Windows 7
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
o Explain the common functions of an operating
system.
o Identify the basic components of the Windows 7
user interface.
o Work with the Windows 7 user interface within
programs.
o Manage files and folders in Microsoft Windows
Explorer.
o Perform basic file operations.
Functions of an Operating System
o
o
o
o
Provides a user interface (Icons and Menus).
Provides utilities to configure your system
(Backup program and setup wizard).
Helps manage computer resources.
Helps secure data by controlling user access to
a computer.
Components of The Windows 7 user interface
Desktop (Themes)
o To change the background of
your desktop, right click
anywhere, click Personalize and
then choose one of the options
provided.
Desktop (Gadgets)
o Gadgets are mini-programs which provide
easy access to frequently used tools, such
as a clock or calendar.
o To add gadgets to your desktop, right
click anywhere and click Gadgets. Select
one and drag it anywhere on your desktop.
Opening Folders or Programs
o To open a folder or program from the desktop, you can either
double click the icon with the left button of your mouse, or click
it once and then press Enter on your keyboard
Desktop (Resizing and Moving Windows)
o To resize a window, move the
mouse over a border until the
pointer changes into a twoheaded arrow, and then drag
until the window is the size you
want.
o To move a window, point to
the window’s title bar, drag the
window to a new location, and
then release the mouse button
Desktop (Aero Snap)
o To maximize a window, point to the window’s title bar, drag
it to the top of the screen and then release the mouse button
Aero Snap (cont.)
o To see two windows side by side, drag one to the right of the
screen until it snaps and the other to the left.
Windows Side by Side
Flip and Flip 3D
o Flip and Flip 3D
allow you to take a
look at all your open
windows and choose
the one you want to
work with.
o Flip: Alt + Tab
o Flip 3D: Win + Tab
Aero shake
o To minimize all windows except the one you are working
with, drag the title bar back and forth.
o To restore all windows, shake it again.
Aero Peak
o To take a look at
your desktop,
making all your
open windows
transparent, move
your mouse over
the Show Desktop
Button.
o To minimize all
your open windows,
click on the Show
Desktop Button.
o To restore all the
windows, click the
Show Desktop
Button again.
Start Menu
Start Menu (Cont.)
o To access all the programs installed in your computer,
click the Start Button and then point to All Programs.
Start Menu (Search)
o The Search Box in the Start Menu allows you to look for
any program, file or folder in your computer.
Help and Support
o You can get information about
how to perform a task, for example
sharing a printer, by clicking the
Help and Support button in the
Start Menu.
Help and Support
Power Button Options
o Switch User: allows you to log
on with a different account
without quitting the programs
that the current user is running.
o Log off: quits all the programs
and takes you to the Log On
screen.
o Lock: takes you to the Log On
screen without quitting any open
programs so nobody can access
your account if you walk away
from the computer.
o Sleep: allows you to save
energy by turning off the monitor.
You can awaken the computer by
moving the mouse or pressing
any key on the keyboard.
Taskbar
o You can
point to an
active
program in
the Task bar
to see a live
thumbnail.
oThe icons on the Taskbar can be rearranged by
simply dragging them to the desire location.
Pinning Programs to the Taskbar
o To pin a program to the Task bar drag the icon and
release it anywhere on the bar.
Jump lists
o Jump Lists provide
access to frequently
used files or tasks.
o To open a Jump list,
right click the
program button on
the Task bar.
Notification Area
o The Notification Area
shows the date and
time, the volume
control, and the internet
connection.
o If you click the Show
hidden icons button, you
can see the programs
that are running on the
background, like the
antivirus.
o The Action Center
button gives you
information about your
computer’s status.
Windows Explorer
Managing Files and Folders
Windows Explorer





The Windows Explorer window is often divided into
three sections, called panes.
The pane on the left side, called the Folders pane,
displays the structure of drives and folders on your
computer.
The pane on the center is called the Details pane. It
displays the contents of a drive or folder.
You can select folders from the list displayed in the
Folders pane to view its contents in the details pane.
The pane on the right side is the Preview Pane. It
allows you to see a sneak peek of the file you have
selected in the Details Pane without opening it.
Windows Explorer
o You can change the
way you see the files
in the Details Pane by
clicking the arrow of
the Change your View
button and sliding the
selector up and down.
Libraries
o Libraries are special containers from which you can
access files or folders located in different places of your
computer.
Performing Basic File Operations



Every file has an associated format that defines
the way data is stored in the file.
The file format is identified by a period (also
called a dot) appended to a file name, followed
by three or four letters.
The following are some of the more common file
formats:
 Word documents (.doc)
 Images (.gif and .jpg)
 Executable programs (.exe)
 Multimedia files (.wma and others)
Performing Basic File Operations
(Cont.)


When you open a file, the operating system
selects an appropriate program to display the
contents of the file based on the file format.
For example, when you open a Word document,
the operating system opens a word processor,
such as Word, to display the content of the
document.
Questions
31