ECDL COMPUTER

ESSENTIALS
Syllabus 1.0
Learning Material (Windows 10)

Provided by:
ECDL Malta

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European Computer Driving Licence, ECDL, International Computer Driving Licence, ICDL, e-Citizen and related logos are all registered

This courseware may be used to assist candidates to prepare for the ECDL Foundation Certification Programme as titled on the
courseware. ICDL Foundation does not warrant that the use of this courseware publication will ensure passing of the tests for that ICDL
Foundation Certification Programme.

The material contained in this courseware does not guarantee that candidates will pass the test for the ECDL Foundation Certification
Programme. Any and all assessment items and / or performance-based exercises contained in this courseware relate solely to this
publication and do not constitute or imply certification by ICDL Foundation in respect of the ECDL Foundation Certification Programme or
any other ICDL Foundation test. This material does not constitute certification and does not lead to certification through any other process
than official ICDL Foundation certification testing.

Candidates using this courseware must be registered with ECDL Malta before undertaking a test for an ECDL Foundation Certification
Programme. Without a valid registration, the test(s) cannot be undertaken and no certificate, nor any other form of recognition, can be
given to a candidate. Registration should be undertaken at an Approved Test Centre.

Screen shots used with permission from Microsoft.

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ECDL Computer Essentials

The ECDL Computer Essentials module introduces you to the world of computers, ICT, and
software, helping you start your journey into using computers and digital devices for work
and leisure. Almost every industry in the world utilises computers and digital devices in
some way, and having the core skills to complete common technology tasks is essential for
workers.

On completion of this module you will be able to:

Understand key concepts relating to ICT, computers, devices and software.
Start up and shut down a computer.
Work effectively on the computer desktop using icons and windows.
Adjust the main operating system settings and use built-in help features.
Create a simple document and print an output.
Know about the main concepts of file management and be able to efficiently
organise files and folders.
Understand the key storage concepts and use utility software to compress and
extract large files.
Understand network concepts and use utility software to compress and extract large
files.
Understand the importance of protecting data and devices from malware, and the
importance of backing up data.
Recognise considerations relating to green IT, accessibility, and user health.

What are the benefits of this module?

This module covers the key skills and concepts in relation to computers, ICT, devices and
software. It will give you the stepping stone to kick start your computer experience and
provide a base to build on in the future. Once you have developed the skills and knowledge
set out in this book, you will be in a position to become certified in an international standard
in this area - ECDL Computer Essentials.

For details of the specific areas of the ECDL Computer Essentials syllabus covered in each
section of this book, refer to the ECDL Computer Essentials syllabus map at the end of the
book.

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ECDL COMPUTER ESSENTIALS

LESSON 1 COMPUTERS AND DEVICES ................................................................................ 1

1.1 ICT .................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Hardware .......................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Software and Licensing ..................................................................................................... 9
1.4 Start Up, Shut Down ....................................................................................................... 13
1.5 Review Exercise.............................................................................................................. 16

LESSON 2 - DESKTOP, ICONS, AND SETTINGS ................................................................... 17

2.1 Desktop and Icons .......................................................................................................... 18
2.2 Using Windows ............................................................................................................... 21
2.3 Tools and Settings .......................................................................................................... 24
2.4 Review Exercise.............................................................................................................. 37

LESSON 3 - OUTPUTS............................................................................................................. 38
3.1 Working with Text............................................................................................................ 39
3.2 Printing............................................................................................................................ 41
3.3 Review Exercise.............................................................................................................. 48

LESSON 4 - FILE MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................... 49

4.1 Introducing Files and Folders .......................................................................................... 50
4.2 Organising Files and Folders........................................................................................... 56
4.3 Storage and Compression............................................................................................... 59
4.4 Review Exercise.............................................................................................................. 65

LESSON 5 - NETWORKS ......................................................................................................... 66

5.1 Network Concepts........................................................................................................... 67
5.2 Network Access .............................................................................................................. 70
5.3 Review Exercise.............................................................................................................. 73

LESSON 6 - SECURITY AND WELL-BEING ............................................................................ 74

6.1 Protecting Data and Devices ........................................................................................... 75
6.2 Malware .......................................................................................................................... 76
6.3 Health and Green IT........................................................................................................ 79
6.4 Review Exercise.............................................................................................................. 85
ECDL SYLLABUS...................................................................................................................... 87

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LESSON 1
COMPUTERS AND DEVICES

In this section, you will learn how to:

Define the term ICT

Identify different types of ICT services/uses
Identify main types of hardware
Distinguish between main types of software
Start up and shut down a computer
Lesson 1 Computers and Devices ECDL Computer Essentials

1.1 ICT
Definition of ICT

Terms such as IT or ICT are commonly used in relation to the application of

technology in the modern ICT stands for Information and
Communication Technology. This is a general term for describing the use of
digital technology to access, store, and process information into an organised and
understandable form. Virtually every device or computer program that creates,
stores or uses digital information can be considered a part of an ICT system. This
ranges from your laptop or smartphone all the way up to the large networks and
infrastructures that support businesses and large organisations.

Types of ICT Services/Uses

ICT has radically transformed at home, in education and at work. It

has altered how people communicate, how they store and access information,
how they work, and how they spend their leisure time.

In short, ICT systems allow people to better explore ideas, manage information,
find answers to questions, solve problems, and become more productive.

Different types of ICT services and their uses include:

Internet services
Online banking, online shopping, e-mail, and sharing documentation are
all facilitated by Internet technology.

Mobile technology
Mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets support Internet access
in a range of environments.

Office productivity applications

Software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets,
presentations, databases, e-mail systems, and graphics programs are
used by many businesses to carry out important tasks efficiently.

1.2 HARDWARE
Main Types of Computers and Devices

Hardware is the physical parts or components of a computer or device, such as

the mouse, monitor, keyboard, system unit and speakers. They are physical,
tangible objects.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 1 Computers and Devices

require developing, the images are stored digitally in memory

housed within the camera, or on memory cards.

These pictures can easily be transferred to your computer and

then manipulated using a graphics program which you may have
on your computer.

Processor, RAM, and Storage

Processor
A processor, or "microprocessor," is an essential component of computers and
other electronic devices. The main role of this computer chip is to receive input
and provide the appropriate output. Modern processors can carry out trillions of
calculations per second.

The main processor of a computer is also known as the CPU, or "central

processing unit." The CPU handles all the basic system instructions, such as
processing inputs from a keyboard and running applications.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Random Access Memory (RAM) is the place where the computer keeps software
and information that it is currently using or working on. RAM is a temporary
storage location when the computer is switched off the data here is lost.

Modern computers are commonly supplied with 4 GB of RAM. (1 GB is equivalent

to 1,024 MB.)

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 1 Computers and Devices

Screens
A screen is a device used to visually display output.

Visual Display Unit, or VDU, is a term Projection devices can be attached to

commonly used for the screen of a your computer and are useful for
computer. It is used for showing the displaying presentations to a group of
main output of the computer. people.

A touch screen is a VDU that also

serves as an input device. They are
commonly used on portable devices,
such as tablets and smart phones.

Scanners
A scanner is used to scan printed material and convert it into a digital format.
Pictures can be scanned and then edited using a graphics application. Printed text
can be scanned and converted to a picture of the text or actual text, which can be
edited using a word processing application.

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Lesson 1 Computers and Devices ECDL Computer Essentials

Keyboards
A keyboard is used to type information, for example commands or characters, into
the computer. A laptop computer comes with a built-in keyboard but is a separate
item if used with a desktop computer.

Mouse/trackpad
When using an operating system such as Microsoft Windows, you use the mouse
to select options on the ribbon, to point and click on items, to select items and to
drag and drop items from one place to another.

A trackpad, or touchpad, is a device that translates the motion and position of a

user's finger to a related position on screen. They are often used on laptop
computers.

Common Input/Output Ports

Devices are often physically connected to a device through an input/output (I/O)

port. The best-known of these ports is the Universal Serial Bus (USB).

USB
USB ports are standard cable connection interfaces used by personal computers
and other devices.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 1 Computers and Devices

You will see one or more USB ports on your computer system unit or laptop,
allowing you to plug in devices designed for the USB. These devices may include
printers, scanners, digital cameras, and memory sticks.

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

HDMI is another type of input/output port. HDMI is typically used to connect to
media devices to transfer video and audio data: for example, to connect a
computer to a monitor. HDMI is a digital replacement for existing analogue video
standards.

1.3 SOFTWARE AND LICENSING

Software

The programs used to operate computers and related devices and to carry out
tasks are known generally as software. Software can be considered to be the set
of instructions that makes the computer work. For instance, when you type in
words via the keyboard, software is responsible for displaying the correct letters,
in the correct place on the screen.

Categories of software include:

Operating Systems: These systems, and their related utilities, enable the
computer to function. An example of an operating system is Microsoft
Windows 7.

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Lesson 1 Computers and Devices ECDL Computer Essentials

Applications: This software carries out specific tasks for users. An

example of an application is a word processing tool such as Microsoft Word
or a web browser such as Google Chrome.

