Windows Basics
for
beginners
Objectives
• To define an Operating System
• To operate in a Windows
•
•
environment
To understand a Windows desktop
To run software from the Windows
desktop
Mouse Review
Left Mouse button
- used to execute
commands
Scroll Wheel used to move up
and down in the
screens
Right mouse
button - used to
activate shortcut
menus
Lesson 1: What is Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is an Operative System that graphically
controls all activities of your computer:

Manages your computer’s memory and storage

Provides a standard way to run and use software programs

Controls computer hardware
Lesson 2: Anatomy of a Window
Title Bar
Drop Down Menus
Sizing buttons
Scroll Bars
Title Bar



The blue Title Bar across the top of a window tells
you which program is being used and which document
is open.
You can move a program around the desktop by leftclicking on the title bar and dragging.
If the Title Bar is gray instead of blue, then that
window is not in use.
Control Menu

Located in the left-hand
corner of the Title Bar

To access the menu, leftclick on the program icon in
the Title Bar

These options are also
provided on the right-hand
side of the Title Bar
Sizing a Windows
You can resize or close a
window by clicking one of the
buttons found on the righthand side of the title bar.
Minimize
Maximize/Restore
Close
Drop Down Menus

Drop-down Menus allow
access to options available
in a software program.

Left click on the command
you want executed.

The options that are grayedout cannot be chosen.
Scroll Bars
•
•
Scroll bars allow you to move either vertically or
horizontally in a document, spread sheet, or web
page.
To move, you can:
 Left click on the arrows;
 Left click and drag the bar; or
 Left click on the space in the track above or
below the bar.
Exercise
1.
Open NotePad and practice sizing the
Window.
2.
Use the Title Bar to click and drag the
Window around the desktop.
3.
Close Window.
Lesson 3: The Desktop
On the desktop, you will find:
 Icons
Start Button
 Folders
 Program Buttons
 Task Bar
Systems Tray
Windows Desktop
Icons
Start Button
Program Button
Task Bar
Systems Tray
Task Bar: Start Button
The Start Button on
the Task Bar
accesses the Start
Menu. From here,
you open programs
and documents, find
help and files, and
shut down the
computer.
Task Bar: Program Buttons
The Task Bar allows access to all active
programs.
When multitasking, a button for each application
running is displayed on the task bar, along with the
Start Button and the clock in the systems tray.
The Task Bar is usually located at the bottom of
the desktop.
Icons: Shortcuts
Most of the icons on the desktop
are shortcuts to programs you use
the most.
You can make shortcut icons to
folders or files.
By double-clicking with the left
mouse button directly on the icon,
you instruct Windows to run that
application.
Opening a Program
Starting a program in Windows is as easy as a
click.
•
If the program is one with an icon on the
desktop, a double click starts it.
•
Without an icon, use the program menu
from the Start button.
Switching Software Programs
There are two ways to switch between programs
when multi-tasking:
 Click
 Use
on the program button on the task bar
the Alt + Tab
Closing a Program
There are 4 ways to exit a Windows
program:
 Choose Exit under the File
drop-down menu;
 Click the X on the Title Bar;
 Choose Close from the control
menu; or
 Use the keyboard shortcut Alt
+ F4
Exercise

Open four different applications (e.g., Internet Explorer,
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Power Point)
and practice shifting between programs using the program
buttons on the task bar.

Try using the keyboard shortcut Alt + Tab to alternate between
programs.
Public Training Classes

Free demonstrations are given at Central
Library and select branches!

Pick up the Houston Public Library’s
Calendar of Events.

For more information Call (832) 393-1313,
or visit http://www.houstonlibrary.org