XP

Exploring the Basics

of Windows XP

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Objectives

• Start Windows XP and tour the desktop

• Explore the Start menu
• Run software programs, switch between them, and
close them
• Manipulate windows
• Identify and use the controls in menus, toolbars,
and dialog boxes

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Objectives

• Navigate your computer with Windows Explorer

and My Computer
• Change the view of the items in your computer
• Get help when you need it
• Shut down Windows

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Windows XP

• The most popular and widely used operating

system.
• The earlier version is Windows 2000

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Starting Windows XP

• Windows XP
– Starts when computer is turned on
– Elements of the desktop
• Icon
• Pointer
• Desktop
• Date/Time control
• Taskbar
• Start button
• Notification area

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Starting Windows XP

Figure 1-1 shows the Windows XP desktop

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Starting Windows XP

• Windows XP desktop uses a graphical user

interface
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
– Displays icons to represent items stored on the
computer
• Icons: Pictures of familiar objects

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The Windows XP Desktop

• Desktop
– Area that appears on the screen when Windows XP
starts
– A workspace for projects and tools
– Uses default settings when the computer is first started
• Default settings: settings preset by the operating system
– Appearance can be changed by the user

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Using a Pointing Device

• A pointing device
– Helps the user interact with objects on the computer
screen
– Comes in many shapes and sizes
• Mouse
– Most common pointing device

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Pointing

• Pointing device
– Used to move the mouse pointer over objects on the
desktop
• Pointing
– Positioning the pointer over a specific part of the screen

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Pointing

• ScreenTips (ToolTips)
– Appear when the mouse pointer is positioned over certain objects
– Display the purpose or function of the object
– Figure 1-3 shows a ScreenTip

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Clicking

• Clicking
– Pressing a mouse button and immediately releasing it
• Menu
– A list of options which can be used to perform tasks
– Submenus
• Start menu
– Appears when the Start button is clicked
– Provides access to programs, documents, etc.

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Clicking

Figure 1-6 shows the Start menu

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Selecting

• Selecting a menu command

– Two possible ways of selecting objects in Windows XP
• Pointing to an object
• Pointing to and then clicking an object
– A selected object is highlighted

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Selecting

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Viewing the contents
of the Recycle Bin

• Click the desktop, and then point to the Recycle

Bin icon. After a few moments, a ScreenTip
appears that describes the Recycle Bin
• Click the left mouse button twice quickly to
double-click the Recycle Bin icon. The Recycle
Bin opens

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Viewing the contents
of the Recycle Bin

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Right-Clicking

• Right-clicking
– Clicking an object with the right button of the mouse
– Selects an object and opens its shortcut menu
• Shortcut menu: a list of options directly related to the object

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Right-Clicking

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Exploring the Start menu

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Shortcut keys

• You can save an incredible amount of time and mouse movement by

using shortcut keys to activate your most frequently used tools or
functions.
• Windows XP and almost all application software displays default
shortcuts next to many menu items.
• In my application software, you can even set your own by playing with
the Preferences or options dialog box.
• Try and remember some most frequently used shortcut keys.

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• Short cut keys work even on systems with no

mouse. It has therefore become conventional to
use keyboard control characters for many
functions, as this avoids you having to move your
hand away from the keyboard to use the mouse for
common functions, and then back again. Save you
a lot of time!
• Hopefully you'll be hooked and wonder how you
ever worked without using shortcuts!
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Different kinds of Shortcuts

• Shortcut menu
• Shortcut keys
• Shortcut desktop icons

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Starting and Closing a Program

• Starting a program
– A program must be started before it can be used
– To start a program
• Click the Start button
• Locate and click the program’s name in the submenus
• An open or running program
– A program which has been started

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Starting and Closing a Program

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Starting and Closing a Program

• Program button
– Appears on the taskbar for each open program
– Click to switch between open programs
• Close button
– Located in the upper-right corner of the program
window
– Click to close the program

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Starting and Closing a Program

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Running Multiple Programs

• Multitasking
– Ability to run multiple programs on Windows XP at the
same time
– Allows the user to work on more than one project at a
time
– The active program is the one you are currently using

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Switching Between Programs

• Program buttons
– Located on the taskbar
– Offer the easiest way to switch between programs

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 Closing Inactive Programs from XP
the Taskbar

• Options for closing a program

– Use the Close button on the title bar of the program window
– Use the shortcut menu associated with the program button on the
taskbar

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Anatomy of a Window

• A window
– A rectangular area of the screen that may contain
• A program
• Text
• Graphics
• Data

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Anatomy of a Window

• Controls
– Located in a window
– Graphical or textual objects used for
• Manipulating the window
• Using the program
– Examples
• Menu bar
• Sizing buttons
• Status bar
• Title bar
• Toolbar
• Workspace

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Anatomy of a Window

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Manipulating a Window

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Moving a Window

• To drag an object
– Click an object and then hold down the mouse button
while moving the mouse
• To move a window
– Drag the window by its title bar

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Changing the Size of a Window

• Options for changing a window’s size

– Sizing handle
• Located at the lower-right corner of the window
– Window borders
• Can be dragged left, right, up, or down

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Changing the Size of a Window

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Using Program Menus

• Menus
– Organize a program’s features and available functions
• Menu bar
– Typically located at the top of the program window
– Shows the names of the menus

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Selecting Options from a Menu

• Menu items or commands

– Choices for a menu
– Appear when a menu name is clicked
– Possible actions when clicked
• Immediately carry out an action
• Show submenus
• Ask the user for more information about the desired action

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Selecting Options from a Menu

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Selecting Options from a Menu

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Using Toolbars

• Toolbars in the program window

– Provide one-click access to frequently used commands
– Have buttons grouped and organized by tasks
• To perform a command
– Select a toolbar button by clicking it

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Using List Boxes and Scroll Bars

• List box
– Displays a list of available choices
– Usually includes
• Array buttons
• A scroll bar
• A scroll box

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Using List Boxes and Scroll Bars

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Using Dialog Box Controls

• Dialog box
– Opens when a menu command or item followed by an
ellipsis is selected
– Allows the user to provide more information about how
a program should carry out a task
– Groups different kinds of information in panes
• Panes: bordered rectangular areas

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Using Dialog Box Controls

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Exploring Your Computer

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Changing the View

• Change the view by selecting an option from the

View menu on the menu bar

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Using Help

• Windows XP Help
– Provides on-screen information about programs
– Available by
• Clicking the Start button and selecting Help and Support from
the Start menu
• Windows Help and Support Center window
– Provides access to
• Help files stored on the computer
• Help information stored on Microsoft’s Web site

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Using Help

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Using Help

• Windows XP Help and Support window

– Organizes information into pages
• Home page
• Index page
• Favorites page
• History page
• Support page
• Options page
– Search box
• Used to search for keywords contained in Help pages

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Shutting Down Windows XP

• Turn Off Computer option

– Located on the Start menu
– Turns off the computer
• Log Off option
– Located on the Start menu
– Logs off Windows XP but
leaves the computer on

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A windows joke

• Libby walked into a store to buy curtains.

She went up to the salesman and said, "I want those

curtains in pink, the size of my computer screen.

The salesman said, "Computers don't need curtains."

• Libby said, “Come on, they have windows!"

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