The diagram below shows how the operating system software and application
software are layered on a typical desktop computer. The arrows indicate
information flow.

Software is usually -ROM or DVD and is

loaded from the disk into the computer s RAM, when it is needed. In addition,
software is increasingly accessed online this software is commonly referred to
-based.

Operating System

manages its memory, processes, and all of its

software and hardware.

For example, most of the time there are many different programs running at the
same time on a computer, and they all need access to the CPU, memory, and
storage. The operating system ensures each program gets what it needs by
coordinating activities.

Most people use the operating system that comes preloaded with their computer,
but it is possible to upgrade or even change operating systems. The three most
common operating systems for personal computers are:

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 1 Computers and Devices

1. Microsoft Windows
2. Apple OS X
3. Linux

Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface (GUI), which lets you
interact with the computer by, for example, using a mouse to click on icons,
buttons, and menus.

Mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets are different from desktop and
laptop computers, so they usually run operating systems that are designed
specifically for mobile devices.

Examples of mobile operating systems include:

Apple iOS
Google Android

In general, operating systems for mobile devices are not as fully featured as those
made for desktop and laptop computers, and they are not able to run all of the
same software. However, you can still do a lot of things with them, like watch
movies, browse the Web, manage your calendar, and play games.

Common Examples of Applications

An application is a type of software that allows you to perform specific tasks.

Numerous desktop applications exist, and they fall into many different categories.

Office productivity
These include word processing and spreadsheet applications, such as
those contained in Microsoft Office, iWork, or Open Office application
suites.

Communications
These include e-mail applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, and
messaging / voice applications such as Skype or Viber.

Social networking
These include mobile applications and websites that allow users to
connect and exchange status updates and comments. Examples of these
are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Media
These include tools that allow media to be viewed or listened to, such as
Windows Media Player or iTunes.

Design
These include applications for working with images, such as Adobe
Photoshop or GIMP, or publishing, such as Adobe InDesign.

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Lesson 1 Computers and Devices ECDL Computer Essentials

Mobile applications
These include a range of applications that can be used in mobile devices
and smartphones. Examples are online storage applications or e-mail.

End-User License Agreement (EULA)

When you acquire software, you are often required to complete an end-user
license agreement (EULA). This is a contract between you and, usually, the owner
of the software, setting out the conditions of use. The EULA details how you can
and cannot use the software for example, an EULA for proprietary software
usually prevents the user from sharing the software with anyone else.

EULAs are often presented electronically, during the installation procedure. The
user can choose to accept or reject the agreement, but the installation of the
software is conditional to the user clicking "accept".

EULAs are an important mechanism for protecting the ownership of software. You
should ensure that you are licensed to use software before you actually use it.

Types of Software Licenses

There are a variety of different types of software licenses, with different

characteristics and conditions:

Proprietary
Proprietary software, or closed source software, is computer software
licensed by the copyright holder with the intent that the licensee (the user)
is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, and
restricted from other uses, such as modification and sharing.

Open Source
This type of licence makes the source code and design of the software
available to anyone who wants to enhance or develop it. It is important not
to confuse open source software with free software.

Trial Version
Trial version refers to a version of the software that is only usable for a
certain period of time before it has to be purchased.

Shareware
This is where software is initially made available free of charge to users.
Software functionality may be limited, with additional features becoming
available only after payment.

Freeware
This is software which can be copied or downloaded for free. It is often
fully functional. Examples may include software developed by
organisations such as universities, where the aim was not to profit from the
software. Freeware and shareware should not be confused.
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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 1 Computers and Devices

1.4 START UP, SHUT DOWN

Starting Up a Computer

You will now start to familiarise yourself with the practical operation of a computer,
and the first task is to turn it on. In the examples used in the remainder of this
book, we will use the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.

1. Make sure all the cables are plugged in correctly.

Find and press the power button.

Before you can use your computer, it has to run through a process of
booting up.

2. Once the computer has booted up, you will need to log in. The screen will
appear with an image including the date and time, and this will vanish
once you press any button. You identify yourself by entering a user name
or selecting your profile, and then entering your password.

Windows 10 lock screen

Logging Off

Logging off a system means that the user who is currently logged on ends their
session, but leaves the computer running for someone else to use. This is
generally done during the course of the day when a system is shared between
multiple users, for example in a school or library.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click the profile icon along the left-hand side of the Start menu. .
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Lesson 1 Computers and Devices ECDL Computer Essentials

3. Click Sign out.

Restarting

Restarting (or rebooting) puts the computer through a process that shuts it down
and then starts it back up again. This is frequently required after software
installations or during troubleshooting.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click the Power icon.

3. Click Restart.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 1 Computers and Devices

Shutting Down a Computer

Shutting down (or powering down / powering off) puts the computer through a
process that shuts down the computer completely. It will not come back up again
without someone powering it back on.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click the Power icon.

3. Click Shut down.

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Lesson 1 Computers and Devices ECDL Computer Essentials

1.5 REVIEW EXERCISE

1. Label the parts of the computer.

2. What is the full version of the following abbreviations:

a. ICT

b. RAM

c. USB

3. Give an example of a social network website / application.

4. Practice the following tasks.

a. Switch on the computer

b. Restart the computer
c. Shut down the computer

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LESSON 2 -
DESKTOP, ICONS, AND SETTINGS

In this section, you will learn how to:

Identify desktop and icons

Use windows
Use tools and change settings
Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings ECDL Computer Essentials

2.1 DESKTOP AND ICONS

Purpose of Desktop and Task Bar

The desktop is what you see when your computer has completed the start-up
process. It will look different depending on what type of operating system you are
using, but it generally consists of a bar at the bottom, top, and/or sides of the
screen, with the rest of the screen containing a desktop background or wallpaper.
You can find icons of files, applications, or shortcuts on the desktop background
area.

The taskbar is the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen. It contains
three main sections:

Start Middle section Notification

button area

Opens Shows open programs and files and Shows clock

the Start allows you to quickly switch between and settings
menu. them. icons.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings

Common Icons

An icon is a symbol or image that represents files, applications, shortcuts, or

devices. Your computer desktop displays a range of different icons.

Common Icons Examples

Files

Folders

Applications

Printers

Available Printer Current Printer

Drives

Shortcuts

Recycle Bin

Selecting and Moving Icons

Click on the icon to select it and then drag it to where you need the icon.

To arrange icons by name, type, date, or size:

1. Right-click on a blank area on the desktop.

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Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings ECDL Computer Essentials

2. Click the Sort by command that indicates how you want to arrange the
icons (by Name, by Type, and so on).

3. Click View.

To arrange automatically, click Auto Arrange.

To arrange manually, click Auto Arrange to remove the check
mark.

Manipulating Shortcut/Alias

A shortcut is a link to a file, folder, or program on the computer. Shortcuts can, for
example, be placed on the desktop for easy access.

A shortcut icon is differentiated from the original file by the arrow that appears at
the bottom left of the icon.

To create a new shortcut:

1. Navigate to the location of the item that you want to create a shortcut to.

2. Right-click the item and click Create shortcut. The shortcut appears in the
same location as the original item.

3. Drag the new shortcut to the desired location, for example the desktop.

You can also right-click the item, select Send to, and click Desktop (create
shortcut). A shortcut to that file / folder will be created on the desktop.

To rename a shortcut:

1. Right click on the shortcut.

2. Click Rename.

3. Type a new name and press Return.

To move a shortcut:

1. Right click on the shortcut.

2. Click Cut.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings

3. Go to the location where you want to move the shortcut to.

4. Right-click on a blank area.

5. Click Paste.

To delete a shortcut:

1. Right click on the shortcut.

2. Click Delete. The shortcut is moved to the Recycle Bin.

2.2 USING WINDOWS

You will now learn about the basics of using a Windows computer, including how
to use the desktop, how to open different files and applications, and how to move
and resize windows. The information in this lesson applies specifically to Microsoft
Windows 10.

Different Parts of a Window

A program, file, or folder, when opened, appears on the screen in a box or frame
called a window.

For example, when you open a folder or library, you see it in a window. Different
parts of the window contain tools that you can use to move around Windows or
work with files and folders.

Here is a typical folder window and each of its parts:

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Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings ECDL Computer Essentials

When you open a file, it is also displayed in a window.

1. Title bar: Shows document/folder/program name.

2. Tab: Displays different, but related, commands, such as those relating to
inserting or viewing.
3. Toolbar / Ribbon: Displays the commands available in the selected tab.
The ribbon contains common commands for each section relating to an

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings

activity. In some applications, these groups of commands are presented

as options on drop-down menus.
4. Status bar: The status bar displays information about the window /
document you are viewing.
5. Scroll bar: Scroll through the contents of the window that are hidden.

Other windows might have additional buttons, boxes, or bars, but they will usually
have the basic parts.

Manipulating Windows

To open a window: Simply double-click on the icon. For example, to open a word
processing file, double-click the Word icon.

