Presents:

INTERMEDIATE COMPUTER BASICS

By Angie Harris
Adapted from the Texas State Library’s TEAL for All Texans Student Resources Manual
Intermediate Computer Basics Topics

 Windows Explorer
 Getting to Know the Start Menu
 Managing my Computer
 Goals and Objectives
 Learn about Windows Explorer
 Learn how to access, open, and close your
files
 Learn how to create an organizational folder
system
 Define the start menu programs and places
 Learn how to customize and update your
computer
Windows Explorer
 What is Windows Explorer?
 Windows Explorer is a file management
software and navigation tool that comes
standard on all Windows computers.

 It is located in your quick launch bar and in

your start menu under Accessories.

 Note: In Windows 8 it is called File Explorer

 Windows Explorer
3. Search
Bar

4. Preview
Pane
1. Folders
Pane
5. Change
View

6. Viewing
Pane

2. Information
Pane
 Windows Explorer
1. Folders Pane: displays the folders in Windows
Explorer
2. Information Pane: displays information about folders
and files
3. Search bar: allows you to search for files in different
folders
4. Preview Pane: lets you preview a document or
picture before opening it
5. Change view: changes how you view the size and
details of your files (note: files arrange alphabetically
by default)
6. Viewing Pane: where you view information about
your files and folders
7. Back/Forward
Windows Explorer
Buttons 8. Navigation Bar 9. New Folder
Button

10. Library
Folder

11. Current
Folder
 Windows Explorer
7. Back/Forward Buttons: lets you move back a page or
forward a page
8. Navigation Bar: shows you the order and location of
the folders you are in
9. New Folder Button: Creates a new folder
10. Library Folder: Shows which of the 4 main library
folders you’re (Documents, Music, Pictures, or Video)
11. Current Folder: shows you the folder you currently
have open
 Windows Explorer Folders
 Windows Explorer is the program that contains four main
folders:
– Favorites
– Libraries
– Computer
– Network
 Each of the four main folders contains more folders to
your files. It works like a computerized filing system.
 Next to every folder you will see a small white arrow.
Clicking that arrow will display the folders within that
folder. The arrow turns to black and points diagonally so
you know that a folder is showing you it’s contents.
 Windows Explorer Folders
 Favorites contains
– Desktop: the shortcut folder for icons that are on your
desktop
– Downloads: the folder where items that you
download from the internet go. This includes
software, media downloads, and email attachments.
– Recent Places: the folder where the folders you
opened most recently are. Essentially like a browsing
history for your computer.
– Recycle Bin: the folder where files that you delete go
until you permanently remove them from the
computer.
 Windows Explorer Folders
 Libraries contains:
– Documents: contains all Microsoft Office files (Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Adobe files (pdf), and notepad
files (.txt) that you create and save.
– Music: contains all music files on your computer (wma,
mp3, etc.)
– Pictures: contains all picture files on your computer (jpg,
png, bmp, etc.)
– Videos: contains all video files on your computer (wmv, flv,
etc.)
Note: You can create more folders within the library folders
to organize your files the way you want.
 Windows Explorer Folders
My
Folders
are files
only
viewable
by you. Place files in
ascending or
descending
order by
name, date,
type or size

Public
Folders
are files
viewable
to all
users
 Windows Explorer Folders
 Computer contains:  Network contains:
– Hard Disk Drive: where – Computer: computer
your C: drive is located. name
It is the main drive – Wireless devices:
where all your memory (printer)
is stored
– Devices with removable
storage: where your
flash drive, SD card, and
CD/DVD drive shows up.
 Review
• Where are the two places Windows Explorer is
located?
• What are the four main folders in Windows
Explorer?
• What are the four folders in the Libraries
folder?
• What makes public folders different from
“My” folders?
Getting to Know the Start Menu
 What is the Start Menu?
 The start menu is the home base or starting
point for using your computer. Every program and
file on your computer can be accessed from the
start menu .
 It is always located in the bottom left hand
corner of your desktop .
 Your start menu can be opened by left clicking on
it once or by using the Windows Key on your
keyboard (it will have the Windows logo on it)
 Parts of the Start Menu
 There are two sides of your start menu
 The left side is called Programs. This is where all
programs that came installed or that you have
installed on your computer are located. Anything on
this side will open up a program
 The right side is called Places. This is where you can
access all your folders, drivers, devices, and computer
settings. Anything on this side will open up a place
where you can then access other functions and
folders.
 The Start Menu
Programs Places

 Programs Examples:  Places Examples:

– Microsoft Office – Documents
– Games – Pictures
– Accessories – Music
– Web Browsers – Computer
– Media Players, – Control Panel,
etc. etc.

