a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link].
Salah Mahdi
Windows: User Interface
While working with a computer, we use a set of items on screen called "user interface". In
simple terms, it acts as an interface between user and software application or program. It
accepts inputs from input devices like keyboard, mouse and displays output to computer
monitor.
Task Bar
Task bar appears at bottom of the Windows desktop.
It is used to launch and manage programs.
It also shows icons of currently running programs.
Components of task bar
A task bar consists of following three components
Start menu
Quick launch bar
Notification area
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
Start Menu
Start menu contains shortcuts for launching programs and opening folders on
computer.
Quick Launch Bar
It is a special section at left end of task bar where we can add icons to quickly start
programs.
Notification Area
Notification area displays icons for system and program features. It also displays
system volume and a clock.
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
Icons
A small pictogram displayed on the desktop is called an "icon". It represents links to
the resources on PC or network. Icons actually are tiny graphical symbols that represent
programs, files, folders, printers, documents, etc. Icons are also called as "shortcuts". Using
mouse pointer, we can click the icon and then corresponding resource will be launched.
Start Menu
Start menu consists of shortcuts for launching programs and folders. It also consists a
list of most recently used documents and provides ‘search’ option and supports ‘help’
feature.
Launching Start Menu
Start menu can be set in motion by clicking (⊞ Win) windows button on a keyboard.
It can also be launched by pressing CTRL+ESC on a keyboard.
By clicking on the visual Start button, it can be launched.
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
OS Simple Setting
We will learn different settings in Operating System −
Changing System Date and Time
We can set system date and time in three ways given below Step
Step 1 − One way is to just click the clock on task bar and perform Step 4 and Step 5.
Step 2 − Another alternate way is to go to the "Control Panel" from Start menu and select
"Clock, Language and Region", and select "Date and Time" and perform Step 4 and Step 5
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
Step 3 − in the window displayed, select "Change date and time"
Step four − Set corresponding date and time, and finally press "OK" button.
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
Changing Display Properties
Display properties include Desktop Background, Text, Window Color, Sounds,
Screensaver, etc. To change these display properties, we have to perform the following
steps.
Step one − Right click on desktop and select "Personalize" from displaying options.
Step two − from the displayed window, select desired action, like changing the
background/themes/resolution, and press "Save Changes" button.
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
Step three − Alternate way is to go to the "Control Panel" from Start menu and select
"Appearance and Personalization" and select display you want from the listed options and
save changes.
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
To Add or Remove a Windows Component
In order to add or remove Windows component, follow the below steps −
Step 1 − Type, "add or remove programs" in the search box and select "Add or Remove
Programs" under control panel and follow Step 3 and Step 4.
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
Step 2 − Alternate way is to select "Control Panel" from start menu and select "Uninstall a
Program" from "Program" and follow Step 3 and Step 4.
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
Step three − Click "Turn Windows features on or off" on left side of programs and features
window.
Step four − from window displayed, add or remove the program you want, and click "OK"
button.
Changing Mouse Properties
Properties of the mouse can be changed by following steps below −
Step one − Go to "Control Panel" from start menu.
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
Step two − Select "Hardware and Sound" and select "Device and Printers" from the listed
options.
Step three − Click on "Mouse" under Devices and Printers, and change any of the following
properties and "Apply" changes.
Button − Changes primary and secondary button and double-click speed.
Pointer − Changes image seen during specific window operation.
Pointer Options − Changes precision of pointer, speed and visibility of long or short
pointer.
Wheels − Changes horizontal and vertical scrolling.
Hardware − Helps to view properties of mouse.
Device Setting − required only if we are using the laptop.
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
Adding and Removing Printers
To add or remove printers we have to execute following steps
Step one − Go to "Control Panel" from start menu.
Step two − Select "Hardware and Sound" and select "Device and Printers" from the listed
options.
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a- Basics of Popular Operating Systems [Link]. Salah Mahdi
Step three − Now under "Devices and Printers", we can add a printer using "Add a Printer"
tab at top of the window.
Step 4 − To remove a printer, "Right Click" by placing the cursor on printer you want to
remove, and select "Remove Device" from popped up menu.
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