Windows 7 - University of Wolverhampton

IT Services, University of Wolverhampton

Microsoft®

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2 © 2009 CustomGuide, Inc.

© 2009 by CustomGuide, Inc. 1502 Nicollet Avenue South, Suite 1; Minneapolis, MN 55403

This material is copyrighted and all rights are reserved by CustomGuide, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of CustomGuide, Inc.

We make a sincere effort to ensure the accuracy of the material described herein; however, CustomGuide makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the quality, correctness, reliability, accuracy, or freedom from error of this document or the products it describes. Data used in examples and sample data files are intended to be fictional. Any resemblance to real persons or companies is entirely coincidental.

The names of software products referred to in this manual are claimed as trademarks of their respective companies. CustomGuide is a registered trademark of CustomGuide, Inc.

IT Services, University of Wolverhampton 3

Table of Contents

The Fundamentals................................................................................................................................................. 10 A Look at Windows 7 ............................................................................................................................................ 11 What’s New in Windows 7 .................................................................................................................................... 12 Starting and Logging On to Windows 7 ................................................................................................................ 13 Understanding the Windows 7 Screen ................................................................................................................. 14 Using the Mouse: Pointing, Clicking, and Double-clicking ................................................................................... 15 Using the Mouse: Clicking and Dragging, and Right-clicking .............................................................................. 17 Using the Keyboard .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Understanding the Start Menu .............................................................................................................................. 20 Using Help and Support ....................................................................................................................................... 22 Turning Off Your Computer ................................................................................................................................... 24

The Fundamentals Review .................................................................................................................................... 26

Working with a Window ........................................................................................................................................ 28 Understanding the Parts of a Window .................................................................................................................. 29 Using Windows Aero ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Using Window Sizing Buttons .............................................................................................................................. 33 Moving and Resizing a Window ........................................................................................................................... 35 Switching Between Windows ............................................................................................................................... 36 Arranging Windows Automatically ........................................................................................................................ 38 Closing a Window ................................................................................................................................................. 39

Working with a Window Review ........................................................................................................................... 40

Working with a Program ....................................................................................................................................... 42 Opening a Program .............................................................................................................................................. 43 Understanding the Program Window ................................................................................................................... 44 Understanding the Ribbon .................................................................................................................................... 45 Using the Program Button and Quick Access Toolbar ......................................................................................... 46 Understanding Controls ........................................................................................................................................ 47 Entering and Editing Text in WordPad .................................................................................................................. 49 Opening a File ...................................................................................................................................................... 50 Saving a File ......................................................................................................................................................... 51 Selecting and Replacing Text ............................................................................................................................... 53 Using Undo and Redo .......................................................................................................................................... 55 Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Text ...................................................................................................................... 56 Previewing and Printing a Document ................................................................................................................... 58 Getting Help .......................................................................................................................................................... 60

Working with a Program Review .......................................................................................................................... 61

Working with Folders and Files ........................................................................................................................... 64 Understanding What’s in Your Computer ............................................................................................................. 66 Opening Drives, Folders, and Files ...................................................................................................................... 68 Understanding the Windows Explorer Window .................................................................................................... 69 Using Windows Explorer to Navigate Your Computer .......................................................................................... 70 Folder and File Basics .......................................................................................................................................... 72 Using and Creating Libraries ................................................................................................................................ 74 Modifying and Deleting Libraries .......................................................................................................................... 75 Selecting Multiple Folders and Files ..................................................................................................................... 77 Copying and Moving Folders and Files ................................................................................................................ 78 Changing Window Layout and Views ................................................................................................................... 80 Sorting and Filtering Items ................................................................................................................................... 81 Using Search ........................................................................................................................................................ 83 Working with Compressed Folders ...................................................................................................................... 85


Working with Folders and Files Review............................................................................................................... 86

Working with the Taskbar and Desktop .............................................................................................................. 89 Customizing the Taskbar ...................................................................................................................................... 90 Resizing and Moving the Taskbar......................................................................................................................... 91 Using Jump Lists .................................................................................................................................................. 93 Customizing the Start Menu ................................................................................................................................. 94 Working with Desktop Icons ................................................................................................................................. 96 Using Gadgets ...................................................................................................................................................... 97 Starting a Program Automatically with Windows .................................................................................................. 99

Working with the Taskbar and Desktop Review ............................................................................................... 100

Personalizing Windows ...................................................................................................................................... 102 A Look at the Control Panel ................................................................................................................................ 103 Changing Color and Theme ............................................................................................................................... 104 Changing the Desktop Background .................................................................................................................... 106 Using a Screen Saver ......................................................................................................................................... 108 Adjusting Display Settings .................................................................................................................................. 109 Adjusting Sound ................................................................................................................................................. 111 Adjusting the Mouse ........................................................................................................................................... 113 Changing the Date and Time .............................................................................................................................. 115 Changing Language and Region Options .......................................................................................................... 117 Customizing Folder View Options ...................................................................................................................... 119

Personalizing Windows Review .......................................................................................................................... 120

Using Windows Accessories ............................................................................................................................. 122 Calculator............................................................................................................................................................ 123 Connect to a Projector ........................................................................................................................................ 124 Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................... 125 Notepad .............................................................................................................................................................. 126 Paint .................................................................................................................................................................... 127 Remote Desktop Connection.............................................................................................................................. 129 Snipping Tool ...................................................................................................................................................... 131 Sound Recorder ................................................................................................................................................. 132 Sticky Notes ........................................................................................................................................................ 133 Sync Center ........................................................................................................................................................ 134 Windows Explorer ............................................................................................................................................... 135 Windows Mobility Center .................................................................................................................................... 136 WordPad ............................................................................................................................................................. 137 Ease of Access ................................................................................................................................................... 138 System Tools ...................................................................................................................................................... 139 Tablet PC Accessories ........................................................................................................................................ 140

Using Windows Accessories Review ................................................................................................................. 142

Connecting to the Internet ................................................................................................................................. 145 Dial-Up Connections ........................................................................................................................................... 146 Broadband Connections ..................................................................................................................................... 148 Mobile Broadband Connections ......................................................................................................................... 150 Connecting to a Wireless Network ..................................................................................................................... 151 Using Windows to Diagnose and Repair a Connection ..................................................................................... 153

Connecting to the Internet Review ..................................................................................................................... 155

Working with Hardware and Peripherals .......................................................................................................... 157 Understanding Computer Ports .......................................................................................................................... 158 Installing New Hardware ..................................................................................................................................... 159 Installing a Printer ............................................................................................................................................... 161


Working with USB Flash Drives.......................................................................................................................... 163 Troubleshooting Hardware ................................................................................................................................. 165

Working with Hardware and Peripherals Review .............................................................................................. 166

Optimizing and Maintaining Your Computer .................................................................................................... 167 Installing Software .............................................................................................................................................. 168 Removing Software ............................................................................................................................................ 170 Shutting Down a Frozen Program ...................................................................................................................... 171 Adjusting Power Settings ................................................................................................................................... 172 Repairing Disk Errors ......................................................................................................................................... 174 Defragmenting Your Hard Disk ........................................................................................................................... 176 Freeing Up Space on Your Hard Disk ................................................................................................................. 177 Restoring Your Computer ................................................................................................................................... 179 Turning Windows Features On or Off ................................................................................................................. 181 Using Windows Update ...................................................................................................................................... 183 Setting Default Programs ................................................................................................................................... 185 Scheduling Tasks ................................................................................................................................................ 187 Running Older Programs in Windows XP Mode ................................................................................................ 189

Optimizing and Maintaining Your Computer Review ........................................................................................ 191

Networking with Windows 7............................................................................................................................... 194 Understanding Networks .................................................................................................................................... 195 Browsing a Network ............................................................................................................................................ 196 Mapping a Network Drive ................................................................................................................................... 197 Connecting to a Network Printer ........................................................................................................................ 199 Connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) .................................................................................................. 201 Using HomeGroup .............................................................................................................................................. 203 Sharing Files and Folders .................................................................................................................................. 205

Networking with Windows 7 Review .................................................................................................................. 207


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Thank you for choosing CustomGuide courseware as the

solution to your training needs. A proven leader in the

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nd generation courseware, the topic can be

practiced using the exercise file and exercise described here.

Table of Contents In addition to the Table of Contents found at the beginning of each courseware title, 3rd

generation courseware includes a Table of Contents at the beginning of each chapter, making

it even easier to locate the lessons you need.

Smart Quizzes The Quiz section, located at the back of the book, automatically updates itself when the manual is customized. For example, if you remove a lesson regarding cutting and pasting text, there will be no questions in the Quiz section that relate to cutting and pasting text.

Easier customization The design of 3rd

generation is simplified, which makes it easier to customize. All you have to do is click and drag or copy and paste, or press the <Delete> key to remove a lesson, and voila; you’re done!

Use as a reference tool 3rd

generation courseware breaks tasks down into basic step-by-step instructions and can be used as a virtual help desk, answering “how-to” questions in minutes.

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generation courseware features a streamlined design that is easier to customize and use as a reference tool. Take a look

at the table below for more information regarding these features.


Courseware Features

Lessons are presented on one or two pages, so you can follow along without wondering when a lesson ends and a new one begins.

Each lesson includes a hands-on exercise and practice file so users can practice the topic of the lesson.

Clear step-by-step instructions answer “how-to” questions. Anything you need to click appears like

this.

Tips let you know more information about a specific step or topic as a whole.

Whenever there is more than one way to do something, the most common method is presented in the numbered step, while the alternate methods appear beneath.

Tables provide summaries of the terms, toolbar buttons, and options covered in the lesson.

The table of contents, index, tables, figures, and quiz questions automatically update to reflect any changes you make to the courseware.

Icons and pictures show you what to look for as you follow the instructions.

Working with Shapes and Pictures

Exercise

Exercise File: AmericanHistory7-3.docx

Exercise: Select the header row containing the month labels, the Income row, the Total

Exp. Row, and the Net Inc. row (use the Ctrl

key to select multiple rows). Create a 2-D

Clustered Column chart.

© 2009 CustomGuide, Inc. 102

Whenever you insert a graphic into a document, it is

inserted inline with text by default. This means that the

text in the document moves in order to accommodate the

graphic. This lesson will show you how to adjust text

wrapping and how to use the grid to position objects.

Positioning Pictures

1. Double-click the object whose text wrapping you

wish to adjust.

2. Click the Text Wrapping button in the Arrange group.

3. Select a text wrapping style from the list.

The Format contextual tab appears on the Ribbon.

Horizontal and vertical gridlines appear on the page.

Tip: Gridlines do NOT appear in the printed

document.

Tips

If you want to use a graphic with other graphics or objects, they must be on a drawing canvas. See the

lesson on Inserting Shapes for more information.

Adjust text wrapping

To adjust how text reacts to the objects in your documents,

change the object’s text wrapping.

A list of text wrapping styles appears. Take a look at the Text Wrapping Styles table for a description of

each style.

The text wrapping style is applied to the image.

Other Ways to Adjust Text Wrapping: Right-click the image, point to Text Wrapping

in the contextual menu, and select an option

from the submenu.

Other Ways to Display the Grid: Press <Shift> + <F9>, or click the Format

contextual tab on the Ribbon, click the Align button in theArrange group, and select View

Gridlines from the list.

1. Click the View tab on the Ribbon.

2. Click the Gridlines check box in the Show/Hide group.

To display/hide the grid

Just like the graph paper you used to use in geometry

class, the grid consists of horizontal and vertical lines that

help you draw and position objects.

Table 7-2: Text Wrapping Styles

In Line

with Text

This places the object at the insertion point in a

line of text in the document. The object remains

on the same layer as the text.

Square Wraps text around all sides of the square

bounding box for the selected object.

Tight

Wraps text tightly around the edges of the actual

image (instead of wrapping around the object’s

bounding box).

Behind

Text

This removes text wrapping and puts the object

behind text in a document The object floats on

its own layer.

In Front

of Text

This removes text wrapping and puts the object

in front of text in a document. The object floats

on its own layer.

Top and

Bottom

Wraps text around the top and bottom of the

object, leaving the area to the right and left of

the object clear.

Through Similar to the Tight style, this style wraps text

throughout the image.

Figure 7-3: A document with the grid displayed.


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A Look at Windows 7 ......................................... 11 Operating systems: a brief overview ....... 11 System requirements and editions .......... 11

What’s New in Windows 7 ................................. 12

Starting and Logging On to Windows 7 .......... 13

Understanding the Windows 7 Screen ............ 14

Using the Mouse: Pointing, Clicking, and Double-clicking .................................................. 15

Using the Mouse: Clicking and Dragging, and Right-clicking ..................................................... 17

Using the Keyboard ........................................... 18 Use a keystroke combination .................. 18 Special keys and their functions .............. 19

Understanding the Start Menu ......................... 20

Using Help and Support .................................... 22 Search for help ........................................ 22 Browse for help ........................................ 22

Turning Off Your Computer .............................. 24

Welcome to Windows 7! If you’re new to

Windows, or to computers altogether,

you’re starting at the right place. This

chapter covers the “bare-bones” basics

about learning how to start your computer

and load Windows. You’ll learn how to

operate the mouse by clicking, double-

clicking, clicking and dragging, and right-

clicking. You’ll also learn about your

computer’s keyboard. Finally, you’ll learn

how to exit Windows and shut down your

computer.

Before we start, take a deep breath and

relax. You may find this difficult to

believe, but computers aren’t nearly as

difficult and complicated as you might

think they are. This chapter keeps

everything as simple as possible, so you’ll

be able to follow along no matter what

your previous computer experience.

Actually, you may find that some of the

lessons in this chapter are a little too easy.

When you come across something you

already know, go ahead and skip the

lesson.

Ready? Then turn the page and let’s get

started!

1


A Look at Windows 7

What exactly is Windows 7? What kind of computer

hardware do you need to use it? This lesson answers these

questions and provides more basic information about

Windows 7, Microsoft’s newest operating system.

Operating systems: a brief overview

Windows 7 is an operating system. Okay, so what’s an

operating system? An operating system is a software

program that controls and runs just about everything on

your computer, including:

Controls Your Computer’s Hardware Windows controls the different devices on your

computer system. It’s what makes your printer print,

what makes graphics and text appear on your

monitor, and what makes your mouse point and click.

(Actually, you make the mouse point and click, but

Windows is what puts the mouse pointer on the

screen and electronically connects it to your mouse.)

Runs Your Computer’s Programs Windows is what runs all your programs. Without

Windows, your word processor, Web browser

(Internet), and games wouldn’t work. Windows lets

your programs talk to your hardware, so you can do

things like print documents from your word processor

on the printer.

Organizes Files Windows stores information in files and folders on

your computer’s hard disk, just as you store files and

folders in a filing cabinet.

Think of the operating system as an engineer who makes

sure all the parts of your computer—your hardware and

programs—work together. Operating systems have been

around for a long time; what makes Windows special is its

ability to make computer operations easy by using a

graphical user interface. With Windows, all you have to

do is point and click to do something.

System requirements and editions

Windows 7 is a significant upgrade to the Windows line

of operating systems. To use Windows 7, your computer

should meet the settings in the table to the right, Minimum

System Requirements. Additional requirements for certain

features include Internet access, audio output, and a

CD/DVD drive.

If your computer doesn’t meet these requirements, you

probably need to beef up your system before you make

the switch to Windows 7.

Exercise

• Exercise File: None required.

• Exercise: Identify the Windows 7 edition installed on your

computer. Understand how this edition is different from

other editions.

Table 1-1: Windows 7 Editions

Home

Premium

Includes dynamic usability features, such as

easier desktop navigation, improved search

features, and faster ways to start programs.

HomeGroup networking, full system Backup

and Restore, and an improved Media Center

are also included.

Professional Offers the same features as Home Premium,

with additional features for business

computing, such as Windows XP Mode for

compatibility with Windows XP programs,

Domain Join for easier and more secure

connections to company networks, and the

ability to backup and restore to a network.

Ultimate Offers the same features as Home Premium

and Professional, with additional features for

protecting data and devices with BitLocker,

and the option to work in the language of

your choice.

Table 1-2: Minimum System Requirements

1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

Minimum 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)

16 GB free disk space

Support for DirectX 9 graphics with

WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

The Fundamentals


What’s New in Windows 7

Unlike Windows Vista, which introduced a large number

of new features, Windows 7 focuses mostly on improving

and enhancing these features to maximize usability. The

table below provides an overview of what to expect.

Tips

The features listed below are available in the Home

Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions of

Windows 7.

Table 1-3: What’s New in Windows 7

Aero updates The Windows Aero interface is back, with many new functions and features.

Aero Peek: Want a quick peek at your desktop? Use Aero Peek to make all open windows

transparent.

Aero Shake: Click a window’s Title bar and “shake” your mouse to temporarily minimize all open

windows except the active window. Shake again to revive all windows.

Snap: Click and drag a window to the right or left of the screen to snap the window to either side of

the desktop. Click and drag a window to the top of the screen to maximize it.

Retooled taskbar The taskbar has been completely redesigned for Windows 7. Now you can pin your favorite programs and

files to the taskbar, rearrange taskbar buttons, and more.

Free-floating gadgets In Windows 7 you can position gadgets anywhere on the desktop. They are no longer stuck in the Sidebar.

Jump Lists Jump Lists contain shortcuts to popular program commands and recently used files. To open a Jump List

for a program, right-click the program icon on the taskbar or open the Start menu and click the program’s

list arrow. You can also customize a Jump List by pinning your own items to it.

Action Center Pop-ups, be gone! The Action Center in Windows 7 consolidates all messages from Windows maintenance

and security. Instead of bombarding you with pop-up balloons every time Windows requires your

attention, a simple Action Center icon will appear on the taskbar.

Libraries A library gathers files from different locations on your computer and displays them as a single collection,

without moving them from where they’re stored. There are four default libraries in Windows 7:

Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos.

Search filters Search filters are now built right into the Search box in Windows Explorer, enabling you to fine-tune your

searches quickly and easily.

Improved Windows

Media Center

Use the new Turbo Scroll feature to quickly jump to songs and shows, create photo collages with the Slide

Show Maker, and enjoy playback of media not supported in previous versions.

Sticky Notes Sticky Notes has been promoted from a gadget in Windows Vista to an application in Windows 7. Now

you can format a note’s text, change its color, and more.

Accessibility features The Ease of Access Center offers a variety of new settings and programs, including Magnifier, Narrator,

and On-Screen Keyboard.

HomeGroup HomeGroup is a new networking feature that makes it easy to share files and printers on a network. Home

users can set up a homegroup that shares music, documents, pictures, and other files between all

computers running Windows 7. Business users will find that it is useful for creating a network without

needing a server.

Exercise


• Exercise: Review the new features in Windows 7.

The Fundamentals


Starting and Logging On to Windows 7

After taking off your jacket and grabbing a cup of coffee,

you probably begin your day by turning on your

computer. This lesson explains what you need to do when

the Welcome screen appears.

1. If prompted, press <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Delete>.

This keystroke combination is a security measure that

can be turned on or off, so you may not need it to

start using your computer.

The Welcome screen appears with the names of

active accounts on the computer.

2. Click your account.

If required, a text box for the password appears.

3. Enter your password and press <Enter>.

Presto! You’re logged on to Windows 7 and are ready

to get to work.

Tip: Remember that when you enter your

password, Windows will display to protect

your password from prying eyes.

Tips

Your log in process will be different if the <Ctrl> +

<Alt> + <Delete> or Welcome screens are not

turned on.

Exercise


• Exercise: Log in to your account in Windows 7.

Figure 1-1: The Welcome screen.

The Fundamentals


Understanding the Windows 7 Screen

When you log on to your computer, the screen shown

below appears. Called the desktop, this screen serves as a

surface for your work. When you open programs or

folders, they appear on the desktop. You can also store

items on the desktop, such as files, folders, and gadgets,

and arrange them however you want.

Recycle Bin: The Recycle Bin stores all the files you delete

from your computer. The deleted files remain there and can

be retrieved until you empty the Recycle Bin.

Notification area: This portion of the taskbar contains various

notification icons related to Windows and your computer.

Action Center, Network and Volume icons appear in the

notification area by default, but you can customize this area

as needed.

Desktop: This is the large background area of the Windows

screen. You can customize the appearance of the desktop

with themes and slideshows, and you can even add

Windows Gadgets to the desktop for easy access.

Taskbar: The taskbar appears at the bottom of your screen.

Whenever you open a program, document, or folder, a button

for that window appears on the taskbar. You can use these

buttons to quickly view and switch between windows and you

can also pin frequently used items to the taskbar.

Show Desktop button: Click this button to minimize all

windows and display the desktop. Point to this button to

temporarily minimize all windows for a quick peek at

the desktop.

Start button: The Start button opens the Start menu, where

you search for files and programs, and open programs and

documents. You can also use the Start menu to find files and

change Windows settings.

Exercise


• Exercise: Review the elements of the Windows desktop.

The Fundamentals


Using the Mouse: Pointing, Clicking, and Double-clicking

Just like you control your television set using a remote

control, you control Windows by using the mouse. A

mouse is a palm-sized device that lets you point to, select,

and move objects on your computer screen. The mouse is

linked to the pointer on your computer screen—when you

move the mouse on your desk, the pointer moves on the

computer screen. Think of the mouse as an electronic

extension of your hand. This lesson will show you how to

perform the most basic mouse actions.

Point

Pointing is the most basic action you can do with the

mouse. To point to something, simply place the mouse

pointer over it by moving the mouse.

Move the mouse so that the pointer hovers above the

object.

A screen tip appears with a description of the object.

Click

Clicking means pressing and releasing the left mouse

button. The mouse makes a clicking noise whenever you

press and release one of its buttons, hence the term

“clicking”. The next steps will show you how to open the

Start menu by clicking it. Also, Table 1-4: Click When

You Want To… describes different times when you will

want to click.

1. Point to the object.

2. Press and release the left mouse button.

Tip: Most mice have two buttons. You will

use the left mouse button whenever you see

the words click or double-click. The right

mouse button has its own purpose, which

we’ll discuss in an upcoming lesson.

Exercise


• Exercise: Point to the Start button and view its screen tip.

Click the Start button to open the Start menu and close the

menu without selecting anything. Double-click the Recycle

Bin to open it.

Figure 1-2: A screen tip appears when an object is

pointed at with the mouse pointer.

Table 1-4: Click When You Want To…

Select something.

Open a menu.

Press a button on a toolbar or a control in a dialog box.

Move to the area or field you want in a program or dialog box.

The Fundamentals

“Click”

Click Press and release the left mouse button.


Double-click

Double-clicking means pressing and releasing the mouse

button twice in rapid succession. You will usually open an

object, such as a file or folder, by double-clicking it. See

Table 1-5: Double-click When You Want To… to find out

when you will need to double-click.

Point to the object and click the mouse button twice

in rapid succession.

Tip: A lot of people have problems the first time

they try double-clicking. If your double-click

doesn’t seem to work, it’s probably because

you’re either not holding the mouse steady, or

you’re not clicking fast enough. If you press the

mouse button too hard, you may accidentally slide

the mouse and your double-click won’t register.

Table 1-5: Double-click When You Want To…

Open a file.

Open a folder.

Display the properties or settings for an object (in certain

programs).

The Fundamentals

Double-click Quickly press and release the left mouse button twice, in rapid succession.

“Click” “Click”


Using the Mouse: Clicking and Dragging, and Right-clicking

This lesson shows you mouse commands that are a little

more advanced: clicking and dragging, and right-clicking.

Click and drag

You can move items around your computer screen by

clicking and dragging them with the mouse. See Table

1-6: Things You Can Click and Drag to learn about items

you can click and drag.

Point to the object and click. While holding down the

mouse button, drag the object to the desired location

on the screen. Release the mouse button.

Right-click

Whenever you right-click something, it brings up a

shortcut menu that lists everything you can do to the

object. Whenever you’re unsure or curious about what

you can do with an object, point to it and click it with the

right mouse button. A contextual menu will appear with a

list of commands related to the object or area you

right-clicked.

1. Point to the object and click the right mouse button.

A contextual menu of commands that are related to

the object appears.

2. Select a command from the contextual menu with the

left mouse button.

The selected command is issued.

Tip: To close the contextual menu without

selecting a command, click anywhere outside the

contextual menu.

Exercise


• Exercise: Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop

and click Open from the contextual menu. Click the Close

button in the Recycle Bin window to close it. Click and drag

the Recycle Bin icon to the middle of the desktop.

Table 1-6: Things You Can Click and Drag

Do this… By doing this…

Move a window to a

new location on the

screen.

Drag the window by its title bar and

drop it in a new location on the screen.

Move a file to a new

folder.

Drag the file and drop it in the desired

folder.

Change the size of a

window.

Drag the borders or corners of the

window.

Scroll a window to see

something located off-

screen.

Drag the scroll box (the little elevator)

up or down the scroll bar and drop it

in a new location.

Move just about

anything on your

computer’s screen.

Point to the object, click, and hold

down the mouse button, drag the

object to a new place, and then release

the mouse button.

The Fundamentals

Click

Place the pointer over an object and press and hold down the left mouse button.

Drag While you are still holding down the button, move the mouse to where you want to place the object and then release the mouse button.


Using the Keyboard

Now that you’ve mastered the mouse, it’s time to move

on to the other device that you use to control your

computer: the keyboard. The keyboard may seem more

familiar and easy to use than the mouse at first, but don’t

be fooled! Computer keyboards sneak in some extra keys

that are very useful. This lesson explains what these extra

keys on the keyboard are and when to use them.

Tips

Check the menus of programs for shortcuts. If a letter

is underlined in a menu, that usually means that

pressing the <Alt> key in combination with the

underlined key will have the same effect as clicking

that menu item.

Use a keystroke shortcut

Keystroke shortcuts are alternative ways to give

commands. In many cases, they are much faster and

easier to use than clicking a button or selecting commands

from a menu. For example, the keystroke commands to

copy, cut, and paste are great time savers.

Press and hold down the first key, press the second

key, then release both keys.

The command is given.

Exercise


• Exercise: Press <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Delete> and start the

Task Manager. Close the Task Manager.

The Fundamentals


Special keys and their functions

Refer to Table 1-7: Special Keys and Their Functions for

descriptions of some special keys.

Table 1-7: Special Keys and Their Functions

Windows logo key

Press to open the Start menu, and use with other keys to issue commands. Windows 7 has many

timesaving and user-friendly commands that use this key.

Alt

The <Alt> key doesn’t do anything by itself—it needs another key to make things happen. For example,

pressing the <Tab> key while holding down the <Alt> key switches between any programs that are

currently running.

Ctrl

Just like the <Alt> key, the <Ctrl> key doesn’t do anything by itself—you need to press another key

along with it to make things happen. For example, pressing the <X> key while holding down the <Ctrl>

key cuts whatever is selected.

F1

The <F1> key is the Help key for most programs. Pressing it displays helpful information about what

you’re doing and answers your questions about the program.

Esc

The <Esc> (Escape) key is the “Wait, I’ve changed my mind!” key. Its function is the same as clicking

Cancel in a dialog box. For example, if you click something and an unfamiliar dialog box appears, you

can close it by pressing the <Esc> key.

Enter

The <Enter> key is the “Carry out my orders” key. Its function is the same as clicking OK in a dialog

box. For example, after you’ve typed the name of a program you want to run in a dialog box, press

<Enter> to run the program. The <Enter> key also adds new lines and starts new paragraphs if you’re

entering text.

Tab

When you’re in a dialog box, pressing the <Tab> key moves to the next field. When you’re using a word

processor, the <Tab> key works just like you’d think it would: it jumps to the nearest tab stop whenever

you press it.

Arrow Keys

The arrow keys move your computer’s cursor on the screen.

Delete

Nothing surprising here. The <Delete> key deletes or erases whatever you select—files, text, or

graphical objects. If you’re working with text, the <Delete> key erases characters to the right of the

insertion point.

Backspace

Use the <Backspace> key to fix your typing mistakes—it erases characters to the left of the insertion

point.

The Fundamentals


Understanding the Start Menu

When you want to start working on something, the Start

menu is the first place you will go. As the gateway to your

computer, use the Start menu to access your computer’s

programs, files, and settings.

The Start menu has three important parts:

Left pane The left pane displays a list of commonly used

programs. Click All Programs to view a complete list

of programs installed on your computer.

Search box Allows you to instantly search for files and programs

on your computer. It searches file names and contents

of files that match the search term. The left pane

displays search results as you type.

Right pane Commonly used folders are listed here, such as

Documents and Pictures. You can also access

computer settings and turn off the computer here.

View the Start menu

Click the Start button on the taskbar or press the

< > key.

The Start menu appears.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the Start menu and explore its contents.

Figure 1-3: The Start menu.

The Fundamentals

Windows keeps track of the programs you use most often and makes them available here for easy access. Simply click a program icon to open it.

The right pane of the Start menu gives you quick access to your documents, files, and system settings.

Shut down, sleep, or lock your computer here.

Search box

Click here to view a list of all programs installed on your computer.


Table 1-8: Items in the Start Menu

Lef

t p

an

e

Frequently Used

Programs

Gives you quick access to the programs you use most often. If a program doesn’t appear here you will

have to look under “All Programs”.

All Programs Gives you access to all the programs installed on your computer, although you may have to wade

through several submenus in order to find the program you’re looking for.

Search Search your computer for files, folders, or programs.

Rig

ht

pan

e

User Open folders that contain items unique to your account, such as Contacts, Favorites, and My

Documents.

Documents Opens the Documents library.

Pictures Opens the Pictures library.

Music Opens the Music library.

Games Opens Games Explorer.

Computer Provides access to the drives, folders, and files on your computer.

Control Panel Opens the Control Panel.

Devices and Printers Manage the devices and printers connected to your computer.

Default Programs Modify the default programs that handle certain activities on your computer.

Help and Support Opens Windows Help.

Shut down Click the list arrow for other power options, including Log Off and Restart.

The Fundamentals


Using Help and Support

When you don’t know how to do something in

Windows 7, look up your question in the Help and

Support files. The Help and Support files can answer your

questions, offer tips, and provide help for all of the

features in Windows 7.

Search for help

1. Click the Start button on the taskbar and select Help

and Support from the right pane.

The Help and Support window appears.

Other Ways to Open the Help and Support

Window: Press <F1>. (This only works if no other

programs are open. Otherwise, <F1> will open the

Help files for another program.)

2. Type what you want to search for in the Search Help

box near the top of the window and press <Enter>.

A list of results related to the help topics appears.

3. Click the topic that best matches the topic you’re

trying to learn more about.

Information regarding the selected topic is displayed.

Browse for help

If you’re not totally sure what you’re looking for,

browsing the Help files is a great way to learn more about

your computer.

1. Click the Start button on the taskbar and select Help

and Support from the right pane.

The Help and Support window appears.

There are three categories of help topics that you can

access from the Home page of Help and Support:

How to get started with your computer: Help

topics include features that get you started with

your computer, such as adding users, backing up

files, and personalizing Windows.

Learn about Windows Basics: Includes topics

on basic computer functions, such as hardware

(mouse and keyboard), overviews of the Windows

desktop, and more.

Browse Help topics: Includes all help topics,

organized by related category.

Exercise


• Exercise: Search a topic of your desire using Windows

Help and Support, or just browse the files.

Figure 1-4: The Windows Help and Support window.

Table 1-9: Help Buttons

Back

Click here to move back to the

previous help topic.

Forward

Click here to move forward to

the next help topic.

Home

Click here to return to the Help

home page.

Print

Click here to print the current

help topic.

Browse Help

Click here to browse for help

using the Table of Contents.

Learn about

other

support

options

Click here to ask for help

through Remote Assistance or

expand your search.

Options

Click here to change how the

Help window works and is

displayed.

The Fundamentals


2. Click a link to view and browse help topics.

Help and Support displays the help topics that you

can browse.

Tips

You can also use the “Ask someone” section of Help

and Support to ask questions of a friend or co-worker

through Remote Assistance, use the resources of

Windows communities, or contact Microsoft

Customer Support.

The Fundamentals


Turning Off Your Computer

When you’ve finished using your computer, it’s important

to turn it off properly. This ensures that files are saved

correctly and your computer stays secure. It also makes

the process of restarting the computer faster.

Shut down your computer

When you shut down your computer, all programs and

windows are closed, along with Windows. The power to

your computer and display are turned off as well.

1. Click the Start button and click the Shut down

button in the right pane of the Start menu.

Windows automatically closes any files or programs

that are open, and shuts off the power and display.

Power will be restored and Windows will restart

when you press the Power button on your computer.

Tip: Make sure all of your files are saved before

you shut down.

Use sleep mode

Sleep mode is an alternative to shutting down. In sleep

mode, the computer continues to run at a very low power

so you can leave all of your programs and windows open

and immediately pick up where you left off when you

return to your computer.

1. Click the Start button and click the Shut down

button list arrow in the lower-right corner of the

Start menu.

A menu of options appears. Refer to Table 1-10:

Power Modes for more information on the available

power modes.

2. Select Sleep from the menu.

The computer enters sleep mode. When in sleep

mode, your computer is in a very low power setting

that allows you to leave programs and files open.

Tip: Make sure all of your files are saved before

you use sleep mode.

3. Press the power button on your computer to wake

it up.

The computer display appears as it did before you put

your computer into sleep mode.

Exercise


• Exercise: Put your computer in sleep mode, then wake it

up and begin using it again.

Figure 1-5: The Shut down button menu in the right pane of the Start menu.

Table 1-10: Power Modes

Switch

User

Allows you to work with several accounts on

the computer at the same time.

Log Off This option appears only if your computer is

connected to a network. This option closes all

your programs and disconnects your computer

from the network, preparing your computer to

be used by someone else

Lock Locks the computer so your password is

required to unlock it.

Restart Shuts down all programs and windows, shuts

down the computer, and restarts it again. Try

this if your computer is acting up.

Sleep This is the default power setting. Keeps all

programs and files open on your desktop so you

can jump in where you left off.

