Computer Basics

Contents
Introduction to Computers ........................................................................................................................... 2
Definition of Computer ................................................................................................................................. 2
Components of a computer .......................................................................................................................... 2
Computer types ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Operating Systems ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Input, output and storage devices ................................................................................................................ 5
Peripheral devices ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Microsoft Windows ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Find, Save and Print Documents ................................................................................................................... 7
Create Directories/Folders............................................................................................................................ 8
Create a new folder when saving your document by using the Save As dialog box .................... 8
Rename Files ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Using the Home Menu ..................................................................................................................... 11
Using Two Single Clicks ................................................................................................................... 13
Using the Context Menu .................................................................................................................. 15
Search for a File........................................................................................................................................... 15
Introduction to Computers

Computers impact our lives every day. Consider a trip to the store and how many
different computers are involved. Computers are inside your car, manage the
traffic lights, control the temperature in the store's freezers, and calculate the cost
of your groceries.

Definition of Computer

A computer is an electronic device that you can use

the store and process information. A computer can be
used to help you perform various tasks, such as:

• Send e-mail
• Make Presentations
• Maintain Records
• Write Text
• Organize Files
• And more

Components of a computer
Computers contain many parts including
keyboards, monitors, processing units, memory,
and more.

The keyboard is an input device that goes

into your computer which allows you enter
information such letters from the
alphabets, numerical data, symbols, and
commands.
 A mouse is a small device that you can use to move, select, and open
items on your computer screen. The mouse is usually kept on the desk
next to the keyboard. Most mouse devices have at least two buttons, left
and right. Most of the actions are performed by clicking the left button.
The right button is used for specific functions. Some advanced types of
mouse devices provide additional buttons to speed up common tasks, such as scrolling.
As you move the mouse on your desk, a pointer moves correspondingly on your screen.
The mouse allows you to select an item on the screen.

The system unit, also known as a "tower" or "chassis," contains the

main components of a desktop computer. It includes the
motherboard, CPU, RAM, and other components. The case that
houses these components is also part of the system unit.

The term "monitor" is often used synonymously with "computer

screen" or "display." The monitor displays the computer's user
interface and open programs, allowing the user to interact with the
computer, typically using the keyboard and mouse.

Computer types
Desktop computers Desktop Computers
Desktop computers offer a lot of computing power and
options such as large memory capabilities, larger screen
sizes and generally faster processing speeds. The
components are separate allowing you to select or upgrade
your monitor, keyboard, mouse and system core as you
wish. They run from a continuous power source (such as an
electrical outlet) allowing for uninterrupted use.
They are large, compared to other options, and require a
permanent space to set up. If you are looking for
something more portable, keep reading.
Laptops Laptops
Laptops offer a lighter, more portable option to the
desktop. They are designed to travel with you while still
offering impressive computing ability. With a laptop you
get your computer, keyboard, mouse and monitor all on
one device.
Laptops can run on battery power or plug into electrical
outlets for longer use. Many boast nearly the same
capabilities as a desktop but are generally more expensive.
If you are looking for something that offers full PC power
on the go, the laptop is a great choice.

Tablets Tablets
Tablets are an extremely popular choice these days. They
are hand-held devices (smaller than even laptops) and offer
touch screen capabilities. Many use a stylus, which is a pen-
like device you can write, draw pictures or click screen
options with. Tablets offer terrific Internet and media
access as well as the ability to read documents and send
email. Tablets can also utilize apps which offer a huge
variety of tools that enhance tablets and other smart
devices.
Some, like Windows Surface, also come with a flat,
detachable keyboard that can also be used as a screen
protector. Many tablets now come close to laptops in

functionality and popularity.

Smartphones Smartphones
Smartphones are basically tiny computers you can hold in
one hand. Smartphones also can access apps and connect
 to the Internet for email, test messaging, and web searches.
Perhaps most unique of all, smartphones are also
functional telephones that can go anywhere your phone
service is provided.
More and more, smartphones can perform tablet-like
functions including office tasks, use apps and accessing
music and entertainment. You will have to get a cellphone
service provider to access many of the functions of a
smartphone.

