What is a file name extension?
A file name extension is a set of characters that helps the Windows operating system understand what kind of information is in a file and what program should open it. It is called an extension because it appears at the end of the file name, following a period. In the file name myfile.doc, the extension is doc. It tells Windows that this is a document file that can be opened by programs associated with that extension, such as Microsoft Word.
How can I control which programs are associated with a file name extension?
Every program that's installed on your computer is designed to open one or more particular file types, each of which is identified by a file name extension. If you have more than one program on your computer capable of opening a file type, then one program is set as the default or preset program to open that type of file.
How to change the program that opens a type of file:
If you double-click a file in Windows and it opens in the wrong software program, follow these steps to choose the program you would prefer that file use. You can change this setting for an individual file, or you can tell Windows to open all files of that same type in the software program you choose.
Open the folder that contains the file you want to change.
Right-click the file that you want to change, and then, depending on the type of file, either click Open With or point to Open With and then click Choose Default Program.
Click the program that you want to use to open this file.
Do one of the following:
If you want all files of that type to open in the same software program, select the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box, and then click OK.
If you want only that file to open in the software program this one time, clear the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box, and then click OK.
What is the maximum length of a file name?
Windows usually limits file names to 260 characters. But the file name must actually be shorter than that, since the complete path (such as C:\Program Files\filename.txt) is included in this character count. This is why you might occasionally encounter an error when copying a file with a very long file name.
Which characters can't be used in a file name?
You can't use any of the following characters in a file name: \ / ? : * " > < |
How can I see file name extensions in the file name?
By default, Windows hides file name extensions to make file names easier to read, but you can choose to see the file extensions.
To change the program that opens a type of file
If you double-click a file in Windows and it opens in the wrong software program, follow these steps to choose the program you would prefer that file use. You can change this setting for an individual file, or you can tell Windows to open all files of that same type in the software program you choose.
Open the folder that contains the file you want to change.
Right-click the file that you want to change, and then, depending on the type of file, either click Open With or point to Open With and then click Choose Default Program.
Click the program that you want to use to open this file.
Do one of the following:
If you want all files of that type to open in the same software program, select the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box, and then click OK.
If you want only that file to open in the software program this one time, clear the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box, and then click OK.
How do I change a file name extension?
Usually, file name extensions should not be changed because you might not be able to open or edit the file after doing so. Sometimes, however, changing the file name extension can be useful—such as when you need to change a text file (.txt) to an HTML file (.htm) so that you can view it in a web browser. To change a file name extension, first ensure that file name extensions are visible. Then, right-click the file you want to change and click Rename. Delete the file name extension, type the new extension, and then press ENTER. Windows will warn you that changing the file name extension might cause the file to stop working properly. If you are certain that the extension you typed is one that the program you are using will understand, click Yes to confirm the change.
Help Menus
Many programs come with the instruction manual integrated into the program.
If you encounter a problem or forget a command while running a program, you can summon help by pressing a designated Help key (usually F1). In fact, on many keyboards, the F1 key will be labeled F1 HELP.
Virtually all well-designed programs will have a Help Menu located on the program’s Menu Bar. (It may be in the form of a white question mark on a blue circular background tucked on the right side of the menu bar.) Once you summon the Help system, the program often displays a menu of Help topics. You can choose the appropriate topic for whatever problem you are currently encountering.
The program will then display a help screen that contains the desired documentation.
If you are seeking help with regard to your Windows operating system, or one of the programs that is directly connected to the operating system (examples: WordPad, Internet Explorer, and Outlook Express (XP), Windows Mail (Vista) or Windows Live Mail (Windows 7), the best and fastest way to access the Windows
HELP AND SUPPORT menu is via the Start button, located on the left side of your taskbar.
The HELP AND SUPPORT button is a comprehensive resource for practical advice, tutorials, and demonstrations to help you learn to use your Windows operating system.
Exercise – Changing settings
All software – including the operating system – comes with default or pre-set settings. You can change these settings if it doesn’t work the way you want it to. Let’s say when you are typing you often get repeated characters, as if you are holding the key down. You can change the keyboard settings, but you might not know where or how. You can use Help and Support: the Search Option in Windows 7 to find the information you need.
1. Click on the START button.
2. Click on the HELP AND SUPPORT button.
3. Click on the SEARCH HELP box (at the top of the window) and type the word KEYBOARD.
4. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
5. The search will yield thirty (30) results.
6. Scroll down and click on CHANGE KEYBOARD SETTINGS.
7. Click the option TO CHANGE THE DELAY BEFORE KEYBOARD CHARACTERS
REPEAT.
8. Click the option CLICK TO OPEN KEYBOARD PROPERTIES
9. Under CHARACTER REPEAT, move the two REPEAT DELAY and REPEAT
RATE sliders to the left or right to change the amount of time you must hold down a key before that keyboard character repeats. Use the test box to verify your new setting.
