Computer Tutorial: How To: Perform Basic Windows Tasks

Transcription

1 Computer Tutorial: How To: Perform Basic Windows Tasks Purpose: To lead students through various activities related to the desktop, drives, settings, and basic windows tasks. Components of the Windows Screen: Desktop: The initial Windows screen (shown below). Icons: Symbols of programs or documents on your desktop (shown below). Taskbar: Lists all programs currently open in Windows (shown below). Start button: Allows access to all of the programs and functions of Windows (shown below). Indian Hills Community College Page 1 of 11

2 Quick Launch: Contains shortcuts used to open programs quickly (shown below). System Tray: Contains items currently running in the background (shown below). Perform Basic Computer Tasks Desktop Activities: How to open a program using the Start button: 2. Highlight All Programs with your cursor. A list showing all available programs, by both name and icon, appears. Click the program that you would like to open. Indian Hills Community College Page 2 of 11

3 How to create and use Quick Launch icons as shortcuts to programs: A. How to create a Quick Launch icon: 2. Go to All Programs with your cursor to open the list of available programs. 3. Click-and-Drag the icon of a frequently used program to your Quick Launch Bar. Indian Hills Community College Page 3 of 11

4 B. How to open a program using its Quick Launch icon: 1. Place the cursor over the icon of the program you want to open and click. C. How to remove a Quick Launch icon: 1. Right-click on the program icon to be removed. 2. Select Delete. 3. Click Yes to confirm. Indian Hills Community College Page 4 of 11

5 How to permanently delete a file using the Recycle Bin: 1. Click-and-Drag the file you would like to delete into the Recycle Bin. 2. Right-click on the Recycle Bin. 3. Select Empty Recycle Bin. 4. Click Yes to permanently delete the files. Indian Hills Community College Page 5 of 11

6 Perform Basic Computer Tasks Drive Activities: How to view/access files from storage drives such as Flash drives or CD/DVD drives: The My Computer window displays an icon and title for each storage device connected to your computer system. These storage devices, called drives, are used to save files. Each drive can be identified by its letter. Note: Flash drives are typically labeled Removable Disk or with the brand name of your flash drive, such as Lexar or Imation. 2. Select My Computer. Indian Hills Community College Page 6 of 11

7 3. The My Computer window will open. Double-click the drive icon to open the corresponding drive where your file has been stored. 4. In the drive window, double-click on the file to open it. How to insert and safely remove your flash drive: 1. Remove the protective cap or cover from the device and insert the device into a USB port on your computer. 2. In the System Tray, click on the Safely Remove Hardware icon. Indian Hills Community College Page 7 of 11

8 3. Select Safely Remove USB Mass Storage Device. It is now safe to remove the device from your USB port. How to identify the properties of your computer: 2. Right-click the My Computer icon. Indian Hills Community College Page 8 of 11

9 3. Select Properties. 4. Using the General tab, you can see the information of your computer, such as the operating system, the type and speed of the processor, and the amount of RAM. When you are finished, click the OK button. Indian Hills Community College Page 9 of 11

10 Perform Basic Computer Tasks Changing Settings: How to use the Control Panel: The Control Panel allows you to change various settings on your computer. You can control the date/time, screen saver, sounds, mouse buttons, and more. 2. Select Control Panel. 3. Double-click to open any of the icons to view their properties or make changes. Indian Hills Community College Page 10 of 11

11 Perform Basic Computer Tasks Shutting Down and Restarting How to properly Shut Down and Restart your computer: It is very important to use proper shutdown procedures. Do not just turn the power of your system unit off. 2. Select Shut Down. 3. From the drop-down menu, choose if you would like to Shut Down or Restart your computer. Then, click OK. Looking for more computer tutorials? Please visit: For further assistance on this topic or other technical issues, please contact the IT Help Desk Phone: (641) Web: Indian Hills Community College Page 11 of 11