GOALS
 Minimize, maximize, resize, and close windows
 Access files and folders saved to a disk or flash drive
 Select, move, and copy files using File Explorer
Programs may be launched in multiple ways. You may open a program by:
Double clicking on an icon located on the desktop
Clicking on a button in the quick launch toolbar
Selecting the program from the program list in the Start Menu
It is also possible to open a program by opening a file that is associated with that program. For example,
opening a Microsoft Word document (.doc) will automatically launch Microsoft Word, and opening a
picture file (.jpg, .png, .gif) will launch the default picture viewer (usually Windows Picture and Fax
Viewer).
A set of three specialized buttons is located in the upper right corner of most
windows to allow the user to resize, minimize, maximize, and close windows.
The first button looks like an underscore mark (_, representing a minimized
window), the second button features one or two squares ( or ,
representing one maximized window or two open windows), and the third
resembles the letter X. These symbols are always used in Windows programs, but
may be styled differently depending on the program being used.
Page 1 | Basic Computer Skills Series: Working with Windows
Content based on: Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Computers. Reno, NV: AZ Consulting,
and Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Windows, Reno, NV: AZ Consulting. REV 4/13
Restore/Maximize
Close Window
Minimize Window
Clicking the Minimize button on the left will minimize the open window, meaning that
the contents will no longer be visible on the screen but the program is still open,
accessible by clicking the corresponding button on the task bar. Clicking the
Maximize/Restore button in the center will toggle between a “maximized” window
taking up the full screen width and height, and a smaller window that “floats” on the
screen, allowing the window to be moved or resized. On windows that are not
maximized, this button will display the “maximize” icon with one window; on windows
that are already maximized, this button will display the “restore” icon with two windows.
Maximize
Restore
Clicking the Close button (on the right) will close the window and in most cases end the
program.
To change the size of a window, first ensure that the window is not maximized;
if necessary click the restore button. Hovering the mouse over the edges and
corners of the window will display mouse pointers that allow the window to be
resized. Click and hold on the top/bottom or left/right edges to resize the
window vertically or horizontally. To resize in both dimensions at once, click
and hold on the corner of the window.
To move a window, click and hold in the bar across the top of the window and use the mouse to
reposition. Be careful moving windows – it is possible to move a window so far to one direction that
only a small portion of the window remains visible on the screen.
File Explorer (formerly Windows Explorer) is a Microsoft program that provides an interface for viewing
and interacting with the folders, files, and programs on your computer, including files you have stored
on removable media like CDs or flash drives. File Explorer can be used to find and open files or
programs, create new folders, and move or copy files between folders. File Explorer may be launched
by right-clicking on the Start Button and selecting Explore, or using a keyboard shortcut by holding down
the Windows Key and pressing ‘E’ ( +E).
Page 2 | Basic Computer Skills Series: Working with Windows
Content based on: Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Computers. Reno, NV: AZ Consulting,
and Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Windows, Reno, NV: AZ Consulting. REV 4/13
File Explorer allows you to find files and folders in one of two ways:
searching or browsing. Files and folders may be found by searching in
the search box in the upper right corner of File Explorer. Browsing files
and folders is accomplished in the directory tree interface to the left of
the window.
Windows Explorer organizes files in a directory structure, with the
column on the left (“directory tree”) displaying drives available on the
computer (hard drives, CD or DVD drives, flash drives, and network
drives). Also displayed by default are the My Documents folder, My
Network Places, and the Recycle Bin.
Drives and folders with an open right-facing triangle ( ) may be
expanded by clicking on the open triangle. Drives and folders with a
closed right and down-facing triangle ( ) are already expanded; their
contents may be hidden again by clicking the .
Page 3 | Basic Computer Skills Series: Working with Windows
Content based on: Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Computers. Reno, NV: AZ Consulting,
and Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Windows, Reno, NV: AZ Consulting. REV 4/13
Clicking on a file folder or drive in the Folders list will cause that folder’s contents to be displayed in the
window on the right. To access files and folders on CDs, flash drives, or DVDs, double-click the
appropriate drive name to display the contents. Files may be launched from the main frame of
Windows Explorer simply by double-clicking on the desired file. Double-clicking on folders or drives will
display the items saved within, but will not launch any files or programs.
Sometimes it is necessary to move files from one location to another, or to make additional copies of
files or folders on a drive.
To copy files:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To begin, select the file you wish to copy by clicking it once; the
selected file will be highlighted in blue.
To select multiple files, hold the CTRL key while selecting files.
Select “copy” from the File menu or the context-specific menu
after right-clicking -OR- use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+C.
Navigate to the folder where you wish to place the copied file(s).
While in that folder, select “paste” from the File menu or the
context-specific menu after right-clicking -OR- use the keyboard
shortcut CTRL+V.
To move files:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To begin, select the file you wish to move by clicking it once; the selected file will be highlighted in blue.
To select multiple files, hold the CTRL key while selecting files.
Select “cut” from the File menu or the context-specific menu after right-clicking -OR- use the keyboard
shortcut CTRL+X.
Navigate to the folder where you wish to move the file(s).
While in that folder, select “paste” from the File menu or the context-specific menu after right-clicking OR- use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+V.
It is also possible to move or copy files by dragging and dropping the desired files to the new location.
Generally, files dragged between folders on the same drive will move the file from the original to the
new location. Files dragged between drives will be copied to the new location and remain in the
original.
NOTE: if you attempt to copy or move a file to a folder that already contains a file with that name,
Windows will prompt you to replace the file. If you do not wish to replace the existing file, select “no”,
rename the existing file, and try to paste again.
Page 4 | Basic Computer Skills Series: Working with Windows
Content based on: Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Computers. Reno, NV: AZ Consulting,
and Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Windows, Reno, NV: AZ Consulting. REV 4/13
If you have purchased your computer since 2005, your operating system may be Windows Vista, or
since 2007, Windows 7. These two versions of the Windows operating system use the same basic
structure as Windows XP with important changes to many of the details.
If you are planning to purchase a new computer, your computer will likely come with Windows 8 preinstalled. Windows 8 represents a major departure from the taskbar/icon/start button environment,
and presents an interface that can be used with a keyboard and mouse or with a touch-screen tablet
computer. This new interface introduces tiles, and the old desktop is replaced with a very different
graphic user interface known as the Start Screen. A desktop interface is still available in Windows 8 by
clicking on the Desktop tile.
Generally, if you can use Windows XP well, your skills will allow you to quickly learn the differences in
Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Page 5 | Basic Computer Skills Series: Working with Windows
Content based on: Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Computers. Reno, NV: AZ Consulting,
and Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Windows, Reno, NV: AZ Consulting. REV 4/13
www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/courses/computer-basics/lessons/icons-and-windows
www.gcflearnfree.org/windowsxp
www.top-windows-tutorials.com/free-windows-xp-tutorials.html
www.top-windows-tutorials.com/Windows-Vista-Tutorials.html
www.gcflearnfree.org/windows7
windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/getting-started
www.top-windows-tutorials.com/windows-7.html
www.gcflearnfree.org/windows8
www.gateway.com/windows8/tutorial/
www.top-windows-tutorials.com/windows-8.html
windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/meet
Page 6 | Basic Computer Skills Series: Working with Windows
Content based on: Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Computers. Reno, NV: AZ Consulting,
and Zeiser, A. (2009). Introduction to Windows, Reno, NV: AZ Consulting. REV 4/13