Operating Systems
Operating systems, OS, allow you to use files and devices. The OS control all the
programs you are running, by sharing the CPU’s time. They also provide help
when installing new devices. Most OS now have a graphical user interface which
allows more people to use computers. Some examples of operating systems
include Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, Google's Android OS, Linux Operating
System, and Apple iOS.

Input, output and storage devices

Input Devices
A device used to provide information to a computer. A keyboard is an example of
an input device. Other examples include light pen, microphone, mouse etc

An output device is used to send data out of the system. Some output devices
are:
Monitor, Printer, Speaker.

Storage Devices
 A storage device is any type of computing hardware that is used for storing,
porting or extracting data files and objects.
There are two different types of storage devices:

Primary storage devices: Generally smaller in

size, primary storage devices are designed to
hold data temporarily and are internal to the
computer. They have the fastest data access
speed. These types of devices include RAM and
cache memory.

Secondary storage devices: Secondary

storage devices usually have larger storage
capacity, and they store data permanently. They can be either internal or external
to the computer. These types of devices include the hard disk, the optical disk
drive and USB storage device.

Peripheral devices

Microsoft Windows
 Microsoft created the Windows operating
system in the mid-1980s. There have been
many different versions of Windows, but
the most recent ones are Windows 11
(released in 2021), Windows 10 (released in
2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7
(2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows
comes pre-loaded on most new PCs, which
helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.

Find, Save and Print Documents

Find your files in Windows 10 using one of these methods.

Search from the taskbar: Type the name of a document (or a keyword from it) into the
search box on the taskbar. You'll see results for documents across your PC and OneDrive
under Best match.

Search File Explorer: Open File Explorer from the taskbar or right-click on the Start
menu, and choose File Explorer, then select a location from the left pane to search or
browse. For example, select This PC to look in all devices and drives on your computer,
or select Documents to look only for files stored there.

To Save

1. Click File on the top menu, choose Save, and save your document in your
Documents folder or to your desktop for easy retrieval later. (Pressing the Alt key,
followed by the F key and the S key, does the same thing.)
2. Click the Save icon.
OR Hold down Ctrl and press the S key

To Print

1. Open the document or file you want to print.

2. In the top portion of the program window or browser you're using, open the file
menu by clicking File and then Print from the drop-down menu.
OR Hold down CTRL and press P key

Create Directories/Folders

Create a new folder when saving your document by using the Save As dialog box

1. With your document open, click File > Save As.

2. Under Save As, select where you want to create your new folder. You might need
to click Browse or Computer, and navigate to the location for your new folder.
3. In the Save As dialog box that opens, click New Folder.

4. Type the name of your new folder, and press Enter.

Note: You can’t use slashes, colons, semicolons, dashes, or periods in your folder
name.

5. Click Save. Your document is saved to the new folder.

1.1.1. Save files in Directories
To save a document to the new folder, open the document, and click File > Save
As, and then browse to the new folder, and click Save.
1.1.2. Move and Copy Files

To copy or move files to different folders on your hard drive in Windows 10, it’s
sometimes easiest to use your mouse to drag them there. For example, here’s how to
move a file to a different folder on your desktop. In this case, You’re moving the Traveler
file from the House folder to the Morocco folder.

1. Align the two windows next to each other.

Click the first window and then hold the Windows key and press the right-arrow
key. To fill the screen’s left half, click the other window, hold the Windows key,
and press the left-arrow key.
2. Aim the mouse pointer at the file or folder you want to move.
3. While holding down the right mouse button, move the mouse until it points at
the destination folder.
As you see in the following two images, you’re dragging the Traveler file from the
House folder to the Morocco folder.
To move a file or folder from one window to another, drag it there while holding
down the right mouse button. Select the Traveler file.
 Moving the mouse drags the file along with it, and Windows explains that you’re
moving the file. (Be sure to hold down the right mouse button the entire time.)

Always drag icons while holding down the right mouse button. Windows is then
gracious enough to give you a menu of options when you position the icon, and
you can choose to copy, move, or create a shortcut. If you hold down
the left mouse button, Windows sometimes doesn’t know whether you want to
copy or move.
4. Release the mouse button and choose Copy Here, Move Here, or Create
Shortcuts Here from the pop-up menu.

