Windows Basics
If you are new to Windows, this page is designed to give you some idea of what the various terminology refers to and how to do some basic tasks. This page is not exhaustive, and will be developed as the need arises.
I'd suggest a good introductory magazine would be a great resource for you as well, since it will have more pictures and diagrams than I intend to place here. Smart Computing is a good option.
General Concepts - Mouse Clicks - Menus - File Extensions
Software Versions - Your Hardware - Searching for Answers
General Concepts
There is always more than one way to do things in Windows. Besides mouse clicks there are menu systems and other ways to manage items that most beginners won't need to know just yet.
Windows can also vary visually. Many programs allow skinning, the term given to the ability to change the colours and other visual features of programs.
I'll use the term default to refer to the standard options enabled when Windows is installed without customization.
General Computer Terminology
These terms are used to describe components of a computer or its operation. These are used for all computers, not just Windows:
- Hardware is the physical aspects of the computer like the monitor (screen), mouse, keyboard and printer. It also included internal components such as the motherboard (main board) in the computer case which holds the CPU (or processor), hard drive (data storage), RAM (memory sticks), video card (sends signals to the monitor) and to which the mouse and keyboard are attached. The power supply provides power to the computer's internal components.
- Software are programs that run on your computer. When the power is shut off, programs no longer run.
- Drivers are software that interact with specific hardware to make them run. Most are installed automatically by Windows today, but you may notice the need for a disk or download when you install a new printer or similar device.
- USB is a hardware interface that connects many external hardware devices to your computer such as mice, printers, external hard drives, flash drives and more.
- Flash drives (sometimes referred to as USB keys or thumb drives) are small USB drives that are very portable and can be used to store data. These have largely replaced the old floppy drives of earlier years as well as CDs for temporary storage.
- Modem refers to the device that connects you to the Internet. Most people have high speed Internet using either a cable modem (where a cable TV vendor is the provider) or ADSL modem (where a telephone company is the provider). In earlier days people used dial-up, connecting temporarily over a telephone modem.
- Router is a device between your modem and your computer that both provides firewall protection and allows you to connect more than one computer to a modem using either a wired or wireless connection.
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 trying to resize 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 older 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.
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") will print the current document.
File Extensions
File extensions are the part of the filename that is after the dot. For example, 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). 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)
- .html (a web page file)
- .mp3 (a music file)
- .pdf (an Adobe Reader file)
- .jpg (an image file, usually a photo)
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 e-mail 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 e-mails. 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 (these files contained in an e-mail 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 when you are unsure of the source.
There is more about privacy and how to protect yourself on my Your Privacy At Risk page.
Software Versions
Major and Minor Upgrades
Software versions tend to run in major and minor upgrades. Most shareware vendors (and regular software vendors) tend to charge for upgrades that go to a new major version.
An Example
For example, at the time this page was originally created (2006), FireFox was at version 1.5.0.6. The major revision is 1, although since there was a significant change from the 1.0.7 version to the 1.5 series it was considered a major revision change. The 0.6 indicates a minor upgrade in this series. Since then, Firefox released two minor updates (1.5.0.7 and 1.5.0.8) with a recommendation to upgrade to version 2.0 (a major revision). The current version of Firefox is 3.6.3 (when this page was last updated), another minor version of the third major revision.
Some revision numbering can be confusing, particularly when a vendor skips a major version increment to appear to be at the same level as a competitor.
Finding the Version
As noted in the menus section, you can find out information about the current program you are running by clicking on the Help menu and selecting the About menu, usually located at the bottom of the Help menu listing. For instance, our example software (Firefox) has its information in About Mozilla Firefox.
What is Beta Software?
Beta software is software that is released after its initial in-house testing (alpha) into the field to determine how it performs with other software and equipment.
Beta software should not be downloaded except by experienced users and not on production equipment (computers that you need to be dependable). It is best reserved for knowledgeable users that want to test upcoming or leading-edge software.
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 (mine 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. Note that if your video display is on-board (included on the mainboard chip), it will use some of the system memory.
RAM
Windows XP with Service Pack 3 and an antivirus program like Norton Antivirus will require at least 512MB (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.
In comparison, Windows Vista will require at least 2 GB of RAM to run properly.
Searching for Answers
That's all for this page at this time.
If you didn't find what you want Google Microsoft Search can help you find answers or you can choose from various other search engines.
www.russharvey.bc.ca/resources/windowsbasics.html
Updated: July 23, 2010