To collapse/expand/restore/close window: You will see the same three buttons

in the upper-right corner of almost every window. These buttons allow you to:

Minimize: Click here to hide the window. The window will be

minimised to the taskbar. You can then click the icon for that window on the
taskbar to make it reappear.

Maximize: Click here to make the window fill the entire screen. The
Maximize button will be temporarily replaced by the Restore button.
Just click it to return the window to its original size.

Close: Click here to close the window.

To move a window: To move a window, point to its title bar with the mouse
pointer . While holding the left mouse button, drag the window to the location that
you want.

Switching between Open Windows

If you have more than one program or document open at a time, you can easily
switch between the open windows using either of these two methods:

Using the taskbar

Each open window will have corresponding button on the taskbar. Click on
the appropriate taskbar button to switch to the open window. The window
becomes the active window.

thumbnail-sized preview of the window will appear.

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Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings ECDL Computer Essentials

Using Alt+Tab
Press the Alt and the Tab keys at the same time to switch to the previous
window. You can also cycle through open windows and the desktop by
holding down Alt and pressing Tab repeatedly. Release the Alt key to
show the selected window.

2.3 TOOLS AND SETTINGS

Using Help Functions

The built-in help system for Windows is called Contact Support. You can use the
help system to get the following:

Answers to common questions

Suggestions for troubleshooting
Instructions for carrying out tasks.

To open Contact Support:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Contact Support, found under C in the Start menu.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings

Tip: Hitting the F1 button will open Microsoft Edge with Bing search results to get
support in Windows 10. Microsoft have now replaced Windows Help and Support
with this feature, along with Contact Support.

To search Help:

1. Click on the Get started button.

2. Type the problem you are experiencing with the product.

3. Press Next. A list of products appear allowing you to choose which one
you are experiencing problems with.

4. Click the appropriate product. Then select the category for which the issue
belongs.

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Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings ECDL Computer Essentials

Example of final stage of Contact Support

Viewing Computer System Information

You can see important information about your computer by opening System in
Control Panel. This shows basic hardware information, such as your computer's
name.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows System and select Control Panel.

3. Click System.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings

System presents a summary view of basic details about your computer, including:

Windows edition: Lists information about the version of Windows

running on your computer.

System: Your computer's processor type, speed, and quantity are listed.
Also displayed is how much random access memory (RAM) is installed
and, in some cases, how much of the memory is usable by Windows.

Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings: Displays your

computer's name and workgroup or domain information. You can change
this information and add user accounts by clicking Change settings.

Windows activation: Activation verifies that your copy of Windows is

genuine, which helps prevent software piracy.

Changing Desktop Configuration Settings

You can change a range of different settings associated with Windows, including
the date and time, volume, desktop background, and screen resolution.

To set the date and time:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows System and select Control Panel.

3. Click Date and Time.

4. Click the Date and Time tab, and then click Change date and time.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the

password or provide confirmation.
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Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings ECDL Computer Essentials

5. In the Date and Time Settings, change the values as required and click
OK.

To adjust volume settings:

Most speakers come with built-in volume control. You can also control the overall
sound level of your computer using Windows.

1. Click the Speakers button in the notification area of the taskbar.

2. Click and drag the slider left or right to adjust the speaker volume.

To change background:

Your desktop background, or wallpaper, can be an image from your personal

collection, an image that comes with Windows, a solid colour, or a picture framed
with a colour.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows System and select Control Panel.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings

3. Click Personalization.

4. Click Desktop Background.

5. A new window appears with options to edit the background. Select

whether you want to use a Picture, Solid color or a Slideshow for your
background from the drop-down and then choose a background of choice.

6. Close the window to save changes.

To set screen resolution:

shown on a screen. Resolution is defined as width x height in pixels, such as 1024

x 768. At higher resolutions, images and text appear sharper and smaller, and
more items fit on the screen. At lower resolutions, items appear larger; however,
fewer fit on the screen.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click the Settings icon.

3. Click System.

4. Under Display, click Advanced display settings.

5. Choose a resolution from the dropdown menu.

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Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings ECDL Computer Essentials

Setting Keyboard Language

If you need to enter or edit documents in multiple languages, you can change the
input language to make the process easier. Input languages are included with
Windows. You will need to add them to the list of available languages first.

To add or remove a keyboard language:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows System and select Control Panel.

3. Click Language.

4. Click Add a language.

5. Scroll and select the language of choice. Click Add. The language is now
included below the default language.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings

6. To remove keyboard language:

a. Select the language from the list of languages, click Remove.

You can also set the keyboard language that is used by default.

To change the default language:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click the Settings button in the Start menu.

3. Click Region & language.

4. Add a language if necessary. Select the language you want to make the
default and click Set as default.

5. Close the window to apply the new settings.

Shutting Down a Non-Responding Application

Sometimes an application fails to respond, or it Usually, non-responsive

applications cannot be closed in the normal way. When this happens, you need to
follow these steps in order to shut down (close) the program:

1. Press Ctrl, Alt and Delete at the same time on your keyboard. A window
appears, and you will see a list of options you can choose from.

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Lesson 2 Desktop, Icons and Settings ECDL Computer Essentials

2. Click on Task Manager. You will see a list of programs in the Task
Manager dialog box.

3. Click on the program that is not responding, and click on End Task.
The task will be closed.

Installing and Uninstalling an Application

Applications are typically installed from a CD or DVD, or from the Internet. The
installation method varies slightly depending on where the application is installed
from.

To install an application from a CD or DVD:

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1. Insert the disc into your computer.

2. Follow the steps displayed on the screen.

3. Type the administrator password or provide confirmation if prompted.

4. Many installation CDs or DVDs open an installation wizard for the program
automatically. In these cases, the AutoPlay dialog box appears and you
can choose to run the wizard.

To install an application from the Internet:

1. Click the provided link on the web page to install or download the
application.

2. Do one of the following:

To install the application immediately:

i. Click Open or Run.
ii. Follow the steps displayed on the screen.
iii. Type the administrator password or provide confirmation if
prompted.

To install the application later:

i. Click Save.
ii. Download the installation file to the computer.
iii. Double-click the installation file to install.
iv. Follow the steps displayed on the screen.
This option is safer because you can scan the installation file
for viruses before installing.

It is important that you trust the application publisher and the website when
downloading and installing programs from the Internet.

You may want to remove an application from your computer if, for example, you
do not use it anymore or if you experience problems when it runs.

To uninstall an application:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows System and select Control Panel.

3. Click Programs and Features.

4. Select the application that you want to uninstall.

5. Click Uninstall and then click Yes.

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Connecting and Disconnecting a Device

When you connect a device, such as a digital camera, to your computer, a driver
a small programme may be needed to allow the device to interact with the
computer.

Windows usually does this automatically when you connect a new device, but
some devices require that you install the drivers manually. In such cases, the
device manufacturer usually includes a software disc and instructions on installing
the driver before plugging in the device.

Connect a USB flash drive

Plug in the USB flash drive into the USB port.

If Windows can find and install the device driver automatically, you will be
notified that the device is ready to use.

Connect to a digital camera

Attach appropriate end of cable to the camera and the other end to the
USB port.

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Most cameras, once plugged in, will automatically be recognised by your

computer. If this does not occur, you will need to install the software
included with the camera.

Connect to a media player

Attach appropriate end of cable to the media player and the other end to
the USB port.

If the USB device is not recognised by Windows and you do not have the driver
disc, you may be able to find the device driver online. The best place to look is the
website of the manufacturer of the device.

Disconnecting a device
Before unplugging storage devices, such as USB flash drives, you need to
ensure that the computer has finished saving any information to the
device.

1. Click the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon in the
notification area on the right side of the taskbar. A list of devices will
appear.

2. Click the device that you want to remove.

Only remove the device if a notification appears, telling you that it is safe to do so.

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Screen Capture

If you need to take a picture of what is shown on your computer, you can use the
print screen key (often designated PrtScn or PrtScr). Pressing the key will copy
an image of your screen to the Clipboard. This is called a screen capture, or
screen shot.

Taking a screen capture allows you to, for example, print out the screen capture
or e mail it. First, however, you have to paste it into an application such as
Microsoft Word or Paint to save it.

If you only want to capture what is in your current active window instead of the
whole screen, press Alt+PrtScn.

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LESSON 3 -
OUTPUTS

In this section you will learn how to:

Work with text

Print
ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 3 Outputs

3.1 WORKING WITH TEXT

Microsoft Windows offers a variety of ways to work with text, including Notepad
and WordPad, but for this example we will look at the most commonly used:
Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word is a sophisticated application that allows you to
create and edit documents with rich formatting and graphics, as well as standard
text input. You can also link or embed pictures and other documents into a
document.