Hibernate Hibernate goes one step further than sleep,

allowing you to keep programs and documents

open while shutting off power completely.

Hibernate saves your desktop status to the hard

disk which allows power to be turned off.

Shut Down Select this option to turn your computer off. It

saves your Windows settings and saves any

information stored in memory to the local disk.

The Fundamentals


Tips

Microsoft recommends that you always put your

computer in sleep mode when you are finished using

it. Use Shut Down for when you are installing new

hardware or a device that does not connect to a

USB port.

You may have to log in to your account from the

Welcome screen upon waking up the computer. This

is a security measure.

The Fundamentals


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Quiz Questions

1. An operating system: A. Organizes files. B. Controls the computer's hardware. C. Runs the computer's programs. D. All of these.

2. Which of the following is NOT a new feature in Windows 7? A. Jump Lists B. Windows Search C. Aero Peek D. Libraries

3. What does the <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Delete> screen do? A. It's a defense against hackers or worms that might try to hack into your computer while you're not using it. B. Restarts your computer. C. Logs into a guest user account. D. Opens the Network Security dialog box.

4. What happens when you point at an object? A. The object is selected. B. A screen tip with a description of the object appears. C. The object is opened. D. The object is deleted.

5. You can move an object with click and drag. (True or False?)

6. To display a contextual menu for an object, do the following: A. Point to the object and press <Ctrl> + <C>. B. Right-click the object. C. Touch the object on-screen with your finger. D. Click the object.

7. A keystroke shortcut is: A. A way to lock your computer to prevent unauthorized access. B. Using the keyboard in conjunction with the mouse. C. A type of hopscotch. D. Pressing two or more keys at the same time, like pressing <Shift> with <Tab>.

8. Where are the most commonly used programs in the Start menu? A. Middle B. Right pane C. Search box


D. Left pane

9. What key can you press to get help? A. <F1> B. <Home> C. <Ctrl> + <H> D. <Esc>

10. Which of these statements is false? A. When you click the Shut down button in the Start menu, the computer enters sleep mode. B. When you click the Shut down button in the Start menu, the computer shuts down. C. When you shut down the computer, all your windows and programs are closed, and power to the display and

computer is turned off. D. When your computer is asleep, it runs in a low power mode so that windows and programs remain open until you

wake up the computer.

Quiz Answers

1. D. An operating system controls the computer's hardware, runs programs, and organizes files.

2. B. Windows Search is not a new feature in Windows 7.

3. A. The <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Delete> screen is a defense against hackers or worms that might try to access your

computer while you're not using it.

4. Most of the time, a description is revealed when you point at an object.

5. True. Click and drag an object, like a window or an icon, to move it.

6. B. Right-clicking most objects in Windows displays a list of options for the object.

7. D. A keystroke shortcut is when you press two or more keys at the same time.

8. D. The most commonly used programs are in the left pane of the Start menu.

9. A. Press the <F1> key to open Help and Support.

10. A. When you click the Shut down button in the Start menu, the computer shuts down. You must click the list arrow

and select Sleep to enter sleep mode.


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Understanding the Parts of a Window ............. 29

Using Windows Aero ......................................... 31 Aero Peek ................................................ 31 Aero Shake .............................................. 31 Snap......................................................... 32

Using Window Sizing Buttons .......................... 33 Maximize a window .................................. 33 Restore a maximized window .................. 33 Minimize a window ................................... 33 Restore a minimized window ................... 34

Moving and Resizing a Window ....................... 35 Move a window ........................................ 35 Resize a window ...................................... 35

Switching Between Windows ........................... 36 Taskbar buttons ....................................... 36 Flip 3D...................................................... 36 Jump to a window .................................... 37

Arranging Windows Automatically .................. 38 Show the desktop .................................... 38

Closing a Window .............................................. 39

No doubt about it: computers are

sophisticated, complex machines. To

make computers easier to use, Microsoft

designed Windows to operate similar to

how you work at the desk in your office.

When you work at your desk, you spread

everything out, grab a piece of paper,

work on it for a while, and then shuffle

another piece of paper on top of it. That’s

how Windows works, except instead of

working with papers, you work with

windows—boxes that contain programs

and information.

You can shuffle these windows around the

screen just like you shuffle papers on your

desk—which is why the main Windows

screen is called the desktop. Just like your

desk, if you’re working with a lot of

things at the same time, the Windows

desktop can become messy and it can be

very difficult to find things.

This chapter explains how to manage the

windows and programs on your screen.

First, you’ll learn how to open a window.

Next, you’ll discover the parts that

constitute a window (which are A LOT

different than the ones on your house).

Then you’ll learn how to change the size

of a window—minimizing it to a little

button that appears only on the taskbar

and maximizing it so that it fills the entire

screen. You’ll also learn how to “shuffle”

windows around, sending some to the

background and bringing others to the

forefront. Let’s get started!

2


Understanding the Parts of a Window

Most windows have the same basic parts, whether they

are displaying a program, file, or folder.

To open a program window, click the Start button,

select All Programs, and click the program you want

to open.

To open Windows Explorer, click the Windows

Explorer button on the taskbar or press < > + <E>.

Take a look at the diagrams below for an overview of

these windows.

Title bar: Displays the name of the program or window,

and the name of the document or file that’s being used. Ribbon: Controls what the program does. The commands

displayed on the Ribbon change from program to program, but

the Ribbon’s location doesn’t—it’s always perched at the top of

a window, right below the title bar.

Minimize button: Hides the window from your screen but

still runs it in your computer’s memory, ready for quick use.

You can minimize a window you’re not using so that it is

still running but is hidden in the taskbar.

Border: Click and drag a border or corner of a window to

change its size.

Maximize/Restore button: Depending on the size of the

window, this button toggles between maximize and restore. Zoom controls: Click and drag the zoom slider to zoom in or

out of the document area.

Close button: Closes the window or program when you’re

finished working with it, removing it from the screen and

the computer’s memory.

Status bar: Displays information about the document, window,

or program being used.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open a window and identify its parts.

Working with a Window

Parts of a program window


Back/Forward buttons: Jump back/forward to locations

you have previously visited. Border: Click and drag a border or corner of a window to

change its size.

Address bar: As you navigate, the file path is shown in the

Address bar. Each location in the path is a link; click the

link to open it in the window.

Details pane: Displays common properties associated with the

selected drive, library, folder, or file.

Folder list: Displays the contents of the selected drive,

library, or folder. Double-click an item to open it. Navigation pane: Displays the drives, libraries, and folders on

your computer. Click the tiny arrow to the left of an item to

expand it, and then click the drive/folder you want to view.

Scroll bar: There are both vertical and horizontal scroll

bars; use them to move around in the window and view

more information.

Command bar: Here you can access common commands

related to the selected drive, library, folder, or file. Options

change according to the item that is selected.


Parts of the Windows Explorer window


Using Windows Aero

The Windows Aero user interface was introduced in

Windows Vista. It returns in Windows 7, but with many

new functions and features.

Tips

Before completing this lesson, check to make sure

Windows Aero is enabled on your system. Right-

click the desktop, select Personalize, and ensure that

the Windows 7 theme, located under Aero Themes, is

selected.

Aero Peek

Aero Peek is a handy new feature in Windows 7. It makes

windows temporarily transparent so you can view a

window or the desktop.

1. Point to the program on the taskbar that contains the

file or window you want to preview.

A thumbnail preview appears for each open file or

window.

2. Point to the thumbnail preview for the file or window

you want to reveal.

The file or window is enlarged and every other open window is made transparent.

Other Ways to Activate Aero Peek: Point to the Show Desktop button on the right

edge of the taskbar or press < > + <Spacebar>

to take a quick “peek” at the desktop.

Tip: Depending on your taskbar settings, the

procedure for revealing a buried window might be

different from the one listed above.

Aero Shake

Another new Aero feature in Windows 7 is Aero Shake.

Aero Shake allows you to temporarily minimize all open

windows except the active window.

1. Point to the title bar of the active window.

2. Click and drag the window’s title bar quickly from

side to side, or “shake” it.

All open windows are minimized except for the

active window.

Tip: To revive all minimized windows, repeat the

steps above.

Exercise


• Exercise: Use Aero Snap to maximize or restore an open

window.

Figure 2-1: Use Aero Peek to take a quick peek at an open window or the desktop.



Snap

Probably the most useful of the new Aero features, Snap

is a quick way to maximize, compare, and restore open

windows, simply by clicking and dragging.

To Maximize an Open Window: Click and drag

the window’s title bar to the top of the screen, or

double-click the window’s title bar, or press < >

+ <↑>.

To Compare Open Windows Side by Side:

Click and drag the window’s title bar to the left or

right side of the screen, or press < > + <←> or

<→>.

To Restore a Maximized or Compared

Window: Click and drag the window’s title bar

toward the middle of the screen, or double-click

the window’s title bar, or use the < > + <arrow

keys>.



Using Window Sizing Buttons

One of the benefits of Windows is that it enables you to

open and work with several windows at the same time. To

make this easier, you can change the size of the windows.

You can maximize, or enlarge, a window so it takes up the

entire screen; or minimize, or reduce, a window so that it

only appears as a button on the taskbar. This lesson

explains how to change the size of a window by

maximizing, minimizing, and restoring.

Maximize a window

Maximizing a window enlarges the window so that it fills

the entire screen.

Click the Maximize button on the title bar.

The window fills the computer screen.

Tip: If the Maximize button is not available, the

window is already maximized.

Other Ways to Maximize a Window:

Double-click the title bar or press < > + <>.

Restore a maximized window

You can change a maximized window back to its original

size by clicking the Restore button. The Restore button

appears in place of the Maximize button whenever a

window is already in a maximized state.

Click the Restore Down button on the title bar.

The maximized window returns to its original size.

Tip: If the Restore Down button is not available,

the window is not in its maximized state.

Other Ways to Restore a Maximized Window:

Double-click the title bar or press < > + <>.

Minimize a window

You can tuck windows away—keeping them running and

ready for use, yet out of view—by minimizing them.

Click the Minimize button on the title bar.

The window shrinks to a button located on the

taskbar. The window is still open and running—it’s

just hidden from view, ready for future use.

Other Ways to Minimize a Window:

Press < > + <>.

Exercise

• Exercise File: WordPad window.

• Exercise: Maximize the WordPad window then restore it

to its original size. Minimize the WordPad window and

open it again from the taskbar.

Table 2-1: Window buttons

Maximize

Minimize

Restore Down

Figure 2-2: A maximized window fills the entire screen.

Figure 2-3: A window restored to its original size.



Restore a minimized window

It’s easy to display a minimized program or window when

you’re ready to use it again.

Click the window’s button on the taskbar.

The window appears on the screen.



Moving and Resizing a Window

This lesson explains how to move a window and change

the size of a window by clicking and dragging.

Move a window

If you have several programs or windows open, you may

find that one window covers the other windows or other

items on your screen. When this happens, you can simply

move a window to a new location on the screen, just like

you would move a report or folder to a different location

on your desk

1. Click and drag the window by its title bar.

2. Release the mouse button to drop the window in the

desired location on the screen.

Other Ways to Move a Window: To quickly snap a window to the left or right side

of your screen, press < > + <> or < > +

<>.

Tip: A window cannot be moved if it is in a

maximized or minimized state.

Resize a window

Manually resizing a window enables you to modify a

window’s size to meet your needs.

1. Hover the mouse pointer over the window’s borders

or corners until the pointer changes to a double-

headed arrow ( ).

2. Click and hold down the mouse button and drag the

border or corner until the window reaches the desired

size.

Exercise

• Exercise File: WordPad window in a restored state (not

maximized or minimized).

• Exercise: Move the WordPad window to another location

on the desktop.

Figure 2-4: To resize a window, click and drag its borders or corners.



Switching Between Windows

You can have several programs or windows open and

running simultaneously, but you can only work in one

window at a time. The window you’re working with is

called the active window and always appears on top of

any other windows that you have open. If you think about

it, you do the same thing at your desk. When you want to

work on a piece of paper, you place it on top of

everything else.

This lesson shows you how to manage multiple windows

so you can get to the window you want more quickly.

Taskbar buttons

All open windows are represented by taskbar buttons.

Switching between windows by clicking its taskbar button

is fast and easy.

Click the window’s taskbar button to make it active.

The window becomes the active window.

Other Ways to Activate a Window: Click any part of the window you want to make

active.

Tip: If several windows of the same type are

open, Windows will group them into one taskbar

button to conserve space. For example, if you

have several WordPad documents open, a Live

Preview thumbnail-sized window appears when

you click on or point to the WordPad taskbar

button.

Flip 3D

Flip 3D is a great way to quickly preview all your open

windows. Flip through the stack of windows until the

window you want to make active appears on top.

1. Press the < > + <Tab>.

Flip 3D opens and the windows are shown in a stack.

2. Hold down the < > and press <Tab> to cycle

through the windows.

A preview of the window appears as you cycle

through the stack.

Other Ways to Cycle through Flip 3D: After starting Flip 3D, press the < > key while

rotating the mouse wheel.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Have the WordPad program window, the

Documents folder window, and an Internet Explorer

window open. You may have other windows open as well.

• Exercise: Use the taskbar buttons to make each window

active. Use Flip 3D and flip through the stack of open

windows. Press <Alt> + <Tab> and cycle through the

windows as a list.

Figure 2-5: Working with taskbar buttons.


Multiple open windows grouped into one taskbar button have a “stacked” appearance.

Click a window thumbnail to open the window.


3. Release < > to make the window in front of the

stack active. Or, click a window in the stack to make

it active.

Flip 3D closes and the window is displayed as the

active window on the desktop.

Tips

To keep Flip 3D open without holding down the

Windows logo key, press <Ctrl> + < > + <Tab>.

Use Tab, the mouse wheel, or arrow keys to cycle

through windows. Press <Esc> to close Flip 3D.

Jump to a window

You can also jump to another open window using <Alt> +

<Tab>. This method displays a list and thumbnails of the

open windows on your computer.

1. Press <Alt> + <Tab>.

A list of the open windows appears. Each window is

represented by a thumbnail preview.

2. Hold down the <Alt > key: press <Tab> to cycle

forward through the windows; <Shift> + <Tab> to

cycle backward.

3. Release the <Alt > key to make the selected window

active.

The selected window is displayed as the active

window on the desktop.

Tips

Press <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Tab> to keep the list open

and use <Tab>, the mouse wheel, or the arrow keys

to cycle through the windows. Press <Enter> to

make the selected window active, press <Esc> to

close without changing windows.

<Alt> + <Tab> and Flip 3D are especially useful

when you use programs that fill the entire computer

screen. When you can’t see the taskbar or any part of

another window, these methods are the only way you

can switch between programs and windows.

Figure 2-6: Pressing <Alt> + <Tab> displays thumbnails of

all open windows.



Arranging Windows Automatically

When you have several windows or programs open, you

can have Windows automatically arrange them for you,

instead of manually resizing and pushing them around

yourself. Your windows can be arranged by stacking,

cascading and side by side.

This lesson shows you how to arrange multiple windows

in a way that makes sense and is easy to work with.

1. Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.

A contextual menu appears. There are three

arrangements to choose from.

Cascade windows: Windows neatly overlap each

other.

Show windows stacked: View the contents of all

open windows in a horizontal fashion.

Show windows side by side: View the contents

of all open windows in a vertical fashion.

Tip: If a lot of windows are open, click the small

blank area between the last taskbar button and the

notification area.

2. Select the arrangement you want to use.

The windows are arranged on the desktop.

Tips

Windows that are minimized are not included in the

automatic arrangement.

To go back to how your windows were arranged

before, right-click the taskbar and select the Undo

(arrangement) command.

Show the desktop

Sometimes if you have many windows open, it can be

overwhelming to sort and sift through the taskbar buttons

to find the windows you want. Start with a blank slate by

showing the desktop, and then click the taskbar buttons

for the windows you want to work with.

Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and select

Show the desktop.

All the open windows are minimized into the taskbar.

Other Ways to Show the Desktop: Press the < > + <D> or click the Show Desktop

button on the taskbar.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Have the WordPad program window, the

Libraries folder window, and an Internet Explorer window

open. You may have other windows open as well.

• Exercise: Experiment with arranging windows and

minimizing the windows by showing the desktop.

Figure 2-7: Window arrangements.


Cascade

Stacked

Side by Side


Closing a Window

When you’re finished working with a window or

program, you can close it to remove it from the screen and

computer’s memory. You can close any window or

program by clicking its Close button, which appears in the

upper-right corner of the window.

Click the window’s Close button.

Other Ways to Close a Window: Click the Program button and select Exit from

the menu. Or, point to the window’s button on the

taskbar, point to the window preview, and click

the Close button that appears. Or, right-click the

window’s button on the taskbar and select Close

window from the Jump List. Or, press <Alt> +

<F4>.

The window button no longer appears in the taskbar.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Open windows.

• Exercise: Close all open windows on the desktop.

Figure 2-8: Clicking the Close button is one way to close

a window.


Close button


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Quiz Questions

11. The area that displays the program or folder name and is found at the top of a window is called the: A. Windows bar B. Title bar C. Program bar D. Very-top-of-the-window bar

12. Use Aero Snap to: A. Take a quick peek at the desktop. B. Maximize a window. C. Minimize all open windows except the active window. D. None of the above.

13. You start your favorite word processing program to type a letter, but the program appears in a window that's too small

to use. How can you maximize the window so it fills the entire screen? A. Click the Maximize button located in the right side of the window's title bar. B. Select Window > Full Screen from the menu. C. Click the program's button on the taskbar. D. Click the window's title bar.

14. You can restore a minimized window by clicking its button on the taskbar. (True or False?)

15. How do you move a window on the Windows desktop? A. Select the window and use the keyboard arrow buttons to move the window. B. Select File > Move from the menu. C. You can't move a window. D. Click and drag the window by its top border to a new location on the screen.

16. To change the size of a window, click and drag by the window's borders or corners. (True or False?)

17. Which of the following won't allow you to switch between windows? A. Use <Alt> + <Tab> to scroll through a list of open windows. B. Click the program's button on the taskbar. C. Click the window icon in the notification area. D. Use Flip 3D to preview open windows.

18. Cascaded windows are arranged so that you can view the content of all the windows at the same time. (True or False?)

19. When you use the Show the Desktop arrangement, all open windows are closed. (True or False?)

20. Close a window by clicking the Close button. (True or False?)


Quiz Answers

11. B. The Title bar appears at the top of a window and displays the name of the program or folder.

12. B. Use Aero Snap to maximize, restore, and compare open windows.

13. A. Clicking the window's Maximize button will maximize the window so it fills the entire screen.

14. True. Clicking the taskbar button of an open window restores the minimized window.

15. D. To move a window, click and drag the window by its top border to a new location on the screen.

16. True. You must click and drag by the window's borders or corners to change the size of a window.

17. C. Clicking the window icon in the notification area is not a way to switch between windows.

18. False. Windows shown stacked or side by side are arranged so that you can view the content of all the windows at the

same time.

19. False. Show the desktop minimizes all open windows to the taskbar; it does not close them.

20. True. The easiest way to close a window is by clicking its Close button.


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Opening a Program ........................................... 43

Understanding the Program Window .............. 44

Understanding the Ribbon ............................... 45 Tabs ......................................................... 45 Groups ..................................................... 45 Buttons ..................................................... 45

Using the Program Button and Quick Access Toolbar ................................................................ 46

Program button ........................................ 46 Quick Access Toolbar .............................. 46

Understanding Controls.................................... 47

Entering and Editing Text in WordPad ............ 49

Opening a File .................................................... 50

Saving a File ....................................................... 51 Save a new document ............................. 51 Save document changes ......................... 52 Save a document under a different name and/or location ......................................... 52 Save a document as a different file type . 52

Selecting and Replacing Text ........................... 53

Using Undo and Redo ....................................... 55 Undo an action ......................................... 55 Redo an action ......................................... 55

Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Text ................. 56

Previewing and Printing a Document .............. 58

Getting Help ....................................................... 60 Search for help ........................................ 60 Browse for help ........................................ 60

Up until now, we’ve been focusing on

how to use the Windows 7 operating

system. In this chapter, you’ll be working

with a program. This chapter explains

how to control programs using the ribbon.

You’ll also learn what a dialog box is

(you’ll see a lot of them in Windows) and

how to use its controls.

While each program is different, the

procedure for doing things in all programs

is much the same. This chapter explains

these basic tasks using the WordPad

program. You’ll learn how to enter, edit,

and delete text; how to open, save, and

print a file; and how to get help when you

need it. Once you’ve learned these basic

skills in WordPad, you can apply them to

just about every other Windows program.

Let’s get started…

0


Opening a Program

In order to work with a program, you have to open—or

launch—it first.

1. Click the Start button.


2. Click All Programs.

The All Programs menu appears, listing all of the

programs that are installed on your computer.

3. Click the name of the program you want to open.

Tip: You may have to open several subfolders in

order to find the program you’re looking for.

Other Ways to Open a Program: The left-hand side of the Start menu contains a list

of recently used/pinned programs. If the program

you want to open appears in this list, click it to

open it.

You can also use a keystroke to start programs by

the order in which they are pinned on the taskbar.

Press < > + <1-9>, with the number

corresponding to the position of the pinned icon

on the taskbar.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the WordPad program (this is located in

the Accessories folder under All Programs).

Figure 3-1: Point to or click All Programs to display a list of all the programs that are installed on your computer.

Working with a Program

Commonly used/pinned programs appear here. If the program you want to open appears in this list, click it to open it.


Understanding the Program Window

All Microsoft program windows have the same basic

parts. This lesson will help you become familiar with the

most common parts of a program window.

Title bar: Displays the name of the program and the name

of the document or file that’s being used. Ribbon: Controls what the program does. The commands

displayed on the Ribbon change from program to program, but

the Ribbon’s location doesn’t—it’s always perched at the top of

a window, right below the title bar.

Minimize button: Hides the window from your screen but

still runs it in your computer’s memory, ready for quick use.

You can minimize a window you’re not using so that it is

still running but is hidden in the taskbar.

Border: Click and drag a border or corner of a window to

change its size.

Maximize/Restore button: Depending on the size of the

window, this button toggles between maximize and restore. Zoom controls: Click and drag the zoom slider to zoom in or

out of the document area.

Close button: Closes the window or program when you’re

finished working with it, removing it from the screen and

the computer’s memory.

Status bar: Displays information about the document, window,

or program being used.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Have the WordPad program open onscreen.

• Exercise: Understand and experiment with the different

parts of the WordPad window.



Understanding the Ribbon

Many of the programs included with Windows 7 provide

easy access to commands via the ribbon, which replaces

the menus and toolbars found in previous versions of

Windows. The ribbon keeps commands visible while you

work instead of hiding them under menus or toolbars.

The ribbon is made up of three basic components:

Tabs

Commands are organized into tabs on the ribbon. Each

tab contains a different set of commands. There are three

different types of tabs:

Command tabs: These tabs appear by default

whenever you open a program.

Program tabs: If you switch to a different authoring

mode or view, such as Print Preview, program tabs

replace the default command tabs that appear on the

ribbon.

Groups

The commands found on each tab are organized into

groups of related commands. For example, the Font group

contains commands used for formatting fonts.

Buttons

One way to issue a command is by clicking its button on

the ribbon. Buttons are the smallest element of the ribbon

and change color when clicked.

Tips

The ribbon shrinks or expands depending on your

screen resolution and the size of the program

window.

You can hide the ribbon so that only tab names

appear, giving you more room in the program

window. To do this, double-click the currently

displayed command tab. To display the ribbon again,

click any tab.

Exercise


• Exercise: Click each tab on the Ribbon to view its

commands.

Figure 3-2: The ribbon as shown in WordPad.

Figure 3-3: Hiding the ribbon gives you more room in the program window.


Command tab

Program tab

Group Button


Using the Program Button and Quick Access Toolbar

Near the ribbon at the top of the program window are two

other tools you can use to give commands: the Program

button and the Quick Access Toolbar.

Program button

The Program button appears in the upper-left corner of

the program window and contains basic file management

commands including New, which creates a new file;

Open, which opens a file; Save, which saves the currently

opened file; and Close, which closes the file that is

currently open.

Tips

The Program button replaces the File menu found in

previous versions of Microsoft programs.

The Program button is named differently depending

on the program in use. For example, in WordPad, it

is called the WordPad button, while in Paint it is

called the Paint button.

Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar appears above the ribbon and

provides easy access to the commands you use most

frequently. By default, the Save, Undo and Redo buttons

appear on the toolbar; however, you can customize this

toolbar to meet your needs by adding or removing

buttons. To customize it:

Click the Customize Quick Access Toolbar button

at the end of the Quick Access Toolbar and select the

commands you want to add or remove.

Tips

You can change where the Quick Access Toolbar

appears in the program window. To do this, click the

Customize Quick Access Toolbar button at the end

of the Quick Access Toolbar. Select Show below the

ribbon or Show above the ribbon, depending on the

toolbar’s current location.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Have the WordPad program open.

• Exercise: Click the WordPad button to open it. Move the

Quick Access Toolbar below the ribbon, then move it back

above the ribbon.

Figure 3-4: The WordPad button menu.

Figure 3-5: The Quick Access Toolbar.


Save Undo Redo

Customize

WordPad button


Understanding Controls

Some commands are more complicated than others. For

example, saving a file is a simple process—all you have

to do is click the Program Button and select Save from the

menu, or click the Save button on the Quick Access

Toolbar. Other commands are more complex.

Whenever you want to do something relatively

complicated in Windows, you need to fill out a dialog

box. Filling out a dialog box is not much different from

filling out a paper form.

See Table 3-1: Command Controls in Windows 7 for

a description of the various tools you will come

across and how to use them.

Other Ways to Select a Dialog Box Control: Press <Tab> to move to the next control in the

dialog box or <Shift> + <Tab> to move to the

previous control until you arrive at the desired

control. Press <Enter> to choose the control.

Table 3-1: Command Controls in Windows 7

Scroll bars Click on the arrow buttons on either end of the scroll bar to move a small amount at a time.

Click and hold the arrow buttons to scroll continuously. Click and drag on the scroll box to

move quickly through a document. In addition, some input devices (such as a mouse) will

have a wheel that you can turn to scroll up and down a page.

Command buttons When a dialog box appears, you will often need to click a command button to close it or

continue to the next dialog box.

Text boxes Simply type the information directly into the text box at the insertion point. If there is no

insertion point visible, click in the box first.

Drop-down list Click the arrow button in a drop-down list to display a list of options. Use the scroll bar or

the arrow keys to move up and down through the options and click on your selection.

List boxes A list box is similar to a drop-down menu, but the list box displays several options. Again,

use the scroll bar or the arrow keys to move up and down through the options that are not

displayed and click to make a selection.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Have a blank document open in the

WordPad program.

• Exercise: Open the Print dialog box (Ctrl + P) and explore

the various controls that are available.

Figure 3-6: An example of a dialog box and its wide

variety of controls.



Table 3-1: Command Controls in Windows 7

Option button Select an option by clicking one of the buttons. A marker will appear in the button once it has

been selected. Only one option button may be selected.

Check box Unlike option buttons, several check boxes may be selected. Select options by clicking in one

or more of the boxes. A check will appear in the box once it has been selected.

Sliders Click the slider control and drag it left and right (or up and down) to select from a range of

options.

Tabs Tabs are separate pages that overlap one another. Click on a tab display its page in front of

the rest.



Entering and Editing Text in WordPad

This lesson explains how to create and edit a document

using the WordPad program.

Enter text

Entering text is as easy as it sounds: all you have to do is

type!

1. Place the insertion point (the blinking bar) in

WordPad by clicking in the WordPad screen.

2. Type your text.

Trap: Don’t press <Enter> when you reach the

end of a line—WordPad will automatically move

the text to the next line for you. This feature is

called word-wrap.

Edit text

After typing a document, you will often discover that you

need to make some changes to your text. Editing a

document by inserting and deleting text is very simple.

1. Move the insertion point by clicking where you want

to remove text.

Other Ways to Move the Insertion Point: Use the arrow keys on your keyboard.

2. Press <Backspace> key to delete the text behind (to

the left of) the insertion point one character at a time.

The text is deleted one character at a time. Press and

hold the key to quickly delete text.

You can quickly delete a large amount of text as well.

Select the text by clicking at the point where you’d

like to start deleting, holding the mouse button and

moving the cursor to the point immediately following

the section you want to delete. Then just press

<Delete> or <Enter>.

Other Ways to Delete Text: The <Delete> key deletes text before (to the right

of) the insertion point one character at a time.

3. Type the text you wish to insert.

Other Ways to Insert Text: When you press the <Insert> key, all text you

enter at the insertion point will automatically

overwrite the text already in place. To turn this

feature off, press the <Insert> key a second time.

Exercise

• Exercise File: A blank document in the WordPad

program.

• Exercise: Type the first paragraph in this lesson, “This

lesson explains how to create a document using the

WordPad program. Actually, there isn’t much to explain. All

you have to do is type!” Then delete the last sentence.

Figure 3-7: The insertion point in a WordPad document.


Insertion point


Opening a File

Opening a document lets you work on a document that

you or someone else has previously created and then

saved. This lesson explains how to open a saved

document.

1. Click the WordPad button and click Open.

The Open dialog box appears. Next, you have to tell

WordPad where the file you want to open is located.

Other Ways to Open a Document: Press <Ctrl> + <O>.

2. Navigate to the location of the saved file.

The Open dialog box has several controls that make it

easy to navigate to locations and find files on your

computer:

Address bar: Click a link in the Address bar to

open it. Click the arrow to the right of a link to

open a list of folder within that location. Select a

folder from the list to open it.

Navigation pane: Navigate to other drives,

locations, libraries, and folders on your computer.

Search box: This searches the contents—

including subfolders—of that window for the text

that you type. If a file’s name, file content, tags, or

other file properties match the searched text, it

will appear in the search results. Search results

appear as you enter text in the search box.

3. Select the file you want to open and click Open.

The file is displayed in the program window.

Tips

WordPad and other programs will store the most

recently used documents in the Program button menu

to make them easier to find.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Resume.rtf

• Exercise: Open the Resume.rtf file.

Figure 3-8: The Open dialog box. To open a file, you must first navigate to the folder where it is saved.


Navigation pane Address bar Search box


Saving a File

After you’ve created a document, you need to save it so

that you can use it again. You can even save a copy of a

document by saving it under a new name, in a different

location, or under a different file type.

Save a new document

A document that is being saved for the first time needs a

new name, and you also need to specify where you want

the file to be saved so you can find it again.

1. Click the WordPad button and click Save.

The Save As dialog box appears.

Other Ways to Save: Press <Ctrl> + <S>. Or, click the Save button on

the toolbar.

Trap: The Save As dialog box in WordPad may

open with Folders collapsed. Click Browse

Folders so you can navigate to other locations on

the computer.

2. Navigate to the drive and/or folder where you want to

save your document.

The Save As dialog box has several controls that

make it easy to navigate to locations on your

computer:

Address bar: Click a link in the Address bar to

open it. Click the arrow to the right of a link to

open a list of folders within that location. Select a

folder from the list to open it.

Navigation pane: Navigate to other drives,

locations, libraries, and folders on your computer.

3. Enter the file name in the File name text box.

The file name should indicate the contents of the file.

File names can be up to 255 characters long and

contain letters, numbers, and some symbols. You

can’t use the symbols " \ / : * | < > in a file name.

4. Click Save.

The document is saved.

Exercise


• Exercise: Save the file under the name “Cover Letter”.

Figure 3-9: The Save As dialog box with folders collapsed.

Figure 3-10: The Save As dialog box has controls that

make it easy to navigate through your computer’s drives and folders.


Navigation pane

Address bar

Click Browse Folders to view controls that allow you to navigate to other locations on your computer.


Save document changes

When you make changes to a document, make sure you

save them. The program will not automatically save them

for you.

Click the Save button on the Quick Access Toolbar.

Any changes you have made to the document are

saved.

Other Ways to Save: Press <Ctrl> + <S>. Or, click the Program

button and click Save.

Save a document under a different name and/or location

Saving under a different name or in a different location

will not only save a copy of the file, but also keep the file

you started with in its original location.

1. Click the WordPad button and click Save as.


2. Enter a different name for the file in the File name

text box and/or navigate to a new location to save

the file.

3. Click Save.

Save a document as a different file type

Just as some people can speak several languages,

programs can read and write in other file formats. Saving

a document in a different file type makes it easier to share

information between programs. See Table 3-2: Common

WordPad Formats for brief descriptions of file types

available in WordPad.

1. Click the WordPad button and click Save As.


2. Click the Save as type list arrow and select a file

format.

3. Click Save.

The document is saved.

Table 3-2: Common WordPad Formats

Rich Text Format

(RTF)

The default format for WordPad.

Although it uses formatting, this file

type can be read by many different

programs.

Text Document Only text is saved in this file type.

Any document formatting is

removed.

Text Document –

MS DOS Format

A command line interface that can be

used to control internal computer

functions.

Unicode Text

Document

Unicode format includes a set of

letters, numbers, and symbols that

represents almost all written

languages in the world.

OpenDocument Text An XML-based file format that

allows documents to be shared

between different word processing

applications.

Office Open XML

Document

As above, an XML-based format

developed by Microsoft that allows

documents to be used by different

word processing programs.



Selecting and Replacing Text

Whenever you want to edit more than one character at a

time, you must select the text first. A lot of editing and

formatting techniques—such as formatting, cutting,

copying and pasting text—also require that you select the

text you want to modify. There are many reasons to select

text in many Windows-based programs, so it pays to be an

expert at it.

Select text

Whenever you want to edit or format text, you first need

to select it. See Table 3-3: Text Selection Shortcuts for

different methods of selecting text.

1. Click at the beginning or the end of the text you want

to select.

Selecting text is a useful skill because once text is

selected you can work with it by replacing, deleting,

or formatting it.

