Using Windows LEARNING OBJECTIVES —} BT el Vid : In your computer lab, find ~ “— out which operating system is being used. List all the icons available on the desktop. Also, find out the applications that are shown on the taskbar. You will learn about: * the desktop * the taskbar * icons + components of a window + shutting down a computer This chapter uses examples from Windows 7. For Windows 10 updates, go to the end of the chapter. Starting Windows When you switch on a computer, all its parts are checked and you hear a beep sound. Then, the operating system is loaded in the computer’s memory from its hard disk. This process is called booting. It remains in the memory until the system is on. oman Microsoft Windows has different versions like Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Windows 10 is the latest operating system from Microsoft. Starting Windowsard On. Desktop The Desktop is the first screen you see after booting. It consists of the Taskbar and Icons. FACT FILE Different pictures are seen in the background of different computers. These ; pictures form the Desktop background. Different parts of the desktop Taskbar The taskbar is the long bar at the bottom of the desktop. ‘You will now learn about the different parts that make up the taskbar. Start Button @ The Start button is usually found on the extreme left of the taskbar. As the name suggests, you can start/begin working on a computer by clicking on this button. 7 aaa In Windows 7, you can shift the taskbar to any of the four sides of the screen. The taskbar can also be locked. When you click on the Start button, it opens a menu or a list. This is called the Start menu. It can be used to: 1. view a list of the software programs, applications and documents installed on the computer. 2. change the computer settings or shut down the computer.3. Some of the items in the Start menu TRY THIS have a small arrow-head next to them. Holding the mouse pointer Press the Windows key over these items opens another list. ®) on the keyboard to This is called a Submenu. The Back open the Start menu. button with back-arrow can be used to go back to the main menu. All Programs submenu Keep track of your Windows The middle section of the taskbar shows the programs and documents that have been opened. Windows displays a button as an icon on the taskbar each time you open a program, application or document. WEIBIES You can work on multiple . Each program has its own icon on the taskbar programs, applications and documents at the same time. Icons of each of these will be displayed on the taskbar. This allows you to switch between opened windows or choose to work with multiple windows at the same time, which is very helpful. a~In the screenshot on the previous QUICK KEY page, multiple programs are open, To switch betw« ‘open tabs Notification area for example, Paint, Calculator, etc. Each window has its own button on the taskbar. The notification area is on the right side of the taskbar. It contains small icons that give information about the status of the programs running on the computer at any given time. For example, battery life, sound status, date and time display, etc. een| Alt + Tab Explorer [Explorer key + Tab | +Tab The notification area also includes the volume bar. If you keep the mouse pointer over the volume bar, it will show the volume indicator of the computer speakers. Icons As you have learnt, icons are the small pictures on the desktop. These are used to open software programs, etc. Desktop icons are also called shortcuts. The icons found on the desktop include Computer, Control Panel and Recycle Bin. Your desktop may have fewer or more icons. Double-click the icon on the desktop to open the program or application. You may also use the keyboard to select the icons. Use arrow keys on the keyboard to go toa specific icon and then press the Enter key. Computer icon uy This icon displays the content of the computer. It shows the drives available for working. Using the Computer iconNetwork icon @iy This helps you to connect your computer with other computers. It also displays the information about the computers connected to yours. S Recycle Bin icon » When you delete a file or a folder, it is not deleted straight away, it is temporarily deleted and stored in the Using Network icon Recycle Bin. This allows you to recover your files/folders if they have been deleted by mistake. aU A Mh) Select a file or a folder to be deleted. Press Shift + Del keys. This will delete your file permanently. Using the Recycle Bin icon Gadgets Gadgets are mini-programs that appear on the desktop in Windows 7. These gadgets offer information at a glance. They also provide easy access to frequently used tools. Some of the gadgets that come with Windows 7 are Calendar, Clock, Weather, Feed Headlines, Slide Shows and Picture Puzzle.Components of a window Xena dia Every software program opens ina window. The contents of every window are different. But most of them have some basic parts. Let us learn about the components of a window. Notepad is a simple text editor for Microsoft Windows. It is a basic text-editing program which enables computer users to create documents. “Menu bar) Title bar» Restore Down Horizontal Weical scroll bar | scroll bar) Components of a window Title bar The bar at the top of a window is called the Title bar. It shows you the name of the document and the software program. Title bar The Title bar has some important buttons. These are explained below. Minimize button Clicking the Minimize button reduces the window to an icon on the taskbar. Clicking that icon on the taskbar brings the window back to its original size. Restore Down button Clicking the Restore Down button reduces the window to a smaller size.Maximize button When the window becomes smaller, the Restore Down button is replaced with the Maximize button. Clicking the Maximize button increases the window to its full size. Close button Clicking this button closes the window. Menu bar The Menu bar is found just below the Title bar. It displays the menu names. These can be clicked to open different options available to use with the contents of the window. Scroll bar The Scroll bar lets you scroll the contents of the window to see information that is currently out of view. na Horizontal scroll bar The Horizontal scroll bar helps you to scroll ~~ either to the left or to the right of the screen. | Vertical \— It appears at the bottom of the display. Ee Vertical scroll bar The Vertical scroll bar helps you to scroll either to the top or the bottom of the screen. It appears on the right of the display. Status bar Scroll bars The bar at the bottom of the window is called the Status bar. It provides helpful information about the task that you are doing or the tool that you are using. The Status bar is not found in the Notepad program, but is available in other programs like MS Word. Status barSnap is a special feature of Windows 7. It allows you to resize the open window. + You can drag the Title bar of an open window to either side of the desktop and resize it. * You can drag a small-sized window to the top of the desktop to maximise that window. Aci 2S Windows 7 offers different types of Accessories to its users. To open Accessories, click the Start button, go to All Programs and select Accessories. Opening Accessories ‘A variety of programs are found in Accessories that can be used for different purposes in our day-to-day life. You have already learnt about Paint. You will now learn about other accessories. Calcu Have you seen a calculator in your home? It is used to do calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It can also be used to perform more complex calculations.You will find Calculator in the Accessories submenu of Windows 7. 