Opening and Closing a Word Processing Application and Files

To open a word processing application:

1. Open Microsoft Word by clicking the Start button.

2. Click Microsoft Office 2013.

3. Click Word 2013.

To close a word processing application:

1. Click the Word icon in the top left-hand corner of the application.

2. Click Close.

To open an existing file:

1. Click the FILE tab.

2. Click Open.

3. A list of recently opened files and their file location is displayed. To access
local files, click Computer.

4. Select the file.

5. Click the Open button.

To close a file:

1. Click the FILE tab.

2. Click Close. You might get a prompt to save file.

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Entering Text into a Document

A flashing insertion point shows where the next character you type will appear.
Simply start typing to enter text. If you make any mistakes, use the Backspace
key to delete unwanted characters. Hold down the Shift key when pressing a
letter key to make capital letters. Press the Space bar to insert spaces between
words.

Copying and Moving Text

To copy text:

1. Select the text.

2. On the HOME tab, click Copy in the Clipboard group. Or press Ctrl+C.

3. Place the insertion point at the desired location. If the location is another
open file, press Alt+Tab to switch to the file.

4. On the HOME tab, click Paste in the Clipboard group. Or press Ctrl+V.

To move text:

1. Select the text.

2. On the HOME tab, click Cut in the Clipboard group. Or press Ctrl+X.

3. Place the insertion point at the desired location. If the location is another
open file, press Alt+Tab to switch to the file.

4. On the HOME tab, click Paste in the Clipboard group. Or press Ctrl+V.

Pasting Screen Capture

1. Capture the required screen using PrtScn or the current window using Alt
PrtScn.

2. Click in the required location in the document.

3. Click Paste. Or press Ctrl+V.

Saving and Naming Document

It is very important to save your document so that you do not lose the text you
have entered. When saving a file, you can choose to send it to a particular
location such as My Documents or Desktop, but there is a default location for files
to be saved to that can be changed.

To save a document:

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1. Click the FILE tab.

2. Click Save. This will open the Save As tab.

3. Click the location link to save the file to.

4. The Save As dialog box is opened.

5. Enter a file name.

6. Click the Save button.

If you are working on a document that already has a save location, you will not
need to select a location or name the file every time you save it.

To save a document with a new name or format:

1. Click the FILE tab.

2. Click Save As. Click the location link to save the file to.

3. Click on the required format.

4. Select the location to save.

5. Enter a file name.

6. Click the Save button.

The following file formats can be opened and saved in Microsoft Word:

Text documents (.txt)

Rich text files (.rtf)
Word documents (.docx)
OpenDocument Text (.odt).

Documents in other formats will open as plain text documents and might not display
as expected.

3.2 PRINTING
Installing and Uninstalling a Printer

You can connect a printer to your computer using a few methods. It all depends
on the printer and your location; for example, whether you are at home connecting
a printer directly to your computer, or whether you are at work connecting to a
printer on a network. It is important to check the information that comes with the
printer for any specific instructions.
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Lesson 3 Outputs ECDL Computer Essentials

Connecting the printer directly to the computer is the most common way to install
a printer. This is known as connecting a local printer. Installation should begin
automatically when you plug in a printer using a USB connection.

If the printer does not install automatically, you will need to install it yourself.

To install a printer:

1. Click the Start button, and click the Settings icon.

2. Click Devices.

3. Under Add printers & scanners click Add a printer or scanner.

Your computer will scan for printers to add, and if it finds the one you are looking
for select the printer and click Add device.

4. If the device you are looking for does not appear in the list of printers and
scanners, click . You can now begin to
add the printer manually.

5. Select the Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings
option and click Next.

6. Select the Use an existing port option with LPT1: (Printer Port) chosen
and click Next.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 3 Outputs

7. Under Install the printer driver, select the printer manufacturer and
model, and then click Next.

If your printer is not listed, click Windows Update, and then wait while
Windows checks for additional drivers.
If none are available and you have the installation CD, click Have
Disk , and then browse to the folder where the printer driver is
located. (For additional help, consult the printer manual.)

8. Complete the additional steps in the wizard, and then click Finish.

After installing a printer, check if the printer is working by printing a test page. The
test page is a print-out that confirms the printer is functioning.

If you cannot print the test page, you should consult the printer manufacturer's
instruction booklet or official website for detailed troubleshooting steps. The
solution will vary based on the manufacturer and printer model.

To print a test page:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows System and then choose Control Panel.

3. Click Devices and Printers.

4. Right-click a printer and then choose Printer properties.

5. Under the General tab, click Print Test Page.

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Lesson 3 Outputs ECDL Computer Essentials

If you no longer use a printer, you can uninstall it from Devices and Printers.

To uninstall a printer:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows System and choose Control Panel.

3. Click Devices and Printers.

4. Right-click the printer that you want to remove, click Remove device, and
then click Yes.

5. If you cannot delete the printer, right-click it again, click Run as

administrator, click Remove device, and then click Yes. If you are
prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the
password or provide confirmation.

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Setting Default Printer

If you often use multiple printers, you can choose one as your default printer.
Windows and other programs then automatically use that device when you print.

To set a printer as default printer:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows System and choose Control Panel.

3. Click Devices and Printers.

4. Right-click the printer that you want to set as your default, and click Set as
default printer.

A check mark appears on the printer's icon showing that it is now your
default printer.

Printing a Document from a Word Processing Application

1. Open the file to print in Microsoft Word.

2. Click the FILE button and click Print. This will also give you a preview of
the document on the right hand side of the window.

3. Select the options you want and click the Print button.

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Lesson 3 Outputs ECDL Computer Essentials

Managing Print Jobs

Print jobs can be paused or cancelled even after they have started to print. You
can do this using the print queue. The print queue shows what is printing or jobs
waiting to print. It also displays other details such as number of pages that are left
to be printed.

To view current print jobs:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows System and choose Control Panel.

3. Click Devices and Printers.

4. Right-click your printer's icon, and then click See what's printing on the
command bar.

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Alternatively, to quickly see the print queue, double-click the printer icon in the
notification area of the taskbar in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.

From this dialog box, you can pause and resume printing a single document, or
multiple documents in the queue. You can also restart a print job from the
beginning, or cancel a print job.

To pause or resume printing:

1. Right-click the document waiting to be printed.

2. Click Pause or Resume.

To restart printing a document:

1. Right-click the document waiting to print.

2. Click Restart.

If you have printed something by mistake, you can cancel it, even if printing has
already started.

To cancel printing:

1. Right-click the document waiting to be printed.

2. Click Cancel, and then click Yes to confirm.

In order to cancel all printing, click the Printer menu, click Cancel All
Documents, and then click Yes to confirm. The item currently printing might
finish, but the remaining items will be cancelled.

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Lesson 3 Outputs ECDL Computer Essentials

3.3 REVIEW EXERCISE

1. Open Microsoft Word.

2. Type a list of activities you would like to do this weekend. You might include movies
you would watch or places to visit.

3. Save the document as Weekend Plans on the computer desktop.

4. Capture a screen shot of the desktop.

5. Paste the screen shot in the document.

6. Save the document as Weekend Plans 2 on the computer desktop.

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LESSON 4 -
FILE MANAGEMENT

In this section, you will learn about:

Files and folders
Organising files and folders
Storage and compression
Lesson 4 File Management ECDL Computer Essentials

4.1 INTRODUCING FILES AND FOLDERS

Understanding Files and Folder Structure

You can think of the information on your computer as being stored hierarchically:
In other words, your computer has one or more drives which contain folders; these
folders contain files, such as documents or pictures, or other folders.

To view drives, folders, and files:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click the File Explorer icon.

3. Choose This PC along the left-hand side of the explorer window.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 4 File Management

Windows identifies the different drives on your computer with a series of letters.

For instance, the letter is usually given to the main hard drive on the computer.
Some computers may have two hard disks, one of which will be the C drive and
the other may be the D drive. USB drives are called Removable Disks and may be
assigned different letters, depending on the number of disks installed on your
computer.

You can use these drives to find or save files. A file is an item that is used to store
information, such as text or images. On your computer, files are displayed as
icons; this makes it easy to recognise the file type by looking at its icon.

Folders are used to organise your files just like a filing cabinet. Grouping files into
folders will help you manage your files in a logical, structured way on the
computer. Folders may contain other folders. These are known as subfolders.

When you double click on a folder, its contents are displayed. The address bar at
the top of the folder window displays your current location as a series of links
separated by arrows.

You can click the Back button and the Forward button to navigate
through locations you have already visited.

Displaying File or Folder Properties

You can learn more about a file or folder by viewing its properties. Properties are
not part of the actual file content, but are pieces of information about the file.
Properties of a file or folder may include name, size, date modified, and location.

To display file or folder properties:

1. Right-click the file or folder.

2. Click Properties.

3. Common properties such as name, size and location display.

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Viewing Files and Folders

When you open a folder, you can change how the files appear in the window. For
example, you might prefer to view the files as larger (or smaller) icons, or you may
want to see different kinds of information about each file. To make these kinds of
changes, use the View tab and select from the layout options.

To change file and folder view:

1. Under the View tab, choose the appropriate view from the Layout section.

2. Select the appropriate view.

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Identifying Common File Types

In Windows, each file is represented by a small icon. Windows file names have
two parts: the name and the extension (suffix), separated by a period. The
extension is a three- or four-letter abbreviation that comes after the period.