2. Click and hold the left mouse button and drag the

insertion point across the text. Release the mouse

button once the text is selected.

The text is highlighted to indicate that it is selected.

Other Ways to Select Text:

Keystrokes: Press and hold the <Shift> key

while using the arrow keys to select characters

(Right and Left arrow keys) or lines (Up and

Down arrow keys).

Add the <Ctrl> key to select by words (Right and

Left arrow keys) and paragraphs (Up and Down

arrow keys.

Multiple blocks of text: Select the first block of

text and hold down the <Ctrl> key as you select

the remaining block(s) of text.

Tip: Selecting multiple blocks of text may not

work in all Windows programs. If it does not

work, you will have to select and edit the blocks

individually.

Exercise


• Exercise: Select the first sentence in the first paragraph.

Delete it and replace it with the sentence, “I can help

Central TechWork meet the changing demands of

Administrative Coordinating Managers.”

Figure 3-11: Selecting and replacing text.

Figure 3-12: Text in this document has been selected.

Table 3-3: Text Selection Shortcuts

A word Double-click the word.

Several bits

of text

Select the first block of text, then press and

hold <Ctrl> as you select the remaining

blocks of text.

A sentence Press and hold <Ctrl> and click anywhere in

the sentence.

A line of text Click in the selection bar next to the line.

A paragraph Triple-click in the paragraph, or double-click

in the selection bar next to the paragraph.

The entire

document

Triple-click in the selection bar, or press and

hold <Ctrl> and click anywhere in the

selection bar, or press <Ctrl> + <A>, or click

the Select button in the Editing group of the

Home tab in the ribbon and select Select All.


1. Position the cursor before or after the text that you want to select.

2. Click and hold down the left mouse button, drag the mouse across the text you want to select, and then release the mouse button.

3. If you want to replace the selected

text, simply type in the new text – it will overwrite the selected text.


Deselect text

If you have selected a group of text and decided that you

do not want to make any changes to it, all you need to do

to deselect the text is simply click the mouse.

To deselect text, click anywhere on the computer

screen.

Other Ways to Deselect Text: Press an arrow key to move the insertion point.

Replace text

When you start typing after you select text, the selected

text is automatically deleted and replaced with the new

text you type.

Replace text by first selecting it, then type the new

text.

The selected text is replaced by the new text.



Using Undo and Redo

You don’t need to be afraid of making a mistake because

you can use the Undo feature to erase your actions. The

Undo and Redo commands are very useful when working

with text in a document.

Undo an action

Undo does just that—it undoes actions as though they

never happened.

Click the Undo button on the Quick Access Toolbar.

Your last action is undone. For example, if you had

deleted an item and then decided you wanted to keep

it after all, undo would make it reappear.

Other Ways to Undo: Press <Ctrl> + <Z>.

Tip: Click the Undo button multiple times to

undo multiple actions.

Redo an action

Redo is the opposite of undo: it redoes an action you have

undone. For example, if you decide that you do, after all,

want to delete an item that you have just brought back

with undo, you can redo the action.

Click the Redo button on the Quick Access Toolbar

Your last undone action is redone. For example, if

you decided that you did want to delete it after all,

redo would make it disappear once again.

Other Ways to Redo: Press <Ctrl> + <Y>.

Tip: Press the Redo keystroke multiple times to

redo multiple actions.

Exercise


• Exercise: Delete the first paragraph. Then undo the

deletion.

Figure 3-13: The Undo and Redo Buttons.


Undo Redo


Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Text

The Cut, Copy, and Paste commands are very useful when

you work with and edit your text. These commands let

you easily work with and rearrange text in the document.

Tips

You may cut, copy, and paste any item in a document,

such as clip art, a table, or an AutoShape—not just

text.

Cut text

When you cut text, it is removed from its original location

and placed in a temporary storage area called the

Clipboard.

1. Select the text or object you want to cut.

2. Click the Home tab on the ribbon and click the Cut

button in the Clipboard group.

The text is removed from the document and added to

the Clipboard.

Other Ways to Cut Text: Press <Ctrl> + <X>. Or, right-click the selection

and select Cut from the contextual menu.

Copy text

When you copy text, the selected text remains in its

original location and is also added to the Clipboard.

1. Select the text or object you want to copy.

2. Click the Home tab on the ribbon and click the Copy


The text is added to the Clipboard. Notice that unlike

cutting, the original text remains in the document.

Other Ways to Copy Text: Press <Ctrl> + <C>. Or, right-click the selection

and select Copy from the contextual menu.

Exercise


• Exercise: Select and cut the first sentence. Paste it after

the last sentence.

Figure 3-14: The Cut, Copy, and Paste commands are located in the Clipboard group on the Ribbon.


Cut

Copy


Paste text

After cutting or copying, move the insertion point to a

new location in a document and paste the item that you

last cut or copied into the document.

1. Click where you want to paste the cut or copied text.

2. Click the Home tab on the ribbon and click the Paste


The cut or copied text is inserted in the new location.

Other Ways to Paste Text: Press <Ctrl>> + <V>. Or, right-click where you

want to paste and select Paste from the contextual

menu.

Tips

You may also specify what you want to paste by

using the Paste Special command. Click the arrow

beneath the Paste button and select Paste Special

from the drop-down menu. Select a paste option from

the Paste Special dialog box. Figure 3-15: The Paste Special dialog box.



Previewing and Printing a Document

Once you have created a document, you can print a copy

of it—if your computer is connected to a printer. But

before you do this, it’s usually a good idea to preview

how it’s going to look.

Preview a document

1. Click the WordPad button and select Print Print

Preview from the menu.

The document is shown in Preview mode. Refer to

Table 3-4: Print Preview Options for a description of

the options available in this mode.

Tip: Use the commands in Print Preview to adjust

margins and page setup settings. Click the 100%

button to enlarge your view of the document.

2. Click the Close print preview button to return to the

document.

Tip: You can print directly from the Print Preview

window by clicking the Print button in the Print

group on the Print Preview tab.

Quick print a document

Quick printing a document bypasses the Print dialog box

and sends the document directly to the printer.

Click the WordPad button and select Print

Quick print from the menu.

The document is sent to the printer and is printed.

Exercise Notes


• Exercise: Print preview the Resume document and print

two copies of it.

Figure 3-16: A document in Print Preview mode.

Table 3-4: Print Preview Options

Print Click Print to open the Print dialog box and

specify print options before printing.

Page setup Click Page setup to open the Page setup

dialog box and specify page options, like

margins, before printing.

Zoom Click 100% for a larger display. Click One

Page to preview one page at a time, Two

Pages to preview two pages at a time.

Preview Click Previous page and Next page to

navigate between pages. Click Close print

preview to exit Print Preview mode.



Print a document

1. Click the WordPad Button and select Print Print

from the menu.

The Print dialog box appears. Here you can specify

printing options, such as number of copies and which

pages to print.

Other Ways to Print: Press <Ctrl> + <P>.

Tip: If you select text before printing the

document, click the Selection option in the Print

dialog box to print only the selected text. For a

description of the Print dialog box, see Table 3-5:

Sections in the Print Dialog Box.

2. Specify printing options, then click Print.

Table 3-5: Sections in the Print Dialog Box

Select Printer Select which printer to send your document to when it prints. If you are connected to more than one printer, the

currently selected printer is highlighted.

Preferences button: Displays a dialog box with options available to your specific printer. The Properties dialog

box will change according to the type of printer you use, but here are some common print properties:

Tray Selection: Change the type of the paper you’re printing to, or whether pages will be fed into the printer

by hand or run automatically.

Orientation: Change the paper orientation (portrait or landscape) or print on both sides of the sheet.

Color: Print in black and white or choose how you want to print colors in your document.

Page Format: If you’d like to fit more than one page of the document onto a sheet of paper, use this

command to set the page layout.

Print to file: Prints the document to a file instead of sending it to the printer.

Page Range Allows you to specify what pages you want to print. There are several options here:

All: Prints the entire document.

Current Page: Prints only the page you’re currently on.

Selection: Prints only selected document content.

Pages: Prints only the pages you specify. Select a range of pages with a hyphen (5-8) and separate single

pages with a comma (3,7).

Number of copies Specifies the number of copies you want to print. If you print multiple copies you can choose to have them

collated, that is, printed in order all the way through before the second copy begins printing.

Figure 3-17: The Print dialog box.



Getting Help

When you don’t know how to do something in WordPad

(or any of the other programs in Windows), look up your

question in the Help and Support files. The Help and

Support files can answer your questions, offer tips, and

provide help for all of WordPad’s features.

Search for help

1. Click the Help button ( ) located in the upper-right

hand corner of the window.

The Help and Support window appears. See Table

3-6: Help Buttons for an explanation of the buttons

that you can use here.

Other Ways to Open Help: Press <F1>.

2. Type what you want to search for in the Search Help

box near the top of the window and press <Enter>.

A list of results related to the help topics appears.

3. Click the topic that most closely addresses the topic

for which you’re searching.

Information regarding the selected topic is displayed.

Browse for help

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, browsing the

Help files is a great way to learn more about WordPad.

1. Click the Help button ( ) located in the upper-right

hand corner of the window.

The Help and Support window opens.

2. Click the Browse Help button.

Five topics are displayed. Since WordPad is not a

very big program, there aren’t many help topics to

browse here.

3. Click the link you want to browse.

Help and Support displays information regarding the

selected question or sub-topic.

Tip: If you cannot find an answer to your

question, click the back button to browse another

category.

Exercise


• Exercise: Explore the Help menu in WordPad.

Figure 3-18: The Windows Help and Support window displays relevant articles about WordPad.

Table 3-6: Help Buttons

Back

Click here to move back to the

previous help topic.

Forward

Click here to move forward to

the next help topic.

Help and

Support

home

Click here to return to the Help

home page.

Print

Click here to print the current

help topic.

Browse Help

Click here to browse for help

using the Table of Contents.

Learn about

other

support

options

Click here to find other sources

for help.

Options

Click here to change how the

Help window works and is

displayed.



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Quiz Questions

21. How do you access the All Programs menu? A. Click the Start button and select Programs > All Programs from the menu. B. Click the Start button and select All Programs. C. Right-click the taskbar and select All Programs. D. Right-click the desktop and select All Programs.

22. The area that displays the name of the program and the name of the file that is being used is called the: A. Windows bar B. Title bar C. Program bar D. Very-top-of-the-window bar

23. The ribbon can be hidden so that only tab names appear. (True or False?)

24. The Program Button contains basic file commands. (True or False?)

25. What is the Quick Access Toolbar? A. There are no toolbars in WordPad. B. What appears when you select text. C. A customizable toolbar of common commands that appears above the ribbon. D. An extension of the Windows taskbar.

26. How do you enter information into a text box? A. Click the box and it will fill in automatically. B. Press <Ctrl> + <E>. C. Click the tabs until the information appears. D. Type text in it with the keyboard.

27. At the end of a line of text, WordPad automatically moves text to the next line. This is called: A. Text-drop B. Word-wrap C. Line-break D. Type-down

28. The Delete key deletes text to the left of the insertion point. (True or False?)

29. Opening a document allows you to work on a document that was previously saved. (True or False?)

30. When you save a document with a different name, the old document is deleted. (True or False?)


31. Which of these is not a way to select a word? A. Double-click the word. B. Click and drag with the mouse to select the word. C. Click the word and press <Ctrl> + <W>. D. Place the insertion point next to the word, press Shift, and use the arrow keys to highlight the word.

32. What happens when text is selected and you begin to type? A. The selected text is deleted and is replaced with the typed text. B. The text is copied onto the clipboard. C. The text is deselected. D. A new keystroke shortcut is created.

33. Redo reverses the actions of undo. (True or False?)

34. What is a keystroke shortcut that you can use to paste text? A. <Ctrl> + <C> B. <Ctrl> + <V> C. <Ctrl> + <P> D. <Ctrl> + <X>

35. You can cut and paste text between documents. (True or False?)

36. The text or object that was last cut or copied is what appears when you paste. (True or False?)

37. The feature that allows you to see how your printed document will look is called ______. A. Print View B. Print Layout C. Print Sampling D. Print Preview

38. Which of the following is NOT a way to print a document? A. Press <Ctrl> + <P>. B. Select the WordPad button, then Print, then Quick Print. C. Press <Ctrl> + <T>. D. All of these.

39. There are two ways to use a program’s help files: search or browse. (True or False?)

Quiz Answers

21. B. Click the Start button and select All Programs to access the All Programs menu.

22. B. The Title bar appears at the top of every program window and displays the name of the program and the file you are

working on.

23. True. Double-click the currently displayed tab to hide the ribbon, then click any tab to view it once again.


24. True. The Program Button contains basic file commands, such as Open, Save, New, and Print.

25. C. The Quick Access Toolbar is a customizable toolbar of common commands that appears above the ribbon.

26. D. Enter information into a text box by typing text with the keyboard.

27. B. Word-wrap drops the text to the next line automatically, so there's no need to press Enter.

28. False. The Backspace key deletes text to the left of the insertion point. The Delete key deletes text to the right of the

insertion point.

29. True. Opening a document allows you to make changes to a file that you or somebody else has created.

30. False. The original document remains intact, with its original name.

31. C. Pressing <Ctrl> + <W> does not select text. You can select a word by double-clicking it or by highlighting it with

the mouse or arrow keys.

32. A. The selected text is deleted and is replaced with the typed text.

33. True. Redo reverses the actions of Undo.

34. B. You would think <Ctrl> + <P> would paste text — but it's <Ctrl> + <V>.

35. True. You can cut and paste text between two documents.

36. True. Typically when you paste, you paste the last item that was cut or copied.

37. D. The Print Preview feature allows you to preview how your printed document will look.

38. C. Pressing <Ctrl> + <T> is not a print command.

39. True. Two of the ways you can use a program’s help files is by doing a search or browsing help topics.


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Understanding What’s in Your Computer ....... 66 Icons ........................................................ 66 Drives, folders, and files .......................... 66 Memory units ........................................... 67

Opening Drives, Folders and Files .................. 68 View an item’s properties ......................... 68

Understanding the Windows Explorer Window ............................................................................. 69

Using Windows Explorer to Navigate Your Computer ............................................................ 70

Address bar ............................................. 70 Favorites .................................................. 70 Back and Forward buttons ....................... 71

Folder and File Basics ...................................... 72 Create a new folder ................................. 72 Rename a folder or file ............................ 72 Delete a folder or file ................................ 73 Restore a deleted folder or file ................ 73

Using and Creating Libraries ........................... 74 Open a library .......................................... 74 Create a new library ................................. 74

Modifying and Deleting Libraries ..................... 75 Add a folder to a library............................ 75 Remove a folder from a library ................ 75 Delete a library ......................................... 76

Selecting Multiple Folders and Files ............... 77 Select multiple items ................................ 77 Select all .................................................. 77

Copying and Moving Folders and Files .......... 78 Copy or move by clicking and dragging ... 79

Changing Window Layout and Views .............. 80

Sorting and Filtering Items ............................... 81 Sort files ................................................... 81 Filter files ................................................. 81

Using Search ...................................................... 83 Windows Explorer .................................... 83 Search filters ............................................ 83

When you work at a desk, unless you

make an effort to stay organized, all your

papers and files begin to pile up and

become disorganized. It takes a little more

time, but the same phenomenon occurs

when working with Windows—the files

you create using your computer start to

become cluttered, and are harder and

harder to find.

In this chapter, you’ll take your first step

beyond the Windows basics and enter the

world of file management. You’ll learn

how Windows stores information in files

and folders, just like a file cabinet does,

and see how the appearance of windows

have changed from previous versions of

Windows. You’ll find that you will need

to clean and organize your files and

folders from time to time, just like you

would the contents of a file cabinet. This

chapter explains how to organize your

computer by creating folders to store

related information, how to move and

copy files between folders, how to delete

and rename files and folders, and how to

retrieve a deleted file if you change your

mind.

4


Start menu ............................................... 83

Working with Compressed Folders ................. 85 Create a compressed folder .................... 85 Work with compressed folder files ........... 85


Understanding What’s in Your Computer

Icons

Everything in the computer is represented by its own

picture, or icon.

A different icon represents each item, as shown in Table

4-1: Common Icons. For example, the icons for disk

drives on your computer look similar, but have details that

distinguish them from each other. Folder icons almost

always look like little manila folders.

Files have more variety, because a different icon is used

for each file type. This makes it easy for you to tell the

difference between documents, photos, and spreadsheets

for example.

Drives, folders, and files

To see what’s in a file cabinet, you simply open a drawer.

You can view the information stored on your computer’s

disk drives in much the same way—by opening the disk

drive you want to access. The contents of your computer

can basically be categorized into three types of items:

Drives are like “drawers” that contain the folders on

your computer. A disk drive is the part of the

computer that reads and writes information to a disk,

whether it is a permanent hard disk like the one

inside your computer, or a removable compact disc

(CD). There are three main types of disk drives that

computers use to store their information, as shown in

Table 4-2: Common Computer Drives

.


Drive type Drive Letter Description

Local Disk

C Local disks, or hard disks, hide permanently inside your computer. Your computer’s hard disk is

its main filing cabinet—where it stores its programs and files.

CD-ROM, DVD,

or BD-ROM

D or above Compact discs, or CD-ROMs, are like the audio discs you play in your stereo. CD-ROMs are

cheap and can typically store 650 MB of information, which is why they’re used to install

software for games and programs with a lot of multimedia.

DVDs are similar to CDs, but they can hold six times more data. DVDs are the most common

storage device for movies and are often used to install programs and games.

Blue-ray Discs (BD) are like DVDs, but with enormous capacity. BDs can store up to six times

more information than a DVD (over 20 GB) and are typically used for high-definition video and

games.

Table 4-1: Common Icons

Drive

Drives are the devices that store folders and files.

Drives of different types have icons that indicate

the type of drive; for example, the hard disk drive

for your computer is indicated by the Windows

logo.

Folder

Folders are used to organize and contain files and

are stored on drives. Folder views with large icons

allow you to see if a folder contains other folders

or files

File

Files are the items that you actually work with

when you use your computer. Whether it is a

program or a document, the icon that represents a

file indicates its type.

Exercise


• Exercise: Locate the disk drives on your computer, and

understand the difference between a byte and a gigabyte.

Working with Folders and Files



Other Drives

D or above There are also other types of drives, including network drives, removable drives, and external

drives. Network drives are drives that are available through the servers on a company’s network.

They have an almost unlimited storage size. Removable storage drives include CD and DVD

drives, and USB flash drives. External hard drives are like having another computer of storage

space: 100 GB or more.

Folders contain other folders and files. Folders allow

you to keep related information in the same place. If

anything happens to a folder—if it is moved or

deleted, for example—everything contained in the

folder goes with it.

Files are the “meat” of your computer: drives and

folders exist to store files. Files cannot contain other

files or folders. Table 4-3: Common Types of Files

displays some of the common types of files you will

encounter.

There are two parts to every file: the file name and the file

extension. The file name distinguishes the file from other

files. Typically, you give the file its name.

The file extension tells Windows what type of file it is.

Windows uses this information to determine which type

of icon is used for the file, and it also tells Windows

which program to use to open the file. The file extension

is assigned to the file by the program in which the file was

created. For example, Notepad always adds the file

extension “.txt” to its files, so when you double-click a

.txt file, Windows knows it has to open the file in

Notepad.

Tips

By default, Windows 7 does not display file

extensions. This can be changed by modifying

Windows folder settings.

Memory units

Just as liquids are measured in quarts and gallons,

computers save their information in units called bytes.

Computers use the metric system, so 1,000 bytes make up

a kilobyte and 1,000,000 (one million) bytes make up a

megabyte. Table 4-4: How Memory is Measured lists

memory units for computers.

Table 4-4: How Memory is Measured

Byte A byte is equivalent to a single character, such as the letter “J” or number “8”. A single character

Kilobyte

(K or KB)

A kilobyte is about 1,000 bytes (1,024 to be exact). A kilobyte is equivalent to a page

of double-spaced typing.

1,024 bytes

Megabyte

(MB)

A megabyte (MB) is about one million bytes. A megabyte is equivalent to an

average-length novel.

1,048,576 bytes

Gigabyte

(GB)

A gigabyte (GB) is about one billion bytes. A gigabyte is equivalent to the text in

several encyclopedia sets.

1,000,000,000 bytes

Table 4-3: Common Types of Files

Application

(.exe)

Application or executable (.exe) files are the

programs that run on your computer. When

you open a program, you are opening an

executable file.

Rich Text

Format

(.rtf)

WordPad creates files of this type: this file

type can hold basic formatting properties and

objects like graphics: it’s not as advanced as a

Microsoft Word (.doc) file, but it’s not as

simple as a Notepad (.txt) file.

JPEG

Most photographs are JPEGs.

Shortcut

Shortcuts point to files and folders elsewhere

on your computer so that you can quickly

open that file, folder, or program without

having to go to its actual location. All of the

programs in the Start menu and some of the

items on your desktop are actually shortcuts

that point to files located elsewhere on your

computer.



Table 4-4: How Memory is Measured

Terabyte

(TB)

A terabyte (GB) is about one trillion bytes. A terabyte is equivalent to the text in a

library.

1,000,000,000,000 bytes


Opening Drives, Folders, and Files

To work with items in your computer, you need to open

the drives, folders, and files where the data you want to

work with is stored.

Open drives, folders and files

Since drives, folders, and files are located in different

levels of your computer’s hierarchy, accessing each of

them is a little different:

Drives: Click the Start button and select Computer

from the menu. Double-click a drive to open it.

Drives are places where data can be stored. This data

is organized into folders and files. All the drives

available on your computer are shown in the

Computer window, so you can access any folder or

file on your computer from this location.

Other Ways to Open Computer: Press < > + <E> or click the Windows Explorer

button on the taskbar and click Computer in the

Navigation pane.

Folders: Click the Start button and select the folder

you want to open from the menu.

The folder window appears, displaying the folders

and files saved in the folder.

Other Ways to Open a Folder: Click the Windows Explorer button on the

taskbar and select a drive and/or folder in the

Navigation pane.

Files: Open the folder where the file is located and

then double-click the file icon.

The file is displayed in a compatible program.

View an item’s properties

If you need to know the nitty gritty details about an item,

take a look at its properties. Properties contain

information such as the size of the item and where it is

saved on the computer.

Right-click the item and select Properties from the

contextual menu.

The Properties dialog box appears.

Other Ways to View an Item’s Properties: Select the item and click the Properties button on

the Command bar.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the Computer window. View the

properties of the Local Disk drive. Open the Local Disk

drive, and open a folder in the Local Disk drive.

Figure 4-1: The hierarchy of storing information on a computer.

Figure 4-2: The Properties dialog box for the Local Disk

drive.


1.) A computer stores information on disks.

2.) Information on a disk is organized and grouped into folders.

3.) A folder may contain several files and subfolders.


Understanding the Windows Explorer Window

When you open a folder or library in Windows, Windows

Explorer appears. Windows Explorer makes it easy to

view and work with the drives, folders, and files on your

computer.

Click the Start button and select All Programs

Accessories Windows Explorer from the menu.

The Windows Explorer window appears.

Other Way to Open Windows Explorer: Click the Windows Explorer button on the

taskbar or press < > + <E>.


you have previously visited. Details pane: Displays common properties associated with the





Navigation pane: Displays the drives, libraries, and folders on




library, or folder. Double-click an item to open it. Command bar: Here you can access common commands



Exercise


• Exercise: Open Windows Explorer and use the

Navigation pane to jump to another location.



Using Windows Explorer to Navigate Your Computer

The process of opening drives and folders to find the file

you want to work with is called navigating. A path is the

sequence of drives and folders that are opened as you

navigate. The path includes the drive, followed by folders,

and the name of the file.

There are several controls that make it easy to navigate to

other locations on your computer.

Address bar

The Address bar is a great tool for navigation. Each

location in the path is a link; click the link to open its

location.

Tips

To open a common folder, such as Desktop or

Documents, simply type its name in the Address bar.

Favorites

Use the Favorites section in the Navigation pane to store

your most commonly used folders and searches. Windows

7 includes three favorite locations by default:

Desktop: Displays a list of shortcuts to the files and

programs you have saved to the desktop.

Downloads: Displays a list of files that you have

downloaded or saved from the Internet.

Recent Places: Displays a list of shortcuts to recently

used files, folders, and programs.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the Documents folder. Use the Address

Bar to open Computer. Open a location under Libraries. Use

the Forward button list arrow to open the Public folder.

To… Do this...

Open a location on the

file path…

…click its link in the Address bar.

Jump to a location’s

subfolders…

…click its list arrow and select a

folder from the list.

To view the file path

without links...

…click an empty area of the

Address bar or press <Alt> + <D>.

Figure 4-3: Use the Address Bar to navigate along

locations in the path.

Figure 4-4: Favorites provides shortcuts to folders that are used most often.


Click the arrow to the right of a link to view the folders in the location.

Click the tiny arrow to expand or collapse the selected folder.


Back and Forward buttons

As you navigate your computer, Windows keeps track of

the locations you have visited. Move back or forward in

this list using the Back and Forward buttons.

Click the Back or Forward button.

The contents of the location one step behind or ahead

on the path are displayed.

Tip: Click the Forward button list arrow to

open a list of recently visited locations.

Figure 4-5: Use the Back and Forward buttons to return to

locations you visited while navigating.

Click the Forward button list arrow to see a list of recent locations.



Folder and File Basics

This lesson covers several simple, yet important, tasks in

file management.

Create a new folder

Folders allow you to group related information together.

Here’s how to create a new folder in Windows 7:

1. Open the location where you want to create the new

folder.

2. Click the New Folder button on the command bar.

Other Ways to Create a New Folder: Right-click any empty area in the window and

select New Folder from the contextual menu.

Or, press <Ctrl> + <Shift> + <N>.

3. Type a name for the folder and press <Enter>.

The folder is created.

Rename a folder or file

You might want to rename a folder or file to distinguish it

from other copies of the same file or to change the name

to something that better identifies its contents.

1. Select the folder or file you want to rename.

2. Click the Organize button on the command bar and

select Rename from the menu.

The name of the item becomes highlighted,

indicating you can change the name.

Other Ways to Rename a Folder or File: Right-click the folder or file and select Rename

from the contextual menu. Or, click the file while

it is highlighted.

3. Type a new name for the folder or file and press

<Enter>.

The name of the item is changed.

Trap: If you change the name of a folder, the path

for anything contained in that folder also changes.

For example, a shortcut to an item contained in

the folder will no longer work.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Windows 7 Practice folder

• Exercise: Create a new folder named “Practice Folder.”

Rename the folder to “My Stuff.” Delete the “grocery

list.txt” file, then restore it from the Recycle Bin.

Figure 4-6: Enter a name for the folder or file after it is created, or after selecting the Rename command.



Delete a folder or file

If you are certain you no longer need a folder or file, you

can delete it.

1. Select the folder or file you want to delete.


select Delete from the menu.

Other Ways to Delete: Select the folder or file and press <Delete>, or

right-click and select Delete from the contextual

menu.

3. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

The folder or file is sent to the Recycle Bin.

Tip: If you click No, the folder or file is not

deleted and the dialog box closes.

Trap: Before you delete a folder, make sure it

doesn’t contain any important files. If you aren’t

familiar with the contents of a folder, you

shouldn’t delete it.

Restore a deleted folder or file

Just like a wastebasket, the Recycle Bin stores all of the

folders and files you have deleted. If you change your

mind about a deleted folder or file, it’s easy to find and

retrieve it.

1. Double-click the Recycle Bin on the Desktop.

The Recycle Bin opens and displays all the files you

have recently deleted.

2. Select the file you want to restore and click the

Restore this item button on the command bar.

The item is removed from the Recycle Bin and

restored to its original location.

Other Ways to Restore a Folder or File: Right-click the folder or file in the Recycle Bin

and select Restore from the contextual menu.

Figure 4-7: Before a folder or file is deleted, you must

confirm the deletion.

Figure 4-8: Restoring an item from the Recycle Bin.



Using and Creating Libraries

A library is a virtual folder that gathers files from the

locations you specify and displays these files as a single

collection. For example, you could specify that the

Documents library contain all .doc files from the My

Documents and Important Documents folders.

Open a library

Open a library just like you would any other folder.

1. Click the Windows Explorer button on the taskbar.

The Libraries window appears. Four libraries have

been created by default in Windows 7: Documents,

Music, Pictures, and Videos.

2. Double-click the library you want to view.

The contents of the library appear.

Other Ways to Open a Library: Click the Start button and select a library from

the Start menu, or open any Windows Explorer

window, click Libraries in the Navigation pane,

and double-click the library you want to view.

Create a new library

You can create a new library that contains only the folders

you specify.


The Libraries window appears.

2. Click the New Library button on the command bar.

A new library icon appears.

Other Ways to Create a New Library: Right-click Libraries in the Navigation pane or

an empty area in the Libraries window and select

New Library from the contextual menu.

3. Type a name for the library and press <Enter>.

The new library is created.

Exercise


• Exercise: Familiarize yourself with the default libraries

available in Windows 7. Create a new library named

Practice.

Figure 4-9: A library is a compilation of files from folders

you specify.

Figure 4-10: The Libraries window.


Folder A Folder B

Pictures Library


Modifying and Deleting Libraries

You don’t always have to create a new library. Save time

by modifying an existing library’s criteria instead.

Add a folder to a library

Libraries gather their content from the folders you specify.

You can include up to 50 folders in one library.

1. Open the library you want to add a folder to.

2. Click the Locations link in the Library pane.

The Library Locations window appears.

3. Click Add.

The Include Folder window appears. Here you need

to find and select the folder you want to include.

4. Navigate to and select the folder you want to include.

5. Click Include folder.

The folder is now included in the library.

Tip: A network folder must be added to the index

or made available offline before it can be included

in a library.

Other Ways to Add a Folder to a Library: Open or select the folder you want to add, click

the Include in Library button on the command

bar, and select the library you want to add it to.

Remove a folder from a library

If you delete an individual item from a library, it will also

be deleted from its original location. To remove an item

from a library without deleting it from its original

location, you have to remove the folder containing the

item.

1. Open the library containing the folder you wish to

remove.

2. Click the Locations link in the Library pane.

The Library Locations window appears.

3. Click the folder you want to remove, and click

Remove.

4. Click OK.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Practice library created in previous lesson.

• Exercise: Delete the Practice library.

Figure 4-11: The Documents Library open in Windows Explorer.

Figure 4-12: The Library Locations window.


Locations link


Delete a library

If you decide you no longer need a library, delete it.


The Libraries window appears.

2. Right-click the library you want to delete, and select

Delete from the contextual menu that appears.

The library is moved to the Recycle Bin.

Tip: Because libraries do not actually contain

files, deleting a library does not delete the files

that are stored there.

Working with Files and Folders


Selecting Multiple Folders and Files

Before you can do anything with a folder or file, you must

select it first.

Select multiple items

There are several ways to select multiple items:

Click and drag a rectangle around the items you want

to select.

This works best for items that are next to each other,

especially if an icon view is being used.

Click the first item you want to select, press and hold

down the <Shift> key, and click the last item you

want to select.

This works best for items in a list or Details view

because of how items are arranged.

If the items aren’t next to each other, you can select

non-adjacent items by pressing and holding the

<Ctrl> key and clicking the items you want to select.

This method works in any view.

Select all

If you want to work with all of the items in a folder, you

can select all of them at once.

Click the Organize button on the command bar and

select Select All from the menu.

Other Ways to Select All: Press <Ctrl> + <A>.

Tips

Files and folders can be selected at the same time.

If folders and files are grouped or stacked, click the

group heading or the stack to select all the folders

and files in the group or stack.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Windows 7 Practice folder.

• Exercise: Select several files by clicking and dragging a

rectangle around them. Select the Paris.jpg, Accounting

folder, and grocery list.txt items.

Figure 4-13: Click and drag to select multiple files.

Figure 4-14: When you want to select a group of adjacent files, use the <Shift> key.

Figure 4-15: Use the <Ctrl> key when you want to select non-adjacent files.



Copying and Moving Folders and Files

You probably don’t reorganize the folders in your file

cabinet very often—and you probably won’t need to

move or copy the folders on your computer very often,

either. When you find you do need to move or copy a

folder or file, the process is very similar to copying,

cutting and pasting text in a program.

Copy and paste a folder or file

1. Select the folder or file, click the Organize button on

the command bar, and select Copy from the menu.

Other Ways to Copy: Right-click the folder or file and select Copy from

the contextual menu, or click the folder or file and

press <Ctrl> + <C>.

2. Open the location where you want to copy the folder

or file, then click the Organize button and select

Paste from the menu.

Other Ways to Paste: Right-click an empty area in the location where

you want to paste the item and select Paste from

the contextual menu. or press <Ctrl> + <V>.

Move a folder or file

1. Select the folder or file, click the Organize button on

the command bar and select Cut from the menu.

Other Ways to Cut: Right-click the folder or file and select Cut from

the contextual menu, or click the folder or file and

press <Ctrl> + <X>.

2. Open the location where you want to copy the folder

or file, then click the Organize button and select

Paste from the menu.

Other Ways to Paste: Right-click an empty area in the location where

you want to paste the item and select Paste from

the contextual menu or press <Ctrl> + <V>.

Exercise


• Exercise: Add a copy of the grocery list.txt file to the

desktop. Move the copied grocery list.txt file into the

Document folder.

Figure 4-16: Click and drag a folder or file to move it to

another location. To copy a folder or file, press and hold the <Ctrl> key while dragging.

Figure 4-17: This dialog box appears if you try to copy or

move a folder or file into a location where a folder or file of that name is already saved. Choose an option or click Cancel to continue.



Copy or move by clicking and dragging

Click and drag the folder or file to the desired

location. Hold down the <Ctrl> key while you drag

to copy the folder or file.

Tip: You can click and drag to a location in the

Navigation pane, or open another window for the

location to which you want to move or copy the

item(s).



