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Let’s compare the Start button menus for Windows XP (the older version) and Windows 7. Let’s look at how they are organized. Windows XP and Windows 7 start menus are very much alike.
The Start button menu has three basic parts. This is where we Shut down or log off. On the left are programs that we have used recently. On the right is access is to commonly used folders, files, settings and other features.
The user name is listed across the top of the Windows XP menu. In Windows 7 the user name is listed at the top of the right column.
The left column lists programs we have used recently. All programs, at the bottom left, lists all of the programs that are installed on your computer. These programs are listed alphabetically. Move your cursor over the name of a program and a small box displays information about the program. Notice that some of the programs are in folders. These are folders are listed after the individual programs. We need to open the folders by double clicking to see what’s inside.
The right column lists frequently used parts of the Windows operating system. Documents is where we store documents that we have created, Pictures holds pictures or photos, Music holds music and audio files, and Games holds games that we’ve installed or came with the operating system.
My Computer or Computer tells us about the disk drives and hardware that are connected to our computer.
Control panel This is where we can customize the appearance and functions of our computers, add and remove programs, set up networks and add users.
Setting Program Access and Defaults or Default programs allows us to tell the computer which programs we want to have immediately available.
Help and Support allows us to find information if we are having problems operating the computer.
Search, in the right column on Windows XP and at the bottom in Windows 7, allows us to search our computer when we are having trouble finding something on the computer.
Windows XP also has a separate selection called Run which is used when adding new software to your computer.
Exercise - Open Microsoft Word
Sometimes there is a shortcut icon on the desktop that you can double click to open Word, but sometimes you need to find it. To open Microsoft Word:
Click Start, then All Programs
Click the Microsoft Office folder, then Microsoft Office Word.
Explore the Control Panel
The Control Panel lets you change many of your computers settings, add new hardware, create user accounts, personal your desktop, and customize your computer for accessibility. Let’s look at a few of the options.
Hardware and Sound – Here you can add a printer, change your mouse settings, adjust the system volume, change your screen settings and more. Let’s try making a few common changes.
Change the volume on your speakers or headphones:
Click Start button
Click Control Panel
Click Hardware and Sound
Click Adjust system volume
Make adjustments by clicking and dragging
NOTE: Your headphones might also have a way to adjust the volume through a control located on the wires.
Change the Display settings:
Click Start button
Click Control Panel
Click Hardware and Sound
Click Display
Here you can choose to make it easier to read what’s on your screen by changing the size of the text and other items. Try making the display larger and see how it changes.
Notice that when the Control Panel window is open a menu appears along the left hand side. This allows you to easily move to other related settings that you might want to change without going back to the Start button.
Adjust the screen resolution:
The screen resolution refers to how sharp or in focus items appear on your screen.
Click Start button
Click Control Panel
Click Hardware and Sound
Click Adjust screen resolution
Your computer will offer some recommended settings.
Explore Documents or Libraries
Click the start button and find My Documents or Documents in the right column.
Documents or Libraries are like filing cabinets you might have at work. The work that we want to store is called a file. These files are stored in folders that we create or that already exist, like Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos.
Saving and organizing files
Your computer will automatically try to save documents in the Documents library folder.
To find a file that has already been saved, click Start, then Documents, and find it in the folder in which it was saved.
To organize your files, from the Documents or Libraries window, find New Folder at the tool bar across the top. Click New Folder, name the folder by typing in a new name.
To move files, you can cut and paste. Right click on the document, click Cut. Move to the folder you want to put it in, right click, click Paste. OR click and drag. When it says MOVE, release the left button.
Let’s explore the Documents or Libraries on your computer. Click the start button, find the Documents or Libraries folder on upper right hand side. Slide your mouse to the right and up to the folder. Click each folder. Is anything stored inside the Documents library? In the Music library? In the Picture library?
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