Windows

• Windows are the fundamental object that you use on a PC. There are usually two kinds of windows: those associated with folders (Directories) and those with applications, such as MS WORD. Many of the operations are similar for the two types, but some applications have either more or fewer controls than folders. We will discuss folder windows here.

• The most important folder window is named "My Computer". It typically has a number of controls:
  • Top right controls:
    - Minimize ( store as icon at the bottom of the screen )
    [] Maximize
    X Delete window ( same as FILE > Close )
  • Edge controls: Drag left side : increase or decrease
    Drag right side : same
    Drag bottom : same
    Drag top : same
    Drag lower right corner: increase/decrease in both dimensions
    
  • Scroll controls: Use mouse to drag horizontal or vertical scrollbars
  • Overlay of windows: if a window is largely hidden by another, click on the small part that is visible and it will become the topmost window

• Window information controls: status and toolbar information This is mainly controlled thru the "VIEW > TOOLBAR" and "VIEW > STATUS" menu options. Use the mouse to set most of them to "checked" (a check mark) unless you need to make the window small if you have lots of windows open.

• Window folder/file contents: Use VIEW > Large Icons, VIEW > Small Icons, VIEW > List, VIEW > Details to look at files in different ways. Use VIEW > Arrange Icons > By Name/Type/Date/Size to control the order in which they are presented.

• Windows for applications: these inherit many of the controls for Windows for Folders/Files, but often provide more controls

Class Topics

Bits and Bytes

PC Hardware

Using Help

Files, Folders, and Directories

Windows

File Manipulation

Customizing Your PC

Handling Errors and Aborts

Specific Applications: NotePad and WORD

Finding Information About Your PC

Connection to the Internet