Changing Window Layout and Views

As you work with files and folders on your computer, you

may find that you want to change how information is

displayed in Windows Explorer. This lesson will show

you how to change the appearance of a window and its

contents.

Layout

Changing the layout of the window allows you to choose

how much information is displayed in the window.


select Layout from the menu.

A submenu appears with the following options:

Menu bar: Displays the menu bar found in

previous versions of Windows.

Details pane: (Open by default) Displays detailed

information about the selected item.

Preview pane: Displays a preview of the selected

file.

Navigation pane: (Open by default) Displays the

contents of your computer in hierarchical view.

Library pane: (Open by default in Library

folders) Displays options for arranging the

information in a library.

2. Select the layout option you want to use.

The window changes accordingly.

Views

You can change how the contents of a folder are displayed

using the Views button on the command bar.

1. Click the Views button list arrow on the command

bar.

A list of views appears. See Table 4-5: Window

Views for a brief description of each view.

Tip: Click and drag the View slider to see a live

preview of each view.

2. Select the view you want to use.

The contents of the window change to reflect the

selected view.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the Practice folder. Change the layout to

display the menu bar and Preview pane. Apply the Tiles

view to the window. Return to the default layout and List

view.

Figure 4-18: A window with all four panes displayed.

Table 4-5: Window Views

Icons The Medium, Large, and

Extra Large icon views are

great for looking at images

because the file’s icon is a

thumbnail preview of the

image.

List Files and folders are

displayed as small icons in

a list. This view allows you

to see the most files at a

time.

Details Displays information about

every file and folder, such

as its name, size, type, and

when it was last modified.

Tiles Files and folders are

displayed as icons, but with

more information. The type

and size of a file is

displayed to the right of the

icon.


Details Pane Preview Pane

Navigation Pane Library Pane Views button


Sorting and Filtering Items

If you ever need to find an item, such as a file that’s

buried deep inside a folder, you can quickly sort a folder’s

contents by clicking one of its column headings. For

example, clicking the “Date modified” column heading

sorts the file list by the date each file was last modified or

saved.

Sort files

By default, files are sorted alphabetically by name in

ascending order. You can also sort your files by size,

type, or date modified.

First, you need to switch to Details view.

1. Click the View button list arrow on the command

bar and select Details.

The file list is displayed in Details view, and column

headings now appear above the file list.

2. Click the column heading you want to sort by.

The file list is arranged accordingly.

Other Ways to Sort: Right-click an empty area in the file list, select

Sort by from the contextual menu, and select an

option.

Tip: Click the column heading again to toggle

between ascending and descending order.

Filter files

By applying a filter to a folder you can display only the

files that meet your criteria and hide the files that do not.

For example, you could apply a filter that would only

display files that were modified yesterday.

First, you need to switch to Details view.

1. Click the View button list arrow on the command

bar and select Details.

The file list is displayed in Details view, and column

headings now appear above the file list.

2. Point to the column heading you want to filter by

and click the list arrow that appears.

A list of filtering options appears. Filtering options

will vary depending on which column heading is

selected.

Exercise


• Exercise: Sort the files by date modified. Filter the view

so that only JPEG images are shown. Remove the filter.

Figure 4-19: Column headings only appear in Details view.

Figure 4-20: You can filter by more than one property.



3. Click the check box next to the property or properties

that you want to filter the file list by.

The file list is rearranged accordingly and a

checkmark appears next to the column heading that is

being filtered.

Tips

To remove a filter, follow the same steps you used to

apply it.



Using Search

It’s just as easy to misplace a folder or file on your

computer as it is to misplace your car keys—maybe even

easier! The Search feature is a powerful solution for

finding your lost folders and files.

Windows Explorer

If you have an idea regarding where the folder or file

you’re looking for is located, use the Search box in

Windows Explorer. The Search box appears at the top of

every Windows Explorer window and searches the

contents, including subfolders, of that window for the text

that you type. If a file’s name, content, tags, or other

properties match the searched text, it will appear in the

search results.

1. Open the folder or library where the file you’re

looking for is located.

2. Type a keyword for the file in the Search box.

As you type, items that match the keyword become

highlighted.

Tip: Once the file you want appears, you can stop

typing: there is no need to press <Enter> to

submit your search text.

Search filters

You can quickly refine your searches in Windows 7 with

Search Filters. Use a search filter to display only those

files that meet the criteria you specify.

1. Click in the Search box.

A list of search filters appears.

Tip: The filters available will vary depending on

the contents of the folder.

2. Click the filter you want to use, and then specify the

filter criteria.

The contents of the folder are filtered.

Start menu

The Search box in the Start menu can also be used to

perform a search. Searching from the Start menu finds

files, folders, e-mails, and programs.


An insertion point appears in the Search box at the

bottom of the Start menu.

Exercise


• Exercise: Search the word “expenses” in the Practice

folder. Open the Search folder and search for files modified

on 3/22/07. Search “music” from the Start menu.

Figure 4-21: Search results appear highlighted.


Search box

Filter options


2. Type a keyword in the Search box.

As you type, items that match the keyword appear in

the Start menu.

Tip: Once the item you want appears, you can

stop typing: there is no need to press <Enter> to

submit your search text.

Tips

To clear a search, click the Close button ( ) in the

Search box.

Use the Preview pane to preview your search results

without having to open the actual file. Click the

Preview Pane button on the command bar to display

the Preview pane.

Now you can save your searches and return to them

later. Click the Save search button on the command

bar, enter a name for the search, and click Save.

Figure 4-22: Use the Preview pane to preview search

results without having to open the actual file.


Preview Pane button


Working with Compressed Folders

You can reduce the size of a folder and its contents by

using a compressed, or zipped, folder. Working with a

compressed folder and its contents is just like working

with a regular folder.

Create a compressed folder

Compressed folders require less memory, which makes

them easier to transfer and share with other computers.

1. Right-click an empty area on the desktop or in a

folder window and select New Compressed

(zipped) Folder from the contextual menu.

The compressed folder is created.

2. Type a name for the folder.

3. Click and drag items into the compressed folder.

A copy of the item appears inside the zipped folder.

Other Ways to Create a Compressed Folder: Right-click an existing folder or file (or select

multiple folders and files) and select Send To

Compressed (zipped) Folder from the contextual

menu.

Work with compressed folder files

If you open a file directly from the compressed folder, it

will open in read-only format. If you want to work with

and make changes to a file, you need to extract it.

1. Double-click the compressed folder and click the

Extract all files button on the command bar.

The Extract Compressed (Zipped) Folders dialog box

appears.

Other Ways to Extract Files: Click and drag the folders or files out of the

compressed folder. Or, right-click the compressed

folder and select Extract All from the contextual

menu.

2. Click the Browse button and specify where you

would like the extracted files to be located and click

Extract.

The files are extracted to the specified location.

Tips

Extracting a file returns the file to its original size.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Windows 7 Practice folder

• Exercise: Create a compressed folder named “Zip” and

add the Seniors.txt file to it. Extract the file to your

Documents folder.

Figure 4-23: A zipped folder in the Practice folder.

Figure 4-24: Extracting files from a compressed folder.


A compressed folder has a zipper on the folder icon.


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Quiz Questions

40. Which of the following computer devices does not store information? A. Hard disk drive B. Discus disks C. Network drive D. Removable disks

41. How much text is equal to a byte? A. A single character B. A novel C. A library D. An encyclopedia set

42. Do this to display the contents of a drive, folder or file: A. Right-click the item. B. Triple-click the item. C. Click the drive or folder while holding down the Alt key. D. Double-click the item.

43. To view an item's properties, right-click the item and select Properties from the contextual menu. (True or False?)

44. Windows Explorer automatically appears when you open a folder or another location on your computer. (True or

False?)

45. You can create a new folder using the <Ctrl> + <N> shortcut. (True or False?)

46. The process for renaming and deleting a folder is the same for a file. (True or False?)

47. Delete a folder or file by clicking it, pressing the Delete key, and confirming the deletion. (True or False?)

48. Which of these will NOT select multiple files or folders? A. Click and drag a rectangle around any adjacent files you want to select. B. Click the first file you want to select, press and hold down the Shift key and click the last file you want to select. C. Hold down the <Ctrl> key and click the files you want to select. D. Click the Organize button and select Select Multiple Files, and then click the files you want to select.

49. If you hold down the <Ctrl> key while clicking and dragging a folder, what happens? A. The folder is copied to where it is dropped. B. The folder is moved to where it is dropped.


C. The folder is deleted. D. The Organize button is clicked.

50. Which of the following methods is incorrect? A. To copy a file, press and hold down the <Ctrl> key as you click and drag the file to a new location. B. To move a file, click the Organize button and select Move from the menu. C. To copy a file, click the Organize button and select Copy from the menu. D. To move a file, right-click the file and select Cut from the contextual menu.

51. The menu bar appears in windows by default in Windows Vista. (True or False?)

52. Which of these is not a view you can use in a window? A. Picture B. List C. Details D. Tiles

53. You can filter only by one property. (True or False?)

54. You must be in Details view in order to sort or filter items. (True or False?)

55. The compression ratio is the same for all file types. (True or False?)

56. Which of the following is NOT true? A. When a file is moved into a compressed folder, a compressed version of the file is made and the original file is

not effected. B. Compressed files are damanged after being extracted. C. A compressed folder icon is marked with a zipper. D. A compressed folder has a .zip file extension.

Quiz Answers

40. B. The discus is more suited for track and field than a computer.

41. A. A byte is equal to a single character.

42. D. Double-click an item to open it and display its contents.

43. True. You can view any item's properties by right-clicking and selecting Properties.

44. True. Windows Explorer automatically appears when you view the locations on your computer. You don’t need to

launch it from the Accessories folder to browse your computer.

45. False. You can't create a new folder using a keystroke shortcut, but you can right-click a window and select New >

Folder to create a new folder.


46. True. If you know how to rename and delete a folder, you know how to rename and delete a file.

47. True.

48. D. Select Multiple Files is not a command under the Organize button.

49. A. A folder is copied if the <Ctrl> key is pressed when the folder is clicked and dragged. The same is true with a file.

50. B. The command to move a file under the Organize button is Cut, not Move.

51. False. If you want to use menus in windows, you must change the layout so that the menu bar is displayed.

52. A. Picture is not a view you can use, but there are several sizes of Icon views you can apply.

53. False. You can filter by several properties; simply click each property you want to filter by.

54. True. You must be in Details view before you can sort or filter items.

55. False. The amount a file can be compressed varies with each file.

56. B. Compressed files are NOT damanged after being extracted. They are quite safe and stable.



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Customizing the Taskbar .................................. 90 Pin a program to the taskbar ................... 90 Rearrange icons on the taskbar .............. 90

Resizing and moving the Taskbar .................... 91 Resize the taskbar ................................... 91 Move the taskbar ..................................... 91 Hide the taskbar ....................................... 91

Using Jump Lists ............................................... 93 Open a program’s jump list ...................... 93 Pin items to a jump list ............................. 93

Customizing the Start Menu ............................. 94

Working with Desktop Icons ............................ 96 Arrange desktop icons ............................. 96 Create a shortcut ..................................... 96

Using Gadgets ................................................... 97 Add a gadget to the desktop .................... 97 Move a gadget ......................................... 97 Customize a gadget ................................. 98

Starting a Program Automatically with Windows ............................................................. 99

When you turn on your computer and

Windows loads and eventually pops to life

on your screen, the first things you see are

the desktop and taskbar and Start button.

These are the most important parts of

Windows. The taskbar is the control

center for Windows—where you start and

manage all your programs. The desktop is

your workspace—where you actually get

your work done.

Because the taskbar and desktop are so

important, this entire chapter is devoted

just to them. In this chapter, you’ll learn

how to customize the taskbar and desktop

so they work best for you. Customizing

the taskbar and desktop is a lot like

arranging furniture in an empty living

room—there’s no right way to do it; just

do whatever works best for you.

In this chapter, you’ll learn how to move,

resize, and hide the taskbar; how to

customize the Start menu; and how to use

the Windows Sidebar on the desktop.

55


Customizing the Taskbar

Whenever you open a program, document, or folder, a

button for that window appears on the taskbar; the bar

that appears across the bottom of the screen.

The taskbar has been completely redesigned in Windows

7 to make it more useful. Now you can more with the

taskbar, such as pin your favorite programs to the taskbar

and rearrange the order of icons.

Pin a program to the taskbar

In Windows 7 you can pin your favorite programs to the

taskbar for easy access.

1. Open the program that you want to pin to the taskbar.

An icon for the program appears on the taskbar.

2. Right-click the program icon on the taskbar.

The program’s Jump List appears.

Other Ways to Open a Program’s Jump List: Point to the program icon on the taskbar and click

and drag upward.

3. Select Pin this program to taskbar from the Jump

List.

The program is now pinned to the taskbar.

Other Ways to Pin a Program to the Taskbar: Click the Start button, find the program you

want to pin, and click and drag the program icon

to the taskbar.

Tip: To unpin a program, right-click it and select

Unpin this program from taskbar.

Rearrange icons on the taskbar

In Windows 7 you can change the order of icons on the

taskbar, simply by clicking and dragging.

Click and drag the program icon to another location

on the taskbar.

Exercise


• Exercise: Identify parts of the taskbar. Pin the WordPad

program to the taskbar.

Table 5-1: Main Parts of the Taskbar

Start button When clicked, this opens the Start

menu.

Middle section All program icons are displayed

here. You can pin and rearrange

program icons in this section.

Notification area Contains the date/time and various

notification icons related to

Windows and your computer.

Show Desktop button Point to/click this button to display

the Windows desktop.

Figure 5-1: Click the Show hidden icons button in the

notification area of the taskbar to view other icons associated with your computer.

Figure 5-2: The Windows 7 taskbar.

Working with the Taskbar and Desktop

The overlapping of taskbar icons indicates the number of windows open in a program.

Notification area: Includes the system clock and icons that communicate the status of certain programs, settings, and connections.

Start button: Click here to open the Start menu.

Show Desktop button: Point to this button to take a quick “peek” at the desktop. Click this button to switch to the desktop.

Open programs have a sheen to them.

Show hidden icons button


Resizing and Moving the Taskbar

The taskbar is the command center for Windows, which is

why it rests along the bottom of the desktop, ready for

use. Still, some people think the taskbar should be located

in a different location on the screen. Others don’t like how

the ever-present taskbar occupies valuable desktop space,

or wish the taskbar were larger so it could display more

icons and buttons.

This lesson will show you how to move the taskbar to a

new location on the screen, change the size of the taskbar,

and hide the taskbar to give you more room on the screen.

Tips

Before you can resize and move the taskbar, you

must unlock it first. To unlock the taskbar, right-click

it and select Lock the taskbar.

Resize the taskbar

When the size of the taskbar is increased, it can display

more program and window icons.

1. Position the pointer over the top border of the taskbar

until it changes to a .

When the pointer changes, the taskbar can be resized.

2. Click and drag the edge of the taskbar upwards.

The taskbar is resized so it can display two rows of

icons, rather than just one.

Move the taskbar

When the taskbar is unlocked, you can move the taskbar

to the top, left, right, or bottom of the desktop.

Position the pointer over a blank area of the taskbar.

Click and drag the taskbar to the top, bottom, left, or

right side of the desktop.

The taskbar is moved accordingly.

Hide the taskbar

If you don’t want the taskbar to take up valuable space on

the desktop, you can hide it so that it only appears when

you need to use it.

1. Right-click a blank area of the taskbar and select

Properties from the contextual menu.

The Taskbar tab of the Taskbar and Start Menu

Properties dialog box appears. See Table 5-2: Taskbar

Exercise


• Exercise: Resize the taskbar and then move it to the right

side of the desktop. Move it back to the bottom of the

desktop. Turn on auto-hiding for the taskbar.

Figure 5-3: Click and drag to resize the taskbar.

Figure 5-4: You can move the taskbar to the top, left, right, or bottom of the screen.



Appearance Properties for a description of these

properties.

2. Click the Auto-hide the taskbar check box and click

OK.

The taskbar is now hidden. To make it appear again,

simply point to the location on the desktop where the

taskbar is located.

3. Point to the location (bottom, top, side) on the

desktop where the taskbar is located.

The taskbar appears.

Table 5-2: Taskbar Appearance Properties

Lock the

taskbar

Locks the taskbar at its current position on the

desktop so that it cannot be moved to a new

location.

Auto-hide

the taskbar

Hides the taskbar from view. To display the

taskbar, position the mouse pointer near the

bottom of the screen, or wherever the taskbar

is located.

Use small

icons

Shrinks all program icons on the taskbar to

make more room on the taskbar.

Taskbar

location on

screen

Change the location of the taskbar on the

screen. Bottom is selected by default.

Taskbar

buttons

Choose how you want icons to appear on the

taskbar:

Always combine, hide labels: Groups

items of the same type under the program

they were created in (default setting).

Combine when taskbar is full: Only

groups items when the taskbar is full.

Never combine: Never groups items; each

item has its own button on the taskbar.

Figure 5-5: The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box.


Click here to hide the taskbar.


Using Jump Lists

Jump lists are new in Windows 7. They contain shortcuts

to popular program commands and recently used files.

Open a program’s Jump List

Jump Lists appear whenever you right-click a program or

icon on the taskbar or in the Start menu.

Right-click the program’s icon on the taskbar.

The Jump List appears.


and drag upward. You can also work with Jump

Lists from the Start menu. Open the Start menu

and click the program’s list arrow.

Pin items to a Jump List

To give you easy access to related files, you can pin items

to a program’s Jump List.

1. Open the file that you want to pin, in the program

that created it.

2. Right-click the program’s icon on the taskbar.

The program’s Jump List appears.


and drag upward. Or, click the program’s list

arrow in the Start menu.

3. Point to the item you want to pin.

A tiny button that looks like a pushpin appears, which

you can click to pin the item.

4. Click the Pin to this list button.

The item is now pinned to the program’s Jump List.

Tip: To unpin an item in a Jump List, click the

Unpin from this list button (the tiny pushpin

icon) next to the item. Or, right-click the item and

select Unpin from this list from the contextual

menu.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the WordPad program and view its Jump

List. Close the WordPad program window using the Jump

List.

Figure 5-6: Right-click an icon on the taskbar to open its

Jump List.

Figure 5-7: You can also open a program’s Jump List using the Start menu.


Click here to pin the item to the Jump List.


Customizing the Start Menu

This lesson discusses ways to customize the Start menu.

Some of the Start menu’s primary duties—launching

programs, providing shortcuts to frequently used files and

folders—have been added to the taskbar, but you might

still find it useful to continue to customize some of these

settings in the Start menu.

Customize the Start menu

The Start menu displays programs that are used

frequently, and shortcuts to important folders, locations,

and tools on your computer. Customizing the Start menu

lets you control how these links, icons, and menus look

and behave.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Properties

from the contextual menu.

The Start Menu tab of the Taskbar and Start Menu

Properties dialog box appears.

2. Click the Customize button.

The Customize Start Menu dialog box appears.

You can choose how the Start menu looks and

behaves using the options in this dialog box.

Control how icons in the Start menu look and

behave: Here you can select which icons appear

in the Start menu, and how those icons work. For

example, you can specify that an icon open a

menu instead of a window when clicked.

Control the number of recent programs that

appear in the Start menu: Here you can control

the number of recently used programs that appear

in the left pane of the Start menu.

Control the number of recent items that appear

in Jump Lists: Here you can control the number

of recently used items that appear in a Jump List.

This controls Jump Lists in the taskbar and the

Start menu.

3. Select the appropriate options and click OK.

The Start menu is customized accordingly.

Tips

The Classic Start menu, which was available in

Windows XP and Windows Vista, is no longer

available in Windows 7.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the Customize Start Menu dialog box and

display Computer as a menu. Change the number of recent

programs to display to 5 for both the Start menu and

Jump Lists.

Figure 5-8: The Customize Start Menu dialog box.


Control how icons in the Start menu look and behave.

Control the number of recently used programs/items that appear in the Start menu and Jump Lists.


Pin a program to the Start menu

You can create shortcuts to specific programs by pinning

the program icon to the Start menu.



2. Select All Programs from the menu.

A list of programs that are available on your

computer appears.

3. Right-click the program icon for the program you

want to pin and select Pin to Start Menu from the

contextual menu.

The program icon appears at the top of the frequently

used programs list the Start menu.

Tip: To unpin a program from the Start menu,

open the Start menu, right-click the program icon,

and select Unpin from Start Menu from the

contextual menu.

Figure 5-9: The Windows 7 Start menu with two programs pinned to it.


Programs that have been pinned to the Start menu appear at the top of the frequently used programs list.


Working with Desktop Icons

When a file or folder is saved on the desktop, it is

represented by an icon. This lesson discusses how to

arrange icons that accumulate on the desktop, and how to

create a shortcut for an icon.

Arrange desktop icons

Since the desktop is readily visible, it is a convenient

place to save files that you are currently working on.

However, things can become cluttered quickly, making it

difficult to find what you need.

1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop and select

Sort by from the contextual menu.

A variety of sort options appears, as described in

Table 5-3: Sort Options for Desktop Icons.

2. Select an option from the menu.

The icons on the desktop are arranged accordingly.

Tips

You can also change the size and location of icons on

the desktop. To do this, right-click an empty area of

the desktop, select View, and select an option from

the submenu. See Table 5-4: View Options for

Desktop Icons for a description of these options.

Create a shortcut to the desktop

A shortcut is a quick way to start a program or open a file

or folder without having to go to the location where it is

saved.

1. With the right mouse button, click and drag the

program, file, or folder to the desktop.

Make sure you click and drag with the right mouse

button.

2. Select Create shortcuts here from the contextual

menu that appears when you release the mouse

button.

The shortcut is added to the desktop.

Tips

You can create a shortcut anywhere on your

computer.

Since shortcuts only point to files or folders, moving,

renaming, or deleting a shortcut does not affect the

original program or file.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Trade Show Expenses folder

• Exercise: Create a shortcut to the Trade Show Expenses

folder on the desktop. Hide desktop icons, then show them

again.

Table 5-3: Sort Options for Desktop Icons

Name Arranges icons for folders and files in

alphabetical order.

Size Arranges icons from largest to smallest, or

smallest to largest.

Item type Arranges icons by type, so all folders

would be grouped together, all Word

documents would be together, and so on.

Date modified Arranges icons by the date the file or

folder was last modified.

Table 5-4: View Options for Desktop Icons

Large / Medium /

Small icons

Changes the size of the icons on the

desktop.

Auto arrange icons Arranges desktop icons automatically.

Deselect this option if you want to be

able to click and drag icons where you

want them.

Align icons to grid Aligns all desktop icons evenly along

an invisible grid.

Show desktop icons Show/hide desktop icons.

Show desktop

gadgets

Show/hide desktop gadgets.



Using Gadgets

Gadgets are mini-programs that you can add to the

desktop to provide easy access to tools and information

you use frequently.

Add a gadget to the desktop

To add a gadget to the desktop, you first need to open the

Gadgets gallery.

1. Right-click the desktop and select Gadgets from the

contextual menu.

The Desktop Gadget Gallery appears. This window

displays all the gadgets that are installed on your

computer.

Other Ways to Open the Gadget Gallery:


Desktop Gadget Gallery.

2. Double-click the gadget you want to add to the

desktop.

The gadget appears on the desktop.

Other Ways to Add a Gadget: Right-click the gadget and select Add from the

contextual menu, or click and drag the gadget

from the Gallery to the desktop.

Tip: Looking for more gadgets? Click the Get

more gadgets online link at the bottom of the

Desktop Gadget Gallery to install more gadgets

from the Internet.

Move a gadget

You can position gadgets anywhere on the desktop simply

by clicking and dragging them wherever you want them

to be.

Click and drag the gadget to another location

onscreen.

Other Ways to Move a Gadget:

Click and drag the gadget’s Move handle ( ).

Tip: For a more streamlined look, drag a gadget

to the edge of the screen to “snap” it in place.

Tips

If you are upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows

Vista, you’ll notice that gadgets work differently:

they are no longer stuck in the Sidebar.

Exercise


• Exercise: Add the Weather gadget to the desktop.

Figure 5-10: The Gadgets gallery.

Figure 5-11: The Weather gadget with its option buttons

displayed.


Close gadget

Resize gadget

Gadget options

Click and drag to move the gadget anywhere onscreen.

Click here to install more gadgets over the Web.


Customize a gadget

Oftentimes you’ll find that you want to customize a

gadget; for example, to change the location of the weather

report. This can be accomplished by changing the

gadget’s options.

1. Point to a gadget.

The gadget’s toolbar appears. The buttons that appear

vary depending on the gadget, but the most common

buttons are:

Options: Settings for the specific gadget. For

example, change the clock’s time zone.

Close: Removes the gadget from the desktop. The

gadget is still saved on the computer if you want

to use it in the future.

Larger / Smaller size: Enlarges or shrinks the

gadget depending on its current settings.

2. Click the Options button and change the gadget

settings as necessary.

The new settings are applied to the gadget.



Starting a Program Automatically with Windows

If you find that you start the same programs every time

you turn on your computer, you can have Windows 7 start

them automatically.

1. Click the Start button and select All Programs from

the menu.

The list of the programs and program folders that are

available on your computer appears.

2. Right-click the Startup folder and select Open from

the contextual menu.

The Startup folder window appears.

To make a program start automatically with

Windows, add a shortcut to the program in the

Startup folder.

3. Click the Start button and select All Programs from

the menu.

4. Using the right mouse button, click and drag the

program icon to Startup folder window. Select

Create shortcuts here from the menu that appears.

A shortcut to the program is added to the Startup

folder, and the program will now start automatically

when Windows starts.

Other Ways to Add a Shortcut: Open the location where the program is saved

(such as C:\Progam Files). Right-click the

program and select Create Shortcut. Click and

drag the shortcut into the Startup folder.

Tip: Windows 7 may not allow you to create the

shortcut in the same location as the original item.

In this case, Windows will ask if you want the

shortcut to be placed on the Desktop instead.

Click Yes to create the shortcut on your Desktop.

Tips

You can rearrange how items in the All Programs

folder appear by adding folders and clicking and

dragging the program shortcuts into the different

folders.

Exercise


• Exercise: Add the Notepad program to the Startup folder.

Figure 5-12: The Startup folder in Windows 7. Any

program that appears in this folder will start automatically when Windows starts.



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Quiz Questions

57. Which of the following is NOT part of the taskbar? A. Quick Launch Bar B. Start button C. Notification area D. Show Desktop button

58. Which of the following statements is NOT true? A. You can make the taskbar thicker by dragging its top edge until the taskbar is the size you want. B. If the taskbar is hidden, you must move the pointer to the bottom of the screen to display it. C. You can position the taskbar so that it floats in the middle of the screen. D. In order to move or resize the taskbar, it must be unlocked.

59. Where can you access Jump Lists in Windows 7? A. Start menu and taskbar B. Taskbar only C. Start menu only D. Windows Explorer toolbar

60. Which of these is NOT a way to customize the Start menu? A. Display an item as a menu B. Auto arrange icons C. Remove the item from the Start menu D. Control number of items in Jump Lists

61. You can arrange desktop icons by type. (True or False?)

62. You can only install gadgets that have been included with Windows 7. (True or False?)

63. If you always use the same programs, you can have them start automatically with Windows. (True or False?)

Quiz Answers

57. A. The Quick Launch Bar is NOT part of the Windows 7 taskbar as it was in previous versions.

58. C. You can only move the taskbar to the edges of the screen.


59. A. Jump Lists can be accessed in the Start menu and from the taskbar.

60. B. There is no auto arrange command in customizing the Start menu.

61. True. You can arrange desktop icons by name, size, type, and date modified.

62. False. You can download and install many more gadgets via the Internet.

63. True. You can have programs start automatically with Windows, although doing so makes it take longer for Windows

to start.


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A Look at the Control Panel ........................... 103

Changing Color and Theme............................ 104 Change window color ............................ 104 Change the theme ................................. 105 Save a theme ......................................... 105

Changing the Desktop Background .............. 106

Using a Screen Saver ...................................... 108

Adjusting Display Settings ............................. 109 Adjust screen resolution ........................ 109 Adjust font size ...................................... 109

Adjusting Sound ............................................... 111 Change system sounds .......................... 111 Adjust system volume ............................ 112

Adjusting the Mouse ....................................... 113 Change mouse pointers ........................ 113 Change mouse properties ..................... 113

Changing the Date and Time .......................... 115 View the date and time .......................... 115 Change the date, time, and time zone ... 115 Add a clock ............................................ 116

Changing Language and Region Options ..... 117 Change region format ............................ 117 Change keyboard language .................. 118

Customizing Folder View Options ................. 119

In the old days, computers had two

settings: on or off. Today, Windows lets

you adjust your computer to work the way

you do.

This chapter will show you how to

customize Windows settings to suit your

needs and tastes. You’ll learn how to give

your computer character by adding your

own custom wallpaper, screensaver,

desktop themes, and screen colors. Once

you’ve decorated Windows with your

personal theme, you’ll want to make sure

it looks as good as possible, so you’ll

learn how to adjust the screen resolution

and the number of colors that appear on

the screen at once. Finally, you’ll learn

how to adjust the date and time on your

computer, the mouse settings so you can

finally slow down that blasted double-

click speed, and the sounds your

computer makes.

66


A Look at the Control Panel

The Control Panel is the place to go when you want to

change the various settings of Windows. Since this

chapter deals entirely with configuring your computer,

you’ll be seeing a lot of the Control Panel in the

upcoming lessons. That’s why this lesson is a quick

introduction to the Control Panel. No exercises here—just

a guided tour of the Control Panel to help you become

familiar with it.

Click the Start button and select Control Panel from

the menu.

The Control Panel appears, categorized by topic.

Click on one of the categories to view all the settings

under a topic.

Table 6-1: Control Panel describes the controls

available under each category of the Control Panel.

Table 6-1: Control Panel

System and Security Increase space on your hard drive, schedule regular maintenance checks, or configure energy-saving

settings. Also maintain the security settings for your computer, such as Windows Firewall, Windows

Defender, and User Account Control to protect your computer.

Network and Internet Configure network settings, change Internet settings, connect to other computers, and share files.

Hardware and Sound Change the system’s sound scheme or configure the settings for speakers and other sound equipment on

your computer.

Programs Install or remove programs and additional Windows components on your computer.

User Accounts and Family

Safety

Change settings and passwords for individual users.

Appearance and

Personalization

Change display settings, apply a theme or screen saver, or change the desktop background.

Clock, Language, and

Region

Change the date, time, and time zone information on your computer, as well as the language to use and

region-specific display options for numbers, currency, time, and dates.

Ease of Access Adjust settings for an individual user’s vision, hearing, and mobility needs.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the Control Panel.

Figure 6-1: The Control Panel window.

Personalizing Windows


Changing Color and Theme

One way to personalize Windows is to change the color

and theme of your computer. In this lesson, you’ll learn

how you can modify these elements to make your

computer fit your style.

Change window color

You can change the color of windows in Windows 7 to

reflect your personality or mood. Changing window color

affects window borders, the Start menu, and the taskbar.

1. Right-click the desktop and select Personalize from


The Personalization window appears. Along the

bottom of the window, Windows 7 displays the

default settings for whatever theme is selected.

2. Click the Window Color link.

The Window Color and Appearance window appears,

displaying the colors you can apply.

Other Ways to Open Window Color and

Appearance: Click the Start button and select Control Panel.

Click the Appearance and Personalization

category and click the Change window glass

colors link under the Personalization category.

3. Select a color and click Save Changes.

The color is applied to windows, the Start menu, and

the taskbar.

You can also use these options to personalize colors:

Enable transparency check box: When this

check box is selected, the edges of the window are

made transparent so you can see other objects

beneath the window.

Color intensity slider: Make the color you

choose stronger or lighter by increasing or

decreasing its intensity.

Show color mixer: Use the Hue, Saturation, and

Brightness sliders to mix a new color option.

Exercise


• Exercise: Change the window color, increase the color

intensity, and turn off transparency. Save the settings under

a new theme. Reapply the Windows 7 theme.

Figure 6-2: The Personalization window.

Figure 6-3: The Window Color and Appearance window.



Apply a theme

A theme is a set of items—including the desktop

background, window color, sounds, and screen saver—

that you can apply to personalize your computer..



The Personalization window appears, displaying a

variety of different themes. See Table 6-2: Windows

7 Themes for a description of each theme.

Tip: Click the Get more themes online link to

download more Windows 7 themes from the

Internet.

2. Click the theme you want to apply.

The theme is applied.

Other Ways to Change the Theme: Click the Start button and select Control Panel

from the menu. Click the Appearance and

Personalization category, click the Change the

theme link under the Personalization category,

and select a theme.

Save a theme

If you make a lot of customizations to the Windows 7

interface, you can save your changes as a new theme.



The Personalization window appears.

Other Ways to Open the Personalization

Window: Click the Start button and select Control Panel


Personalization category and click the

Personalization link or the Change the theme

link under the Personalization category.

2. Make changes to the theme.

3. Click the Save Theme link.

The Save Theme As dialog box appears.

4. Name your theme and click Save.

The theme appears in the My Themes section of the

Personalization window.

Table 6-2: Windows 7 Themes

Windows 7

This is the default theme on your

computer. It has one background and no

screen saver.

Architecture

This theme cycles through images of

buildings.

Characters

This theme cycles through scenes of

fictitious characters.

Landscapes

This theme cycles through landscapes

from different climates.

Nature

This theme includes pictures of flowers

and other plants.

Scenes

This theme is a slideshow of whimsical

scenes.

United States

This theme cycles through images from

across the United States.

Basic and High

Contrast Themes

These themes include Windows 7 Basic

and Windows Classic themes. These

themes do not use images or slideshows,

so they are not as graphic-intensive as

the other themes.



Changing the Desktop Background

Few people work at an empty desk—we decorate our

desktops with pictures, plants, and calendars. Similarly,

Windows lets you reflect your personal tastes on your

computer desktop.