10. Note also that you can change the CURSOR BLINK RATE while in this dialogue box.
11. When you are satisfied, click OK.
12. Click on the X box in the upper right corner of the window, then click the X box on the other open window to get back to your desktop.
Help and Support: Search Option in Windows XP
1. Click the Start button
2. Click on the Help and Support button.
3. A two-column Table of Contents will appear.
4. A Search box will appear near the upper left corner of the window.
5. Type the word keyboard in the search box and press on the keyboard.
6. The search will yield fifteen (15) Suggested Topics which appear in the left column.
7. Click on Adjust key repeat rate.
8. Follow the steps listed in the right column, namely:
9. Go to the Start Button and click on Control Panel in the right column.
10. On the Speed tab, make changes as follows:
a. To adjust the amount of time that elapses before characters repeat when you hold down a key, drag the Repeat delay slider.
b. To adjust how quickly characters repeat when you hold down a key, drag the Repeat rate slider.
c. Use the test box to check your new settings, then click OK.
Now close all windows to get back to the desktop.
Accessibility Options
Windows offers several programs and settings that can make the computer easier and more comfortable to use. Additional assistive technology products can be added to your computer if you need other accessibility features.
Ease of Access Center
The Ease of Access Center is a central location that you can use to set up the accessibility settings and programs available in Windows. In the Ease of Access Center, you'll find quick access for setting up the accessibility settings and programs included in Windows. You'll also find a link to a questionnaire that Windows can use to help suggest settings that you might find useful.
Open Ease of Access Center by clicking the Start button  , clicking Control Panel, clicking Ease of Access, and then clicking Ease of Access Center.
Use the computer without a display. Windows comes with a basic screen reader called Narrator that will read aloud text that appears on the screen. Windows also has settings for providing audio descriptions for videos and controlling how dialog boxes appear. Additionally, many other programs and hardware are compatible with Windows and available to help individuals who are blind, including screen readers, Braille output devices, and other useful products.
Make the computer easier to see. Several settings are available to help make the information on the screen easier to see. For example, the display can be magnified, colors can be adjusted to make the screen easier to see and read, and unnecessary animations and background images can be removed.
Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard. Windows includes an on-screen keyboard that you can use to type. You can also use Speech Recognition to control your computer with voice commands, and dictate text into programs.
Make the mouse easier to use. You can change the size and color of the mouse pointer, and use the keyboard to control the mouse.
Make the keyboard easier to use. You can adjust the way Windows responds to mouse or keyboard input so that key combinations are easier to press, typing is easier, and inadvertent key presses are ignored.
Use text and visual alternatives for sounds. Windows can replace two types of audio information with visual equivalents. You can replace system sounds with visual alerts and you can display text captions for spoken dialog in multimedia programs.
Make it easier to focus on reading and typing tasks. A number of settings can help make it easier to focus on reading and typing. You can have Narrator read information on the screen, adjust how the keyboard responds to certain keystrokes, and control whether certain visual elements are displayed.
In addition to the Ease of Access Center, Windows includes three programs that can make it easier to interact with your computer.
Magnifier. Magnifier is a program that magnifies a portion of your computer screen, making it easier to read. For more information about using Magnifier, see Make items on the screen appear bigger (Magnifier).
Narrator. Narrator is a program that reads the text on your screen aloud. For more information about using Narrator, see Hear text read aloud with Narrator.
On-Screen Keyboard. On-Screen Keyboard is a program that lets you use your mouse or other device to interact with a keyboard on the screen. For more information about using On-Screen Keyboard, see Type without using the keyboard (On-Screen Keyboard).
Identifying the Operating System
The most basic software or set of computer instructions is called the operating system. The operating system manages or operates your computer put hardware in a way that allows you to interact with it. It is used to start software programs, and manage files, memory, and hardware. It is different from program or application software, which is designed to do specific jobs.
Microsoft Windows is the most common operating system software, but is not the only operating system. Also, there are different versions of the Windows operating system. A very common older version is called Windows XP. A newer version is Windows Vista. The newest version is Windows 7.
There are different kinds of operating systems available for different types of computers: Microsoft Windows (XP & 7), Apple Mac OS X, and Ubuntu Linux. The majority of desktop and laptop computers run either a version of Microsoft Windows or Apple’s Mac OS. There are also mobile operating systems available for smartphones and tablets (Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android are the most popular. There are differences between these operating systems, but also many similarities.
You may need to identify the operating system of a computer if you are having trouble or if you are purchasing new software.
Windows XP and Windows 7
Right-Click on the My Computer or Computer Icon on the Desktop.
Select Properties.
Under System, you will see the technical specifications and type of operating system on your computer.
 
If you are unable to locate the icon on the Desktop you can also find it in the start menu on computers running Windows:
 
This will bring up the system control panel which displays basic information about the computer you are using such as operating system version, processor type and speed and the amount of memory (RAM) that is installed.
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