Windows Basics
Windows Terminology | Mouse Clicks | Menus | File Extensions
Software Versions | Your Hardware | Searching for Answers
New to Windows?
If you are new to Microsoft Windows, this page is designed to introduce you to the general terminology and how to do some basic tasks. This page is not exhaustive, and will be developed as the need arises.
A good introductory magazine would be a great resource, since it will have more pictures and diagrams than I intend to place here and costs much less than a book. Smart Computing is a good option.
New to Computers?
Fears related to "new" technology are nothing new. See the challenges presented to the first tech support guy in the YouTube video on the right.
If you are new to computers, please see Computer Basics — General Concepts & Terminology for a description of many of the terms used when describing computers and their operation.
Conventions Used on this Page
I'll use the term default to refer to the standard options enabled when Windows is installed without customization. If your computer is older or slower, I'd suggest removing any extras.
The images on this page were taken from Windows XP and may look different than your computer. However, they will serve to introduce you to the general concepts.
Windows Terminology
The following are just some of the terms used to describe the Windows desktop you are likely to run into. Most are indicated in the diagram below the list:
- Desktop refers to the background of your screen on which the various programs run. Think of your computer screen as your electronic desk.
- Icons are those small pictures on the desktop and inside folders that represent various programs and sometimes folders.
- Folders are containers that can contain icons, programs, data or other folders (sub-folders). The default folder icon looks like a Manila file folder.
- Title bar refers to the bar at the top of an open window that will tell you what the folder/window is (the title) and contains the minimize, maximize and close buttons. You can also use the title bar to move a window around.
- Cursor is the graphic which indicates where the mouse is and what sort of action it is performing. The cursor will change from the default arrow to various shapes according to the purpose it is serving at the time. For instance, it may form an I-beam shape when you are selecting text in a document or a double-arrow when you are resizing a window.
- Task bar refers to the bar usually at the bottom of your Windows screen (it can be moved) with the Start Button on the left and the clock on the right. If there are some small icons immediately to the right of the Start Button, this is the Quick Launch, which provides an excellent way to store icons off your desktop.
The Window
The window (from which the term "Windows" is derived) has various elements. The most common are labelled in the diagram below. This is a screen shot of My Documents on my computer. Some of the elements have been modified from the original Windows defaults, including the appearance of the folders using products such as Object Desktop from Stardock.
The Task Pane is a feature of Windows XP, so if you are running an different version of Windows you may not see it or it may have different features.
Certain features shown in the diagram are not enabled by default in Windows. For instance, the Status Bar is not shown by default, but the information about the number of objects and the size of them is quite useful to me. The same is true of the Address Bar (not labelled, but where "My Documents" is displayed).
The Scroll Bar appears when there is more information in the window than can be displayed. It is also possible to have a horizontal scroll bar, although none is shown here.
- Besides informing you the title of the window you are looking at, the Title Bar can be used to move the window around with the mouse or you can close, maximize (then restore) or close the window using the buttons on the far right.
- Notice the navigation buttons on the Tool Bar. Instead of cluttering your desktop with dozens of windows, you can navigate up and down a series of windows by double-clicking on a folder such as the Backups folder in the example. The folder with the green arrow in the Tool Bar would allow you to return to My Documents as would the Back Button.
- The Menu Bar contains a series of menus: File, Edit, View, Favorites, Tools and Help.
Mouse Clicks
Right or Left?
You'll see at least two buttons on your mouse and most today have a middle mouse button as well. The type of click means the button you push when you click. Those that are left-handed will have to reverse the instructions.
- The left-click selects items and will be used most often. If no button is specified, this will be the one you use.
- If you right-click on an item you will get a context-sensitive menu with a list of the things that you can do with the item you clicked on.
When you right-click to obtain a menu, you will select the menu with the left button (generally just referred to as selecting or clicking — the left mouse button click is assumed).
Context Sensitive?
This refers to the fact that the menu varies when you place it on different items. Right-clicking an icon on your desktop will include the option to open it; right-clicking on the background (desktop) will give you options to arrange icons or refresh the desktop.
Properties
A very useful selection is Properties option when you right-click on an object. This will give you information about the icon or object you are selecting. Some of the more useful properties available are found by right-clicking the following:
- The Desktop's properties includes the Display Settings where you can set screen resolution and colour quality, manage themes, appearance and screen savers.
- My Computer's properties gives you System Properties which includes quick access to System Restore, the Device Manager (under Hardware), Remote Assistance invitations and more.
- The Task Bar's properties include the management of your Start Menu.
- My Network Places (if showing) properties gives you your Network Connections (including your Internet connection).
Menus
The Windows Menu System
Consistent Menus
There is a consistency to Windows menus across various programs. You will almost always see the File, Edit, View and Help menus in the same order although other menus specific to the program you are using may be in between some of these.
- File: contains the filing options as you might expect such as open and close documents, but also the printer options and usually others such as page setup or import/export options.
- Edit: contains copy and paste as well as other selection items. It sometimes contains the options for the program you are viewing.
- View: contains options to change the items you are viewing, including toolbars options.
- Help: contains help, but clicking on the About sub-menu will give you the program version.
Sub-Menus
You'll often see sub-menus indicated by a small arrow (like a triangle) at the end of menus with additional choices. If you hold your mouse over the menus, they will open up to display their contents or you can click on them.