Opening a File, Folder or Drive

To open a file, folder or drive, double click on it.

A file typically opens in the program that was used to create or edit it. For
example, a text file will open in your word processing program. You can change
the default program that you want to open your files by right-clicking the file, click
Open with, and then click the name of the program that you want to use.

Good Practice in Folder or File Naming

How you organise and name your folders and files will have a big impact on your
ability to find those files later and to understand what they contain. You should be
consistent and descriptive in naming and organising files so that it is obvious
where to find specific data and what the files contain.

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Lesson 4 File Management ECDL Computer Essentials

These are some basic guidelines for structuring folders and naming files:

1. Keep file and folder names short, but meaningful.

2. Avoid unnecessary repetition and redundant words in file names and file
paths.

3. Use capital letters or underscore to delimit words, not spaces.

4. Avoid special characters such as

~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) ` ; < > ? , [ ] { } ' " and |.

Creating a Folder

To create a folder:

1. Navigate to where the folder is to be created, for example in another folder

or on the desktop.

2. Right-click a blank area on the desktop or in the folder window and click
New.

3. Enter a folder name, and then press Return.

The new folder will appear in the location you specified.

Renaming a File or Folder

1. Right-click the file or folder that you want to rename.

2. Click Rename.

3. Enter the new name, and then press Return.

Searching for Files by Properties

If you have many files and folders, it may be difficult to find the one that you need.
You can use the search box to help you find a file or folder.

The search function tries to match the text you enter against text in the file name
and contents, as well as in file properties. The search includes all folders and
subfolders in the location where you are searching. The location searched is
determined by what is displayed in the address bar.

To search for a file or folder by using the search box:

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 4 File Management

1. Type a word or part of a word in the search box.

2. When the file that you want is displayed, stop typing and select the file.

There are other ways to use the search box to quickly narrow down a search. For
example, you can search for a file based on one or more if its properties, such as
the date the file was last modified. You can do this by selecting the Search Tools
tab that appears when performing a search.

You can also use special characters called wild cards - use a question mark (?)
instead of a single character and an asterisk (*) instead of any number of
characters.

For example:

To search for all files whose names start with za

Type: za*

To search for all files whose names start with za and contain 5 characters
Type: za???

To search for all Microsoft Excel files whose names start with za and
contain 5 characters
Type: za???.xlsx

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Lesson 4 File Management ECDL Computer Essentials

4.2 ORGANISING FILES AND FOLDERS

Selecting Files and Folders

To select a single file or folder, simply click on it.

To select a consecutive group of files or folders, click the first item, press
and hold down the Shift key, and then click the last item.

To select non-consecutive files or folders, press and hold down the Ctrl
key, and then click each item that you want to select.

To select all of the files or folders in a window, on the toolbar, click

Organize, and then click Select all. If you do not want to include one or
more items from your selection, press and hold down the Ctrl key, and then
click the items.

To clear a selection, click a blank area of the window.

Sorting Files

Generally, files are listed in alphabetical order by name.

To sort files:

1. In a folder window, click the View tab.

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2. Select the Sort By button.

3. Click Name to sort files by name in ascending order.

4. Click the View tab.

5. Select Sort by button.

6. Click Descending to sort in descending order.

You can sort files by the Date modified, Type and Size by following the same
steps as above.

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

To move or copy files or folders using the drag and drop method:

1. Open the folder containing the file or folder that you want move or copy
(source).

2. Open the folder where you want to move or copy to in a different window
(destination).

3. Arrange the two windows side by side on the desktop.

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Lesson 4 File Management ECDL Computer Essentials

4. To move, drag the file or folder from the first folder (source) to the second
folder (destination). To copy, press Ctrl while dragging.

When using the drag-and-drop method across two folders on the same hard disk,
the item is moved; however, if the destination is a different location such as a USB
drive, the item is copied.

You can also copy / move files and folders by using the copy and cut functions. To
use the copy and cut functions:

1. Right-click on the file or folder you wish to copy or cut.

2. Click Copy or click Cut.

3. Click on the new location you wish to paste the new item to.

4. Right-click a blank space and click Paste.

Deleting and Restoring Files and Folders

To delete files and folders:

1. Select the items to delete.

2. Press Delete.

You can also delete a file or folder by dragging it to the Recycle Bin. When you
delete a file or folder, it is not deleted right away. Instead, it is stored in the
Recycle Bin until the Recycle Bin is emptied.

To restore a deleted file or folder:

1. Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking the Recycle Bin on the desktop.

2. Select the deleted item.

3. Click Restore this item on the toolbar.

Emptying the Recycle Bin

To permanently remove files from your computer and reclaim any hard disk space
they were using, you need to delete the files from the Recycle Bin.

You can empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking the Recycle Bin and then
clicking Empty Recycle Bin.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 4 File Management

Memory card

A memory card, or a flash memory card, is a form

of storage often used in devices such as digital
cameras, mobile phones, music players, video
game consoles.

There are different types of memory cards for

example, Secure Digital (SD) cards or Memory
Sticks - with different storage capacities. Many
PCs, laptops, and devices have built-in slots for
different types of memory cards.

Online file storage

Otherwise known as cloud storage, this hosts

user files on the Internet. Users can upload files
and can then access them over the Internet from
a different computer, tablet, smart phone or other
Internet-connected device.

File and Folder Size, Storage Capacity Measurement

You can view file and folder size by right-clicking on the item and clicking on
Properties.

Storage capacities and file sizes are measured from lowest to highest in: bits,
bytes, kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), terabytes (TB).

Relationship between storage capacity measurements:

a number of factors but ultimately the more

information a file stores, the larger it will be.

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Lesson 4 File Management ECDL Computer Essentials

Viewing Available Space on a Storage Device

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Computer.

3. Click the hard disk or storage device you want to check.

The total size and available free space appear below the name of the
storage device.

To see additional information about a storage device or disk, including how much
free space it has available, right-click it, and then click Properties.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 4 File Management

Understanding the Purpose of File and Folder Compression

File compression is a process that reduces file size by minimising redundant

information in a file. Multiple files and folders can be compressed into one folder
using compression software.

There are several advantages to using compressed files:

Takes up less storage space

Speeds up file transfer
Allows sharing of multiple files as one file.

Compressing Files and Folders

To compress a file or folder:

1. Find the file or folder that you want to compress.

2. Right-click the file or folder, select Send to, and click Compressed
(zipped) folder.

3. A new compressed folder is created in the same location. To rename it,

right-click the folder, click Rename, and enter the new name.
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Lesson 4 File Management ECDL Computer Essentials

Extracting Compressed Files and Folders

To extract compressed files or folders:

1. Find the compressed folder from which you want to extract files or folders.

2. Do one of the following:

a. To extract a single file or folder, double-click the compressed folder

to open it. Then, drag the file or folder you want from the
compressed folder to a new location.

b. To extract the entire contents of the compressed folder, right-click

the folder, and click Extract All. Click the Browse button to choose
a specific location.

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4.4 REVIEW EXERCISE

1. Where do you store your files on the computer to keep them organised?
a. Box
b. Folder
c. Desk

2. After right-clicking in the Explorer window, what option do you select when creating a
folder?
a. New
b. View
c. Organize

3. What key do you press on the keyboard when selecting several files that are listed
next to each other?
a. Shift
b. Ctrl
c. Spacebar

4. Where do deleted files go?

a. Dump
b. Recycle bin
c. Clipboard

5. Which button do you click to change the way your files are listed on the screen, e.g.
to change from a detailed list to large icons?
a. Views
b. Print
c. Organize

6. Create a folder on the desktop and name it Testing.

7. Create 3 subfolders with the following names:

a. Reports
b. Photos
c. Emails

8. Change the view of the Testing folder to display as large icons.

9. Set the sort order of the Testing folder in descending order by name.

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LESSON 5 -
NETWORKS

In this section, you will learn how to:

Understand network concepts
Connect to and access a network
ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 5 - Networks

5.1 NETWORK CONCEPTS

Defining the Term Network and Outlining Its Purpose

A group of computers that are connected together for sharing resources is known
as a computer network. One commonly shared resource is an Internet connection.
Other shared resources may include a printer or a file server. The Internet is itself
an example of an extremely large and extremely complex network.

Defining the Term Internet and Identifying Its Main Uses

The Internet is a world-wide system of interconnected computer networks linking

billions of devices. It consists of millions of private, public, academic, business,
and government networks, connected by a wide range of electronic, wireless, and
optical networking technologies.

The terms Internet and the World Wide Web (or just Web) are often used
interchangeably. However, the Internet provides many other services, including
not only the inter-linked hypertext documents and applications of the Web, but
also electronic mail, instant messaging, and telephony.