2. Click the Desktop Background link.

The Desktop Background window appears. First you

need to select the picture location you want to

browse.

Other Ways to Open Desktop Background: Click the Start button and select Control Panel

from the menu. Under the Appearance and

Personalization category, click the Change

desktop background link.

3. Click the Picture location list arrow.

A list of picture locations appears. See Table 6-3:

Desktop Background Picture Locations for a

description of each location.

Tip: If a picture that you want to use is not saved

in any of these locations, click the Browse button

to locate the picture manually.

4. Select a location from the list.

Images or graphics from the selected location appear.

5. Select the images(s) you want to use as your desktop

background.

Tip: If you select more than one image, Windows

will display these images as a desktop slideshow.

To configure slideshow settings, use the Change

picture every and Shuffle commands located at

the bottom of the window.

6. Click the Picture position list arrow and select how

you want the picture to be positioned on the desktop.

There are five options, as shown in Table 6-4:

Desktop Picture Positions.

Tip: Depending on the size of the picture, some

of these options might appear differently than

described.

Exercise


• Exercise: Apply a slideshow desktop background from the

Windows Desktop Background collection. Apply a single

picture desktop background from the Windows Desktop

Background collection.

Figure 6-4: The Desktop Background window.

Table 6-3: Desktop Background Picture Locations

Windows

Desktop

Backgrounds

Includes background images that are

formatted specifically for the desktop.

Pictures

Library

Choose a picture saved in one of the folders

you have added to your Pictures Library.

Top Rated

Photos

Windows selects the most popular photos in

your folders and collects them into the Top

Rated Photos collection.

Solid Colors Choose a solid color as the desktop

background.


Click the Browse button to find pictures in other folders.


7. Click Save Changes.

The background appears on the desktop.

Tips

If you’re surfing the Web and happen to see a picture

you like, you can use it as your desktop background.

Simply right-click the picture and select Set as

Desktop Background from the contextual menu.

Table 6-4: Desktop Picture Positions

Fill

Enlarges and crops the image to fit the

entire desktop background.

Fit

Fits the image to span the screen and fills

empty areas with a background color.

Stretch

Stretches the image so that it fits the entire

desktop background.

Tile

Repeats the image across the desktop

background.

Center

Centers the full size of the image on the

desktop.



Using a Screen Saver

A screen saver is a moving image that appears when you

haven’t used your computer for a while. You can add

security to your computer by requiring the logon screen to

appear after the screen saver has started.




2. Click the Screen Saver link at the bottom of the

window.

The Screen Saver Settings dialog box appears.

Other Ways to Open the Screen Saver Settings

Dialog Box: Click the Start button and select Control Panel


Personalization category and click the Change

screen saver link under the Personalization

category.

3. Click the Screen saver list arrow and select a screen

saver from the list.

A preview of the screen saver you selected is shown

in the dialog box.

Tip: To view a full-screen preview of the screen

saver, click the Preview button.

4. (Optional) In the Wait text box, specify the amount

of time that must elapse before the screen saver is

displayed.

This will determine the amount of time the computer

sits idle before Windows switches to the screen saver.

5. (Recommended) Click the On resume, display

logon screen check box.

Turning on this option requires you to enter a

password to get back into your computer after the

screen saver has started.

Tip: You can also lock your computer so it is

password protected without having to wait for the

screen saver to turn on. Press < > + <L> to lock

your computer.

6. Click OK.

Exercise


• Exercise: Apply a screen saver. Change the wait time for

the screen saver to 10 minutes.

Figure 6-5: The Screen Saver Settings dialog box.


Click here to view more options for the selected screen saver.


Adjusting Display Settings

You can’t change the size of your monitor, but you can

change how it displays information. These display

settings help you adjust your monitor for your optimum

working conditions.

Adjust screen resolution

Screen resolution determines the amount of information

that displays on your monitor. Windows automatically

sets your screen resolution, but you can change it to fit

your needs. A high resolution can fit a lot of information

on the monitor, but the information looks smaller.

1. Right-click the desktop and select Screen Resolution


The Screen Resolution window appears.

Other Ways to Open Screen Resolution: Click the Start button and select Control Panel


Personalization category and click the Adjust

screen resolution link under the Display

category.

2. Click the Resolution list arrow.

A slider for the different resolutions you can apply

appears.

3. Click and drag the Resolution slider to the resolution

you want to use.

The size of the monitor icon changes as you drag the

slider. The resolutions you can display depend on

how much memory is installed on your video card.

Tip: Try to match screen resolution to your

monitor size for best results. A wide screen

monitor looks better with a wide resolution, like

1280 x 760, than 1024 x 768.

4. Click OK.

Adjust font size

While high screen resolutions are great for multitasking

with several windows, they make it difficult to see text.

You can increase the dots per inch (DPI) scaling so that

text is easier to read while still maintaining a high screen

resolution.




Exercise


• Exercise: Open the Screen Resolution window and review

its settings. Increase the font size.

Figure 6-6: The Screen Resolution window.

Figure 6-7: The image on top shows the desktop in 1280

x 800 resolution. The image on the bottom shows the desktop in 800 x 600 resolution. Notice that while the images on bottom are larger and easier to read, there isn’t as much space on the desktop as the example on top.


1280 x 800

800 x 600


2. Click Display under the See also section of the Tasks

list.

The Display window appears.

Other Ways to Open the Display Window: Click the Start button and select Control Panel


Personalization category and click the Make text

and other items larger or small link under the

Display category.

3. Select the setting you want to use.

You have three settings to choose from:

Smaller – 100%: This is the default setting. It

keeps your text and other items on your screen at

their normal size.

Medium – 125%: This setting resizes text and

other items to 125% of their normal size.

Larger – 150%: This setting resizes text and

other items to 150% of their normal size. You will

only see this option if your monitor supports a

resolution of at least 1200 x 900 pixels.

Tip: Some older programs are not optimized for

high DPI. To accommodate these programs, click

Set Custom Text Size (DPI) and adjust the DPI

as needed.

4. Click OK.

To see the changes in DPI, restart the computer.

Figure 6-8: The Display window.

Figure 6-9: The image on the left shows a document window at 100%, the default font size. The image on the right

shows the same document window enlarged to 125%. Notice that the text and commands inside the window on the right are larger and easier to read.



Adjusting Sound

Sounds alert you to changes in your computer, incoming

e-mails and messages, and more. This lesson shows you

how to control the system sounds on your computer.

Change system sounds

Your computer “speaks” to you by making different

sounds as you work. You can easily change these sounds

to meet your needs.




2. Click the Sounds link.

The Sounds tab of the Sound dialog box appears.

Now you need to select the program event whose

sound you wish to change.

Other Ways to Open the Sound Dialog Box: Click the Start button and select Control Panel

from the menu. Click the Hardware and Sound

category and click the Change system sounds

link under the Sound category.

3. In the Program Events list, select the event whose

sound you wish to change.

Now you need to select the sound you want to apply.

4. Click the Sounds list arrow and select the sound you

want to apply.

The sound icon next to the event changes color,

indicating that the sound scheme has been modified.

Now you need to save the new sound scheme.

Tip: Click the Test button to play a preview the

selected sound.

5. Click the Save As button, enter a name for the new

sound scheme, and click OK.

A new sound scheme is created.

6. Click OK.

Your new sound scheme is saved.

Exercise


• Exercise: Listen to the sounds for Windows Default

asterisks and default beep. Adjust the volume on your

computer.

Figure 6-10: The Sound dialog box.


Click here to browse for sounds on your computer.


Adjust system volume

Changing the volume can be as simple as changing the

volume control on your computer’s speakers. But if the

system volume control is very low or muted, your

speakers won’t be effective.

1. Click the Speaker button in the notification area.

The Volume slider appears.

Other Ways to Change System Volume: Click the Start button and select Control Panel


category and click the Adjust system volume link

under the Sound category.

Tip: To view the Volume Mixer, click the Mixer

link in the Volume slider. You can control the

sounds from specific programs here.

2. Click and drag the volume slider to change the

system volume.

A sound occurs when the volume is changed,

previewing the new volume level.

Tip: To mute system sounds, click the Mute

button below the volume sliders.

Figure 6-11: The Volume slider.

Figure 6-12: The Volume Mixer dialog box.


Click to control the sounds from specific programs.

Mute button


Adjusting the Mouse

Many users complain that they don’t like how the mouse

works. This lesson teaches you how to change the mouse

pointer’s appearance and how to adjust the mouse.

Change mouse pointers

Give your computer a personal touch by changing the

mouse pointer scheme.




Other Ways to Open Mouse Pointer

Properties: Click the Start button and select Control Panel


category and click the Mouse link under the

Devices and Printers category.

2. Click the Change mouse pointers link in the sidebar.

The Pointers tab of the Mouse Properties dialog box

appears.

3. Click the Scheme list arrow to select a different

mouse pointer scheme.

When a different option is selected, a preview of the

mouse pointers in the scheme is displayed in the

dialog box.

4. Click OK.

Change mouse properties

Maybe the mouse moves too fast, does not respond well

to double-clicks, or, if you’re left-handed, its buttons are

in the wrong places.

1. Click the Start button and select Control Panel from

the menu.

The Control Panel appears.

2. Click the Hardware and Sound category and click

the Mouse link under the Devices and Printers

category.

The Mouse Properties dialog box appears. See Table

6-5: Other Mouse Properties for a description of the

options available in this dialog box.

3. Make the necessary changes and click OK.

Exercise


• Exercise: Change the mouse pointer scheme and adjust the

mouse click speed.

Figure 6-13: The Pointers tab of the Mouse Properties dialog box.



Table 6-5: Other Mouse Properties

Tab Option Description

Buttons Button configuration If you are left-handed, use this command to switch the left and right mouse buttons.

Double-click speed Slow down or speed up the double-click speed to meet your needs.

ClickLock Lets you highlight or drag without having to hold down the mouse button.

Pointer

Options

Motion Change the speed at which the mouse pointer moves and enhance pointer precision.

Snap To Automatically moves the mouse pointer to the default option in a dialog box.

Visibility Display pointer trails (a trail of pointers that follow the mouse pointer, making it easier to see),

hide the mouse pointer while typing, and more.

Wheel Vertical Scrolling Increase or decrease the number of lines scrolled at a time to scroll faster or slower.

Horizontal Scrolling Increase or decrease the number of lines scrolled at a time to scroll faster or slower.



Changing the Date and Time

Your computer’s clock not only tells you what time it is; it

serves many different purposes, including recording when

you created or modified a file and indicating when you

sent an e-mail. Therefore, it’s important that the date and

time are set correctly on your computer. You can also add

clocks to keep track of time in other parts of the world.

View the date and time

Click the taskbar clock in the notification area.

The Date and Time tool appears.

Change the date, time, and time zone

By default, your computer clock is synchronized with an

Internet time server, ensuring that your clock and date are

accurate. If you need to make changes, follow these steps:

1. Click the taskbar clock in the notification area of the

taskbar.


2. Click Change date and time settings.

The Date and Time tab of the Date and Time dialog

box appears. You have several options here:

Change date and time: Opens the Date and Time

Settings dialog box where you can change date

and time, down to the second.

Change time zone: Opens the Time Zone

Settings dialog box. Click the Time zone list

arrow to select a different time zone.

3. Make the changes to date and time as necessary.

4. Click OK.

Other Ways to Set the Date and Time: Click the Start button and select Control Panel

from the menu. Click the Clock, Language, and

Region category and click the Set the time and

date link or the Change the time zone link under

the Date and Time category.

Tips

You may change the time zone for a clock, but if you

want to apply other settings for a specific time zone,

such as currency, language, or how time appears, you

need to change your computer’s regional and

language settings.

Exercise


• Exercise: View the date by hovering over the taskbar

clock in the notification area. Open the Date and Time

dialog box. Add a clock that shows time from a different

time zone. Check the time on the additional clock in the

notification area.

Figure 6-14: Click the taskbar clock to display the Date and Time tool.

Figure 6-15: The Date and time dialog box.



Add a clock

You can add up to two clocks to keep track of the time in

other parts of the world. The time for additional clocks

appears when you hover over the taskbar clock in the

notification area.

1. Click the taskbar clock in the notification area of the

taskbar.


2. Click Change date and time settings.

The Date and Time tab of the Date and Time dialog

box appears.

3. Click the Additional Clocks tab.

4. Click the Show this clock check box.

This enables another clock on the computer.

5. Click the Select time zone list arrow and select the

time zone you want the clock to display.

6. Enter a name for the clock in the Enter display

name text box.

Repeat these steps if you want to add another clock.

7. Click OK.

The clocks are added.

Other Ways to Add a Clock: Click the Start button and select Control Panel

from the menu. Click the Clock, Language, and

Region category and then click the Add clocks

for different time zones link under the Date and

Time category.

Tips

Once a week, your computer’s clock is synchronized

with an Internet time server to ensure that your

computer stays accurate. An Internet connection is

required for the synchronization to occur.

Figure 6-16: The Additional Clocks tab of the Date and Time dialog box.



Changing Language and Region Options

Language and Region settings are very useful if you are

traveling with a laptop or are communicating in other

languages frequently.

Change region format

The region format controls how the following are

displayed and entered on your computer:

Numbers

Currencies

Dates

Time

Keyboard language

Some screen tips


the menu.


2. Click the Clock, Language, and Region category

and click the Change location link under the Region

and Language category.

The Regional and Language Options dialog box

appears.

3. Click the Formats tab.

4. Click the Format list arrow and select the country or

region you want your computer’s settings to use.

Trap: Changing the region format does not

change the time zone on the computer clock

5. Click OK.

Tips

Click the Location tab and select a different location

to enable local services in some software, such as

news and weather.

To enable the keyboard layout, click the Language

bar on the taskbar and select the language you want

to use. If you don't see the Language bar, right-click

the taskbar and select Toolbars Language bar


Exercise


• Exercise: Open the Region and Language dialog box and

explore the various options available.

Figure 6-17: The Formats tab of the Region and Language dialog box.

Figure 6-18: The Keyboards and Languages tab of the Region and Language dialog box.



Change keyboard language

Change this setting if you want to use a different

keyboard layout but don’t want to change the regional

format.


the menu.


2. Click the Change keyboards or other input

methods link under the Clock, Languages, and

Region category.

The Keyboards and Languages tab of the Regional

and Language Options dialog box appears.

3. Click the Change keyboards button.

The Installed services area displays languages that

have been added by selecting a certain region or

country under the Formats tab.

4. If necessary, click Add to add a language.

5. Select the language you want to use and click OK.

Tips

After you change the keyboard layout, the characters

on the screen may not correspond with the characters

on the keyboard.

Keyboard language is not changed with the region

format; it needs to be selected from the Language bar

in the taskbar. If you don't see the Language bar,

right-click the taskbar and select Toolbars

Language bar from the contextual menu.

Figure 6-19: The General tab of the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box.



Customizing Folder View Options

In addition to the many options you can customize in

Windows, you can also change how you work with

folders and their contents. For example, by default

Windows hides all file extensions from view. If you don’t

like this, you can change it.


the menu.


2. Click the Appearance and Personalization

category.

The Appearance and Personalization window

appears.

3. Click the Folder Options category.

The Folder Options dialog box appears.

4. Select the folder options you want to use and click

OK.

Refer to Table 6-6: Folder Options for a list of

common folder options and their descriptions.

Table 6-6: Folder Options

Click items as follows Allows you to specify whether or not you want to single-click or double-click to open a file or folder.

Always show icons, never

thumbnails

Allows you to use static icons instead of thumbnails. Use this setting if thumbnail previews are slowing

down your computer’s performance.

Always show menus Gives you access to the classic menus (the menus above the toolbar), which are hidden by default.

Display file size information

in folder tips

Displays the size of a folder in a ScreenTip when you point to a folder with your mouse.

Show hidden files and

folders

Displays files and folders marked as hidden.

Hide extensions for known

file types

File name extensions are hidden by default. Uncheck this option to display file name extensions so that

you can be sure what type of file you are working with.

Show drive letters Show/hide the drive letter of each drive or device in the Computer folder. Use this setting if you only

want to see the name of each drive.

Show pop-up description

for folder and desktop items

Show/hide ScreenTips that appear when you point to files.

Show preview handlers in

preview pane

If you don’t use the Preview pane, turn off this option to improve the performance of your computer.

Use check boxes to select

items

Adds check boxes to file views to make it easier to select several files at once.

Use Sharing Wizard Enables the Sharing Wizard so you can share files with other linked users in your homegroup.

Exercise


• Exercise: Change folder options so that file extensions are

visible.

Figure 6-20: The Folder Options dialog box.



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Quiz Questions

64. Used only for advanced networking settings, the Control Panel should never be touched by ordinary users. (True or

False?)

65. The Window Color and Appearance window changes the color of windows, the Start menu, and the taskbar. (True or

False?)

66. Which of the following is NOT an option found in the Screen Saver Settings dialog box? A. How many minutes to wait before displaying the screen saver. B. A list of screen savers you can use. C. Controls to change how your mouse works. D. Options to show the logon screen on resume.

67. The highest resolution you can display depends on what? A. How large your monitor is. B. How much free memory is available on your hard drive. C. The amount of memory on your video card. D. Your version of Windows.

68. The Volume icon appears in the Windows 7 notification area by default. (True or False?)

69. You can change the double-click speed of your mouse by clicking the Mouse link in the Hardware and Sound category

of the Control Panel. (True or False?)

70. To display the current date, simply point to the clock on the taskbar for a few seconds. (True or False?)

71. An additional clock changes the time zone for your computer's clock. (True or False?)

72. What is the Language bar? A. Create other languages in the Language bar. B. Select a different keyboard input language from the Language bar. C. A ribbon that translates languages for you. D. A toolbar that allows you to display information in other languages.

73. What is a file extension? A. Three letters after the file name that identify the file type. B. Something added to a file name to make it longer. C. A feature that appears when working with HTML files. D. Something granted by your boss if you miss a deadline.


Quiz Answers

64. False. The Control Panel is where you go to make changes to Windows and your computer. While there are a few

technical areas in the Control Panel, most of it is straightforward and easy to understand.

65. True. Changing the window color affects the color of windows, the Start menu, and the taskbar.

66. C. The Screen Saver Settings dialog box doesn't have any mouse options.

67. C. The highest resolution you can display depends on how much memory is installed on your video card.

68. True. The Volume icon appears in the notification area by default.

69. True. The double-click speed is probably one of the first things you should adjust if you're having trouble double-

clicking with the mouse.

70. True. Point to the taskbar clock for a few seconds to display the system date.

71. False. An additional clock is merely a resource that allows you to view the time in another area of the world.

72. B. To change to a different keyboard language, you must select it from the Language bar.

73. A. A file extension is the three letters after a file name that identify the file type.


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Calculator ......................................................... 123

Connect to a Projector .................................... 124 Connect to a network projector .............. 124 Connect to a projector ........................... 124

Getting Started ................................................. 125

Notepad ............................................................ 126

Paint .................................................................. 127

Remote Desktop Connection ......................... 129 Find the computer name ........................ 130 Connect to a remote computer .............. 130

Snipping Tool ................................................... 131

Sound Recorder ............................................... 132

Sticky Notes ..................................................... 133

Sync Center ...................................................... 134 Offline files ............................................. 134 Sync your files ....................................... 134

Windows Explorer ........................................... 135

Windows Mobility Center ................................ 136

WordPad ........................................................... 137

Ease of Access ................................................ 138

System Tools.................................................... 139

Table PC Accessories ..................................... 140 Math Input Panel .................................... 140 Other Tablet PC Accessories ................. 140

Windows 7 doesn’t really do much by

itself—you need to run a program

whenever you want to do something with

your computer. But before you rush off to

the local computer store to buy a software

program to let you type a letter or paint a

picture, read this chapter! Microsoft has

included a handful of small but useful

programs with Windows 7.

This chapter explores the programs that

Microsoft tossed in with Windows 7.

You’ll learn what all the “freebie”

programs are, what they do, and if they’ll

work for your purposes.

7


Calculator

The Calculator accessory is one of the more useful

programs included with Windows. You use the Calculator

just like you would use any other calculator. The only

difference between the two is that instead of pressing the

calculator’s keys with your fingers, you click them with

your mouse. You can also use the number keys or the

numeric keypad on your keyboard to enter numbers into

the Calculator program.

1. Click the Start button and select All Programs

Accessories Calculator from the menu.

The Calculator program window opens.

2. Use the mouse to click the calculator buttons or type

the numbers in with your keyboard.

The numbers are displayed in the calculator’s text

box.

Tips

New in Windows 7 is the History feature. Select

View History or press <Ctrl> + <H> to view and

access past calculations.

The Calendar program has four different modes;

Standard, Scientific, Programmer, and Statistics. To

change modes, click View on the menu bar and select

a mode from the menu.

Exercise


• Exercise: Use the Scientific calculator to multiply pi (π)

by 4.

Figure 7-1: New in Windows 7 is the History feature, which lets you view and access past calculations.

Figure 7-2: The Scientific calculator.

Using Windows Accessories

Click a calculation to view its result.


Connect to a Projector

To show the wonderful presentations you have created

using your computer, you need to connect to a projector.

Connect to a network projector

Network projectors let you connect your computer to a

projector on a network.


Accessories Connect to Network Projector from

the menu.

The Connect to a Network Projector wizard appears.

You have two options to find a network projector:

Search for Projector: Search the network for all

available projectors. The five recently used

projectors appear at the top of the list.

Enter Projector Address: Type the Web address

or file path of a specific projector.

2. Select an option to find to a projector and follow the

onscreen instructions to complete the connection.

Your computer is connected to the projector.

Connect to a projector

Usually you’ll deliver presentations in the same room as

the projector. Once the projector is turned on and plugged

in to your computer, follow these steps to configure the

projector:


Accessories Connect to Projector from the

menu.

There are four ways to use the projector. Refer to

Table 7-1: Choices for Desktop Projection for more

information on each of these choices.

2. Select how you want your desktop to be projected.

Your computer screen and projected image change

depending on the option you have selected.

Tips

If you have dual monitors, use Connect to a Projector

to change how your monitors display information.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand the difference between a network

projector and regular projector.

Figure 7-3: The Connect to a Network Projector wizard.

Table 7-1: Choices for Desktop Projection

Disconnect Projector Your desktop appears on your computer screen

and not as a projected image.

Duplicate Displays the same image of your desktop on

both your computer and the projected image.

Whatever you do on your desktop, your

audience will see on the projected image.

Extend Extends your desktop from your computer

screen to the projected image. While this

option is not ideal for presentations, you might

use it if you connect your computer to another

monitor.

Projector Only Displays your desktop on the projector only.



Getting Started

The Getting Started accessory is like a to-do list for

setting up your computer: it introduces you to Windows 7,

guides you through setting up user accounts, transferring

files, personalizing your computer, and a number of other

tasks.


Accessories Getting Started from the menu.

The Getting Started window appears.

2. Click a link to learn more about Windows 7.

Read the table below, Table 7-2: Getting Started, to

find out more about each link in the Getting Started

window.

Table 7-2: Getting Started

Go online to find out what’s

new in Windows 7

Click this link to go to the Windows 7 Web site. The Windows 7 Web site provides tutorials, information

about hardware and software, and tips and tricks.

Personalize Windows Change your wallpaper, Window color, sound scheme, and screen saver.

Transfer files and settings

from another computer

Move files and folders between computers using an Easy Transfer cable, a network, an external hard

disk, or an USB flash drive.

Use a homegroup to share

with other computers in

your home

Network computers that are running Windows 7. Networking your computers allows you to share files

such as music, documents, and pictures among computers without having to manually transfer files.

Choose to be notified about

changes to your computer

Choose how often you want to be notified about the changes programs make to your computer.

Go online to get Windows

Live Essentials

Previous versions of Windows came with helpful programs like Windows Mail, Messenger, Movie

Maker, and Photo Gallery. Click this link to open the Windows Live Essential Web site and download

these programs and others, for free.

Back up your files Create backup copies of your files. It’s important to back up your files so that if your computer crashes,

you can restore your computer to its most recent settings.

Add new users to your

computer

Create user accounts for everyone logging in to your computer. If you share your computer with

multiple people, you can create a separate user account for each person.

Change the size of the text

on your screen

Make the text and icons on your computer display larger or smaller.

Exercise


• Exercise: Explore some of the links in Getting Started.

Figure 7-4: The Getting Started window.



Notepad

You can use Notepad to create or edit simple notes or text

files that do not require any type of formatting. Text

opened in Notepad is stripped of any formatting, making

it a useful tool for transferring text from one program to

another.


Accessories Notepad from the menu.

The Notepad program window opens.

Tips

Notepad can only open or read files that are less than

64K. If you need to create or edit a file that requires

formatting or is larger than 64K, use WordPad or a

different program.

The Notepad program opens and saves text in ASCII

(text-only) format, thus stripping any formatting that

has been applied in other programs.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Birthday Announcement.rtf

• Exercise: Open the Birthday Announcement.rtf file in

WordPad. Copy all of the text from the document and paste

it into Notepad.

Figure 7-5: Text that is pasted or opened in Notepad is

stripped of any formatting.



Paint

Paint is one of the most complex accessories in Windows

7. You can use Paint to create drawings on a blank

drawing canvas or over existing pictures.


Accessories Paint from the menu.

The Paint program window appears, with a blank

drawing canvas displayed.

Tip: New in Windows 7 is the Ribbon; the

command bar that appears across the top of the

window.

2. In the Shapes group on the Home tab, click the shape

you want to insert.

The arrow pointer changes to a cross hair.

Tip: To view all available shapes, click the More

button ( ) in the Shapes group.

3. Click and drag until the shape reaches the desired

size.

Tip: To draw a straight line, perfect square or

circle, or to constrain the dimensions of other

shapes, press and hold down the <Shift> key as

you drag.

4. Release the mouse button.

The shape is inserted onto the drawing canvas. There

are a variety of commands you can use to format a

shape or object, as described in Table 7-3: Paint

Tools.

5. Format the object as desired.

Exercise


• Exercise: Draw a box and fill it with a blue color.

Figure 7-6: The Paint program window.


Brush color, shape outline color.

Fill color, eraser color.

Click here for more color options.


Table 7-3: Paint Tools

Tool Name Description Submenu

Select Select part of the image with a frame. Once

you have selected an area, you can cut,

copy, or move it.

Select an area of the image using Free Form or Select. Free

Form lets you use the mouse to draw a freehand outline to

select part of an image, while Select lets you select part of the

image with a rectangular frame.

Crop Cut around the image so all you see is the

area you selected.

None

Resize Resize the area you have selected. Resize an image by percentage or pixels. Skew an image by

degrees.

Rotate Rotate or flip the image you have selected. Rotate the image by 90 degree increments or completely flip

it horizontally or vertically.

Pencil Draw freeform objects with a fine tip, just

as if you were using a real pencil.

None

Fill With

Color

Fill an enclosed area (or the whole frame)

with the selected color from the color

palette.

None

Text Create a box in which you can type and

format text.

The Text Tools contextual tab displays when you insert a text

box into an image. You can choose the font type and size,

opaque or transparent background, and font color.

Eraser Erase portions of the current picture by

replacing it with the background color.

None

Pick

Color

Copy the color of one object to use on

another.

None

Magnifier Zoom in or out of the current image. None.

Brushes Paint freeform objects, just as if you were

using a real paintbrush.

Brushes are available in 9 different styles.

Shapes Draw various shapes, including straight

lines, triangles, rectangles, and stars.

There are 18 different shapes you can choose from.

Outline Select the kind of brush you want to use for

the shape outline.

There are 7 different options for outlines.

Fill Select the kind of brush you want to use to

fill in the shape for the shape.

There are 7 different options for fill.

Size Control the size of whatever tool you use to

draw.

The options vary based on the tool you have selected.



Remote Desktop Connection

Remote Desktop Connection lets you log in to a remote

computer from another computer (sometimes called a

client computer).

Before you can use Remote Desktop Connection, several

criteria must be met:

Both the client computer and the remote computer

must be on the same network.

The remote computer must be configured to allow

remote desktop connections.

Allow Remote Desktop connections

Here’s how to enable remote desktop connections:

1. Click the Start button, select Control Panel from the

menu, and click the System and Security link.

The System and Security window appears.

2. Click the Allow remote access link under the System

category.

The Remote tab of the System Properties dialog box

appears. See Table 7-4: Remote Desktop Connection

Options for a description of the options available on

this tab.

3. Select a Remote Desktop option.

Now you need to specify who has permission to view

the computer remotely.

4. Click the Select Users button.

The Remote Desktop Users dialog box appears.

5. Click the Add button.

The Select Users dialog box appears. There are two

ways to add users:

Locations button: Click to browse through and

select the location you want to search.

Enter the object names to select: Type the name

of the user you want to add and then click the

Check Names button to verify the person is in the

correct location.

6. Click OK.

The specified users now have permission to access

the computer remotely.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how to log in to a remote computer

using Remote Desktop Connection.

Figure 7-7: The System Properties dialog box.

Table 7-4: Remote Desktop Connection Options

Don’t allow

connections to this

computer

Prevents anyone from connecting to

your computer remotely.

Allow connections

from computers

running any

version of Remote

Desktop

Allows people using any version of

Remote Desktop or RemoteApp to

connect to your computer. This is a

good choice if you don’t know the

version of Remote Desktop Connection

that other people are using, but it is not

as secure as the third option.

Allow connections

only from

computers

running Remote

Desktop with

Network Level

Authentication

Allows people with computers running

versions of Remote Desktop or

RemoteApp with Network Level

Authentication to connect to your

computer. Select this option if everyone

that will be connecting to your computer

is running Windows 7.



Find the computer name

In order to connect to a remote computer, you must know

the computer’s name.

1. Click the Start button, right-click Computer and

select Properties from the contextual menu.

The System window appears.

2. Find the computer name under Computer name,

domain, and workgroup settings.

Connect to a remote computer

Once the computer has been configured to allow Remote

Desktop, it is ready for remote connection.


Accessories Remote Desktop Connection from

the menu.

The Remote Desktop Connection dialog box appears.

2. Enter the computer name in the Computer field and

click the Connect button.

The Windows login screen appears.

3. Enter the user name and password for the remote

computer and click OK.

You are now logged in to the remote computer.

Tip: When you are finished using the remote

computer, log off the remote computer.

Tips

In order for a computer to be accessed remotely it

must be turned on and NOT in sleep or hibernate

mode.

When you are finished using a remote computer, log

off the remote computer.

Figure 7-8: Find the name of the remote computer in the System window.

Figure 7-9: The Remote Desktop Connection dialog box.



Snipping Tool

Every so often, something will appear on your screen that

you want to share. The Snipping Tool allows you to take a

screen capture, or snip, of your computer screen.


Accessories Snipping Tool from the menu.

The Snipping Tool program window opens and your

desktop fades slightly.

2. Click the New button list arrow and select the capture

tool you want to use.

See Table 7-5: Capture Tools for a description of each

tool.

3. Select the area you want to capture.

A red border appears around the area to be captured.

Tip: Don’t worry if the Snipping Tool program

window appears inside the area you want to

capture; this window will disappear as soon as the

capture is recorded.

4. Click the mouse button to capture the selected area.

The capture opens in the Snipping Tool mark-up

window.

Tips

Use the commands on the menu bar to modify, copy,

or save your captures.

Exercise


• Exercise: Use the Rectangular Snip tool to capture the

Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Figure 7-10: The Snipping Tool window.

Table 7-5: Capture Tools

Free-form Snip Lets you draw freehand around the

area you want to capture (ideal for

non-rectangular areas).

Rectangular Snip Lets you draw a box around the area

you want to capture.

Window Snip Automatically captures any open

window you select.

Full-screen Snip Automatically captures everything

displayed on your screen.

Figure 7-11: The Snipping Tool mark-up window.


Click here to display a list of capture tools.


Sound Recorder

The Sound Recorder program works like a computerized

tape recorder, but you need to have the right equipment to

use it. To use the Sound Recorder program, you must

have a sound card, speakers, and a microphone installed

on your computer.


Accessories Sound Recorder from the menu.

The Sound Recorder program window opens.

2. Click the Start Recording button.

The program begins to record sounds into your

computer’s microphone. The green volume level bar

indicates the level of sound being recorded and the

clock to the left of the green bar indicates how long

the recording is.

Trap: If you don’t see a green volume bar, the

program is not recording. Make sure that you have

a sound card and microphone properly installed.

3. Click the Stop Recording button when finished.


4. Select the location where you want to save the

recording, enter the name of the recording, and click

Save.

The Sound Recorder saves the recording in Window

Media Audio File (.wma) format by default. You can

listen to your recording in Windows Media Player or

any other program that supports .wma files.

Exercise


• Exercise: Record the first sentence of this lesson: “To use

the Sound Recorder program, you must have a sound card

and speakers installed on your computer.”

Figure 7-12: The Sound Recorder program window.



Sticky Notes

Sticky Notes are a convenient way to keep notes on your

screen. The Sticky Notes program has been promoted

from a gadget in Windows Vista to an application in

Windows 7.


Accessories Sticky Notes from the menu.

A yellow sticky note appears on the screen.

2. Type your note.

Tips

To change the color of a sticky note, right-click it and

select a color from the contextual menu.

When you close the Sticky Notes program, all open

notes are saved and will reappear the next time you

open the program.

Exercise


• Exercise: Create a sticky note that says, “Send out

Company Newsletter.” Change the color of the sticky note

to Purple.

Figure 7-13: Use sticky Notes for reminders, to-do’s, and often-used text.


Right-click a note to display different color options.

Click here to create a new note.

Click here to discard the note.


Sync Center

Windows 7 uses offline files and the Sync Center to make

working with network files easier. The Sync Center syncs

your offline files with network files. Before we can

understand how to use the Sync Center, we need to

understand offline files.

