Understanding the Windows Screen

What is Windows?

Windows is a kind of program called an operating system. It provides basic functions for your computer such as:

• Controls your hardware (printer, monitor, etc.)


• Runs your programs


• Organizes your information

Understanding the Windows Screen

The main area of the Windows screen is called the Desktop. Some other features are:

• My Computer (lets you view folders and files)


• Recycle Bin (stores deleted files and allows you to retrieve them)


• Start Button (for opening programs and files)


• Taskbar (access to all opened files/programs)

Using the Mouse

The mouse lets you choose commands on menus and toolbars as well as select objects on the screen. As you move the mouse, a cursor moves on the screen. The cursor can take different shapes and is sometimes called an arrow or pointer. When you use the mouse, you first point the cursor to some object, then use the mouse button. Here are some mouse terms:

• Click: Press and release the left mouse button.


• Click and Drag: Press the left mouse button and hold it down while you move it over text or an object. If an instruction says to drag, it assumes that you hold down the left mouse button while you are dragging.


• Double-click: Quickly press the left mouse button twice


• Right-click: Press and release the right mouse button.


• Waiting cursor: When you see an hour-glass, it means you should wait while your computer completes a task.

Sometimes you'll see an instruction like this : Ctrl + click. That means to hold down the Ctrl key while you click with the mouse. You can see a similar instruction with the Shift and Alt keys.

If you see an instruction that says to choose or select an item, it means that you should point to it and click it.

If the cursor is shaped like an hourglass, it means you have to wait. Windows is busy.

Using the Start Button

1. The Start button lets you display a list of items which perform tasks.


2. Click the Start button and a menu appears.


3. To select an item from the menu, move the mouse over the item. If the item has an arrow another menu will appear.


4. Select your desired item and click to open it.

The Start button menu:

• Programs: lets you open programs that you have on your computer. See Opening a Program.


• Documents: lets you open recently-used files. See Opening a File.


• Settings: gives you access to the Control Panel where you can configure the inner workings of your computer and Windows.


• Find: mostly used to find files or folders. See Finding Files.


• Help: opens Windows Help. See Getting Help.


• Run: an alternate way to run a program.