MICROSOFT WINDOWS
Windows is an operating system that controls the hardware and supports other types of
software’s. Windows uses graphical representation to work, that is why we call it graphical
user interface (GUI)
Examples of operating system includes
Ms Dos
Novell
Ms Windows
Unix
Linux
Versions) of Windows operating system
Windows 3.1
Windows 95
Window 98
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows XP
.
Tasks Performed by Windows
1. File organization-This includes copying files, deleting files, renaming files and
creating files and folders
2. Preparation of diskettes-Windows enables us to format our diskettes. By
formatting, we prepare tracks and sectors so that the diskette can be usable
3. Control of peripheral devices-Windows controls all the hardware attached to the
computer.
4. Change computer setting such as color schemes
5. Load any new program in to the computer
INTRODUCTION TO THE DESKTOP
Desktop – The
background screen display
of Windows
Icon – A pictorial
representation of an item
in the computer e.g.
applications, files, folders
and other parts of
operating system
Glossary of Icons:
1. My Documents
MY DOCUMENTS is the default storage folder for your files that you create. When you
save or open a file, Microsoft Windows initially opens the MY DOCUMENTS dialog box. At
this time you can navigate to where you want to save your file.
2. Computer /This Pc
MY COMPUTER displays information about your computer, such as the contents of your
computer drives and which printers you have installed. It also allows you to find, view
and organize files.
3. The Recycle Bin
Temporal storage for deleted files
4. Network –
Displays the available resources in the network
5. Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is used to browse site and Web pages on the internet.
COMMON WINDOWS ITEMS
The following are just some of the terms used to describe the Windows desktop you are likely to
run into. Most are indicated in the diagram below the list:
1. Folders are containers that can contain icons, programs, data or other folders (sub-
folders)
2. Cursor is the graphic pointer which indicates where the mouse is and what sort of action
it is performing
3. A dialog box is a graphical control element
that communicates information to the user
and prompts them for a response.
4. The List Box control enables you to display a
list of items to the user that the user can select
by clicking.
5. A check box is used to select or deselect action items.
6. A drop-down menu is a menu that offers a list of options
7. Graphical User Interface (GUI) A computer program that allows the user to work
with visual elements such as icons, buttons, and menu bars
8. The wallpaper/Theme is the image that appears behind the icons on your computers
desktop—that's why it's usually called a desktop background.
9. A screenshot is a photo of what is on your computer's screen. This is also known as
'Print screen' on a PC
10. A screensaver is a computer program that blanks the display screen or fills it with
moving images or patterns when the computer has been idle for a designated time.
11. Shortcuts allow you to create links to programs in any folder, Start bar, Taskbar,
desktop, or other locations on the computer.
12. Window-A rectangular section of the computer's display in a GUI (graphical user
interface) that shows the program currently being used.
Window menu layout
File: The File menu includes common file options such as New, Open Save, and Print.
Edit: The Edit menu contains commands such as Undo, Select All, Copy, and Paste.
View: The View menu typically includes zoom commands and options to show or hide
elements within the window.
Help: The Help Menu for tutorials or helpful information’s.
PARTS OF WINDOWS SCREEN AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
1. Title bar: - This is found at the top most part of the screen. It shows the Name of
the currentProgram in use.
2. Menu bar: - Contains commands to work with in windows.
3. Tool bar: - It’s a short cut to commands at the menu bar.
4. Restore/Maximize button: - This enlarges a window to occupy the whole screen.
Or restores it to original size.
5. Minimize: - This reduces a window to an icon size which can be seen on the task
bar.
6. Close Command:- Close a window after use (X)
7. Scroll bars-they are used to move the window up/down or left/right in order o view
the hidden parts of window
8. Work area-this is where you organize your work within a program.
9. Status bar-display information about the program e.g. page number, number of
words etc.
10. Taskbar-it is primarily used to switch between open windows and applications.
PART OF THE TASKBAR
1. Start button-it displays the programs and documents.
2. Task manager-it hold currently running applications
3. System tray-it contain programs that run in background such as anti-virus
FUNCTIONS OF THE TASK BAR.
Loading programs
Switching between programs.
Displaying date and time
Setting the date and time.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES (PRACTICAL APPROACH)
Determining your Windows version
Double click My Computer Icon
Click on the Help menu
Click About windows
Details of the Windows version are displayed.
Adjusting Date/Time
Right click on the date/time on the task bar
Click change date/ time
Do the required settings i.e. month, year, date, and time in hours, minutes and
seconds.