Start menu Icon

 Programs
 When you click on All
Programs a list comes up
showing programs at the
top that come with
Windows and programs
below them that are
contained in folders which
are a mix of Windows
programs and the programs Scroll Bar
you install. Both sections
are listed alphabetically.
 Note: Programs that you
use frequently can be
pinned to the Start Menu by
right clicking on the
program and selecting “pin
to start menu” Search Bar – search for any program or
file by typing the name in this box
 Places
 On the Places side, clicking on any of
the first 5 items will open up that
folder in Windows Explorer.
 The Control Panel contains all Gives you the
customization and configuration
options for your computer. computer
 Devices and Printers allows you to options to
view, modify, add, and delete - switch user
devices. - log off
 Default Programs allows you to set - lock
the default programs that will open - restart
whenever you click a link such as the
media player, web browser, etc. - sleep
 Help and Support is your go to place -hibernate
to learn more about your computer - shut down
and how to use its functions. Any
topic you need help with
understanding in Windows you can
search for and find here.
Managing My Computer
 Control Panel
System and Security (Security Checklist): Use this checklist to make sure you are taking
advantage of all the ways that Windows can help keep your computer as secure and
safe as possible.
 Action Center: allows you to review any  Backup and Restore: It's important to back
basic computer problems and resolve up your files and settings periodically so that
them. Your computer will alert you if there if you get a virus or have any kind of
is a problem that needs resolving in the hardware failure, you can recover your files.
Action Center. It checks to make sure your  Windows Update: most important feature in
firewall is on, antivirus is up to date, and
computer updates are automatically system and security. Keep this up to date
installed manually or set it to update automatically. It
installs patches and fixes to any security
 Windows Defender: used to prevent vulnerabilities or bugs in Windows.
malicious software, like spyware and
viruses, from infecting your computer.  Windows Firewall: protects your computer
Offers real time protection and scanning from hackers or malicious viruses on the
options internet and other networks. Its important
 User Account Control: prompts you for that this is on if you use a laptop away from
your permission before installing software home.
or opening certain kinds of programs that  System: lets you see the technical
could potentially harm your computer or specifications of your computer and adjust
make it vulnerable to security threats. Remote Settings

Open Windows Help & Support by clicking on your Start Menu then Help and Support. Type “Security
Checklist for Windows 7” in the search box for more information on each of these security features.
 Control Panel
Network and Internet Hardware and Sound
 Network and Sharing Center:  Devices and Printers: add and
allows you to view what view external devices like
network (internet service) printers, mp3 players, routers,
you’re connected to and etc.
configure your internet  Autoplay: allows you to
connection choose the default setting for
all media related software and
 Internet Options: the web devices you insert in your
browser configuration options computer including music,
for Internet Explorer. This can movies, and video.
also be accessed while having  Sound: Adjust your sound
Internet Explorer open. settings
 Control Panel
Programs User Accounts & Family Safety
 Programs and Features:  User Accounts: add, remove
allows you to uninstall and manage accounts and
programs passwords
 Default Programs: allows  Parental Controls: manage
you to set the programs what programs family
that will open by default for members’ user accounts
your browser, media, and have access to
email
 Control Panel
Appearance and Personalization Clock, Language, Region
 Personalization: change the  Change the date, time, or
look of your desktop language if necessary
background, colors, screen
saver and more Ease of Access
 Folder Options: here you  The place to modify the
can modify whether you computer display, mouse
want folders (such as settings, keyboard settings
documents, pictures, music, and more to make your
etc.) to open with one click computer easier to use
or with a double click.
 Review
 Where is the Start Menu located?
 What are the two sides of the start menu?
 What place do you go to for help with using
Windows?
 What is the most important feature in the
System and Security Menu?
 If I want to personalize the look of my
computer such as my background, where do I
go?