Offline files

An offline file is a copy of a network file that is stored on

your computer’s hard disk. Offline files allow you to

work on network files when you are not connected to your

network. When you reconnect to your network, these

copies sync with the network files.

Sync your files

The Sync Center lets you manage the syncing process.

When you want to see the results of a recent sync, open

the Sync Center.


Accessories Sync Center from the menu.

The Sync Center opens. From the Sync Center, you

can view can also create new sync partnerships and

manage your offline files.

Trap: Sync Center can sync files between mobile

devices that support Sync Center. If you have a

mobile device that does not support Sync Center,

you can use Device Stage to sync information

between that device and your computer. Device

Stage automatically appears when you connect a

mobile device to your computer.

Exercise


• Exercise: Define offline files and understand how to work

with them using the Sync Center.

Figure 7-14: Manage your offline files and sync settings in

the Sync Center.



Windows Explorer

When you open a folder or library in Windows, Windows

Explorer appears. Windows Explorer makes it easy to

view and work with the drives, folders, and files on your

computer.


Accessories Windows Explorer from the menu.

The Windows Explorer window appears.

Other Way to Open Windows Explorer: Click the Windows Explorer button on the

taskbar or press < > + <E>.


you have previously visited. Details pane: Displays common properties associated with the





Navigation pane: Displays the drives, libraries, and folders on




library, or folder. Double-click an item to open it. Command bar: Here you can access common commands



Exercise


• Exercise: Open Windows Explorer and use the

Navigation pane to jump to another location.

Windows Accessories


Windows Mobility Center

Laptops are great for mobility, but the configuration you

use at home might not be the configuration you use in the

office. For example, brightness and volume are two

settings that laptop users often adjust throughout the day.

To adjust these and other settings all at once, use the

Windows Mobility Center.


Accessories Windows Mobility Center.

The Windows Mobility Center appears.

Other Ways to Open Windows Mobility: Press < > + <X>.

2. Select an option and adjust it to your preference.

The table below, Table 7-6: Windows Mobility

Center Settings, provides more information about

each setting in Windows Mobility Center.

Table 7-6: Windows Mobility Center Settings

Brightness If you want to adjust the brightness of your computer screen, use the Brightness setting. Move the slider to make

your screen dimmer or brighter.

Volume If have your volume turned up when you are listening to the music on your computer, you probably want to turn

down or mute your computer when you to go a meeting. Move the slider to increase or decrease the volume or

click the Mute check box to mute your computer.

Battery Status In the Windows Mobility Center, you can view your battery status so that you know how much power your

computer has. You can also select a power option from the list arrow. Balanced offers full performance and

display brightness when you need it, but conserve power when the computer is idle. Power Saver extends your

battery life, but causes slower performance and lower display brightness.

Wireless Network There are some places, such as an airplane, where you can work on your laptop but you cannot have your wireless

on. Use the Wireless Network setting in the Windows Mobility Center to quickly disable your wireless adapter,

enable your wireless adapter, and connect to a wireless network.

Screen Rotation This is for Tablet PC users. Change the orientation of your screen.

External Display Many people connect their laptop to another monitor. If you have another monitor connected to your laptop, click

the Connect Display button to select how you’d like your desktop to display on both monitors.

Sync Center The Sync Center manages the sync between your network files and the offline files. Click Sync settings to open

the Sync Center to view the last sync between your network and offline files

Presentation

Settings

How embarrassing is it to be in the middle of an important presentation, only to have your system notify you it’s

time to run a virus scan? You can turn on Presentation Settings to temporarily disable all system notifications.

When you’re done giving your presentation, turn your Presentation Settings off to enable your system

notifications.

Exercise


• Exercise: Explore the settings in the Windows Mobility

Center.


To see all the options for a setting, click the setting’s icon.


WordPad

WordPad is a stripped-down word processor, and it is one

of the best freebies Microsoft included with Windows 7.

You can use WordPad to create letters, memos, and

documents. You can also format your WordPad

documents with various font and paragraph styles.


Accessories WordPad from the menu.

The WordPad program window opens.

2. Enter text using the keyboard.

Tip: Many commonly asked questions about

WordPad can be answered by going into the

WordPad help file. To open the file, click Help

View Help from the toolbar or press <F1>.

3. Click the Save button on the Quick Access Toolbar to

save the document.

WordPad documents can be saved in four different

formats:

Rich Text Format: The default format for

WordPad. Although it uses formatting, this file

type can be read by many different programs.

Text Document: This format is most commonly

used in Notepad and does not allow text

formatting.

Text Document – MS DOS Format: A command

line interface that can be used to control internal

computer functions.

Unicode Text Document: Unicode format

includes a set of letters, numbers, and symbols

that represents almost all written languages in the

world.

Exercise


• Exercise: Type your name into the WordPad program.

Save it as Practice.rtf.

Figure 7-15: A document open in the WordPad program.



Ease of Access

Windows 7 offers many settings and tools you can use to

make your computer easier and more comfortable to use.


Accessories Ease of Access from the menu.

A list of accessibility tools appears. See Table 7-7:

Accessibility Tools in Windows 7 for a description of

these tools.

2. Select the tool you want to open.

Other Ways to Access the Accessibility Tools: Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

Click Ease of Access and select the appropriate

option.

Table 7-7: Accessibility Tools in Windows 7

Ease of Access Center The accessibility tools hub. Here you can access all options and settings related to accessibility.

Magnifier Use this tool to enlarge hard-to-see text and pictures on the screen. You have three modes to choose from:

Full-screen mode: Magnifies the entire desktop.

Lens mode: Magnifies only the areas you choose, similar to using a real magnifying glass.

Docked mode: Magnifies only a set portion of the screen, leaving the rest of the desktop in a normal

state.

Even while using the Magnifier tools you can click buttons and input text as you normally would.

Narrator Narrator reads on-screen text aloud and can even describe some events (such as error messages), enabling

you to use your computer without the display.

On-Screen Keyboard Displays a virtual keyboard on the screen that you can click, hover over, or scan to input text. If you have

Windows Touch and the right hardware installed, you can tap directly on the screen.

Windows Speech

Recognition

Speech has been enhanced in Windows 7 to include more programs and features. Now you can start an e-

mail by speaking a recipient’s name, surf the Internet without a keyboard, or dictate your documents.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the Ease of Access Center and familiarize

yourself with the various accessibility tools.

Figure 7-16: The Ease of Access Center window.



System Tools

Sometimes it can take a little elbow grease to make sure

your computer runs just the way you want it to. The

System Tools folder is the home of the Disk

Defragmenter, System Restore, and a number of other

programs designed to let you customize your computer

and keep it running smoothly, even letting you bring it

back to life after a computer crash.


Accessories System Tools from the menu.

The System Tools menu appears. Refer to the table

below for a description of the programs included in

the System Tools menu.

Table 7-8: System Tools Accessories

Character Map Each font has a list of characters and symbols that don’t appear on the keyboard listed in the character

map.

Computer Open a Windows Explorer window with links to system information.

Control Panel An entire menu of programs to help you set preferences in everything from parental controls and

Internet options to input devices and monitor appearance.

Disk Cleanup This program deletes temporary files to free up disk space for other uses.

Disk Defragmenter Files that were split into pieces are regrouped so the computer can access them faster.

Internet Explorer

(No Add-ons)

This is a version of Internet Explorer that has no cookies or add-ons. It should always perform like new.

Private Character

Editor

Create your own characters or edit existing characters and insert them into documents using the

Character Map.

Resource Monitor View information about how your computer is using hardware and software. You can also use Resource

Monitor to troubleshoot non-responsive programs and devices.

System Information Show a snapshot of what’s going on with your computer, including things like model numbers,

directory names, and available memory.

System Restore Use System Restore if your computer is acting buggy. It will revert the system back to what was on it

yesterday, last week, or just before the trouble started.

Task Scheduler Create a schedule for backing up drives, disk defragmenting, automated e-mails, and more.

Windows Easy Transfer

Reports

View reports about all your Windows Easy Transfer files transfers.

Windows Easy Transfer If you need to transfer to a different computer, files, settings and all, use this program to make the

process easy.

Exercise


• Exercise: Identify the programs in the System Tools menu.



Tablet PC Accessories

A tablet PC lets you use a use a writing instrument called

a stylus to write and tap directly on a computer screen

instead of using the keyboard or mouse. Windows 7

includes tools for using a tablet PC.

Math Input Panel

The Math Input Panel is a tool for anyone who has tried to

include a mathematical equation, physics derivation, or

chemistry formula in a document. Instead of typing and

formatting these complicated expressions, the Math Input

Panel lets you handwrite and then insert them into a word

processing or computational program that supports

Mathematical Markup Language (MathML).


Accessories Math Input Panel from the menu.

The Math Input Panel appears.

2. Write the expression in the Writing area.

As the expression is written in the Writing area, it

appears in the Preview area. The Preview area shows

how the expression will appear when inserted into a

program.

Tip: You can correct your expression by tapping

the Select and Correct button and then tapping

the incorrect symbol or circling the part of the

expression that was incorrectly read.

3. When the expression is finished, tap the Insert

button.

The expression is inserted into a word processing or

computation program.

Other Tablet PC Accessories

Windows 7 includes three more programs for tablet PC

users: Personalize Handwriting Recognition, Tablet PC

Input Panel, and Windows Journal.


Accessories Tablet PC.

The Tablet PC menu appears. Refer to Table 7-9:

Other Tablet PC Accessories for descriptions of the

programs included in the Tablet PC menu.

Exercise


• Exercise: Explain the differences between the Math Input

Panel, Personalize Handwriting Recognition, the Tablet PC

Input Panel, and Windows Journal.

Figure 7-17: The Math Input Panel.


Preview area

Writing area

Correction buttons

Insert button


Table 7-9: Other Tablet PC Accessories

Personalize

Handwriting Recognition

Use Personalize Handwriting Recognition to train your tablet PC to recognize your handwriting. You

can choose to train your tablet PC in two ways:

Target specific recognition errors: Select this option if you notice that your tablet PC is

frequently misreading specific words or characters.

Teach the recognizer your handwriting style: Select this option if you notice frequent issues

with your tablet PC recognizing your writing.

Tablet PC Input Panel Even though you can write directly on a tablet PC, you can’t write directly in a program. The Tablet PC

Input Panel translates your handwriting into typing in a program. After you open a program, open the

Tablet PC Input Panel to start writing.

You can write your text directly into the Tablet PC Input Panel Writing area using the Writing pad. If

you have messy handwriting, you can use the Touch keyboard to tap keys on a standard keyboard on the

computer screen.

Windows Journal The Windows Journal lets you write journal entries in your own handwriting. You can change the kind

of pen you are working with, highlight text, flag entries, draw pictures, erase content, and insert pictures

into your entry.



UUssiinngg WWiinnddoowwss AAcccceessssoorriieess

RReevviieeww

Quiz Questions

74. If you want to perform advanced calculations such as calculating factorials or finding arc tangents, what should you

do? A. Use the Standard calculator. B. Abandon any attempts to perform advanced calculations. C. Use Notepad. D. Use the Scientific calculator.

75. The Standard calculator will only work with numbers less than 1,000. (True or False?)

76. You must be in the same room as a network projector to deliver your presentation. (True or False?)

77. You can do which of the following using Getting Started: A. Add a new user to your computer. B. Change your wallpaper. C. Create a homegroup. D. All of the above.

78. When text is copied from another source and pasted into Notepad: A. Only the text (and not the formatting) is transferred. B. Only the formatting (and no text) is transferred. C. Both formatting and text are transferred. D. An error message appears.

79. Although you can't create a photograph in Paint, you can still view and edit one. (True or False?)

80. Which of the following is NOT true of connecting to a computer using Remote Desktop Connection: A. You can only use Remote Desktop if you are in the same building the remote computer. B. Remote Desktop can be used to work remotely and to troubleshoot issues on a remote computer. C. The remote computer must be turned on and cannot be in sleep or hibernate mode to use Remote Desktop

Connection. D. The remote computer must have Remote Desktop enabled.

81. Once you have created a snip it cannot be changed. (True or False?)

82. A snip is also called a: A. Screen capture B. Freeze frame C. Pictobox D. Highlighter Tool


83. When you click the Start Recording button: A. Nothing happens unless you say the word Start into the microphone at the same time. B. Sound Recorder starts to record, and the button automatically changes to Stop Recording. C. Sound Recorder starts to record, and automatically records for exactly one minute. D. A menu will appear asking how long the recording should last.

84. If a green volume bar doesn't appear while you are recording, you should: A. Click View > Volume Bar in the menu. B. Restart your computer. C. Make sure that your sound card and microphone are installed properly. D. Abandon your dreams of becoming a recording star.

85. Sticky Notes remain on your desktop until when? A. 7 PM. B. You turn off your computer. C. You delete the note. D. Forever.

86. The Sync Center displays the results of the most recent sync between your network files and your offline files. (True

or False?)

87. Windows Explorer is what is used to view folders, drives, and other locations on your computer. (True or False?)

88. Which of the following is not an option in the Windows Mobility Center? A. Brightness B. Wordpad C. Presentation Settings D. Volume

89. Which of the following cannot be done in WordPad? A. Printing a document. B. Spell-checking a document. C. Saving a document. D. Copying and pasting text in a document.

90. The Character Map only contains proofreaders marks and copyright information. (True or False?)

91. Once a character has been copied to the Character Map clipboard, it can be pasted into other programs, including

WordPad, NotePad, and Microsoft Word. (True or False?)

92. If you wanted to use a tablet PC to insert text into a program, which tablet PC accessory would you use? A. Personalize Handwriting Recognition B. Tablet PC Input C. Windows Journal D. Character Map


Quiz Answers

74. D. The Scientific calculator is able to perform more advanced mathematics, including factorials and arc tangents.

75. False. The Standard calculator can perform basic calculations like adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing with

large numbers as well as with small numbers.

76. False. If you are connected to a network projector, you can deliver your presentation from anywhere.

77. D. You can add a new user account, change your wallpaper,and create a homegroup from the Getting Started window.

78. A. Notepad strips away the formatting from text that is copied from another source.

79. True. Paint can open drawings and photographs as long as they are saved in a format that Paint recognizes.

80. A. You do not need to be in the same building as a remote computer to connect to it using Remote Desktop.

81. False. You can label a snip with the pen tool or highlight an important area with the highlghter.

82. A. Snips are often referred to as screen captures.

83. B. Sound Recorder will start recording as soon as the Start Recording button is clicked. When the Stop Recording

button is clicked, it will stop.

84. C. If the green volume bar does not appear in Sound Recorder, make sure that your sound card and microphone are

installed properly, and that the sound is loud enough to be picked up by the microphone.

85. C. Sticky Notes remain on your desktop until you delete the note.

86. True. Open the Sync Center to see the result of your most recent sync.

87. True. Windows Explorer is what you use to display folders, drives, and other locations on your computer. You do not

need to open it from the Accessories folder to use it.

88. B. You cannot open Wordpad from the Windows Mobility Center.

89. B. Spell-check is not available in Wordpad.

90. False. The Character Map contains characters for foreign languages, currency notation, fractions, bullets, symbols, and

more.

91. True. Characters taken from the character map can be used in many different word processing programs.

92. B. The Tablet PC Input program lets you write information on a tablet PC and then insert what you wrote into the

program.


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tthhee IInntteerrnneett

Dial-Up Connections ....................................... 146 Setting up a dial-up connection ............. 146 Connect automatically in Internet Explorer ............................................................... 147

Broadband Connections ................................. 148 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) ................ 148 Cable Internet access ............................ 149

Mobile Broadband ........................................... 150

Connecting to a Wireless Network ................ 151 Locating a wireless network .................. 151 Connecting to a wireless network .......... 152

Using Windows to Diagnose and Repair a Connection ....................................................... 153

So you feel like you’ve mastered the inner

workings of your computer. You know

how to navigate the folder and file

system. You even know the different

ways you can customize the appearance

of your computer. But now you’re ready

to get into the good stuff! You want to

know how you can get onto the Internet

and see what the hype is all about. You

want to e-mail your friends and family

and share your pictures and videos. To do

that, you’re going to need to find a way to

connect to the Internet.

In this chapter you will learn about the

different ways you can connect to the

Internet using your phone, cable, or even

your cell phone provider. You’ll also learn

how you can get away from your desk and

access the Internet wirelessly from your

laptop. Finally, you’ll learn about some

ways to troubleshoot your Internet

connection should something go wrong.

8


Dial-Up Connections

Dial-up is one of the oldest ways to connect to the

Internet. It uses your telephone line to connect to the

Internet. While most users have replaced dial-up

connections with high-speed broadband connections,

dial-up connections are still popular in remote or rural

areas where broadband is unavailable.

You will need the following items in order to use a dial-up

connection:

An Internet Service Provider: An Internet Service

Provider (ISP) is a lot like a phone company. Instead

of letting you make telephone calls to other people,

an ISP lets your computer connect to the Internet.

Just like your telephone company, ISPs charge for

their services. Some popular dial-up services include

NetZero and EarthLink.

A Web Browser: A Web browser is a program that

lets your computer interact with the World Wide Web.

Windows comes with a built-in Web browser—

Internet Explorer.

A modem: A modem is like a telephone for your

computer. It lets your computer talk to other

computers on the Internet. Your ISP provides this

when you sign up for service.

Setting up a dial-up connection


the menu.


2. Click the Network and Internet category.

The Network and Internet window appears.

3. Click the Network and Sharing Center category.

The Network and Sharing Center window appears.

4. Click the Set up a new connection or network link.

The Set up a Connection or Network Wizard begins.

5. Click Set up a dial-up connection and click Next.

Windows detects your modem and the Create a Dial-

up Connection window appears.

6. Enter the Dial-up phone number, User name, and

Password provided by your ISP and click Create.

Your dial-up connection is created.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how to set up a dial-up connection

on your computer.

Figure 8-1: The Set Up a Connection or Network Wizard.

Figure 8-2: The Create a Dial-up Connection window.

Connecting to the Internet

Click this check box to have Windows automatically enter your password for you.


Connect automatically in Internet Explorer

Once your dial-up connection is created, you can setup

your computer to dial your ISP automatically whenever

you open Internet Explorer.

1. Click the Internet Explorer button on the taskbar.

The Internet Explorer window appears.

2. Click Tools on the Command bar and select Internet

Options from the menu.

The Internet Options dialog box appears.

3. Click the Connections tab.

The Connections options appear.

4. Click the name of your dial-up Internet connection

listed under the Dial-up and Virtual Private Network

settings

The name of your connection is now highlighted.

5. Click the Always dial my default connection option

and click Set default.

The name of your dial-up connection appears to the

left of the Set default button.

6. Click OK.

Internet Explorer will now automatically dial your

default connection whenever you start the program.

Tips

Setting up automatic dial-up connections may differ

among Web browsers. See the Web browser’s help

menu to set up automatic dialing.

Figure 8-3: The Connections tab in Internet Options with

default connection set.



Broadband Connections

Broadband connections are one of the most popular ways

to connect to the Internet. The advantage to using

broadband is that it allows larger chunks of data to be

transmitted at a time. The result is a connection that is

many times faster than dial-up connections.

There are three things you’ll need to connect to the

Internet with a broadband connection:

An Internet Service Provider (ISP): An Internet

Service Provider lets your computer connect to the

Internet. Your broadband ISP is typically also your

cable television provider or your landline telephone

provider.

A Web Browser: A Web browser such as Internet

Explorer.

A Cable or DSL Modem or Other Connection: A

cable or DSL modem lets your computer talk to other

computers on the Internet. Most ISPs provide your

modem for a nominal fee.

We will now review the two most popular types of

broadband connections: digital subscriber line (DSL) and

cable.

Digital Subscriber Line Internet Access

A digital subscriber line (DSL) uses your local telephone

network to transmit digital data at broadband speeds. Your

ISP provides you with the equipment and landline

connection you need to connect your computer to the

Internet. Some ISPs also send out a technician to

complete the installation for you.

1. Connect the DSL modem to the telephone line and

power outlet.

Your DSL modem powers up and attempt to

synchronize with the ISP. You should notice a

flashing light on your DSL modem. Once

synchronization is complete, the light will

stop flashing.

2. Plug an Ethernet or Cat5e cable into your computer

and the DSL modem.

This completes your computer’s physical connection

to the Internet.

3. Closely follow any other instructions provided by

your ISP.

Your computer now has an Internet connection.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how broadband connections work

with your computer.

Figure 8-4: A DSL or cable modem connects to your computer through an Ethernet cable.



Cable Internet Access

Cable Internet uses a cable modem to connect to your

existing cable television line. You can typically get cable

Internet access through your local cable provider.

1. Connect your cable modem to the cable outlet and

power outlet.

Your cable modem will power up and attempt to

synchronize with the ISP. You should notice a

flashing light on your cable modem. Once

synchronization is complete, the light will stop

flashing.

2. Plug an Ethernet or Cat5e cable into your computer

and the cable modem.

This completes your computer’s physical connection

to the Internet.

3. Closely follow any other instructions provided by

your ISP.

Your computer now has an Internet connection.

Tips

Keep your ISP’s technical support phone number

close at hand in case you have problems with your

Internet connection. If your Internet connection fails,

you won’t be able to look the phone number

up online.

Once your broadband connection is established,

Windows 7 will automatically connect to it the next

time you start up your computer.



Mobile Broadband Connections

Mobile broadband is a new technological development. It

allows you to use your mobile phone provider, like

Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint, to connect to the Internet

wirelessly at broadband speeds. The speed of these

networks varies, depending on the type of technology

used in these networks.

Mobile broadband is an excellent option for business

travelers and laptop users who need high-speed Internet

access on the go. However, mobile broadband should not

be an alternative to your DSL or cable broadband

connection for two main reasons:

Coverage: Mobile broadband coverage depends on

the coverage area of the service provider, as is the

case with mobile phones. You probably won’t get

dependable coverage in remote or rural areas.

Coverage and connection speeds in cities may also

vary widely.

Usage Caps: Mobile broadband carriers typically cap

your usage rates on a monthly basis. When you go

above and beyond your limit, expect to be charged

fees by your carrier.

There are several types of devices that one can use to

connect their computer to the Internet:

PC Data Cards: Also known as ExpressCards, these

devices are connected to your computer via the

ExpressCard slot on the side of your laptop.

USB Modems: These are external modems that plug

into any USB slot on your computer.

USB Sticks: Like the USB modems, these devices

plug into your USB port.

Some newer laptops can even be customized to have the

mobile broadband functionality built-in, eliminating the

need for a separate piece of hardware.

Installing mobile broadband on your computer will vary

among the providers, but it most likely involves plugging

in the device and following onscreen instructions.

1. Plug the mobile broadband device into your

computer.

Once plugged in, your computer will detect the

device and begin to install the device software.

2. Install the software for your broadband device.

Follow the instructions provided. When it’s finished,

open your browser to begin using the Web.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how mobile broadband connections

work.

Table 8-1: A Comparison of U.S. Mobile Broadband (3G) Providers

Carrier Avg.

Download

Speed

Avg.

Upload

Speed

Max.

Download

Speed

Max.

Upload

Speed

AT&T 755kb/s 484kb/s 1.3Mb/s 1.2Mb/s

Sprint 1.4Mb/s 800kb/s 3.1Mb/s 1.8Mb/s

T-

Mobile

n/a n/a 1.0Mb/s n/a

Verizon 1.4Mb/s 800kb/s 3.1Mb/s 1.8Mb/s

Figure 8-5: A mobile broadband card

Table 8-2: Usage Caps for a Typical Mobile Broadband Plan

File type Size of 1 file Files allowed per month

E-mail 3 KB 1,700,000

Digital Photo 500 KB 10,000

Music (1 Song) 3 MB 1,667

Movie 700 MB 7



Connecting to a Wireless Network

There may come a time when you want to free yourself

from the wires and cables of your physical connection and

browse the Internet away from your desk. Laptop users in

particular have the freedom to access the Internet where

wireless—or Wi-Fi—networks are available, such as

airport terminals or coffee shops. Other users have

wireless networks set up in their homes. In this lesson,

you will learn how to connect to a wireless router in order

to access the Internet.

You will need three things to connect to a wireless

network:

An Internet connection: A broadband connection is

required to get the most out of your wireless network.

A wireless router: A wireless router provides a

bridge between your computer and the modem.

A wireless networking card: Many laptop

computers have a wireless networking card built-in.

Few desktop computers have wireless networking

cards, but you can purchase and install them to make

wireless networks available.

Locating a wireless network

Windows makes finding a wireless network easy. If you

have a wireless networking card, Windows automatically

searches for available networks in your vicinity.


the menu.



The Network and Internet window appears.

3. Click the Network and Sharing Center category.

The Network and Sharing Center appears.

4. Click the Connect to a network link.

A list of available wireless networks appears under

the Wireless Network Connection section.

Other Ways to Locate a Wireless Network: Click the Internet Access icon located in the

notification area of the Windows taskbar.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how to connect to a wireless

network.

Figure 8-6: The Network and Sharing Center.

Figure 8-7: Windows lists the available wireless network connections.


Internet Access icon


Connecting to a wireless network

Now that you have located all of the available wireless

networks in your area, you may connect to one.

1. Click the name of the wireless network to which you

want to connect.

The Connect button appears

Tip: The number of green bars next to the

network name indicates the signal strength. The

more green bars, the stronger and more reliable

the signal.

2. Click Connect.

If the network is secure, you will be prompted to

enter the network security key.

Tip: If you want your computer to sign-in to the

network automatically, click the Connect

automatically check box.

3. Enter the security key or password and click OK.

You are now connected to the wireless network.

Tip: If you don’t know the network security key,

contact the network administrator.

Trap: Whenever possible, it is advisable to

connect only to security-enabled networks.

Unsecure wireless networks are vulnerable to

eavesdropping. Table 8-3: Wireless Network

Security Type explains the differences between

the types of security used on wireless networks.

Table 8-3: Wireless Network Security Type

Unsecured Unsecured wireless networks do not protect information you send to or receive from the wireless router. As a

result, these networks are vulnerable to eavesdropping. Other users can browse through your folders and files

when you’re connected. Any data you transmit, including passwords, e-mails, and chats, can be captured.

WEP WEP, or Wired Equivalent Privacy, was the first form of data encryption available for wireless networks. It

provides very limited protection for your data. There are several known vulnerabilities to WEP, making it easy

to crack. Connecting to WEP-protected networks may be as risky as connecting to an unsecured network.

WPA WPA, or Wi-Fi Protected Access, was an interim replacement for the WEP protocol. WPA uses an intermediate

level of encryption to protect your data. While some flaws have been found in the encryption method, WPA is

still a good alternative to unsecured networks.

WPA2 WPA2 is the most advanced form of encryption available on wireless networks. WPA2 provides government

grade security by using the AES encryption algorithm. Whenever possible, it is advised to sign in to these types

of networks as they provide the greatest guarantee of data security.

Figure 8-8: Connect to your network of choice.

Figure 8-9: Enter the network security key.


Select this option to have your computer connect to this network automatically whenever it is within range.


Using Windows to Diagnose and Repair a Connection

Windows 7 is generally very intuitive when it comes to

setting up Internet connections, but if you are having

trouble, use the troubleshooter in Windows 7 to help

diagnose and fix the problem.


the menu.


2. Click the View network status and tasks link under

the Network and Internet category.


3. Click the Troubleshoot problems link near the

bottom of the window.

The Troubleshoot problems – Network and Internet

window appears.

A list of network and printing items you can

troubleshoot appears.

Other Ways to Start the Network and Internet

Troubleshooter:

Right-click the Internet Access icon ( or ) in

the notification area of the taskbar and select

Troubleshoot problems from the contextual

menu.

4. Select Internet Connections from the menu.

The Internet Connections troubleshooter begins.

5. Click Next.

Windows 7 attempts to detect problems with your

Internet connection. When complete, Windows asks

you which issue it should troubleshoot.

6. Click Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet.

Windows 7 will attempt to connect to the Microsoft

website (http://www.microsoft.com). If Windows

succeeds, the troubleshooter will indicate that

“Troubleshooting couldn’t identify the problem.”

If Windows 7 is unsuccessful, it will try to identify

potential problems and provide you with some

possible solutions.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how to use Windows to troubleshoot

connection problems.

Figure 8-10: Select the item you wish to troubleshoot in

the Troubleshoot problems – Network and Internet window.

Figure 8-11: Completed Internet Connections

Troubleshooter window showing results of the troubleshooter.



7. Follow the troubleshooter’s instructions.

Windows will try to detect a configuration error on

your computer and ask questions to solve the

problem.

When you’re finished, close the troubleshooter

window.

8. Click Close the troubleshooter.

You are now connected to the Internet.

If Windows can’t fix your problem, the problem may

lie outside your computer. See Table 8-4: Common

Internet Connection Problems for common problems

and their solutions.

Table 8-4: Common Internet Connection Problems

Dia

l-u

p

Can’t connect Make sure you are dialing the correct number.

Make sure you are dialing any outbound access numbers, such as 9.

Make sure the phone number is not busy.

Check the phone line by plugging a phone into the phone line and checking for a dial tone.

Make sure the phone line is plugged into both the wall and the modem correctly.

Disconnecting Call waiting can disrupt dial-up connections. Try disabling it and dialing again.

Make sure your modem is working properly. Check the information that came with the modem or

contact the manufacturer.

ISPs will sometimes automatically disconnect if you leave your connection idle for long periods of

time. Try again.

Make sure no one picked up the phone while you were online.

Bro

ad

ba

nd

(C

ab

le/D

SL

) Can’t connect Make sure that your cable or DSL modem is turned on.

Make sure that the Ethernet, or Cat5e, cable is plugged into the modem and computer correctly.

Some broadband connections can be fixed by unplugging the modem’s power cable, waiting for all

of the lights on the modem to turn off, waiting at least ten seconds after that, and then powering the

modem back up.

Call your ISP and ask if its service is working properly.

Ensure that you have an ISP user account and access.

Some cable and DSL ISPs use Media Access Control address (MAC address) filtering. If you’re

using a new device, your ISP may need to add your new device to its list of approved devices. Your

ISP can walk you through the process of finding your MAC address.

Wir

eles

s

Can’t find or connect Make sure that the wireless networking card in your computer is turned on. Some laptops have a

switch on the front or side of the computer to turn the card on and off.

Make sure that you are close enough to the router or wireless access point. You may also need to

connect an external antenna to your wireless network adapter to enhance your reception of the signal.

If possible, make sure that the wireless router is turned on. If it is turned on, try resetting the wireless

router and trying again.

Make sure that you entered the correct network security key, or password, when you were prompted.

The router or access point may be busy. Too much traffic from too many sources can disrupt

connectivity. If possible, try turning off other computers that use the router as an access point.



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Quiz Questions

93. Where under the Network and Internet category of the Control Panel can you set up a dial-up Internet connection? A. The Internet Options menu B. The HomeGroup menu C. The Network and Sharing Center D. None of the above. You must always use Internet Explorer.

94. An ISP is: A. An Internet Service Provider, a device inside your computer that connects to the Internet. B. An Internet Service Provider, a company that charges you to connect to the Internet. C. An Information Sending Protocol, an encrypted language that is used to access the Internet. D. An Information Sending Protocol, a device that determines whether your computer uses Dial-up or Broadband

access.

95. The two types of broadband Internet connections are: A. DSL and cable B. Dial-up and cable C. DSL and satellite D. ISP and dial-up

96. Mobile broadband is an excellent alternative to DSL and cable broadband for anyone who wants to access the Internet

from anywhere. (True or False?) True False

97. Which of the following do you need to locate a wireless network? A. A satellite dish B. A wireless router C. A wireless networking card D. A government-issued guidebook listing all available wireless Internet connections.

98. Windows will always automatically connect you to the closest wireless network available. (True or False?) True False

99. Which of these is false? A. If your computer is not connecting to the Internet, make sure your cables are connected and all your devices are

turned on. B. The troubleshooter in Windows 7 can detect and fix problems with your Internet connection. C. The Windows 7 troubleshooter can fix problems with many different types of connections, such as HomeGroup,

and shared folders, D. Your ISP provides a troubleshooter for help when you have connection problems.


Quiz Answers

93. C. The Network and Sharing Center gives you the option of setting up a dial-up connection by setting up a new

connection or network.

94. B. ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. It is a company, like a phone company, that charges you to connect to the

Internet.

95. A. The two types of broadband Internet connections are DSL and cable.

96. False. While mobile broadband is convenient for people who need to access the Internet on the go, it is not a good

alternative for typical users due to inconsistent coverage areas and usage caps.

97. C. A wireless networking card is needed to locate wireless networks in your vicinity.

98. False. Windows will only automatically connect you to those wireless networks for which you asked for an automatic

connection.

99. D. Your ISP does not provide a troubleshooter for your connection problems. However, you may call your ISP if the

Windows 7 troubleshooter and other problem-solving methods don’t work.



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Understanding Computer Ports ..................... 158

Installing New Hardware ................................. 159 Using the Add Hardware Wizard ........... 160 Installing a USB flash drive .................... 163 Windows ReadyBoost ............................ 164 Disconnect a USB flash drive ................ 163

Troubleshooting New Hardware..................... 165 Using the Device Manager .................... 165

Adding new hardware or peripheral

devices can vastly increase the usefulness

of your computer and keep it up-to-date in

the face of the ever-changing world of

technology.

The difference between hardware and

peripheral devices can be explained

simply. Basically, a peripheral device is

anything that is connected to the outside

of your computer, like digital cameras and

printers. Hardware, on the other hand, is

anything on the inside of your computer

that is needed to make your computer

work, like a video card. In the past,

adding new devices to your computer was

a difficult task almost exclusively

reserved for hardware savvy computer

technicians.

Today, things are much different. With

Plug-and-Play technology, Windows 7

makes adding new hardware and

peripheral devices to your computer very

easy. Now you can add printers, external

hard drives, and even second monitors

without much difficulty. Making great

improvements to your computer can be as

easy as finding the right connection.

