menu

• The Start Menu is one way to navigate through your Programs and Features.– The Start Menu is

opened by pointing and clicking on the Start Button.

Programs Menu

• The Programs Menu is one way to launch Programs from you Desktop.– In this example,

Internet Explorer is about to be opened.

Task Bar

• The Task Bar contains the Start Button and defaults at the bottom of the Desktop.– You can click the

task bar buttons to switch between running Programs

Window Management

• You can switch between Programs easily by Minimizing and Maximizing Windows.

Minimizing: Reduces a Window to the Task Bar.Maximizing: Enlarges a Window to its largest size.

Minimizing a Window

• Minimizing– Reduces a Window

to the Task Bar– Click the Minimize

button, a dash at the right of the Title Bar

– Or – press ALT+SPACEBAR then press n

Maximizing Windows

• Maximizing– Enlarges a Window

to its largest size– Click the Maximize

button, an X at the right of the title bar

– Or, press ALT+SPACEBAR and then press X

Window Management

• Users can also manage multiple programs by Restoring, Moving, and Re-sizing separate Windows– Restoring:

• Opens a Window to a medium size on the screen

– Moving:• Restored Windows can be moved to different

spots on the screen

– Re-sizing:• Restored Windows can be made smaller or larger

Reviewing Windows Overview

• What is a Desktop?• What is an ICON?• What is the Start Menu?• What is the Program Menu?• What is the Task Bar?

Reviewing Windows Overview

• How do you Minimize a Window?• How do you Maximize a Window?• How do you Restore a Window?• What two actions can you do with

a Restored Window?

Questions?

Thank You!