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Microsoft Windows

Setting up your Desktop


The screen, what you are looking at, is a considered a desktop. The concept is no different than a three dimensional desk.  The people at Microsoft have set DEFAULT settings for your system. 

You can choose to allow the program to rule your experience or you can take control of the machine.  If you don't happen to like teal as a background color, then change it.


Arranging your desktop icons

Windows has been set to arrange icons (programs) in a row, starting in the upper left corner, placing the program icons vertically in the area.   If you would like to group them by category (i.e. games position together in one corner of the screen), turn off the Auto Arrange option as follows: 
  • Point to any vacant area of the desktop
  • Click on the RIGHT mouse button
  • Select the Arrange Icons option
  • Point to Auto Arrange and LEFT mouse button click

 


Move a program icon to a new location
For this option to work, the Auto Arrange option must be turned off.
  • Point to the desired program icon.
  • Click and hold the left mouse button.  Drag the program to it new location, release the mouse.


Delete a Program icon

Should you not want a program's shortcut any more you can remove it from your desktop.  Select the program's icon and do one of the following: It should be noted, this will only remove the program's icon 
and does not mean the program itself has been deleted.
Keyboard. Mouse Toolbar
If available
Tap the Delete key  Point to it, RIGHT mouse button click,
select delete from the pop up menu

Tap the ENTER key 
to confirm the deletion
Click on the OK button


Create a Desktop folder

There are times you might be interested in creating your own folder on your desktop. (i.e. You would like to have all the games held in one folder).
  • Point to any clear area of the desktop
  • Click the right mouse button
  • Select New, then Folder from the pop-up menu
  • Type the name of the folder
  • Hit the Enter key


Maximize a window or program

All programs and files within programs are considered windows. When you want a window to take up the entire screen you are maximizing the window.
Method 1 Method 2
  • Position the mouse pointer on the maximize button  in the upper right corner of the window
  • Single click the left mouse button.
  • Point to the title bar of the window you want maximized.
  • Double click the left mouse button
The chosen window will take up the complete screen and the maximize button will change into the restore  button, signifying the action has been accomplished.

 

 


Restore a window to it's original size

Single click on the restore button 

   or  Point to the title bar and double click the left mouse button

 
 





Minimize a window or program

When you want a program to temporarily be taken out of view, you are minimizing the window.
Position the mouse pointer on the Minimize button  in the upper right corner of the window
Single click the left mouse button.
The chosen window will be reduced to an icon and set to the bottom of the screen

 
 
 

Restore a minimized window to its previous size
When you are ready to return to the minimized program, simply do the following
      • Point to the program on the Task bar (usually at the bottom of screen)
      • Single click the left mouse button


Move a window

There are many times when a box will open, slap dab, in the middle of what your look at.  If you want to move the window out of the way:
      • Position the mouse pointer on the title bar of the window
      • Hold down the left mouse button and drag the window to its desired location.
      • Release the mouse button

 
 


Resize a window

  • Position the mouse pointer on the border or corner of the window to be resized.
  • When the mouse indicator changes into a double arrow ( ), hold down the left mouse button and drag the border or corner of the window until it reaches the desired size.
  • Release the mouse button.

 


Scroll through a window
When a window is too small to show all available options, scrolls bars will appear (either Horizontal or Vertical)
  • Position the mouse pointer on the up or down scroll arrow.
  • Single click to move down a page slowly or hold down the left mouse button to speed the scroll rate.
  • Release the mouse button when you reach the section of the document or window you want.
or
  • Position the mouse pointer on the position indicator (the small colored square inside the scroll bar).
  • Hold the Left mouse button
  • Drag in the direction you want to go. Release the button when you reached the desired location.
It should be noted, that when a window is not wide enough to support the amount of information available, a horizontal scroll bar will appear at the bottom of the work space.

 

 


Choose a menu command

Mouse convention
When you are editing documents or browsing the web, menu commands can be utilized.  
Position the mouse pointer on the name of the menu item you want to choose.
  • Click the left mouse button to access the drop down menu.
  • Point to the item of your choice.
  • Click the left mouse button





Keyboard convention
You can do just about anything with your keyboard.   If you wanted to access the Open dialog box from the example above.  You would do the following...
  • Hold the key 
  • Tap the underlined letter in the menu option you want to access. (in this case "F" for File)
  • Release the key 
  • Tap only the corresponding letter of the option you want to access. ("O" for the Open option)

 

 
Close a dialog box after making selections
Mouse Keyboard
Click the OK button. Tap the Enter key on your keyboard

 


Close a dialog box without making selections
Mouse Keyboard Toolbar
Click on the Cancel button Press the Esc key on your keyboard (upper left)

 

 

 

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