Keyboard Alternatives
We briefly mentioned menus in the screen shot of the window, above. If you look closely, you'll see that some of the letters are underlined. By using the Alt key in combination with the indicated letter, you can navigate the menu without a mouse — something that is useful if your mouse is not working or if you are typing a document and don't wish to leave the keyboard to use the mouse. Windows XP hides these by default until you hold down the Alt key.
You'll also see other keyboard shortcuts listed to the right of menu items. For instance, Ctrl+p (press and hold the Ctrl key, then press the "p" key) will print the current document.
Windows & File Extensions
File extensions are the part of the filename that is after the dot in Windows. For example, a text file like readme.txt has txt as its extension.
Old DOS programs used to be limited to eight letters/numbers before the dot and three after (hence the term 8.3 was commonly used) but no spaces and many characters were "reserved." Current Windows systems allow spaces and can use up to 256 characters before the dot and at least four behind (e.g. Letter to Mary December 25, 2009.docx).
Extensions Tell What Type of File
The extension tells Windows how to deal with a certain file by identifying the type of file it is. By associating a certain extension with a default program to deal with that sort of file, you can open the program by double-clicking on the filename. The type of file is usually indicated by its icon as well.
Common Extensions
There are hundreds of extensions, many of which are proprietary (e.g. specific to a particular program) and quite a few that are legacy (no longer in active use). Some of the more common ones are:
- .txt (text file)
- .doc (Microsoft Word document — .docx is used by Word 2007 or later)
- .xls (Microsoft Excel worksheet — .xlsx is used by Excel 2007 or later)
- .html (a web page file)
- .mp3 (a music file)
- .pdf (an Adobe Reader "portable document format" file)
- .jpg (an image file, usually a photo (shorted from JPEG))
There are many more of these that you are likely to see. If you wish to learn what a file is used for, you can visit FileInfo.com's list of common file extensions (if you don't see the extension in the common files, click a letter at the top that the extension you're looking for begins with). Remember, if you're unsure it is better to ignore a file than to get yourself into trouble by clicking on it.
Dangerous Extensions
Some Windows extensions can indicate programs that can do harm to your computer. You should always be careful with files that have the following extensions, particularly if attached to an email message, because they can be used to install malicious or unwanted programs:
- .pif (program information file)
- .exe (program file)
- .bat (batch file — can call other files including program or scripting files)
- .scr (scripting file — sometimes mistakenly called a screensaver file)
Most users should not see any of these sorts of files attached to emails. While any of these could be legitimate files it is more likely that its purpose is to infect your computer with a virus or other malicious program.
Hidden By Default
Windows XP hides "known" extensions by default. This was probably done to make it look less intimidating, but you should re-enable the display of these extensions. Many file extensions are not safe to open unless it is provided by a safe source and if these files are contained in an email (even from a friend or a cute website) are not necessarily safe.
An Example
If extensions are hidden, Windows displays phonelist.txt.scr as phonelist.txt.
If you forget that extensions are hidden, you might mistakenly assume that this is a text file and is safe to open.
However, as noted earlier, the .scr extension is not safe to open — especially when you are unsure of the source.
There is more about privacy and how to protect yourself on my Your Privacy At Risk page.
Your Hardware
Specifications
As noted above, right-clicking on My Computer then selecting Properties will give you the System Properties. Under the General tab, you'll see the system information which includes the operating system (the operating system used for examples on this page is Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 3), registration information and computer information. It is this last part that indicates your hardware.
Your Computer
This bottom portion should indicate if you are running an Intel, AMD or other system, what the system speed is and how much RAM — random-access memory — (pronounced ram, like a male sheep) — is in the system.
If your video display is on-board (a chip included on the mainboard), it will use some of the system memory and Windows will not indicate the full amount of physical RAM in your computer, only the portion available to Windows.
RAM
Windows XP with Service Pack 3 and an antivirus program like Norton Antivirus will require at least 512 MB (million bytes) of RAM alone. If your system is sluggish, you'll want to ensure that you have at least 1 GB (1024MB) of RAM to run WinXP properly or you'll see a lot of drive activity (called thrashing where the hard drive activity light comes on frequently for extended periods of time).
RAM is relatively inexpensive to upgrade and sufficient amounts will make a world of difference to your computing experience. I strongly recommend 2 GB (2048 MB) of RAM for Windows XP installations.
Windows Vista or Windows 7 will require at least 2 GB of RAM to run properly — 4 GB for 64-bit systems.
Searching for Answers
If you didn't find what you want Google Search can help you find answers or you can choose from various other search engines.
Typing in a phrase will help you to find what you're looking for (e.g. "HP color laserjet cp1215 drivers"). The more specific you are the more likely you are to find what you need. Google and other search engines will usually offer suggestions as you begin to type in your search terms.
Windows Basics
These pages give an overview of Windows, its versions history and expected life-cycle as well as concepts and terminology:
- Microsoft Windows — history, versions and life-cycle of support
- Windows Basics — general concepts & terminology
Other Current Windows Versions
The following related pages offer more information about other versions of Windows currently in use:
General Windows Information
The following related pages offer general information about Windows:
- Windows Recovery Hints — recovering your Windows installation
- Windows Backup — options & strategies
- Windows Security — vulnerabilities in Windows
www.russharvey.bc.ca/resources/windowsbasics.html
Updated: February 1, 2012