How do I do things in Windows??


Start up or shut down windows

To start up windows, on an IBM computer, simply type "win" at the C: prompt.
So this will look like this:
 C:> win 

To shut down windows, either go to the Title bar icon and double click, or single click and move down the menu to the choice that says "close".





Using pull down menus

Near the top of the screen is the Menu Bar, with a number of menu choices. By moving the mouse pointer on top of one of the items, and by holding down the left mouse button, a pop-up menu will appear. You can select a menu item by keeping the left button down (dragging) and moving your mouse pointer down to the selection that you want. In releasing the button, you select this option. The options to save your work or exit are almost always under a "File" menu.


Maximize, minimize or restore windows

When there is an arrow pointing up in the upper right hand corner of the window, clicking on it will maximize your window to fill the whole screen. If there is a double headed arrow (stating your window is maximized already), clicking on it will return the window to it's original size.

Clicking on the minimize button will "stuff" the window into a little icon, generally located somewhere along the bottom of the screen. No works is lost when this is done, so the window can be "re-opened" again by double-clicking on the icon.



Moving and resizing

You can move the window around by moving the mouse arrow to the title bar, holding down the left mouse button, and using the mouse to move the window to where you want it (a process called "dragging").

The outside edge of a window has a very small border. By moving your mouse pointer onto this border, the pointer will change shape. Where on the border you move will indicate what shape it will have, with different shapes being on the sides, top and bottom, and corners. When your pointer is this shape, you can hold down your mouse button and drag it to a new location. This movement will change the size of your window.



Using scroll bars

Often there is too much material in a window to display all at once. If this is the case, there may be a scroll bar on the right hand side of the window, or another one along the bottom. The box in the scroll bar indicates where in the display you are. You can use the mouse to drag the box up or down, or left or right, OR you may click on the arrows to move the box more slowly.


Starting multiple applications and toggling

Every icon (little picture) represents a program on the computer. Double-clicking on an icon activates the associated program. Now, using the magic key combination alt-tab you can "switch" which application is on top. Tapping this combination once will bring you back to the program manager, the main windows screen. You are then able to double-click on any other icon and bring up another application. By holding down the alt key and "tapping" the tab key, you can switch between any number of applications. Sometimes this is nice if you want to work on a couple programs at once without opening and closing them every time. Practice this!



Using file manager

File Manager is a name of a program within windows. It is usually located within the Applications window. By double clicking on this, you open up File Manager. Once it opens, you will notice that there are 3 sections of the screen. Across the top is the usual title bar, min/max, menu bar type of arrangement, with a little bit extra. On the right is a list of different folders and files, and on the left, is a different list. The list on the left shows the folders and files arranged in a tree while the list on the right has the folders and files just arranged alphabetically.

Now, time for terminology...

Files
These are the different "parts" of the program. They contain code or data to make things run.
Folders
Just like in the real world, folders are a way to "hold" different things together. A folder may contain a number of different files, other folders, or both.
Drive
A drive is much like a file cabinet. It contains ALL of the different files and folders located on it. One drive is the hard drive, (the C drive) which is what you think of as the memory of your computer. Another one may be a disk that you insert (the A or B drive).

Files or folders can be moved to different areas simply by clicking on the to select them, and then dragging them to a new location. The computers in Lind Hall are "sanitized for your protection" and won't allow you to do this, but feel free to pretend. More information on moving files is included in the next section.

Close out of File Manager the way you would out of any other application. Either double-click on the title bar icon, or go to the file menu, and drag down to the exit command.



Changing, creating and deleting directories

To change a directory, double click on the folder you want to be in, on either the left or the right side. If you wish to move to a whole other drive, click on the image of the drive near the top of the screen.

In order to create a directory, go to the "File" menu and drag to the choice "Create Directory" This will put a new directory within whatever folder you had last selected.

To delete a directory, or a file, select that file and press the delete key. CAUTION only practice this on directories that you have created yourself. By deleting other directories, you have a good chance of damaging the computer. Once you have pressed the delete key, the computer will ask you one last time if you are SURE that you want to delete it. Click on the word "Yes" to accept.



Moving and copying files

After selecting a file, you may drag it to a new location by placing it on a folder you wish to put it in. This is the concept of moving a file. To copy it, hold down the control (CTRL) key at the same time. A small little plus will appear next to the file as you move it. By placing it on the folder you wish to copy it to, a copy of it will be created and placed in that folder.

Multiple files can be moved or copied at the same time. Click on the first file you wish to move or copy, then, holding down your shift key, click on the other files. Once all of the files you wish to move or copy are selected, perform the normal move or copy directions on any of the selected files.



Formatting disks

For a disk to be able to save information, it must first be formatted. This allows the computer to understand where things will be located on your disk. To do this, slide your disk into the slot with the arrow on the disk facing up, and pointing towards the computer. Once your disk is in, the computer will ask you if you would like it formatted (if it hasn't already been formatted). Click "yes". CAUTION: formatting a disk removes all information currently on it. Only format a disk where you do not want anything that might already be there.

Another way to format a disk is by going into the "File" menu in file manager, and choosing the command "Format Disk".

The computer will then go about formatting your disk. A green light will go on by the disk drive, the disk will spin around, and you may see a message on your computer that tells you what percent of the disk has been formatted. When the formatting is complete, your disk is ready to use!



Congratulations on learning the various tasks that can be completed in windows.

If you'd like to test yourself on the skills. Click Here
To return to the windows page Click Here.