Click apply Click O.K
Creating folders
Right click on a blank area on the desktop
Point on New
Click Folder and type the folder name.
Press Enter
Creating a Subfolders
Double click to open a folder
Click on file menu and select New folder
Type subfolder name and press Enter
Dragging icons across the desktop
Point on a folder or file
Hold down the left mouse button and move
Release mouse button to drop
Creating a shortcuts
Right click a file or a folder
Click Create Shortcut
Viewing the contents of your diskette
Insert the diskette
Double click the drive icon
The contents of the floppy disk are displayed in a window.
Sizing a window by
Method 1. By dragging
i) Position the pointer on the window border
ii) The pointer turns into a resize handle
iii) Drag and release the mouse button
Method 2. Using keyboard
i) Click on the control box
ii) Select Size
iii) Use the arrow keys to size the window.
Moving a window Method 1. By dragging
i) Point on the title bar
ii) Drag to a different position
iii) Release the mouse button to drop the window
Method 2. By using the keyboard
i) Click on the control box
ii) Select the Move command
iii) Use arrow keys to move the window.
Using the paint program
i) Click on the start button
ii) Click the run command
iii) Type MSPAINT then click OK
iv) The Paint program opens
v) Select a tool on the tool box the drag to obtain the tool effects
vi) You can choose different colors from the color pallet
Saving an image/picture
i) Click on the File menu
ii) Select Save
iii) Chose a location to save the file e.g. Desktop, downloads, documents
iv) Type the file name the click the Save button.
OPENING AN IMAGE/PICTURE
i) Click on the File menu
ii) Select Open command
iii) Choose the location of the file
iv) Click on the file then click Open button. For further help on using the paint program
click on the help menu and use the help search to get information.
USING WORDPAD
a. Click on the Start button
b. Click on the Run command
c. Type WORDPAD then click ok
d. Type text in the typing area provided
e. Highlight text and apply preferred formatting
CHANGING THE DISPLAY SETTING CHANGING THE BACKGROUND
i) Right click on the desktop
ii) Click on Personalize command
iii) Click on the Theme tab
iv) Under the list of background pictures select a picture
v) Click OK to save the changes
SETTING A SCREEN SAVER
i) Right click on the desktop
ii) Click on Personalize command
iii) Click on the Screen saver tab
iv) In the screen savers list choose a screen saver e.g. 3D Text
v) Click on the settings button to make adjustments to the screen saver
vi) Set the Idle time then preview the screen saver
vii) Click OK to save the settings.
CHANGING THE KEYBOARD SETTINGS
i) Click on the Start button
ii) Click Control panel
iii) In the control panel window double click the Keyboard icon
iv) Make adjustments as follows;
a) To change the repeat delay, drag the slider.
b) To change the cursor blink rate, drag the slider.
c) To change the repeat rate, drag the slider.
d) To prevent the cursor from blinking, drag the slider to the left end of the bar.
e) v.) Click OK to save the changes.
HOW TO LOCK AND UNLOCK TASKBAR
Right click on the taskbar
Click on the lock taskbar
N/b. the checkmark indicates the taskbar is locked
HOW TO ARRANGE DESKTOP ICONS
Right click on the empty desktop
Point on view and select on either small, medium or large
How to hide or show desktop icons
Right click on the empty desktop
Point on view and click on show desktop icons
N/b the checkmark indicates the desktop icons are visible
RENAMING FOLDER, SUB- FOLDERS AND FILES
Renaming means changing file name
Right click on the folder or subfolder
Choose rename from the pop up window that appears
Type the new name and press enter key to confirm renaming.
COPYING AND MOVING FILES AND FOLDERS
Copy command is used to create duplicate of file or folders while cut command is used to
move an item to another location
COPYING FOLDER /FILES TO ANOTHER FOLDER
Right click on the file/folder you want to copy
Select copy
Open another folder in which is to be copied to
Right click then select paste
MOVING FOLDER /FILES TO ANOTHER FOLDER
Right click on the file/folder you want to move(out)
Select cut
Open another folder in which is to be Moved to
Right click then select paste
DELETING FOLDER, SUB- FOLDERS AND FILES
Deleting is removing a file or a folder from computer storage.
Right click on the folder or subfolder
Choose delete from the pop up window that appears
Confirm deleting by clicking yes/o.k. / pressing enter key.
NOTE: all delete files and folders are stored temporary in the recycle bin icon
found on the desktop.
Restoring files from recycle bin
Open the recycle bin
Right click on the file /folder to be restored
Click restore
