Exploring the Basics
of Windows XP
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
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
Starting Windows XP
• Windows XP
– Starts when computer is turned on
– Elements of the desktop
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Icon
Pointer
Desktop
Date/Time control
Taskbar
Start button
Notification area
Starting Windows XP
Figure 1-1 shows the Windows XP desktop
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
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
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
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
Pointing
• ScreenTips
– Appear when the mouse pointer is positioned over
certain objects
– Display the purpose or function of the object
– Figure 1-3 shows a ScreenTip
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.
Clicking
Figure 1-6 shows the Start menu
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
Selecting
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
Viewing the contents
of the Recycle Bin
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
Right-Clicking
Exploring the Start menu
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
Starting and Closing a Program
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
Starting and Closing a Program
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
Switching Between Programs
• Program buttons
– Located on the taskbar
– Offer the easiest way to switch between
programs
Closing Inactive Programs from
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
Anatomy of a Window
• A window
– A rectangular area of the screen that may
contain
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A program
Text
Graphics
Data
Anatomy of a Window
• Controls
– Located in a window
– Graphical or textual objects used for
• Manipulating the window
• Using the program
– Examples
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Menu bar
Sizing buttons
Status bar
Title bar
Toolbar
Workspace
Anatomy of a Window
Manipulating a Window
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
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
Changing the Size of a Window
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
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
Selecting Options from a Menu
Selecting Options from a Menu
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
Using List Boxes and Scroll
Bars
• List box
– Displays a list of available choices
– Usually includes
• Array buttons
• A scroll bar
• A scroll box
Using List Boxes and Scroll
Bars
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
Using Dialog Box Controls
Exploring Your Computer
Changing the View
• Change the view by selecting an option
from the View menu on the menu bar
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
Using Help
Using Help
• Windows XP Help and Support window
– Organizes information into pages
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Home page
Index page
Favorites page
History page
Support page
Options page
– Search box
• Used to search for keywords contained in Help
pages
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