Chapter 1. Working with the Windows 7 Desktop

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2 Chapter 1 Working with the Windows 7 Desktop

3 Introducing Windows 7 The Windows 7 operating system software runs the computer system overall. Windows 7 enables the system hardware to communicate with programs. Windows 7 comes in several different versions offering different features. 3

4 Getting Around with the Mouse or Touchpad Point. Drag mouse or finger on pad to place pointer over an onscreen object. Click. Point to onscreen object and press and release left mouse or touchpad button once. Double-click. Point to onscreen object and press and release left mouse or touchpad button twice. Right-click. Point to onscreen object and press and release right mouse or touchpad button once. Drag. Point to onscreen object, press and hold left mouse while moving mouse, and then release mouse button. Scroll. Click the arrows at either end of a scroll bar. 4

5 Starting Windows 7 Start by powering on the computer. Click your user account icon to log on without a password. Click your user account icon, type the password, and press Enter to log on with a password. 5

6 Using the Windows 7 Interface Recycle Bin icon Start button Taskbar 6

7 Using the Windows 7 Interface Starting the system and logging on displays the desktop. The desktop is the starting point for activities in Windows 7. You also can store and organize information there. Key objects on the desktop include the taskbar, Start button, Recycle Bin, and Sidebar. 7

8 Using the Start Menu The Start menu enables you to start up or launch programs and access system features. Click a pinned or recently used application in the left column to start it. Use All Programs to navigate to programs not shown. Use the right column choices to open one of your libraries or access other features. Use the search box to find a program or file. 8

9 The Taskbar The taskbar appears at the bottom of the desktop by default, but you can move it. The Start button for opening the Start menu appears at the left end of the taskbar. The taskbar also displays pinned items, task buttons for open programs and files, and a notification area with status icons for certain features. 9

10 Using a Jump List A Jump List for a program shows documents that you have opened recently or common commands. Right-click a taskbar icon to see its Jump List. Click the right arrow beside a program on the Start menu to see its Jump List. Click a Jump List item to select it. 10

11 Previewing with Aero Peek Aero Peek enables you to take a look at the contents of open folders or open documents. To start, move the mouse pointer over the program s taskbar icon. Then move the mouse over a thumbnail or a larger view, or click a thumbnail to switch to that document. 11

12 Getting Work Done by Selecting Click an icon once with the mouse to select it. Double-click an icon to open the file or application represented by the icon. Drag over text to highlight it for copying or editing. Click a button to execute the command it represents or toggle the feature on or off. 12

13 Getting Work Done by Using Menus Most applications offer a menu bar with menus across the top of the program window. Some Windows 7 applications also include a command bar that offers menus and buttons. Clicking a command name only on a menu executes the command. Clicking a command with a right arrow (triangle) displays a submenu. Click a command in the submenu to execute it. 13

14 Getting Work Done by Using Menus Clicking a command with an ellipsis opens a dialog box in which you can set additional options before completing the command. Clicking a command with a check mark toggles it on or off. 14

15 Getting Work Done with a Ribbon The Ribbon replaces the menu bar and organizes related commands on tabs. Each tab further organizes commands in groups. Click a tab and then select the desired command or option. 15

16 Using Dialog Box Options Dialog boxes in Windows 7 and applications offer controls that enable you to provide specific details about how a command should execute. Any dialog box may include one or more of these controls: Tab. Drop-down list or palette. Check box. List box. Text box. Spinner, Option, Command buttons. Slider. 16

17 Working with Windows Drag a window corner to resize the window. Drag a window by its title bar to move the window on the desktop. Click the window task button on the taskbar to display the window, or use Alt+Tab to switch between windows. Click the window Close button to close the window. Use the buttons at upper right to minimize, maximize, and restore the window. 17

18 Using Snap to Resize a Window Drag a window by its title bar to the top of the desktop, and then release the mouse button when the maximized preview outline appears. Drag a window by its title bar halfway left or right, and then release the mouse button when the half screen preview outline appears. 18

19 Using Aero Flip 3D to Change Windows Press Ctrl+Windows logo key+tab to display the 3-D preview stack. Click a window in the stack to open it. 19

20 Understanding User Accounts User accounts enhance security and reliability under a feature called User Account Control (UAC). Windows 7 provides three different types of user accounts: standard, administrator, and guest. You must provide an administrator account password to perform many sensitive operations in Windows 7, such as installing software, creating a user account, or deleting a user account. 20

21 Understanding User Accounts Most user accounts should be standard accounts. Adding a password to a standard user account protects the security of the user s folders and files. Use the Control Panel to work with user accounts and other settings. A user with a standard account can change his or her password or account picture. 21

22 Pausing Your Work Session Use the arrow button beside the Shut down button on the Start menu to perform such actions as hibernating, switching users, or restarting. Sleep and hibernate are power-conserving states. Sleep saves open files and programs and puts the system in a low power state. Hibernate saves the work session but shuts down the computer. Files and programs reopen when you restart the system. 22

23 Pausing Your Work Session Locking the system hides the desktop and requires the user to log back on. Use the Lock command to lock the system. Switching users (Fast User Switching) enables one user to log off and another to log on. 23

24 Finishing Your Work Session Logging off shuts down your open files and applications. Windows 7 prompts you to save your unsaved work. Windows 7 sometimes requires that you restart the system after performing certain operations. If the computer hangs, you can restart it by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete or the hardware restart or power button. Shutting down concludes your work session. It removes all files and programs from system memory and turns off the hardware. 24

25 Getting Help and Support Windows 7 offers a robust system of help and support. Some support information is installed on your computer. Even more is available online. Click the Start button and then click Help and Support to get started using Help. You can browse for help by clicking links or search by using the Search Help text box. 25

26 Wrap Up Windows 7 is the computer s operating system. Log on to Windows 7 with your user account and password. The desktop is your starting point for working in Windows 7. Use the mouse to make selections, choose commands, and navigate. Use the Start menu, taskbar, menus, dialog boxes, and windows to work with programs and data. User accounts provide security and data privacy. Creating user accounts and installing programs requires an administrator account. Windows 7 offers powerconserving modes that also preserve your work session. When you finish a work session, you can log off, switch users, or shut down. Consult the Help system when you have trouble. 26