Main uses:

World Wide Web (Web)

The most widely used part of the Internet is the Web, which is a set of
interlinked documents and other resources. The Web uses hypertext, a
method of instant cross-referencing, to link these documents and
resources. On most Web sites, certain words or phrases appear in text of
a different colour than the rest; often this text is also underlined. When you
select one of these words or phrases, you will be transferred to the site or
page that is relevant to this word or phrase.
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Instant Messaging (IM)

Instant messaging (IM) is a tool for real-time communication between two
or more people sending text messages to their computers or other
devices. This is different from sending an email, which may be read
sometime later by the recipient.

Defining the Term Intranet and Virtual Private Network

An Intranet is a private, closed version of the Internet, which can only be

accessed by authorised individuals in an organisation. Intranets are an
increasingly common method of sharing information within a company or other
organisation.

An Intranet uses Internet technologies to carry out tasks including accessing

company documents and scheduling meetings.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a network that uses the Internet to connect
offices or individual users to their organisation's network so that they can access
data and communicate. The VPN gives the organisation the same capabilities as
that of an expensive system of directly owned or leased lines, but at a much lower
cost.

Understanding Transfer Rate

The speed at which data transfers from one device to another is known as the
transfer rate. It is often measured in megabits (million bits, Mbps) or megabytes
(million bytes, MBps) per second.

For example, a hard drive may have a maximum data transfer rate of 480 Mbps,
while your ISP may offer an Internet connection with a maximum data transfer rate
of only 3 Mbps. In general, the greater the bandwidth of a given path, the higher
the data transfer rate.

Common transfer rate units are:

Bits per second (bps)

Very slow connections will be quoted in bits per second.

Kilobits per second (kbps)

Megabits per second (mbps)

High speed data transfer is measured in megabits bits per second.
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Gigabits per second (gbps)

Understanding Concept of Downloading and Uploading

Downloading means receiving data or a file from the Internet or network onto your
computer or device. A common example of this is downloading a file from a web
site. Another example of downloading would be copying a file from another
computer on your Local Area Network to the hard disk on your computer.

Uploading refers to copying data from your computer to another computer, either
on your local area network or on the web.

5.2 NETWORK ACCESS

Connecting to the Internet

There are a range of different ways to connect to the Internet:

Phone line
This is one of the most common types of Internet connection in the home.
Your computer is connected to a modem, which connects to the phone
line.

Cable
The same cable that supplies TV channels can also supply your Internet
connection. Cable can often provide high-speed Internet access.

Mobile phone
The connection is established using Internet compatible mobile devices,
such as smart phones and tablets, through the mobile phone network. This
is generally used when there is no Wi-Fi connection. This method of
connection may be relatively expensive.

Wi-Fi
Some public places, such as airports and local councils, now offer wireless
access to the Internet using Wi-Fi. Sometimes this service is provided free
of charge. It may also be provided with a charge, or else you may need a
username and password in order to use the service (e.g. in universities).
Also, wireless networks are also now common in homes as well as
workplaces.

Wi-Max
WiMAX is a wireless communication standard. It is an alternative to wired
technology and operates similar to Wi-Fi but can support larger
geographical areas and more users.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 5 - Networks

Satellite
If you live in a very remote area, your only way to connect to the Internet
may be via a satellite link. A satellite connection does not require cable or
phone lines; it connects to the Internet through satellites orbiting the Earth.
This may require large satellite dishes and expensive specialised
equipment. The cost of the Internet connection may also be high.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

If you want to set up an Internet connection in your home or office, you need to
subscribe via an Internet Service Provider, also referred to as an ISP.

the following options when selecting an ISP:

Upload speed
This determines how quickly your computer or local network can transmit
data to other locations. In media streaming, its function is to send the initial
request for web pages and files to the server.

Download speed
This reflects the speed at which data can be transmitted to your computer
or local network. This impacts on, for example, how quickly web pages
load, files download, and videos stream.

Download Quota
This is the allowance of data that is included in your subscription. You
need to think about your online activities and what sort of data quota is
appropriate. For example, if you regularly download or stream movies, you
may need quite a large quota.

Cost
The relative cost of the service is of course important. In most markets, it
is sensible to compare different ISPs to find the one that provides best
value for money.

Recognising Status of a Wireless Network

Particularly if you use mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones, your
network connections are wireless. Wireless networks are either secured or open.
When you join a secured / protected network you are asked to enter a password
if you do not have this, you will not be able to join. Open (also known as public)
wireless networks allow anyone to join.

If you are connected to a wireless network, you can review the network status:

1. Open Connect to a Network by clicking the network icon ( ) in the

notification area. Available wireless networks are displayed.

2. In Wireless Network Connection, hover your cursor over a network

name to view a pop-up that lists the security type.

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Lesson 5 Networks ECDL Computer Essentials

a. If the security type is something such as WEP or WPA2, the

network is secured.
b. If the security type is something such as Unsecured or No
authentication (open), the network is not secured.
c. If you notice an exclamation on the network icon that also means
that it is not secured.

Connecting to a Wireless Network

Whenever possible, you should connect to security-enabled wireless networks. If

you do connect to a network that is not secure, be aware that an eavesdropper
may be able to monitor everything that you do, including the websites you visit
and the user names and passwords that you use.

To connect to a wireless network:

1. Open Connect to a Network by clicking the network icon ( or ) in the

notification area.

2. In the list of available wireless networks, click a network, and then click
Connect.

Some networks require a password, which can be obtained from a network

administrator or ISP.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 5 - Networks

5.3 REVIEW EXERCISE

1. The network that links computers around the world is the .
a. Internet
b. Browser
c. Webpage
d. Homepage

2. To use the WWW, you must have a one of these companies, which provide a
connection to the Internet.
a. URL
b. HTML
c. Homepage
d. ISP

3. What is the name given to copying files from a website on the Internet?
a. Making an attachment
b. Downloading
c. Browsing
d. Uploading

4. et?
a. Satellite
b. Bluetooth
c. Mobile phone
d. Cable

5. Apart from using a computer, with what other device could you browse the Internet?
a. Digital Camera
b. Smart Phone
c. Scanner
d. Printer

6. Which technology enables you to make voice calls over your computer network?
a. Internet Voice Protocol
b. Voice over IP
c. Digital Telephony Subscriber
d. Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter

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LESSON 6 -
SECURITY AND WELL-BEING

In this section, you will learn about:

Protecting data and devices
Malware
Health and green IT
ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being

6.1 PROTECTING DATA AND DEVICES

Recognising Good Password Policies

Password policies are guidelines or requirements on the creation and use of

passwords. These passwords can be required for access to a computer system, a
group of files, or a single file.

The following are some guidelines for password policies:

1. Create passwords with adequate length: While the word adequate may
seem quite vague in this context, it is important to generate a password
that is usually over 8 characters to reduce the chances of someone
figuring it out. Many websites have minimum password length
requirements.

2. Create passwords with adequate character mix: Passwords that use a

mix of caps characters and numbers are stronger than passwords that only
use lowercase letters. Like password length, having a password that has
character mix, like starting with a capital letter and including numbers, can
be a requirement put in place by certain websites. For example, a

character style. If you capitalise the first letter, and swap the i and o with
the numbers 1 and 0 likely to be solved.

3. Do not share passwords: This may seem an obvious point, but

disclosing your password to other people, even if they are trusted friends
or family, is not recommended. In the event that you need to share a
password make sure it is with someone who will not take advantage of
your trust, or end up revealing it to a third party.

4. Change regularly: It is recommended that you change your passwords

from time-to-time. This can help prevent someone who has gained
knowledge of your password from monitoring your activities over an
extended period of time.

Firewall

A firewall is a software program or piece of hardware that helps block hackers,

viruses, and worms from entering your computer via the Internet.

Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorised Internet users from

accessing private networks connected to the Internet. All messages entering or
leaving the private network go through the firewall, which examines each
message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.

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Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being ECDL Computer Essentials

Purpose of Backing Up Data to Remote Location

It is important to make regular backups as your files can be lost or destroyed

accidentally; the hard disk may also develop problems. Thus, backups have to be
made to an external device such as CDs, DVDs, external hard disks or USB
drives.

By frequently backing up to a Web-based location, the risk of data loss as a result

of fire, theft, file corruption, or other disaster is virtually eliminated. Viewed through
a Web browser, remote files and folders appear as if they are saved on an
external local hard drive.

Importance of Regularly Updating Software

Software developers often release software updates to address problems or fix

security vulnerabilities in their products.

These updates help prevent or fix problems, or enhance and improve how your
computer works. Therefore, it is important to regularly check for updates to your
software, especially your operating system.

Issues associated with failing to keep your software up to date may include:

Vulnerability to viruses, spyware and other malware.

Software crashing, freezing, or performing poorly.

As well as resolving security issues, software updates not only improve security
but may also contain improvements and new features.

6.2 MALWARE
Understanding Malware

Malware, or malicious software, is an umbrella term used to refer to viruses,

worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, and other forms of malicious code. Installed
is designed to disrupt computer operation,
collect sensitive information, or gain unauthorised access to a computer, device,
or network.

The main types of malware include:

Virus: An intrusive program that infects computer files and may cause
damage.
Worm: Self-replicating malware that uses a computer network to send
copies of itself to other computers.
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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being

Trojan: Destructive program that masquerades as an application.

Spyware: Malware that collects information on user browser habits without
their consent.

How Malware Can Infect a Computer or Device

There are many ways in which a computer or device can become infected with
malware.

Common methods of how your computer or device can become infected include:

Downloading infected software

If you download software from the Internet, make sure it is from a reliable
source. Scan downloads with antivirus software upon completion. During
the installation process, read all prompts about what the program is putting
on your computer.

Opening e-mail attachments

Your computer can become infected if you open an e-mail attachments
that contains malicious code. Even if the message is from someone you
know, always use caution before opening a link or downloading an
attachment. In general, do not open e-mail attachments you were not
expecting to receive.

Using an infected disc, or drive

USB drives, or other drives, may be infected with a virus. You can use
antivirus software to scan external drives.

Using Anti-Virus Software to Scan a Computer

Anti-virus software is used to scan files to identify and eliminate malware. Anti-
virus software usually does this using two different methods:

1. By using a virus dictionary to search for known viruses.

2. By looking for suspicious behaviour in how software is functioning.

An example of anti-virus software is Windows Defender. To scan using Windows

Defender:

1. Open Windows Defender by clicking Start and selecting Windows

System. Click Windows Defender.

2. In the Home tab, select a Quick or Full from the Scan options. Quick
scan will search for viruses in locations where they are most likely to
occur. Full scan searches the entire computer for viruses, but will be

running.

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Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being ECDL Computer Essentials

3. Click Scan now.

To scan a specific drive:

1. In the Home tab, select Custom.

2. Click Scan now.

3. Check the required drive and folders.

4. Click OK.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being

6.3 HEALTH AND GREEN IT

Ensuring User Well-Being While Using a Computer

It is important to adjust the environment in which you use your computer so that it
best supports your health and well-being. Your environment should have
adequate lighting. It is also important to vary tasks and take regular short breaks
away from the computer to perform gentle stretching and eye exercises.

Correct adjustment of furniture and equipment will aid you in maintaining correct
posture and body alignment. Correct posture will, in turn, ensure an even
distribution of workload on the body and will help minimise fatigue.

Recognising Computer and Device Energy Saving Practices

People are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of our modern
lifestyle on the environment. When you are using technology, you can help to
reduce this impact.

Your computer or device may have energy-saving features built into its settings.
Sleep modes and power management features are useful tools that reduce
unnecessary energy use.

To maximise your energy savings, set your computer to go into sleep mode or to
fully shut down once it has been idle for a period. Of course, you should also
remember to turn off your computer when you are not using it!

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Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being ECDL Computer Essentials

Power mode options also allow you to save energy. If you run your computer in
low-power mode, you conserve energy, keep the temperature of your equipment
down, and extend its lifespan. Similarly, reducing the brightness of your display
will also reduce the energy it consumes.

Recycling

Many of the components or consumables that we use when working with

technology can be recycled.

Computer and devices

Many of the components that make up computers and devices can be
effectively recycled.

When you are ready to get rid of your old computer or device, you have a
variety of choices:
Find your closest recycling centre that handles computers or
devices.
Explore options such as re-selling, trading in, or exchanging your
device.

Batteries
Laptops or mobile devices can be recharged many times, but after a while
consumers may want, or need, to buy a new battery. Old batteries must be
recycled properly, because they contain chemicals that may harm the
environment if they leak.

Printer cartridges

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being

It is a good idea to reuse your inkjet and toner cartridges, as this reduces
unnecessary demand for new plastic cartridges. There are a variety of
options available for refilling cartridges, and this may also be cheaper than
buying a new cartridge.

Paper
Do not print unless you absolutely need to. Read your documents on the
screen, and share them with others electronically. If you have to print,
consider printing on the back of old paper. If the paper can no longer be
used put it into a recycling bin.

Enhancing Accessibility

There are a range of options to improve computer accessibility.

These include voice recognition software, screen readers, screen magnifiers, on-
screen keyboards, and high-contrast views.

Voice recognition software

Voice recognition software allows you to give verbal commands to the
computer or input information, such as text. MS Windows has built-in voice
recognition software.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Scroll and click Windows Ease of Access.

3. Click Windows Speech Recognition.

4. Follow the instructions to set up the computer to recognise your

voice.

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Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being ECDL Computer Essentials

Screen reader software

Screen reader software assists visually impaired users by interpreting the
contents of the computer screen and then communicating that information
in different formats, such as speech output.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Scroll and click Windows Ease of Access.

3. Click Narrator.

Screen magnifier software

This tool makes an area of the screen larger, making it easier to read.
Microsoft Windows includes basic screen magnifier software.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Scroll and click Windows Ease of Access.

3. Click Magnifier.

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being

On-screen keyboard
An on-screen keyboard is a virtual version of the physical keyboard. It is
designed for use by individuals who cannot use a physical keyboard.
Microsoft Windows has a basic on-screen keyboard option.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows Ease of Access.

3. Click On-Screen Keyboard.

High contrast
High contrast colour schemes make it easier to read the screen.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click Windows System and choose Control Panel.

3. Click Ease of Access Center.

4. Click Make the computer easier to see.

5. Select the required options under High Contrast and click OK.

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Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being ECDL Computer Essentials

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ECDL Computer Essentials Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being

6.4 REVIEW EXERCISE

1. Ideally, what characters should you use in a password to make it strong?
a. Letters and numbers only
b. Mixed case (upper and lower) characters
c. Special characters
d. All of the above

2. software is created and distributed for malicious

purposes.
a. Malware
b. Firewall
c. Anti-virus software
d. Database management

3. Match the malware type on the left with the description on the right.

4. Which of the following does not help ensure your well-being when using a
computer?
a. Take regular breaks
b. Make sure lighting is adequate
c. Consume ample water
d. Correctly position the computer

5. Indicate True or False for the following statements:

Power options are commonly available to reduce computer

power consumption.
Constantly shutting down and restarting your computer
consumes more energy than just leaving it running.
Double sided printing is not wasteful compared to single sided.

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Lesson 6 Security and Well-Being ECDL Computer Essentials

6. Go to the following web page to test how secure your password is:

http://howsecureismypassword.net/

Example: Tested with the password

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ECDL Syllabus

Ref ECDL Task Item Location Ref ECDL Task Item Location
1.1.1 Define the term Information 1.1 ICT 1.3.3 Identify common examples 1.3 Software and
and Communication of applications like: Office Licensing
Technology (ICT). productivity,
communications, social
1.1.2 Identify different types of 1.1 ICT networking, media, design,
ICT services and uses like:
mobile applications.
Internet services, Mobile
technology, Office 1.3.4 Define the term End-User 1.3 Software and
productivity applications. License Agreement Licensing
(EULA). Recognise that
1.2.1 Define the term hardware. 1.2 Hardware software must be licensed
before use.
1.2.1 Identify the main types of 1.2 Hardware
computers like: desktop, 1.3.5 Outline the types of 1.3 Software and
laptop, tablet. software licenses: Licensing
proprietary, open source,
1.2.1 Identify the main types of 1.2 Hardware trial version, shareware,
devices like: smart phone,
freeware.
media player, digital
camera. 1.4.1 Start a computer and log on 1.4 Start Up, Shut
securely using a user name Down
1.2.2 Define the terms processor, 1.2 Hardware
and password.
Random Access Memory
(RAM), storage. 1.4.2 Log off a computer using an 1.4 Start Up, Shut
Understand their impact on appropriate routine. Down
performance when using
computers and devices. 1.4.2 Shut down a computer 1.4 Start Up, Shut
using an appropriate Down
1.2.3 Identify the main types of 1.2 Hardware routine.
integrated and external
equipment like: printers, 1.4.2 Restart a computer using 1.4 Start Up, Shut
screens, scanners, an appropriate routine. Down
keyboards,
mouse/trackpad, web 2.1.1 Outline the purpose of the 2.1 Desktop and
camera (webcam), desktop and the task bar. Icons
speakers, microphone,
docking station. 2.1.2 Identify common icons like 2.1 Desktop and
those representing: files, Icons
1.2.4 Identify common 1.2 Hardware folders, applications,
input/output ports like:
printers, drives,
Universal Serial Bus (USB),
shortcuts/aliases, recycle
High-Definition Multimedia
bin/wastebasket/trash.
Interface (HDMI).
2.1.3 Select and move icons. 2.1 Desktop and
1.3.1 Define the term software 1.3 Software and
and distinguish between the Licensing Icons
main types of software like:
2.1.4 Create a shortcut/alias. 2.1 Desktop and
operating systems,
applications. Know that Icons
software can be installed
2.1.4 Rename a shortcut/alias. 2.1 Desktop
locally or available online.
and Icons
1.3.2 Define the term operating 1.3 Software and
system and identify some Licensing 2.1.4 Move a shortcut/alias. 2.1 Desktop and
common operating systems Icons
for computers and devices.
2.1.4 Delete a shortcut/alias. 2.1 Desktop and
Icons

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 Ref ECDL Task Item Location Ref ECDL Task Item Location
2.2.1 Identify the different parts of 2.2 Using 2.3.7 Disconnect a device using 2.3 Tools and
a window. Windows an appropriate routine. Settings

2.2.2 Open, collapse, expand, 2.2 Using 2.3.8 Capture a full screen. 2.3 Tools and
restore down, maximise, Windows Settings
resize, move, close a
window. 2.3.8 Capture an active window. 2.3 Tools and
2.2.3 Switch between open Settings
2.2 Using
windows. Windows 3.1.1 Open a word processing 3.1 Working with
application. Text
2.3.1 Use available help 2.3 Tools and
functions. Settings 3.1.1 Close a word processing 3.1 Working with
application. Text
2.3.2 2.3 Tools and
system information: Settings 3.1.1 Open files. 3.1 Working with
operating system name and
version number, installed Text
RAM.
3.1.1 Close files. 3.1 Working with
2.3.3 Change the desktop 2.3 Tools and Text
configuration settings: date Settings
and time. 3.1.2 Enter text into a document. 3.1 Working with
2.3.3 Change desktop Text
2.3 Tools and
configuration settings: Settings 3.1.3 Copy text within a 3.1 Working with
volume settings.
document, between open Text
2.3.3 Change desktop 2.3 Tools and documents.
configuration settings: Settings 3.1.3 Move text within a 3.1 Working with
background.
document, between open Text
2.3.3 Change desktop 2.3 Tools and documents.
configuration settings: Settings 3.1.3 Paste a screen capture into 3.1 Working with
resolution.
a document. Text
2.3.4 Change keyboard 2.3 Tools and
language. Settings 3.1.4 Save and name a 3.1 Working with
document. Text
2.3.4 Add keyboard language. 2.3 Tools and
Settings 3.2.1 Install a printer. 3.2 Printing

2.3.4 Remove keyboard 2.3 Tools and 3.2.1 Uninstall a printer. 3.2 Printing
language. Settings
3.2.1 Print a test page. 3.2 Printing
2.3.4 Change default language. 2.3 Tools and
Settings 3.2.2 Set the default printer from 3.2 Printing
an installed printer list.
2.3.5 Shut down a non- 2.3 Tools and 3.2.3 Print a document from a
responding application. 3.2 Printing
Settings word processing
application,
2.3.6 Install an application. 2.3 Tools and
Settings 3.2.4 View, pause, restart, cancel 3.2 Printing
a print job.
2.3.6 Uninstall an application. 2.3 Tools and 4.1.1 Understand how an 4.1 Introducing
Settings operating system organises Files and Folders
dives, folders, files in a
2.3.7 Connect a device (USB 2.3 Tools and hierarchal structure.
flash drive, digital camera, Settings
media player) to a 4.1.1 Navigate between drives, 4.1 Introducing
computer. folders, sub-folders, files. Files and Folders

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 Ref ECDL Task Item Location Ref ECDL Task Item Location
4.1.2 Display file, folder 4.1 Introducing 4.2.3 Copy files, folders between 4.2 Organising
properties like: name, size, Files and Folders folders, drives. Files and Folders
location.
4.2.3 Move files, folders, between 4.2 Organising
4.1.3 Change view to display files 4.1 Introducing
folders, drives. Files and Folders
and folders like: titles, Files and Folders
icons, list, details.
4.2.4 Restore files, folders to 4.2 Organising
4.1.4 Identify common file types 4.1 Introducing original location. Files and Folders
like: .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .pdf, Files and Folders
.gif, .jpg, .bmp, .mp3, .avi, 4.2.5 Empty the recycle 4.2 Organising
.zip, .exe. bin/wastebasket/trash. Files and Folders
4.1.5 Open a file, folder, drive. 4.1 Introducing 4.3.1 Identify the main types of 4.3 Storage and
Files and Folders storage media like: internal Compression
hard disk, external hard
4.1.6 Recognise good practice in 4.1 Introducing disk, network drive, CD,
folder, file naming. Files and Folders DVD, Blu-ray disc, USB
flash drive, Memory card,
4.1.7 Create a folder. 4.1 Introducing Online file storage.
Files and Folders
4.3.2 Identify the file size, folder 4.3 Storage and
4.1.8 Rename a file, folder. 4.1 Introducing size, storage capacity Compression
Files and Folders measurements like:
kilobyte, megabyte,
4.1.9 Search for files by 4.1 Introducing gigabyte, terabyte.
properties: using wildcards Files and Folders 4.3.3 View available space or a 4.3 Storage and
if necessary.
storage device. Compression
4.1.9 Search for files by 4.1 Introducing
properties: all or part of file Files and Folders 4.3.4 Understand the purpose of 4.3 Storage and
name. file, folder compression. Compression
4.1.9 Search for files by 4.1 Introducing 4.3.5 Compress files, folders. 4.3 Storage and
properties: by content. Files and Folders
Compression
4.1.9 Search for files by 4.1 Introducing 4.3.6 Extract compressed files, 4.3 Storage and
properties: by date Files and Folders folders to a location on a Compression
modified.
drive.
4.1.10 View list of recently used 4.1 Introducing 5.1.1 Define the term network. 5.1 Network
files. Files and Folders
Concepts
4.2.1 Select individual files, 4.2 Organising 5.1.1 Outline the purpose of a 5.1 Network
folders. Files and Folders network. Concepts
4.2.1 Select adjacent files, 4.2 Organising 5.1.2 Define the term Internet. 5.1 Network
folders. Files and Folders Identify some of its main Concepts
uses like: World Wide Web
4.2.2 Sort files in ascending, 4.2 Organising (WWW), VoIP, e-mail, IM.
descending order by name. Files and Folders
5.1.3 Define the terms intranet, 5.1 Network
4.2.2 Sort files in ascending, 4.2 Organising virtual private network Concepts
descending order by size. Files and Folders (VPN) and identify their
main uses.
4.2.2 Sort files in ascending, 4.2 Organising
descending order by type. Files and Folders

4.2.2 Sort files in ascending, 4.2 Organising

descending order by date Files and Folders
modified.

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 Ref ECDL Task Item Location Ref ECDL Task Item Location
5.1.4 Understand what transfer 5.1 Network 6.2.2 Be aware how malware can 6.2 Malware
rate means. Understand Concepts infect a computer or device.
how it is measured: bits per
6.2.3 Use anti-virus software to 6.2 Malware
second (bps), kilobits per
scan a computer.
second (kbps), megabits
per second (mbps), gigabits 6.3.1 Recognise ways to help 6.3 Health and
per second (gbps). -being Green IT
while using a computer or
5.1.5 Understand the concepts of 5.1 Network
device like: take regular
downloading from, Concepts breaks, ensure appropriate
uploading to a network.
lighting and posture.
5.2.1 Identify the different options 5.2 Network
6.3.2 Recognise computer and 6.3 Health and
for connecting to the Access device energy saving Green IT
Internet like: phone line,
practices: turning off,
mobile technology, cable,
adjusting automatic
wi-fi, wi-max, satellite.
shutdown, adjusting
5.2.2 Define the term Internet 5.2 Network backlight, adjusting sleep
Service Provider (ISP). Access mode settings.
6.3.3 Recognise that computers, 6.3 Health and
5.2.2 Identify important 5.2 Network devices, batteries, printer Green IT
considerations when Access cartridges and paper should
selecting an Internet
be recycled.
subscription option like:
upload speed, download 6.3.4 Identify some options 6.3 Health and
speed, download quota, available for enhancing Green IT
cost. accessibility like: voice
recognition software,
5.2.3 Recognise the status of a 5.2 Network screen reader, screen
wireless network: Access magnifier, on-screen
protected/secure, open.
keyboard, high contrast.
5.2.4 Connect to a wireless 5.2 Network
network. Access

6.1.1 Recognise good password 6.1 Protecting

policies like: create with Data and Devices
adequate length, create
with adequate character
mix, do not share, change
regularly.
6.1.2 Define the term firewall and 6.1 Protecting
outline its purpose. Data and Devices

6.1.3 Understand the purpose of 6.1 Protecting

regularly backing up data to Data and Devices
a remote location.
6.1.4 Recognise the importance 6.1 Protecting
of regularly updating Data and Devices
software like: anti-virus,
application operating
system software.
6.2.1 Define the term malware. 6.2 Malware
Identify different types of
malware like: virus, worm,
Trojan, spyware.

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Congratulations! You have reached the end of the ECDL Computer Essentials book.
You have learned about the key skills relating to computers, devices and ICT, including:
How to work effectively on the computer desktop using icons and windows.
Adjusting the main operating system settings and use built-in help features.
Know the main concepts relating to file management and how to efficiently organise
files and folders.
Understand the importance of protecting data and devices from malware, as well as
backing up data.
Having reached this stage of your learning, you should now be ready to undertake an ECDL
certification test. For further information on taking this test, please contact your ECDL test
centre.
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