Introduction to Windows

Microsoft Windows is a graphical user interface operating system. It is very easy to operate the computer with windows operating system. In GUI based operating system, we can give commands to the computer by clicking on icons, menus and buttons using a pointing device like the mouse. It is not necessary to remember commands to perform any tasks in the computer.

Desktop

The background area of the windows screen where icon, menu etc. appear is called desktop. The desktop appears with different elements when we start the computer. The desktop appears on the screen when we enter username and password in the computer.

Icon

The small picture buttons that represent commands, programs, files or folders are called icons. My Computer, Recycle Bin, Internet Explorer etc are the desktop icons.

Desktop Icons

• My Computer: It is one of the icons seen on the desktop. One can see the drive, files and folders inside it.
• Recycle Bin: It is a special folder of windows on the hard disk. Its icon appears on the desktop. It contains files and folders that are deleted from the hard-disk.
• Network: Network has the list of computers which are interconnected with each other. Through this, we can utilize the shared folders and devices.
• Shortcut: This is linked file of files and folders. We create shortcut files on the desktop to operate files, folders, and programs in a short period of time.
• Task-bar: Taskbar is a desktop toolbar that let you perform tasks such as switching between open windows and starting new applications.

How to turn off the computer using Windows 7?

When you've finished using Windows 7, be sure to turn off (or shut down) the computer correctly.

To turn off the computer

• Click the Start menu
• At Bottom right, Click shut down

Managing Files and Folders

The files and folders can be copied or moved from one location to another. We can also delete or rename files and folders. We can manage files and folders by using " My Computer" and "Windows Explorer" tools.

Creating file or folder

To create file or folder we should follow the following steps:

• Step 1: Open MY Computer or Windows Explorer
• Step 2: Open the drive and folder where you want to create a new file or folder
• Step 3: Right click on the blank area and choose New Option then, sub menu will appear
• Step 4: Click on Folder to create a new folder or click on file types from the list to create a file of that type
• Step 5: Type the suitable name for the new file or folder

Renaming a file and folder

To change the name of a file or folder we can follow the following steps:

• Step 1: Right click on the file or folder that you want to rename
• Step 2: Click on the Rename option
• Step 3: Type the new name for the file or folder then press Enter key or click on the blank area

Copying or moving file and folder

The copy and paste commands are used to copy file or folder. The steps to copy or move any files and folders are as follows:

• Step 1: Right click on the file or folder you want to copy or move
• Step 2: Click on the Copy option if you want to copy or click on the Cut option if you want to move.
• Step 3: Right click on the blank area of the location where you want to copy the file or folder.
• Step 4: Click on the Paste option.

Deleting the files or folders

You can delete the unnecessary files and folders by using this command. The steps to delete files and folders are as follows:

Step 1: Right click on the file or folder you want to delete

Step 2: Click on delete option

Step 3: Click on Yes option. Then the file or folder will be deleted.

The deleted files and folders go into Recycle Bin.

Searching files and folders

Sometimes we may forget the name or location of the file that we have saved. If we forget the location of our file, we can quickly find it by using Search feature.

• Step 1: Click on the start button
• Step 2: Click on Search option
• Step 3: Click on the For Files and Folders option
• Step 4: Click on the All Files or Folders option
• Step 5: Type the name of file that you want to search for " All or Part of file name"
• Step 6: Click on the Search button.

Introduction to Windows 8

Windows 8 is a newer version of Microsoft Operating System. It was released on October 26, 2012 A.D. It is designed by using different user interfaces than that in Windows 7. This operating system is specially designed for touch screen monitors. Its start screen looks like the screen of windows phone. While swiping the screen from right to left or clicking shortcut keys of windows logo or on clicking right corner (hot spot), we can see the different type of toolbar which is known as charm toolbar. We can find different tools like setting, device management, start, share and search on it. In this operating system, charm bar is used to turn off the computer.