In this chapter, you’ll learn how to

identify various ports on your computer,

and how you can add devices like

printers, external hard drives, and digital

cameras.

9


Understanding Computer Ports

When you look at the back or front of a computer, you

will notice various slots or holes. These are known as

computer ports. They allow you to connect peripherals

and other devices to your computer. Ports are sometimes

also called jacks or connectors.

Table 9-1: What are common computer ports? lists the

most common ports, what they look like, the icons that

represent them, and what they do.

Table 9-1: What are common computer ports?

Port Icon Description

USB

The USB, or Universal Serial Bus, is the most common port on your computer. It is

not unusual for computers to have anywhere between two and six of these ports.

Many standard devices can hook up to a USB port, including mice, keyboards,

printers, digital cameras, and more. No wonder it’s “universal!”

FireWire

—IEEE1394—

A FireWire (IEEE 1394, i.LINK, Lynx) port lets you connect such devices as high-

definition digital camcorders and audio devices to your computer.

PS/2

The PS/2, or keyboard and mouse, jacks are the old standard for connecting a

keyboard or mouse to your computer. Most new mice and keyboards connect via the

USB port.

These ports appear similar, so colors and icons are used to differentiate the two.

Ethernet

You can connect your computer to a network device, such as a cable modem, DSL

modem, or router using the network port.

A Cat5e cable is used for the connection.

Modem/Phone

The modem or phone jack is where you connect your computer to the phone line.

Headphone/Speaker /

Connect your speakers or headphones to this port.

Microphone

Connect a microphone to this port to record sounds on your computer or do voice

chat.

Video/VGA

You plug your monitor into the VGA port.

HDMI

An HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port allows you to connect your

computer to a high-definition (HD) monitor or television.

SD Card Reader

SD Card Readers allow you to insert SD memory cards from portable devices, such

as digital cameras, directly into your computer.

Exercise


• Exercise: Identify a USB port on your computer. Identify

the VGA port. Find the Ethernet port.

Working with Hardware and Peripherals


Installing New Hardware

Connecting additional hardware and devices to your

computer, such as printers, scanners, and webcams, is

vital to extending the capabilities of your computer.

Fortunately, most hardware is Plug and Play enabled,

making installation a snap. But if you are having trouble,

the Add Hardware wizard can help install the hardware.

Install with Plug and Play

Windows Plug and Play makes installing new hardware

very easy. When you plug one of these devices into your

computer, Windows 7 recognizes it and automatically

installs the drivers needed for the device.

1. Follow the instructions that came with the device.

In some instances, you may have to install a driver

before plugging the device into your computer, or

they will ask you to insert an installation disk into the

computer before connecting.

2. Plug the device into its corresponding port on your

computer.

Many devices require a USB port, but some devices

such as monitors, headphones, and microphones have

designated ports on your computer.

After plugging in, Windows detects the device and

begins to identify and install the drivers that it

requires. When the device is installed, a notification

appears, indicating that the device is ready to be used.

Tips

Make sure you are connected to the Internet when

installing devices so that Windows can download the

drivers that are required for a device.

A driver is a small piece of software that allows your

computer to interact with the hardware. It acts as a

translator between your computer and the device.

Install a wireless device

Since wireless devices can’t be plugged into your

computer, you must specify which wireless devices you

want to install.

1. Click the Start button and select Control Panel.


2. Click the Add a device link under the Hardware and

Sound category.

Windows searches for available wireless devices and

lists them in the window.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand that Windows 7 can automatically

install Windows-ready devices when they are plugged into

the computer.

Figure 9-1: When the device is plugged in, Windows

detects the device and automatically begins installing the drivers required for the device.

Figure 9-2: When the device is installed, Windows notifies you that the device is ready to use.



3. Select the device you want to install and click Next.

4. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the device.

When the device is installed, a notification appears,

indicating that the device is ready to be used.

Install with the Add Hardware Wizard

There may come a time when you want to install an older

device that does not support Plug and Play technology

and is not automatically recognized by Windows. The

Add Hardware wizard can help you install these devices.


the menu.


2. Click the Hardware and Sound category.

The Hardware and Sound window appears.

3. Click the Device Manager link under the Devices

and Printers category.

The Device Manager appears.

4. Select the type of device that you want to install.

For example, if you want to install a DVD drive,

select “DVD/CD-ROM drives.”

5. Select Action Add Legacy Hardware from the

menu.

The Add Hardware wizard appears.

Other Ways to Open the Add Hardware

Wizard:

Click the Start button and type run in the Search

box. Click Run from the search results. Type

hdwwiz in the Run dialog box and click OK.

6. Follow the instructions of the Add Hardware wizard.

7. Click Finish.

The hardware appears in the Device Manager to

indicate that it is installed and is working properly.

Tips

If an installation disk came with your hardware or

peripheral device, use that to install the device.

Some hardware and peripheral devices may not be

compatible with Windows 7. Research this carefully

before attempting to install any new hardware.

Table 9-2: If Windows Does Not Detect a Wireless Device…

Make sure the device you're trying to pair with

(connect to) isn't turned off, low on battery power, or

in sleep mode.

Make sure you haven't already added the device to

your computer. Devices that have already been added

aren't displayed in the list of devices you can connect

to in the Add a device wizard.

Make sure the device is within wireless range of your

computer, typically within six to nine feet for most

Bluetooth devices, or within 100 feet for a Wi-Fi

device.

Make sure there are no other devices interfering with

the wireless device, such as microwave ovens,

cordless phones, or other wireless devices.

If your computer uses an external Bluetooth or Wi-Fi

adapter, make sure the adapter is working correctly

and is attached and installed properly.

Some Wi-Fi devices need to be put into a discovery

mode known as Wireless Protected Setup (WPS)

before they can be detected. To learn more, check the

information that came with the device or go to the

manufacturer's website.

Figure 9-3: The Add Hardware Wizard.



Installing a Printer

Printers are one of the most common devices to connect

to your computer. They can be connected directly to your

computer, or be available over a network or wireless

signal. Once installed, you can set a printer as a default, or

remove a printer that you no longer use.

Install a local printer

A “local” printer is one that is directly connected to your

computer. Printers connected to your computer via USB

port are usually installed automatically by Windows.

1. Plug the printer into your computer’s USB port.

Printers that are connected to a computer through

USB port are plug and play compatible.

2. Turn the printer on.

Windows automatically detects the printer and begins

the installation process. The notification area displays

updates on the status of installation, but you generally

don’t have to do anything to install the printer.

Once the printer is installed, it appears in the Printers

and Devices window.

Set the default printer

The default printer is the printer that appears by default

whenever you try to print something from a program on

your computer. Set the default printer to be the one you

print from most often.

1. Click the Start button and select Devices and

Printers from the menu.

The Devices and Printers window appears. All

printers installed on your computer are listed. You

can choose any one of them to be your default printer.

2. Right-click the printer you want to set as the default

and select Set as default printer from the contextual

menu.

The default printer is set, and is indicated by a green

check mark.

Remove a printer

If you no longer use a printer, delete it from the Devices

and Printers list.



The Devices and Printers window appears.

Exercise


• Exercise: View the printers installed on your computer.

Figure 9-4: Printers connected to your computer via USB

are usually plug and play: just plug in the printer and Windows will automatically install it.

Figure 9-5: The default printer is indicated by a green check mark.



2. Right-click the printer you want to remove and select

Remove device from the contextual menu.

A dialog box appears, asking to confirm the deletion.

3. Click Yes.

The printer is removed.

Tips

If your printer has more than one function, such as

scanning or faxing, removing the printer does not

affect the other functions.



Working with USB Flash Drives

Flash drives are devices that plug into a computer’s USB

drive and store digital data. They can also ramp up your

computer’s memory with Windows ReadyBoost.

Install a USB flash drive

USB flash drives (thumb drives, jump drives) are small,

portable memory sticks that plug into your computer’s

USB port. It is an easy way to physically transfer files

from one computer to another.

1. Plug the USB flash drive into a USB port.

Windows 7 recognizes the device and the AutoPlay

dialog box appears.

There are many ways to work with the files on the

flash drive. Review the options to find the command

for how you want to use the flash drive.

2. Select an option from the dialog box.

Windows begins using the flash drive according to

the option you chose.

Once installed, the drive can also be accessed from

the Computer window, just like a network drive or

another drive on your computer. The drive is assigned

its own letter, and is labeled as a Removable Disk.

Disconnect a USB flash drive

Once you’re done using your USB flash drive, disconnect

it before unplugging to keep your files safe.

1. Save and close all open files and windows from your

USB flash drive.

The Safely Remove Hardware icon appears in the

notification area of the taskbar.

2. Ensure that there are no blinking lights on your USB

flash drive.

This indicates that the drive is done saving your files.

3. Click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the

taskbar and select Eject USB Mass Storage Device.

A notification appears telling you that it is safe to

remove the device.

Tips

Use these instructions to disconnect any device that is

connected to a computer via USB port, such as an

external hard drive or a digital camera.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how you can increase your

computer’s memory with a USB flash drive.

Figure 9-6: The AutoPlay menu.

Figure 9-7: The Safe to Remove Hardware notification

appears when it is safe to unplug a USB device.



Speed up performance with Windows ReadyBoost

You can also use the extra memory from a USB flash

drive to speed up your computer with the new Windows

ReadyBoost functionality.

1. Plug the USB flash drive into one of your computer’s

USB ports.

Windows 7 recognizes the device and the AutoPlay

dialog box appears.

2. Select Speed up my system under General options.

The ReadyBoost tab of the Removable Disk

Properties dialog box appears.

3. Choose how you want to use the USB flash drive.

There are two ways to use the device to enhance

computer performance:

Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost: The USB

drive will be used exclusively to speed up system

performance. You will not be able to store any

files on the device.

Use this device: Windows will temporarily use

the amount of space that you reserve on the USB

drive. When you choose this option, you can use

the slider below to decide how much space to

reserve for ReadyBoost.

4. Click OK.

Now your computer is prepared to use the USB flash

drive to enhance performance.

Figure 9-8: The Removable Disk Properties dialog box.



Troubleshooting Hardware

You’ve plugged in your new device and it isn’t working

properly. What are you supposed to do now? One possible

problem is that Windows does not have the proper device

driver. A device driver is a small piece of software that

allows your computer to interact with the hardware. It acts

as a translator between your computer and the device.

You can manage your devices and their drivers by using

the Device Manager.

Using the Device Manager

The Device Manager shows you all of the hardware that is

currently connected to your computer. You can also use it

to update the driver software for your devices and check

to see if your devices are working properly.


the menu.


2. Click the Hardware and Sound category.

The Hardware and Sound window appears.

3. Click the Device Manager link under the Devices

and Printers category.

The Device Manager appears. It lists all of the

internal and external devices currently connected to

your computer.

4. Find the device you are attempting to install in the

list and double-click it.

The Properties dialog box appears.

Tip: You may need to expand the device type

heading by clicking on the arrow next to the

device type.

5. Click the Driver tab.

The device driver information appears.

6. Click the Update Driver button and select Search

automatically for updated driver software in the

Update Driver Software Wizard.

Windows attempts to find an updated driver both on

your computer and on the Internet. Once found,

Windows will automatically install the drivers.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the Device Manager and review the

hardware that is connected to your computer.

Figure 9-9: The Device Manager.

Figure 9-10: The Driver tab.



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Quiz Questions

100. Which type of port is the most common port on today’s computers? A. FireWire ports B. USB ports C. PS/2 ports D. Ethernet or network ports

101. What does the Plug and Play technology in Windows allow you to do? A. Plug and Play allows you to automatically install new peripherals and hardware. B. Plug and Play allows you to start up your computer by only plugging it in. C. Plug and Play makes you go through a long and tedious installation process for anything you connect to your

computer. D. Plug and Play allows you to plug in a Microsoft Xbox 360 controller to play video games.

102. Which new feature to Windows 7 allows you to speed up your computer with the use of a USB flash drive? A. ReadyFlash B. FlashBoost C. ReadyBoost D. AeroFlash

103. For what can the Device Manager in Windows by used? A. Updating your hardware drivers B. Installing hardware that is not Plug and Play compatible C. Both A and B D. None of the above. The Device Manager is only a list of devices that are connected to your computer.

Quiz Answers

100. B. USB ports. Most new peripheral hardware devices, like printers and digital cameras, connect to your computer via

USB ports.

101. A. Plug and Play allows you to simply and easily install any Windows-ready device by only connecting it to your

computer.

102. C. ReadyBoost technology allows you to use all or part of the memory on a USB flash drive in order to enhance your

system’s performance.

103. C. You can both update your hardware drivers and install hardware.


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Installing Software ........................................... 168 Install software from a CD or DVD ......... 168 Install software downloaded from the Internet ................................................... 168

Removing Software ......................................... 170

Shutting Down a Frozen Program ................. 171

Adjusting Power Settings ............................... 172 Select a power plan ............................... 172 Create a power plan .............................. 172

Repairing Disk Errors ...................................... 174

Defragmenting Your Hard Disk ...................... 176

Freeing Up Space on Your Hard Disk ............ 177

Restoring Your Computer ............................... 179 Restore your computer .......................... 179 Create a restore point ............................ 180

Turning Windows Features On or Off ............ 181

Using Windows Update ................................... 183 Turn automatic updating on or off .......... 183 Install Optional updates ......................... 184

Setting Default Programs ............................... 185 Set a program as default for all file types ............................................................... 185 Set a program as default for specific file types ...................................................... 186

Scheduling Tasks ............................................ 187

Running Older Programs in Windows XP Mode ........................................................................... 189

Computers and cars have a lot in

common. Cars require maintenance to

keep them running at their peak

performance. Some car maintenance tasks

are simple and routine, such as inspecting

the brake pads. These tasks are designed

to keep you from needing other

complicated, more expensive repairs, such

as installing new brakes and rotors. Just

like a car, your computer requires routine

maintenance to prevent and/or correct

problems and to keep it running at its best

possible performance.

This chapter explains how to optimize and

maintain your computer. You’ll learn how

to find and correct problems on your

computer’s hard disk, install and remove

software, backup and restore your

important files, and more.

10


Installing Software

Though Windows has many useful programs already

installed, it’s unlikely that these alone will meet all of

your needs. You will need to install software on your

computer that helps do your work. You can install

software from a CD or DVD, or download and install

software from the Internet.

Install software from a CD or DVD

CDs and DVDs hold a lot of information, and they are

ideal for packaging software. These steps walk you

through how to install software from a CD or DVD.

1. Insert the CD or DVD into the computer.

Windows detects the disk, and the AutoPlay dialog

box appears with options for using the disk.

2. Click the Run Setup.exe option.

The User Account Control dialog box appears, asking

if you want to allow the program to make changes to

your computer.

Tip: If you do not have administrative rights on

the computer, the dialog box prompts you to enter

an administrator user name and password.

3. Click Yes in the User Account Control dialog box.

The program’s installation wizard appears.

4. Follow the instructions to install your software.

Tips

Always keep software documentation close by if you

have questions during the installation process.

Install software downloaded from the Internet

You can download many programs, some for free and

some for purchase, from the Internet. Downloading

software from the Internet is convenient because you can

use the software as soon as it is downloaded and installed.

Tips

Be careful when downloading software. Some

downloads include spyware or computer viruses.

Table 10-1: Is this Program Safe to Download? lists

questions to ask before downloading software.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how to install software from a CD

or DVD and how to download software from the Internet.

Figure 10-1: The AutoPlay dialog box lets you run the

installation file or open a folder to view the files on the disk.

Figure 10-2: Download instructions look different on each Web site.

Optimizing and Maintaining Your Computer


1. Browse to the Web page with the software you'd like

to download.

Scroll through the Web page until you find the

program’s download instructions. Each Web page

displays downloads differently.

2. Click the link or button to download the program.

The File Download – Security Warning dialog box

appears. You have two options to download the

installation file:

Run: Downloads the software and installs it when

the download is complete.

Save: Downloads the installation file to a specific

location. You must begin the installation later.

Save all your downloads to the same location so

you can easily find them later.

Tip: If you’re concerned about a file’s security,

save the installation file to your computer and

scan it with your anti-virus and/or anti-spyware

software.

3. Click Run or Save to download the installation file.

A dialog box appears, displaying the progress of the

download.

4. When the download is complete, follow the

instructions to install your software, or double-click

the install file and then follow installation

instructions.

When the installation wizard is complete, you can

begin using the program.

Table 10-1: Is this Program Safe to Download?

Do I know this software? The publisher’s Web site usually provides technical information as well as user and professional reviews. If

you want more information, research the software using a search engine. If after researching software you

can’t find any information, that is a sign that the software is unknown and might harm your computer.

Do I know this Web site? Many software publishers have software available for download from their Web sites. For example, you can

download Internet Explorer from Microsoft’s Download Center.

Some Web sites, like CNET.com, serve as hubs to download many different kinds of software. If you are

downloading from a general download site, research the Web site first. Make sure you know who runs it

and how contact the Web site provider or software publisher if you have any problems with the software.

Did I click anything to

download this software?

Most programs ask your permission before downloading; at the very least, you need to click a link or

button to start the download. If a program starts to download without your permission, cancel the download

and leave the Web site. Research the program to make sure it’s safe for your computer. You can always

return to the Web site and restart the download later.

Does the software have a

digital certificate?

A digital certificate verifies that the software you are downloading is from the publisher. Click the

Publisher link in the File Download - Security Warning dialog box to view the digital certificate.

Does the Web site display

a lot of pop ups?

If you notice multiple pop ups on an unfamiliar Web site, beware. Pop ups can contain spyware, and if the

pop ups have spyware, the software you want to download might have spyware too.

Figure 10-3: Decide if you want to download and run the

installation file now or later in the File Download – Security Warning dialog box.



Removing Software

If you have a lot of software you no longer use on your

computer, you are wasting valuable disk space and

slowing down your computer. You should occasionally

review the programs on your computer and remove

software you no longer use to free up disk space.


the menu.


2. Click the Uninstall a program link under the

Programs category.

The Uninstall or change a program window appears,

listing the programs installed on your computer.

3. Select the program you want to remove and click the

Uninstall button on the toolbar.

Tip: Some programs group the Uninstall and

Change commands on the same button. The

Change button lets you configure or remove

options for a program.

A dialog box appears confirming the uninstall.

4. Click Yes to confirm that you want to remove the

program.

A wizard appears to help you remove the program

from your computer.

5. Follow the instructions to remove your software.

The program is removed from the computer.

If the program still appears after you have followed these

instructions, see Table 10-2: Troubleshooting Removing

Software.

Tips

These steps cannot be used to remove spyware or

computer viruses. To remove malware, you must

download specialty software.

Software designed for older versions of Windows

may not appear in the program list. Review the

documentation included with the software for

information on uninstalling the program.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open the “Uninstall or change a program”

window and review the software listed. Understand how to

uninstall software.

Figure 10-4: Buttons for uninstalling and changing a

program appear on the toolbar when a program is selected.

Figure 10-5: Click Yes to confirm that you want to uninstall

the program before beginning the process of uninstalling the program.

Table 10-2: Troubleshooting Removing Software

Uninstall the program again.

Restart Windows in safe mode and uninstall the program

again.

If the program was recently installed, use System Restore

to restore your computer to a date before you installed the

program.



Shutting Down a Frozen Program

Although computers have improved over the years,

you may still find that programs “freeze.” A frozen

program stops working or responding for many reasons:

you might not have enough memory or disk space to run

the program, or there could be an issue with your

computer’s hardware or software. When a program

freezes, don’t give up--shut down the program and try

restarting it.

1. Right-click the taskbar and select Start Task

Manager from the contextual menu.

Other Ways to Open the Task Manager: Press <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Delete> and select

Start Task Manager from the Welcome screen.

The Applications tab of the Windows Task Manager

appears. The Task column lists all open programs,

and the Status column indicates if the program is

running. A frozen program has a status of “Not

Responding”.

2. Select the program that is not responding and click

the End Task button.

The Program dialog box appears and displays two

options:

Close the program: Force the program to shut

down. You will lose any changes you have made

since your last save.

Wait for the program to respond: Give the

program more time to resolve the problem.

3. Select Close the program.

The program shuts down.

After the program shuts down, you can restart it and

begin to work with it again.

Tips

If you are still experiencing problems after you

have shut down a frozen program, or if multiple

programs freeze, restart your computer.

To prevent any loss of work, make sure to save

your work frequently. If you are working in a

program that has an AutoSave feature, configure

and enable it.

Exercise


• Exercise: Open WordPad, and then force WordPad to

close using the Windows Task Manager.

Figure 10-6: Use the Task Manager to check the status of a program and to shut down a frozen program.



Adjusting Power Settings

Many users want to conserve energy, whether they are

using a laptop or a desktop computer. Windows provides

options that maximize system performance while using a

minimal amount of energy, letting you save dollars and

battery life.

Select a power plan

A power plan is a collection of hardware and system

settings that you can use to manage the amount of energy

your computer uses. Windows includes power plans that

are optimized for performance, energy saving, and

everything in between, and switching between them is

easy.


the menu.



the Power Options category.

The Power Options window appears.

Other Ways to Open the Power Options

Window for Laptop Users: Click the battery icon in the notification area, and

then click the More power options link

Windows has three system power plans. Table 10-3:

Available Power Plans describes each plan.

3. Select a power plan and close the window.

You have changed your computer’s power plan.

Tips

Your computer manufacturer may have included

other system power plans on your computer.

Create a power plan

Your power plan determines your computer’s brightness

as well as when your computer dims, your monitor turns

off, and your computer goes to sleep. If you don’t like the

system power plans, you can create a custom power plan.

Tips

If you use your computer to give presentations, it’s a

good idea to create a power plan that keeps your

computer awake an active at all times.


the menu.


Exercise


• Exercise: Understand what a power plan is and the

settings it can control. Create a custom power plan and

name it “Practice Power Plan”.

Figure 10-7: The Power Options window without the

additional options displayed.

Table 10-3: Available Power Plans

Balanced Offers full performance when you need it and

saves power during period of inactivity.

Power saver Reduces system performance and screen

brightness in order to save power.

High

performance

Maximizes screen brightness and might

increase the computer’s performance.


If a plan does not appear, click the Show additional plans arrow.



the Power Options category.

The Power Options window appears.

Other Ways to Open the Power Options

Window for Laptop Users: Click the battery icon in the notification area, and

then click the More power options link

3. Click Create a power plan in the sidebar.

The Create a power plan window appears.

4. Select a power plan to use as a template.

You may use one of the three system power plans to

begin.

5. Enter a name for the plan in the Plan name text box.

Click Next.

The Edit Plan Settings window appears. Here you can

configure your power plan settings. Read more about

these settings in Table 10-4: Power Plan Settings.

6. Click the list arrows to configure your power plan

and click Create.

Your new power plan appears in the Power Options

window.

Tip: You can delete a custom power plan, but you

cannot delete a system power plan.

Figure 10-8: Configure a custom power plan in the Edit Plan Settings window.

Table 10-4: Power Plan Settings

Dim the display Reduces screen brightness.

Turn off the

display

Turns off the monitor, but leaves the

computer on. If you use your computer

for presentations, select Never to keep

the display turned on during

presentations.

Put the computer

to sleep

Activates sleep mode for your computer.

If you use your computer for

presentations, select the Never for to

keep your laptop awake during

presentations.

Adjust plan

brightness

Increase or decrease your screen’s

brightness.



Repairing Disk Errors

Over time, errors appear on your comptuer’s hard drive.

These errors affect your computer’s perfomance. While

errors to your hard disk might sound serious, they are not;

a hard drive repair program can easily diagnose and fix

most of these errors.

Windows includes a hard drive repair program called

Error-checking. Error-checking is a preventative

maintenance task that you should do at least once a

month. This lesson shows you how to use Error-checking

to diagnose and repair errors on your computer.

1. Click the Start button and select Computer from the

menu.

The Computer window appears. You can run Error-

checking on any drive connected to your computer,

including external hard disks and flash drives, as well

as your computer’s hard drive.

The drive we want to repair is your computer’s hard

drive. On most computers, this is called Local Disk

(C:), but your hard drive may be called something

different, depending on how your computer is set up.

2. Select the Local Disk (C:) drive and click the

Properties button on the command bar.

The Disk Properties dialog box appears.

Other Ways to Open the Disk Properties Dialog

Box: Select a drive, then right-click it. Select

Properties from the contextual menu.

3. Click the Tools tab and click the Check now button

on the Error-checking area.

The Check Disk dialog box displays two scan

options:

Automatically fix file system errors: Scans the disk

and repairs problems with files and folders. If you do

not select this option, Error-checking still scans the

disks and reports problems, but it does not repair any

problems. You may be required to restart your computer

if you select this option.

Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors:

Attempts to find and repair physical errors on the drive.

This option will make the scan and repair take longer.

4. Select the option(s) you wish to use and click Start.

The scan begins.

Trap: If you are logged on your computer, you are

using its hard disk. Windows will alert you that it

cannot run Error-checking because the disk is in

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how Error-checking can help you

monitor your computer’s performance.

Figure 10-9: The Drive Properties dialog box.

Figure 10-10: Select how you want your computer to scan

the disk in the Check Disk dialog box.



use. You can schedule a disk check for another

time.

When the scan is completed, the Results window

appears reporting any errors or bad sectors.

5. Click OK to close the Results window and click OK

to close the Disk Properties dialog box.

Tips

When you schedule a disk check, Error-checking runs

the next time you start your computer. The results

display before the Windows Welcome screen appears.

If Windows reports any bytes in bad sectors, you

have a hardware problem. Back up your disk and run

Error-checking every few days. If subsequent scans

show more bytes in bad sectors, your hardware is

failing. You should not use any hard disk that has bad

sectors.



Defragmenting Your Hard Disk

A file is usually saved in one location on your hard drive.

However, over time a disk fragments a file and saves the

pieces in several places instead of saving a single file to

one location. When that happens, your computer must

read one file from several different areas of a disk, and

your computer slows down.

The Disk Defragmenter improves your computer’s

performance by consolidating fragmented files in one

location. Follow these steps to defragment your

computer’s hard disk.


Accessories System Tools Disk Defragmenter from the menu.

The Disk Defragmenter appears.

Other Ways to Open the Disk Defragmenter: Click the Start button and select Computer from

the menu. Select a drive, then right-click it. Select

Properties from the contextual menu. Click the

Tools tab in the Disk Properties dialog box, and

then click the Defragment now button in the

Defragmentation area.

The Disk column lists the disks that can be

defragmented. If a disk does not appear, it cannot be

defragmented. See Table 10-5: Reasons a Disk

Cannot be Defragmented to learn why a disk cannot

be defragmented.

Next, analyze the disk to see if defragmenting is

necessary.

2. Select a disk and click the Analyze disk button.

Disk Defragmenter displays the percentage of the

disk that is fragmented in the Last Run column. If the

disk is fragmented at 10 percent or more, you should

defragment the disk.

3. Click the Defragment disk button.

Defragmenting can take minutes or hours depending

on the disk’s size. You can continue to use your

computer while it is defragmenting.

When you are finished, close the Disk Defragmenter.

4. Click Close.

The Disk Defragmenter closes.

Tips

You can defragment external hard disks and flash

drives as well as your computer’s hard drive.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how to manually defragment a disk.

Figure 10-11: The Disk Defragmenter can analyze a drive to see if it needs to be defragmented.

Table 10-5: Reasons a Disk Cannot be Defragmented

The drive is a network location. You cannot defragment

network locations.

The drive is formatted using a file system other than

NFTS, FAT, or FAT 32.

The drive contains an error. If that is the case, run Error-

checking and try to defragment that drive again.



Freeing Up Space on Your Hard Disk

Any time you work on your computer, you create files in

the background. These background files accumulate on

your hard drive and can slow your computer down. Disk

Cleanup identifies these extra files and deletes them,

making your computer faster.


Accessories System Tools Disk Cleanup from

the menu.

The Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection dialog box

appears.

Other Ways to Start Disk Cleanup: Click the Start button and select Computer from

the menu. Select a drive, then right-click it. Select

Properties from the contextual menu. Click the

Disk Cleanup button on the General tab of the

Disk Properties dialog box.

2. Click the Drives list arrow and select a drive.

Disc Cleanup calculates how much space you can

free up on the drive.

3. Click OK.

The Disk Cleanup for dialog box appears. It lists

types of files you can delete to help your computer

run faster. For more information about these files, see

Table 10-6: Types of Files You Can Delete to Save

Space.

Tips

Click the Clean up system files button to display

the Disk Cleanup for dialog box with the More

Options tab. You can remove programs and delete

restore points from the More Options tab.

4. Select check boxes for the files you want to delete

and click OK.

The Disc Cleanup dialog box appears, confirming

that you want to delete the files permanently.

5. Click the Delete Files button.

The Disc Cleanup dialog box displays the progress of

the cleanup. When Disc Cleanup finishes deleting

files, the dialog box closes.

Tips

You can use Disk Cleanup on external hard disks and

flash drives as well as your computer’s hard drive.

Exercise


• Exercise: Use Disk Cleanup to delete your Temporary

Internet Files.

Figure 10-12: Click the Drives list arrow to select the drive you want to clean up.

Figure 10-13: Select the types of files you want to delete in the Disk Cleanup for dialog box.



Table 10-6: Types of Files You Can Delete to Save Space

Downloaded Program files Small programs downloaded from the Internet and used to view certain Web pages. Deleting these files

does not affect your browser settings.

Temporary Internet Files A collection of Web sites stored on your computer for quicker viewing. Deleting these files does not

affect your browser settings.

Offline Webpages Web pages stored on your computer so you can view them without connecting to the Internet. Deleting

these files does not affect your browser settings.

Recycle Bin Files you have deleted from your computer, but that haven’t been emptied from the Recycle Bin.

Setup Log Files Files created by your computer. These files can be used to troubleshoot installation files.

Temporary files Temporary information stored by programs.

Thumbnails Files used to store thumbnail images for Windows Explorer’s Thumbnail view. You can safely delete

these files.

Per user archived Windows

Error Reports

Files generated by Windows Error Reporting when an application error occurs. These files are saved to

the user profile.

System archived Windows

Error Reports

Files generated by Windows Error Reporting when an application error occurs. These files are saved to

the system.



Restoring Your Computer

Sometimes we make changes that hurt our computer’s

performance. System Restore lets you rewind your

computer to a time when everything worked.

Every time you install software or update your computer,

a restore point is created. Think of a restore point as a

snapshot of your computer at a specific time. Restore

points record system settings, registry files, and installed

programs. Your computer also creates restore points at

scheduled times.

If your computer isn’t working, use System Restore to

return your computer to a specific restore point without

affecting individual files, such as documents and e-mail.

Tips

System Restore does not recover individual files,

such as documents and images. Make sure you

backup your individual files regularly.

Restore your computer


Accessories System Tools System Restore

from the menu.

The System Restore window appears.

2. Click Next.

The System Restore window lists available restore

points. Select a restore point that was created before

you noticed the problem.

3. Select a restore point and click Next.

The “Confirm your restore point” screen appears.

4. Click Finish to restore your computer.

Windows displays a warning telling you that System

Restore cannot be interrupted.

5. Click Yes.

The System Restore dialog box appears and your

computer restarts.

When you log in to your computer, Windows displays

a message informing you that System Restore was

successful.

6. Click Close.

Tips

If the problem is not resolved, open System Restore

and undo the restore or select another restore point.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how to restore your computer.

Create a restore point.

Figure 10-14: Undo a previous restore or select a new

restore point from the System Restore window.

Figure 10-15: System Restore lists restore points with the

time and date of their creation as well as a description.

Figure 10-16: When you restart your computer, a

message appears letting you know that System Restore was successful.



Create a restore point

Your computer creates restore points at regular intervals

and whenever Windows detects the beginning of a change

to your computer (such as installing a new program).

However, you can create restore points manually.

Tips

It’s a good idea to create a restore point before you

install new software on your computer. This lets you

restore the computer to a time before the installation

program was downloaded.


the menu.


2. Click the System and Security category and click

the System category.

The System window appears.

3. Click the System protection link on the sidebar.

The System Properties dialog box appears.

4. Click the Create button.

The System Protection window appears.

5. Type a description in the Create a restore point text

box and click Create.

The System Protection window appears. A message

appears when the restore point is created successfully.

6. Click Close.

The restore point saved on your computer.

Trap: Restore points are saved until the disk space

System Restore reserves is full. At that point, old

restore points are deleted as new restore points are

created.

Figure 10-17: The System Properties dialog box.

Figure 10-18: Name your restore point so you remember why you created it.



Turning Windows Features On or Off

Windows features are programs included with your

computer that enhance its capabilities. You’re probably

familiar with at least one Windows feature: Games. But

Windows includes many other useful features. You can

easily turn features on or off as needed in the Windows

Features dialog box.

Tips

Turning off a Windows feature does not uninstall it.

The feature remains on your computer’s hard drive so

you can easily turn it on again.


the menu.


2. Click the Programs category and click the Turn

Windows features on or off link under Programs

and Features.

The Windows Features dialog box appears.


the computer, the User Account Control dialog

box prompts you to enter an administrator user

name and password.

3. To turn on a feature, select its check box. To turn off

a feature, clear its check box.

After making your selections, confirm the changes in

Windows.

4. Click OK.

The Microsoft Windows dialog box appears. You

may have to wait while Windows configures your

changes.

After the changes have been configured, the

Microsoft Windows dialog box asks you to restart the

computer.

5. Click the Restart Now button.

Your computer restarts, and the changes take effect.

Tip: If you want to restart your computer later,

click the Restart Later button.

Table 10-7: Windows Features describes these features.

Because many of these features are intended for

developers, most users should not need to change the

default settings.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how to turn Windows features on

and off.

Figure 10-19: The Windows Features dialog box. If a

check box is filled in, only part of the feature is turned on, as in the highlighted example.