7|al2 — Talia ‘Number keys Sp Decimal) 12 ° } / Equal to) = Buttons on the Calculator The calculations are done by left-clicking on the buttons with a mouse or by typing numbers using the keyboard. For example, to add two numbers, say 8 and 2, follow these steps. 1. Open the Calculator. 4. Press 2. 2. Press 8. 5. On pressing the ‘equal to’ button, 3. Press the ‘+’ symbol. the sum (that is, 10) will be seen on the Calculator screen. Sticky notes Sticky notes allow you to create short text notes which are displayed on the desktop. PeveTiey You can use them to set reminders, timetable for study, ete. Right-click on the sticky note and choose a different color. The Help and Support option is found in the Start menu in Windows 7. When you click on this link, you will find information about a number of issues and topics related to Windows 7.shutting down a computer you have finished your work on the computer, always remember to ut down the computer correctly. ps to shut down a computer hese instructions are for Windows 7. For Windows 10 updates, go to the d of the chapter. Click on the Start button. Click on the Shut down option. s will close all open programs, shut Windows and then turn off your mputer. hen you click on the arrow pointing to right of Shut down, the following list ‘options are seen. ich User his helps to switch between different users without closing your programs. Shutting down the computer This saves the session and puts the computer in low-power state. With this, ou can quickly resume your work. jibernate ‘This saves all your currently open documents onto the hard disk and then ‘turns off the system. This option has been developed for laptops.Across 3. Mini-programs that appear on the desktop in Windows 7 are ........... . Clicking the ............ button reduces the window to a button on the taskbar. ss. gives you a list of the seven eae applications and documents on the computer. . The long bar at the bottom of the desktop is the .. . The bar at the bottom of the window is Down 1. The first screen we see after turning on a computer is... 5 -... Saves the session and puts the computer in low-power state. . Another name for ewe icons is . i s+-. Saves all your currently open documents onto the hard disk and then turns off the PC.op This is the first screen you see after you turn on the computer. s These are mini-programs that appear on the desktop. ernate This saves all your currently open documents onto the hard disk and then turns off the PC. izontal scroll bar This helps you to scroll the window to the left and to the right. These are the small pictures on the desktop used for opening applications. enu bar This displays the menu names. tification area This gives the status of programs running on the computer. cle Bin This contains deleted files. menu This lists the programs, applications and documents on the computer. sbar This gives information about the task or the tool being used. skbar This is the long bar at the bottom of the desktop. bar This shows the name of the document and the software program in use. ertical scroll bar This helps you to scroll in upward and downward directions. . The operating system remains in the memory of the computer until it is switched on. . The Taskbar includes the Start button, Notification area, Date and Time. . The Start button opens the Start menu which lists the programs, applications and documents on the computer. . The Notification area shows the speed of the Internet connection. Nn w we . Every software application opens in a window. 6. The Title bar, Menu bar, Document area, Scroll bars and Status bar are the basic parts of a window.8. The Scroll bar move the contents of the window up, down, left, or right to 7. The Title bar includes the Minimize, Restore Down/Maximize and Close buttons. | show information that is out of view. 9. To shut down a computer, click: Start ==> Shut down \ : EXERCISE — AS True or false? 1. The sleep option helps to save electricity. 2. The Recycle Bin contains copied files. Ss 3. The Menu bar lists the tasks that aprogram can perform. | 4. The Vertical scroll bar appears below the Document area. 5. The Lock option can also shut down the computer. Fill in the blanks with the correct word. lez opening applications. The... allows you to switch between two windows. . All the deleted files remain in Diane - scroll bar helps you to scroll the window in the left and the right directions. . Clicking the are small pictures on the desktop for RwWN wv -. button reduces the window to a smaller size. 6. veo ssssscssssssss, Option allows you to create short text notes which are displayed on the desktop.Match the following. iswer the following questions. 1. What are the different components of a Taskbar? What is the advantage of the Recycle Bin? 3. What are icons? Give two examples. 4, Explain various options available while shutting down a computer. 5. Can you open software programs with a single click? If yes, how? LAB WORK Use sticky notes to list the steps for working in Paint, including how to open, work and close the application. B, Spot 3 gadgets in your computer (not mentioned in this book) and list their uses. Use different colored sticky notes for each of the 3 gadgets.dae OU LES Create a replica of the screen of your computer with icons and the taskbar, and add labels. WHO AM I? I was born on 28 December 1969 in Finland. While using Minix (a Unix-like system) for educational purposes, I started writing my own for Linux. Linux was later combined with the GNU system which turned it into a freely available operating system. Tam...In Windows 10, the purpose of the desktop is similar to that of Windows 7 but they look different. The Computer icon of Windows 7 is replaced with This PC. All the applications are arranged alphabetically in the Start menu. All Programs _ and Accessories are no longer a part of Start menu, For quick access, the frequently used software applications are available in the taskbar of Windows 10.In Windows 10, the Recycle Bin looks like this: