Window 7 Tutorials

Window 7 Tutorials

An operating system, sometimes called an “OS”, is the main program the computer uses to function properly.

Operating systems act as a link between you, the user, and the programs you use on a computer. Different

types of computers use different types of operating systems. The majority of computers used at BGSU either

run Microsoft Windows or the Mac OS. While files can be shared between these two types of systems, they

are generally incompatible.

The tutorial on this page will explain how to use a Pc with Windows 7 

Windows Features :

Most PCs run on an operating system called Windows. These particular tutorial deals with the Windows 7

professional version of the Windows operating system. The operating system is what allows you as the user to

access the information in the computer. To understand how to use a computer, it is important to know several

features of the Windows system.

Desktop

The desktop is the area you see when the computer is not running applications. It consists of the icons

on top of it, as well as the Start button and other features. The desktop can be used to temporarily

store information or to move around documents and windows.

Icon

Icons are little pictures that represent different programs or saved items. Double-clicking on the icon

accesses the information icons represent.

Window

Each application opened will appear in its own window, or its own little section of the screen. Windows

can be moved and resized so that you can operate many different applications at the same time. To

learn how to manipulate windows, refer to the Manipulating Windows portion of Level.

Dialogue Box

When you ask the computer to do certain commands, such as to save your work, the computer will

need more information from you, and this will appear in a dialogue box. These boxes contain options

and commands for the computer to execute.

Start Menu

In the lower left-hand corner of the Windows screen is the Start button. When you click on the button

a menu will appear, which we will call the Start menu. This menu gives you access to all the different

parts and functions of the computer.

Task Bar

At the very bottom of the screen is a horizontal bar called the task bar (Figure 1). This bar contains

(from left to right) the Start button, shortcuts to various programs, minimized programs, and another

section of shortcuts that includes sound volume, printers and the time. 

Task Bar and Menu Bar

Tab Menu

Tab menus, which are often present in dialogue boxes, are menus that represent many different “pages”

of information. To access each “page,” click on the tab at the top of the dialogue box.

Star Up And Shutdown 

Once you understand what all of the different parts of the computer do, you can begin to use it.

Start Up

First of all, you will need to turn the computer on. Do this by pushing the power button on the front of

the computer unit. The computer takes a few minutes to start up, so be patient.

Shut Down

To shut down, click with your mouse on the button in the lower left-hand corner of the screen labeled

Start

. On the menu that pops up, you have multiple options for exiting your windows computer.

Options are Shut Down, Switch User, Log Off, Lock, Restart, Sleep and Hibernate. Choose the shutdown

button in the lower right hand corner to turn the computer off. To switch to another user, press

the arrow next to the Shut down button and click

Switch user. To Log off of the computer, click the

arrow next to the Shut down button and click

Log Off.

If you would rather just lock the computer,

blocking anyone else from using the computer with out your password, choose

Lock.

 Opening and Closing an Application

To Open an Application you have two options:

1. Open the Start menu and click on the name of the application.

2. Find the icon for the application and either double click it or right click and choose Open

To Close an Application:

1. Most applications can be closed by going under

File menu

and selecting Quit or Exit

.If no file menu is available, click on the

“X” button

in the upper right-hand corner of the application’s

window