Rename Files
Using the Home Menu

Fire up File Explorer by pressing Windows+E, and navigate to a directory with either a
file or folder to rename.
Click on a file or folder to select it, and click “Rename” from the Home menu at the top
of File Explorer.

Once the name is selected—if you’re renaming a file, not the file extension—you can
start to type a new name. If you’ve configured File Explorer to show file extensions,
make sure only to change the file name.

When you’re done typing, press Enter—or just click somewhere else—to save the new
name.
Using Two Single Clicks

Fire up File Explorer by pressing Windows+E, and navigate to a directory with either a
file or folder to rename.

Select the file with a single click, pause for a second, and then click one more time.
After the name is highlighted, type out a new name, and press Enter to save the
changes.
Using the Context Menu

To rename a file from the context menu, right-click a folder, and click “Rename” from
the context menu that appears.

With the name of the folder highlighted, start typing out a new name, and press Enter
when you finish.

Search for a File

2. Find your files in Windows 10 using one of these methods.
3. Search from the taskbar: Type the name of a document (or a keyword from it)
into the search box on the taskbar. You'll see results for documents across your
PC and OneDrive under Best match.
4.
5. Search File Explorer: Open File Explorer from the taskbar or right-click on the
Start menu, and choose File Explorer, then select a location from the left pane to
search or browse. For example, select This PC to look in all devices and drives on
your computer, or select Documents to look only for files stored there.

1.2.7. Using the Task bar

Use the taskbar for
more than seeing
your apps and
checking the time.
You can
personalize it in
many ways—
change the color
and size, pin your
favorite apps to it,
move it around on
your screen, and
rearrange or resize taskbar buttons. You can also lock the taskbar to keep your options,
check your battery status, and minimize all open programs momentarily so that you can
take a look at your desktop.
1.2.8 Scan Files for Virus
Windows Security (Windows Defender Security Center in previous versions of Windows
10) enables you to scan specific files and folders to make sure they're safe. You'll be
notified immediately if any threats are found.

To scan specific files or folders, right-click the ones you want then select Scan with
Microsoft Defender. When the scan is complete, you'll see the Scan options page letting
you know the results of the scan.

To turn on Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows Security, go to Start > Settings >
Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. Then, select
Manage settings (or Virus & threat protection settings in previous versions of Windows
10} and switch Real-time protection to On. Microsoft Defender Antivirus will then
automatically turn on. If you're running Windows 10 for Enterprise, turn on Microsoft
Defender Antivirus by uninstalling all of your other antivirus programs.

1.2.9 Copy/Cut and Paste between applications

1.2.10. Create a shortcut on the Desktop

Create a desktop shortcut for an Office program

 Click the Windows key, and then browse to the Office program for which you
want to create a desktop shortcut.
 Left-click the name of the program, and drag it onto your desktop.
 A shortcut for the program appears on your desktop.
Create a desktop shortcut for an Office document or file

 You can also create desktop shortcuts for specific Office files or documents.
 In Windows Explorer, browse to the document or file for which you want to
create a desktop shortcut.
 Right-click the name of the document, and then click Create shortcut. In
Windows 8 you would click Send To > Desktop (Create shortcut).
 A shortcut for that document or file appears on your desktop.

1.2.11. Backup files to External Drives

Back up files from your current PC to an external storage device

1. Connect your external storage device to your current PC.

2. On the taskbar, select File Explorer.
3. Locate the files you wish to copy, or the folders where those files are stored.
4. To copy multiple files, hold CTRL as you select additional files or folders.
5. Once you have files and folders highlighted, make sure you're in the Home tab,
then select Organize > Copy to, and select your external storage device name
from the list of options.
6. Your files and folders will begin copying to your drive. You may need to repeat
steps 3 – 5 if you have files stored in multiple locations1.2.12. Start and Shutdown
of PC properly.

To start a computer, you press the power button. This may cause a small light to turn on
and then the monitor to turn on. The computer will check all of its components and if
everything is running smoothly, it will display the welcome screen, and then to the user
screen.

To turn off your PC in Windows 10, select the Start button, select the Power button,
and then select Shut down.