Table 10-7: Windows Features

Co

mm

on

Fea

ture

s

Games Lists all games in Windows, including Internet games.

Indexing Service Locates, indexes, and updates documents to provide full-text searching.

Internet Explorer 8 Adds or removes Internet Explorer from the Start menu and taskbar.

Media Features Adds or removes Windows DVD Maker, Windows Media Center, and Windows Media Player.

Print and Document Services Enables the features associated with printer and scanner sharing.

Tablet PC Components Adds or removes the tablet PC components from the Start menu.

Telnet Client Adds or removes the Telnet client. Telnet is a text-based program that allows you to connect to

another computer using the Internet.

Windows Search Allows you to search the contents of your computer.

XPS Services Allows you to set permissions for and digitally sign XML Paper Specification (XPS) files.

XPS Viewer Allows you to search for and view XPS files.

Dev

elo

per

Fea

ture

s

Internet Information Services Includes Web and FTP support, along with support for transactions, active server pages, and

database connections.

Internet Information Services

Hostable Web Core

Allows you to host IIS core in your own process and serve hyptertext transfer protocol (HTTP)

requests.

Microsoft .NET Framework

3.5.1

Provides a software framework as well as a library of solutions to common programming

problems.

Microsoft Message Queue

(MSMQ) Server

Enables a fast store-and-forward service that lets applications running at different times to

communicate offline.

RAS Connection Manager

Administrator Kit (CMAK)

Lets you create a custom installation package for VPN access.

Remote Differential

Compression

Synchronizes data with a remote source using compression techniques to minimize the amount

of data sent across a network.

RIP Listener Monitors a network for updates sent by routers that use the Routing Information Protocol version

1 (RIPv1).

Services for NFS Enables your computer to share files with UNIX/LINUX computers using the Network File

System (NFS) protocol.

Simple Network Management

Protocol (SNMP)

Lets you manage and configure network computers from a centrally located computer rather than

running network management software.

Simple TCPIP services

(i.e. echo, daytime etc)

Installs the basic TCP/IP services such as echo, daytime, quote, chargen, and discard.

Subsystem for UNIX-based

Applications

Installs a source-compatibility subsystem for compiling and running UNIX-based applications

and scripts in Windows.

Telnet Server Installs a Telnet server on your computer. Turning on this feature without properly configuring it

could pose a significant security risk.

TFTP Client Installs a TFTP client that you can use to download and upload files to and from a TFTP server.

Windows Gadget Platform Provides a platform to develop Windows 7 gadgets.

Windows Process Activation

Service

Manages the activation and lifetime of the worker process that contain applications that host

Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services.

Windows TIFF IFilter Allows you to search the content of Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) files.



Using Windows Update

Microsoft is constantly making improvements to the

Windows operating system, and they provides these

updates to users through Windows Update. By default,

Windows Update downloads and installs these updates on

your computer automatically. These updates can improve

performance, privacy, security, and reliability.

Tips

There are three types of Windows Updates:

Important, Recommended, and Optional. Read Table

10-8: Types of Windows Updates for more

information about each type.

You must be connected to the Internet to use

Windows Update.

Turn automatic updating on or off

Windows configures your computer to receive certain

updates automatically. However, you can control the

settings for automatic updating and choose how updates

are delivered.


the menu.



the Turn automatic updating on or off link under

the Windows Update category.

The Change settings window appears. There are four

ways to receive updates:

Install updates automatically: Installs all

important and recommended updates without

notifying you. You can schedule how often and

when Windows downloads and installs these

updates. This is the default setting and is

recommended to keep your computer running at

its best.

Download updates but let me choose to install

them: Notifies you after updates have been

downloaded so that you can review and install

them.

Check for updates but let me choose whether to

download and install them: Notifies you when

updates are available so you can you review the

updates and choose whether or not to download

them.

Never check for updates: Select this option if

you want to manually check for, download, and

install updates. This setting is not recommended.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how Windows Update can improve

your computer’s security and performance. Turn on

automatic updating.

Table 10-8: Types of Windows Updates

Important Updates that improve your computer’s

security, privacy, and reliability. Windows

Update can automatically install these

updates or notify you when such updates

are available. These updates are critical for

your computer’s health and performance.

Recommended Updates that enhance your computer, but do

not address critical issues. You can choose

to have Windows Update treat these updates

the same as Important updates or you can

download these manually as you do with

Optional updates.

Optional These updates include drivers, language

packs, or new software from Microsoft to

enhance your computing experience. These

updates cannot be downloaded and installed

automatically.

Figure 10-20: Configure Windows Update to notify you or

install updates automatically.



Trap: If scheduled updates occur when your

computer is offline, Windows checks for updates

the next time you turn on your computer if it is

connected to the Internet.

3. Click the Important updates list arrow, select an

option, and click OK.

If you configured Windows Update to notify you

before installing or downloading updates, the

Windows Update icon will display when updates are

available in the notification area of the taskbar.

Install Optional updates

Even though Windows does not automatically download

Optional updates, you should still manually check for,

download, and install them often.


the menu.



Check for updates under the Windows Update

category.

The Windows Update window appears and displays

how many of each type of update (Important,

Recommended, Optional) are available.

3. Click the link for the updates you’d like to review.

The “Select updates to install” window appears. The

updates listed depend on the type of update you

selected.

Tip: To learn more about an update, click it and a

brief description appears in the right pane of the

window.

4. Select the update(s) you want to install and click OK.

The Windows Update window appears, displaying a

brief summary of the selected updates.

5. Click the Install updates button.

Windows begins installing the selected updates.

Some software updates may require you to accept

terms of use.

6. If necessary, accept the terms and click the Next

button. When you get to the last set of terms, click

the Finish button.

Windows notifies when the updates are installed.

Figure 10-21: You can check for updates at any time using the Windows Update window.

Figure 10-22: Windows Updates can include new drivers, language packs, and software.



Setting Default Programs

Your computer may have several programs that run the

same files. For example, both Windows Media Player and

iTunes play .mp3 files. But if you open a file, your

computer only opens it in one program. This is because

each type of file is set to open in a certain program by

default.

A default program opens a particular file type. Windows

has already assigned default programs for every file type,

but you can change these defaults anytime using the

Default Programs window.

Set a program as default for all file types

The easiest way to change program defaults is to let a

specific program open every file type it can. For example,

an image could be a JPEG, an PNG, a BMP, or a GIF file.

If you want to open all images in the same program, no

matter what type of file, set that program as default.

1. Click the Start button and select Default Programs

from the menu.

The Default Programs window appears.

2. Click the Set your default programs link.

The Set Default Programs window appears and lists

programs on your computer.

3. Select a program from the list.

Two options appear in the Set Default Programs

window:

Set this program as default: The program will

open all file types it supports.

Choose the defaults for this program: Specify

which file types a program should open.

4. Select the option you wish to use and click OK.

The program is set as default for all supported file

types.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand the difference between setting a

program as default for all file types and setting a program as

default for a specific file type.

Figure 10-23: The Set Default Programs window displays

a list of programs and allows you to set defaults for a whole program or for specific file types.

Figure 10-24: Associate a specific file type with a program in the Set Associations window.



Set a program as default for specific file types

Some programs, like media players, open many types of

files. Perhaps you want to open videos in Windows Media

Player, but you want to open any other media files in

iTunes. The Set Associations window lets you associate a

specific file type with a program.

Tips

Use these steps if a program is not listed in the Set

Default Programs window.

1. Click the Start button and select Default Programs

from the menu.

The Default Programs window appears.

2. Click the Associate a file type or protocol with a

program link.

The Set Associations window appears listing all

possible file types.

3. Select a file type from the list and click the Change

Program button.

The Open with dialog box appears, displaying all the

programs that can open that specific file type.

4. Select a program and click OK.

The selected program can open that file type.

Figure 10-25: The programs displayed in the Open with dialog box depend on the file type.



Scheduling Tasks

Remembering to run all of the maintenance tasks for

Windows is a hassle. Use the Task Scheduler to run these

tasks automatically at any time, day or night.


Accessories System Tools Task Scheduler from the menu.

The Task Scheduler appears.

Tip: The Summary pane lists tasks that are

scheduled on your computer.

2. Click Create Basic Task in the Actions pane.

The Create Basic Task Wizard appears.

Other Ways to Create a Basic Task: Click Action and select Create Basic Task from

the menu.

3. Type the task’s name and description and click Next.

The Task Trigger screen appears. A task trigger

determines when a task will occur. You can have a

task trigged by a scheduled time or you could have a

task trigged by a specific event, such as turning on

your computer.

See Table 10-9: Task Triggers for more information

about each trigger.

4. Select a trigger and click Next.

The screen to configure trigger criteria appears. The

screen that appears depends on the trigger you

selected. For example, if you selected Monthly, you

would enter the day and time the task should occur

on this screen.

5. Select trigger criteria and click Next.

The Action screen appears. There are three types of

actions:

Start a program: Run a program automatically.

Send an e-mail: Send an e-mail to users.

Display a message: Display a message on this

computer.

6. Select an action and click Next.

Depending on the action selected, the Start a

Program, Send an E-mail, or Display a Message

screen appears.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how to schedule a task using the

Task Scheduler.

Figure 10-26: The Actions pane of the Task Scheduler displays several options for scheduling tasks.

Table 10-9: Task Triggers

Daily Schedule a task to occur once a day. Specify

the date the task starts, the time it starts, and

how often it recurs.

Weekly Schedule a task to occur once a week.

Specify the date the task starts, the time it

starts, how many weeks it should recur, and

the day of the week on which it should recur

Monthly Schedule a task to occur once a month.

Specify the date the task starts, the time it

starts, and the months and days it should

recur.

One time Schedule a task to occur once. Specify the

date and time for the task to occur.

When the

computer

starts

Schedule a task to occur when you start your

computer. You do not need to specify

anything else.

When I log

on

Schedule a task to occur when your user

account lots on to the computer. You do not

need to specify anything else.

When a

specific event

is logged

Schedule a task to occur when specific event

entries are added to an event log. Specify the

log, the source, and the Event ID.


Navigation pane Actions pane Summary pane


On each screen, configure the settings for each

action:

Start a Program screen: Click the Browse

button to search for a program.

Send an E-mail screen: Specify who the e-mail

is to, who the e-mail is from, the subject of the e-

mail, any attachments to the-mail, and the SMTP

server from which the e-mail should be sent.

Display a Message screen: Type the message that

you want displayed.

7. Select the settings for the action and click Next.

The Summary screen appears.

8. Review the summary and click Finish.

You have scheduled a task.

Tips

Task Scheduler is a very powerful tool that can also

schedule scripts, batch jobs, and background

processes.

Figure 10-27: You can configure settings for each action on its screen.

Select the program you want to run on the Start a Program screen.

Type an e-mail and specify who to send it to on the Send an E-mail screen.

Type a message to display on the Display a Message screen.



Running Older Programs in Windows XP Mode

You want your software to work no matter which version

of Windows you use. If you are using software created for

Windows XP or earlier, you might find that it doesn’t

work as well in Windows 7. Before you buy new

software, use the Program Compatibility troubleshooter to

resolve the issue.

Tips

Visit the software manufacturer’s Web site before

using the Program Compatibility troubleshooter.

Manufacturers may provide upgrade instructions as

well as downloads (either for free or for purchase).

Use Windows Update to make sure your Windows 7

software and drivers are current.


the menu.


2. Click the Programs category and click the Run

programs made for previous versions of Windows link under the Programs and Features category.

The Program Compatibility troubleshooter appears.

3. Click Next.

The Program Compatibility troubleshooter appears,

listing the programs installed on your computer.

Tip: If a program is not listed, select Not Listed

and click Next. You can browse to specific file

locations on the next screen.

4. Select a program and click Next.

The Program Compatibility troubleshooter displays

two options for changing the program settings:

Try recommended settings: The Program

Compatibility troubleshooter examines the

program and recommends settings. Use this

option if you do not know what settings will affect

the program.

Troubleshoot program: If you know the specific

compatibility issue, you can change the settings

manually. See the settings that can be changed in

Table 10-10: Program Compatibility Settings.

Exercise


• Exercise: Online lesson file.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand the Program Compatibility

troubleshooter.

Figure 10-28: In the Program Compatibility troubleshooter,

select a program from the list of installed programs or select Not Listed to browse to unlisted programs.



5. Select the Try recommended settings option.

The “Test compatibility settings for the program”

screen appears. The Program Compatibility

troubleshooter tells you the settings it has applied.

6. Click the Start the program button.

The User Account Control dialog box appears

confirming the changes to the computer.


the computer, the dialog box prompts you to enter

an administrator user name and password.

7. Click Yes.

Test the program to see if the problem is resolved.

8. Select the Program Compatibility troubleshooter and

click Next.

Once you’ve tested the program, select one of the

three following options:

Yes, save these settings for this program: Select

this option if the program worked when you tested

it.

No, try again using different settings: Select this

option if the program did not work when you

tested it. The Program Compatibility

troubleshooter can help you diagnose the problem

and suggest solutions.

No, report the problem to Microsoft and check

online for a solution: Select this option if you

have already tried using different settings, and the

program still does not work.

9. Select an option and follow the instructions to

complete the Program Compatibility troubleshooter.

Click Close.

Tips

You can manually troubleshoot compatibility issues

without the Program Compatibility troubleshooter.

Right-click the program’s icon on the desktop, select

Properties from the contextual menu, click the

Compatibility tab, and select the settings you want

to change.

Table 10-10: Program Compatibility Settings

Compatibility

Mode

Use settings from a previous version of

Windows to run the program. This setting is

useful if you know a program worked in a

specific previous version of Windows.

Run in 256

colors

Older programs might use fewer colors.

Select this setting to use a limited set of

colors in the program.

Run in 640 x

480 screen

resolution

Older programs were designed to run on

smaller screens. This setting runs the

program in a smaller window, which is

perfect if you notice problems viewing the

program.

Disable visual

themes

If you see problems with menus or buttons

on the program’s title bar, select this setting.

It disables themes on the program.

Disable

desktop

composition

Windows 7 includes advanced display

features that may cause program windows

to move erratically or display improperly.

This setting disables those advanced

features for the program.

Disable

display scaling

on high DPI

settings

Large-scale fonts help you read your screen,

but they may affect how older programs

display. This setting turns off automatic

resizing of programs if large-scale font size

is being used.

Privilege level Some programs may only work for users

with administrative rights. If you are

currently logged on the computer as an

administrator, you can run a program using

those rights. This setting is unavailable if

you are not an administrator.

Change

settings for all

users

Lets you select settings that will apply to all

users on this computer.



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Quiz Questions

104. Windows only installs software from a CD or DVD. (True or False?)

105. Which of the following is not a way to remove software from your computer? A. Open the program and type Uninstall somewhere. B. Click the Start button, select Control Panel from the menu, click the Uninstall a program link, select the program

you want to remove, and click the Uninstall button. C. Click the Start button, select the program’s menu group, and select Uninstall Program if it appears. D. Follow the uninstall directions included in the documentation that came with the software.

106. Which of the following statements is NOT true? A. You can shut down a frozen program using the Windows Task Manager. B. When you shut down a frozen program, you automatically save everything you were doing in that program. C. When a program has a status of Not Responding in the Windows Task Manager, the program is frozen. D. You can summon the Windows Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Start Task Manager


107. Which of these is not a power plan included in Windows? A. Eco-friendly B. High performance C. Balanced D. Power saver

108. When you check your disk for errors, you must always repair the errors. (True or False?)

109. How does disk defragmenting help your computer? A. It breaks up large files into smaller parts so your computer can read them faster. B. It consolidates fragmented e-mail attachments into one large file. C. It improves your computer’s performance by putting fragmented files back together in one place. D. It organizes your fragmented Word files.

110. When you remove files using Disk Cleanup, those files are moved to the Recycle Bin. (True or False?)

111. System Restore changes system settings and files without affecting your individual files. (True or False?)

112. When you turn off a Windows feature, what happens? A. The feature is uninstalled. B. The feature is turned off but remains on your computer’s hard disk. C. Windows 7 is immediately uninstalled. D. You cannot turn off Windows features.


113. You can set which of the following as Windows Update notification update options? A. Install updates automatically B. Download updates but let me choose to install them C. Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them D. All of the above

114. You can designate a program to open specific file types. (True or False?)

115. Which of the following is NOT a task trigger? A. Yearly B. Monthly C. Weekly D. Daily

116. Use the Program Compatibility troubleshooter to fix problems with problems designed for previous versions of

Windows. (True or False?)

Quiz Answers

104. False. You can install software downloaded from the Internet.

105. A. You cannot uninstall a program by typing Uninstall anywhere in the program.

106. B. If you shut a frozen program down using Windows Task Manager, the program does not automatically save the

information you just entered. It will only save the information you most recently saved.

107. A. Windows does not include a power plan called Eco-friendly.

108. False. You can turn off the Automatically fix file system errors option to get a list of file system errors.

109. C. It improves your computer’s performance by putting fragmented files back together in one place.

110. False. When you remove a file using Disk Cleanup, you permanently delete the file.

111. True. System Restore changes system settings and files without affecting your individual files.

112. B. When you turn off a Windows feature, it remains on your hard disk.

113. D. All of the above.

114. True. You can designate a program to open specific file types.

115. A. Yearly is not a task trigger.

116. True. The Program Compatibility troubleshooter helps you resolve problems with programs designed for previous

versions of Windows.


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Understanding Networks ................................ 195 How networking works ........................... 195 Types of networks .................................. 195 Benefits of networking ........................... 195

Browsing a Network ........................................ 196

Mapping a Network Drive................................ 197

Connecting to a Network Printer ................... 199

Connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) ........................................................................... 201

Set up a VPN connection ...................... 201 Connect to a VPN .................................. 202

Using HomeGroup ........................................... 203 Create a homegroup .............................. 203 Join a homegroup .................................. 204

Sharing Files and Folders............................... 205

A network is a group of computers that

are connected so that they can share

equipment and information. Networks

make working and sharing information

between computers faster and easier.

Many workplaces have them, and home

users can set them up if they have

multiple computers in their home.

Networking is an enormous topic—

network engineers must pass tests that are

every bit as difficult as a CPA or bar

exam. This chapter won’t make you a

Microsoft Certified System Professional,

but it will explain how to perform several

common networking tasks, such as how to

browse the network, connect to a network

printer, share files and folders on your

computer with other users on the network,

and connect to a private network while

away from your desk. We’ll leave the

more complicated networking tasks for

your network administrator.

11


Understanding Networks

What exactly is a network? A network is a connected

collection of computers, printers, and other devices. When

the network is created, computers and devices can

communicate with each other and share information and

resources such as files and printers.

How networking works

A network router (or a switch or a hub) connects

computers together on a network. Computers can connect

to the router in one of two ways: they can be connected to

the router using Ethernet cables, or they can be connected

wirelessly.

The router links the computers together so they can share

information. The router can also connect to a modem to

provide an Internet connection to all the computers on the

network.

Types of networks

Networks are classified by how the computers connect—

do they connect directly to each other (peer-to-peer) or do

they connect through a central computer (client/server)?

Peer-to-peer (Workgroups) In a peer-to-peer network, everyone stores their files

on their own computer. Anyone on the network can

access files stored on any other computer.

Client/server (Domains) In a client/server network, everyone stores their files

on a central computer called a server. Everyone on

the network can access the files stored on the server.

Benefits of networking

So what are the benefits of networking? There are plenty:

Share information: You can save a file or folder

onto a network and anyone with a network

connection can view that information.

Share equipment: Computers connected to a

network can share equipment, such as printers, to

reduce costs.

Network software: Software designed for networks

lets people send and receive e-mail, schedule

meetings, and share databases with others on the

network.

Exercise


• Exercise: Define a network and explain the benefits of

networking computers and devices.

Figure 11-1: Networks connect devices—including computers, modems, and printers—to one another.

Networking with Windows 7

Your office computer is connected to a router.

Router: The router links all the computers on the network together.

Modem: The router connects to a modem, and the modem provides Internet access.

Your colleague’s computer is also connected to the router.


Browsing a Network

Networking computers allows you to share information,

such as files and programs, with other people on your

network. You can take advantage of the information

sharing by browsing the network.

Once you find the network folder you want to explore,

browsing through files and folders on the network is

exactly like browsing your own computer.


menu.

The Computer window appears.

Other Ways to Browse the Network: Open the Control Panel. Click the Network and

Internet category and click the View network

computers and devices link. Double-click the

device you want to browse.

2. Click Network in the Navigation pane.

The computers and devices on the network appear in

the window.

3. Double-click the computer you want to browse.

The folders available on the computer are listed.

Now you can browse the folders and files on the

network computer just as you would on your own

computer.

Tips

Just because you can view a file or folder doesn’t

mean you can make changes. Table 11-1: Network

Permissions lists the permissions a network

administrator can grant users.

Exercise


• Exercise: View the computers on your network. If

possible, open up a file on another computer.

Figure 11-2: You can browse through devices and computers connected to your network.

Table 11-1: Network Permissions

Full Control You can see the contents of a file or folder,

change existing files and folders, create new

files and folders, and run programs in a folder.

Modify You can change existing files and folders, but

cannot create new ones.

Read and

Execute

You can see the contents of existing files and

folders and can run programs in a folder.

Read You can see the contents of a folder and open

files and folders.

Write You can create new files and folders and make

changes to existing files and folders

Figure 11-3: You can use the network to access folders

and files that are saved on other computers in the network.



Mapping a Network Drive

If you frequently access a specific network folder, you

should consider mapping that network folder to a drive on

your computer. Mapping a network drive creates a

shortcut to the location so it is easily accessible in

Windows Explorer and in the Open and Save dialog boxes

of programs on your computer.


menu.

The Computer window appears.

2. Click the Map network drive button on the toolbar.

The Map Network Drive dialog box appears.

Other Ways to Map a Network Folder: Right-click the folder and select Map network

drive from the contextual menu.

First, specify the letter that signifies the drive and the

folder you want to connect to here.

3. Click the Drive list arrow and select the letter you

want to use to map the drive.

Choose a letter that does not have a file path next to

it. Drives with file paths next to them are already

mapped.

4. Click the Browse button and select the network

location you want to map.

The file path for the folder to be mapped is shown in

the Folder text box.

Other Ways to Access the Network Location: Type the file path for the folder in the Folder text

box.

5. (Optional) Select connection settings.

There are two options for connection properties in

this window:

Reconnect at logon: Connects your computer to

the mapped drive every time you log on to your

computer.

Connect using different credentials: Allows you

to log on to a mapped drive with credentials not

associated with your own computer. You would

choose this option if you were mapping to a

password-protected drive.

6. Click Finish.

The network drive is mapped to your computer.

Exercise


• Exercise: Map a location on your network to a drive on

your computer.

Figure 11-4: The Computer window lists the drives that

are mapped to your computer.

Figure 11-5: The Map Network Drive dialog box.


Click the Map network drive button to map a drive on your computer.


Disconnect a network drive

If you no longer need to be connected to a drive that you

have mapped, you can disconnect it so it no longer

appears in the Computer window.

1. Right-click the drive you want to disconnect and

select Disconnect from the contextual menu.

The drive disappears from the window.



Connecting to a Network Printer

At work, you probably share one printer with several

people. This is called network printing. Before you can

take advantage of network printing, you need to connect

your computer to a network printer.

Tips

You may be able to install a network printer by using

the printer’s installation disk. The installation disk

can install driver software and locate network

printers. If that does not work, follow these steps.



The Devices and Printers window appears.

Other Ways to Connect to a Network Printer: Click the Start button and select Control Panel


category and click the Add a Printer link.

2. Click the Add a printer button.

The Add Printer wizard appears.

3. Click the Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth

printer link.

A list of available network printers appears.

Tip: If the printer you want isn’t listed, click the

“The printer I want isn’t listed” link. The “Find a

printer by name or TCP/IP address” screen

appears. Use the available options to locate the

printer.

4. Select the printer you want to add and click Next.

5. (Optional) Install additional printer software or

drivers.

Each printer’s driver software is required to make

your computer and printer to communicate. This

software may be available on the network, or you

may also upload it from an installation disk.

6. (Optional) Type a name in the Name your printer

text box.

Most printers already have a name, so you may not

need to type a name for the printer.

Exercise


• Exercise: Connect your computer to a network printer.

Figure 11-6: Use the Add Printer wizard to install network

and local printers.

Figure 11-7: The Add Printer wizard lists printers that are found on the network.



7. (Optional) Select the Do not share this printer

option.

This option makes the printer invisible to others on

the network.

Tip: If you are installing a network printer for the

first time, you should select the “Share this printer

so that others on your network can find and use it”

option.

8. Click Finish to end the installation process.

You have added the printer to your computer. Now,

you can test the printer by printing a test page, or you

can set this printer as the default printer for your

computer.

Tips

You can view all the printers connected to your

computer by clicking the Start button and selecting

Devices and Printers from the menu.

Figure 11-8: Choosing a printer driver in the Add Printer wizard.



Connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection allows you

to connect to a private network remotely while keeping

your folders and files secure. A VPN connection uses the

Internet to communicate with the network along with

additional tunnels and encryption to secure information

sent through the VPN connection.

Set up a VPN connection

Before you set up your VPN connection, talk with your

network administrator to find out the information you

need to connect.


the menu.



3. Click the Network and Sharing Center link.


Other Ways to Open the Network and Sharing

Center: Click the Internet Access icon in the taskbar

notification area and click the Open Network

and Sharing Center link.

4. Click the Set up a new connection or network link.

The Set up a Connection or Network window

appears.

5. Select Connect to a workplace and click Next.

The Connect to a Workplace window appears.

6. Select the No, create a new connection option and

click Next.

Now tell the wizard how you want to connect to the

VPN. There are two ways to do this:

Use my Internet connection (VPN): Enter the

address of the VPN so that your computer

connects to the VPN through the Internet.

Dial directly: Enter the phone number of the

VPN so that your computer connects to it directly

through the phone number.

Exercise


• Exercise: Explain the difference between a VPN

connection and a standard network connection. Connect

your computer to your company’s VPN if you have one.

Figure 11-9: The Set Up a Connection or Network window.

Figure 11-10: Choose how you want to connect to the

VPN. This information should be provided to you by your network administrator.



7. Click the type of connection you want to create.

The next window asks you to enter information

depending on the type of connection you want to

create, entering either the Internet address or the

phone number of the VPN.

8. Enter the Internet address or phone number of the

VPN connection, and enter the name of the

connection. Click Next.

Next, enter the user name and password you use to

connect to your network.

9. Type in your network user name and password.

There are two additional options that you can use to

set up your connection:

Show characters: This option displays characters

instead of bullets for your password.

Remember this password: This option

remembers your password so you don’t have to

enter it every time you connect to the VPN.

10. Click Create.

The computer connects to the VPN.

When the connection is successful, the “You are

connected” window appears.

Connect to a VPN

After you’ve set up your VPN connection, you can

connect to it any time you’re away from your office. Just

follow these steps:

1. Click the Network icon in the notification area of the

taskbar.

A list of current connections and available

connections appears.

2. Select your VPN network and click the Connect

button.

The Connect to VPN dialog box appears.

If you asked your computer to save your password

when you created your connection, you won’t need to

enter it again here.

3. If necessary, enter your password. Click Connect.

Your computer establishes a connection to the

network and the VPN connection appears in the

Network list.

Figure 11-11: A list of networks connected to the

computer.

Figure 11-12: The Connect VPN dialog box.


Current connections

VPN connections set up on your computer

Network icon


Using HomeGroup

In the past, networking computers required significant

investments of knowledge, time, and money. In

Windows 7, the HomeGroup feature allows you to create

a network that shares files and printers quickly and easily.

Create a homegroup

A homegroup can only be created between computers that

run on Windows 7.


the menu.


2. Click the Network and Internet category. Click the

HomeGroup link.

The HomeGroup wizard appears.

3. Click the Create a Homegroup button.

The Create a Homegroup wizard appears.

First, choose what you want to share with others in

the homegroup. Include the libraries you want to

share and exclude the libraries that you would like to

keep private.

4. Make sure libraries you want to share are selected

with a checkmark. Click Next.

The homegroup password is displayed. You can click

the “Print password and instructions” link to print the

password so others can connect to the homegroup.

5. Click Finish.

The homegroup is created.

Tips

You can add computers that are part of a client/server

(domain) network to a homegroup. These computers

can view the files and folders on the homegroup, but

they cannot share files or folders with the

homegroup.

Only computers running Windows 7 can join a

homegroup.

Exercise


• Exercise: Understand how the HomeGroup feature works.

Identify situations where this feature would be useful in

your computer use.

Figure 11-13: If your computer does not detect a homegroup, it will prompt you to create one.

Figure 11-14: Choose which libraries you want to share with your homegroup.

Figure 11-15: When you create a homegroup, Windows

generates a password so others can join the homegroup.



Join a homegroup

Joining a homegroup is easy. Two things are required to

join a homegroup: a computer that runs Windows 7, and

“Home” as the network location setting.


the menu.


2. Click the Network and Internet category and click

the HomeGroup link.

If you are in a Home network location that already

has a homegroup, Windows will automatically detect

that homegroup and ask if you want to join.

Trap: Make sure that you set your network

location to home to join a homegroup.

3. Click the Join Now button.

The Join a Homegroup wizard appears.

4. Select the libraries you would like to share with

others in the homegroup and click Next.

Now you can enter the password for the homegroup.

This information should be given to you by someone

already connected to the homegroup.

Tip: You can view the homegroup password from

any computer that has joined the homegroup.

Click the Start button and select the Control

Panel from the menu. Click the Network and

Internet category and click the HomeGroup link.

Click the View or print the homegroup

password link.

5. Type the homegroup password and click Next.

You have joined the homegroup. Each homegroup

user’s libraries are now available in the Navigation

pane of Windows Explorer.

Tips

On computers with multiple accounts, only one

account has to join the homegroup for the computer

to be connected to the homegroup.

Leave a homegroup by clicking the Leave

HomeGroup link in the HomeGroup wizard.

Figure 11-16: When you join a homegroup, it appears in

the Navigation pane.



Sharing Files and Folders

The easiest way to share files and folders is by saving

them to a network drive or location that is accessible to

everyone on the network.

But you can also share files and folders that are saved on

your computer. This method of sharing lets you share files

and folders that are saved on your computer with specific

individuals or homegroups.

You can share files with people in your workgroup or

domain, or people in your homegroup.

1. Select the file or folder you want to share.

The file or folder should be saved on your computer;

you cannot share files and folders that are already on

a network.

2. Click the Share with button on the toolbar and select

Specific People from the menu.

The File Sharing wizard appears.

Other Ways to Share Files: Right-click the file or folder and select Share

with Specific People from the contextual

menu.

3. Click the list arrow and select the person with whom

you want to share the file. Or, if you already know

the name of the person you want to share with, enter

it in the text box.

The user’s name appears in the list. Once the user is

added, you can control the level of access the users

have to the shared item. Refer to Table 11-2:

Permissions Levels for information on the

permissions you can assign to a user.

4. Click Add.

The name is added to the list of people and groups

that can share the file or folder. Once the name is

added to the share list, you can control the permission

level. Refer to Table 11-2: Permissions Levels for

information on the permissions you can assign to a

user.

5. Point to the permission level column, click the list

arrow and select a permission level from the list.

The permission level is now set.

Trap: Giving a user Read/write access to a file

also gives that user Read/write access to the folder

that the file is in.

Exercise

• Exercise File: Birthday announcement.rtf

• Exercise: Share the Birthday announcement.rtf with

someone else on your network. The user should be able to

read the document but not make changes.

Figure 11-17: The Share with menu.

Table 11-2: Permissions Levels

Owner Indicates the person who created the file and

who determines permissions.

Read Allows you to view the contents of a folder and

open files and folders, but not make changes.

Read/write Allows you to view and change folders and

files.

Figure 11-18: Share files and folders with homegroups or specific individuals.



6. Click Share.

Now you can let other people know that you have

shared a file or folder with them. There are two ways

to do this:

E-mail: Generate an e-mail with a link to the

shared item that you can send to the person(s) you

are sharing the file with.

Copy and Paste: Copy the path to the clipboard

so you can paste the path into any program.

When you’re finished sharing the file, you can close

the File Sharing wizard.

7. Click Done.

The wizard closes.

Tips

If you are trying to share a file or folder that is saved

on a network location, you will not see the Share with

button. The file or folder is already being shared

through the network.

You can also share a file or folder by moving it to the

Public library of your computer.

To stop sharing a file or folder, select the file or

folder you want to stop sharing. Click the Share with

button on the toolbar and select Nobody from the

menu.

Figure 11-19: From the File Sharing wizard, you can

either e-mail the link to a file or copy and paste the link into another program.



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Quiz Questions

117. All networks must be connected by cables. (True or False)?

118. Which of these is a benefit of networking? A. Sharing resources B. Using network software C. Sharing equipment D. All of the above

119. You can only network to other computers. (True or False?)

120. Mapping a network drive does which of the following? A. Draws a graphical representation of all the network devices your computer is connected to. B. Allows you to control the order of each network folder that you access on your computer. C. Assigns a drive letter to a network folder. D. Shares folders and files with other users.

121. Networking printers means that each person to have their own printer. (True or False?)

122. What is a VPN connection? A. A program that helps you network your computers. B. A connection which uses the Internet to communicate securely with the network. C. A home network that you set up yourself. D. Any password protected network location.

123. When you share a file or folder with someone, there are three permission levels you can assign. Which of these is NOT a permission level you can assign? A. Owner B. Master C. Read D. Read/write


Quiz Answers

117. False. Networks can be connected through cables or wireless signals.

118. D. All of the above

119. False. You can network to any device on the network, including printers.

120. C. Assigns a drive letter to a network folder.

121. False. Network printing allows multiple users to share one printer.

122. B. A connection which uses the Internet to communicate securely with the network.

123. B. Master is not a permission level you can assign when sharing a file or folder

Windows 7 - University of Wolverhampton

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