Windows allows you to start and display more than one program window at the same time. The windows can be displayed side-by-side, overlapping, or behind one another.

When would I display multiple programs on the screen?

Display multiple program windows on the screen when you:

1.     Work on multiple tasks at the same time.

2.     Use information from one program in another program. You might like to view a file in         another program (or the same program in another window) for reference or to copy         information from one window to the next.

How do I display and use multiple programs on the screen?

Start multiple programs to display them. Use the Windows taskbar to manipulate and view them.

Display two Windows Explorer windows:

1.     Click the "Start" menu

2.     Click "Programs" on the Start menu.

3.     Click "Windows Explorer" on the Programs sub-menu.

4.     Repeat the previous steps to open a second Explorer window

With two Windows Explorer windows displayed, you can drag files or folders from one window to the other to copy or move them.

Display Notepad and Calculator windows:

1.     Click the "Start" menu.

2.     Click "Programs," then "Accessories" and "Notepad" on the sub-menus.

3.     Click the "Start" menu again.

4.     Click "Programs," then "Accessories" and "Calculator" on the sub-menus.

You can perform calculations with the calculator, and copy (Edit menu, Copy) the results into the Notepad document (Edit menu, Paste). Many programs allow you to drag and drop information, such as text or graphics, from one window to another.

Adjust the Notepad and Calculator windows so that both are visible:

1.     Close or minimize all windows except the Notepad and Calculator windows opened in         previous steps.

2.     RIGHT-click the Windows taskbar.

3.     Click "Tile Windows Horizontally" on the pop-up menu.

Using the Keyboard

The keyboard is the primary device for entering information into application programs and dialog boxes. It works like a typewriter, but performs many more functions in the context of Windows.

When would I use the keyboard?

Use the keyboard to enter information, select pull-down menus, and run programs. Many programs use keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks otherwise done by clicking with the mouse.

Specific examples of keyboard uses:

1.     Enter text into a document

2.     Enter text into a text field or dialog box

3.     Access pull-down menus and functions in some programs

4.     Make a running program the active window.

5.     Navigate folders in Windows explorer.

6.     Perform Windows functions without the mouse

Some keyboards include extra buttons:

Application key: Displays an item’s context sensitive shortcut menu, otherwise accessed by clicking the right mouse button.

Windows logo key: Displays the Start menu when pressed alone.

Function keys (F1, F2, etc.): Provide alternative Windows shortcuts, and special features.

Esc key: The Escape key can be used instead of the "Cancel" button in Windows and most Windows programs.

How do I use the keyboard?

Click the screen in the location you wish to place the cursor. Type as you would with a typewriter to enter text into a window. Press different combinations of keys on the keyboard to access Windows and other program functions.

Some key combinations require pressing multiple buttons at the same time. Notation for such key combinations includes the two keys separated by the "+" symbol. For example, use the "Ctrl+C" key combination to copy highlighted text or a highlighted file.

Start Windows Explorer:

1.     Press the Windows logo key If your keyboard does not have a Windows logo key,         press the Ctrl key and the Esc key at the same time (Ctrl+Esc).

2.     Type "E" while holding the Windows logo key.

Navigate folders in Windows Explorer:

1.     Start Windows Explorer.

2.     Click a folder in the Folders pane on the left side of the window.

3.     Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight folders. The contents of the highlighted         folder are displayed on the right side of the window.

4.     Use the right arrow key if the folder has a "+" symbol, indicating the folder contains         more folders. The right arrow key displays a cascade of the folders contained within         the original folder.

5.     Use the left arrow if the folder has a "-" symbol to hide the folders contained within         the original folder.

Close the Explorer Window:

1.     Press and hold the "Alt" key.

2.     Press the "F4" function key while holding the Window key. (Some keyboards do not         have function keys.)

Start Notepad:

1.     Press the Windows logo key. (Or press Ctrl+Esc.)

2.     Type "R."

3.     Type "Notepad" in the "Open" field; then press the "Enter."

Enter text into a Notepad window:

1.     Start Notepad

2.     Press the letter and number keys to enter text.

Save the Notepad document:

1.     Type "Alt+F" to access the File menu.

2.     Type "S."

3.     If you see a "Save As" window, type a name for the file, and press the "Enter" key.

See the Windows Help "Keyboard Shortcuts" section for more keyboard shortcuts.

Start Windows Help with the keyboard:

1.     Press the Windows logo key If your keyboard does not have a Windows logo key,         press the Ctrl key and the Esc key at the same time (Ctrl+Esc).

2.     Type "H" to start Windows Help.

3.     Press the "Ctrl" and "Tab" keys together to toggle between "Contents," Index," and         "Search" in the Windows Help window

4.     With the "Contents" tab visible, press the down arrow on the keyboard until the         "Exploring Your Computer" book is highlighted.

5.     Press "Enter" to open the book.

6.     Use the down arrow to highlight "Keyboard Shortcuts," then press the "Enter."

7.     Use the down arrow key and "Enter" to select a topic under Keyboard Shortcuts.

Printing from Windows

The computer might be a paperless environment, but eventually you might need a paper copy of a file you create or a web page you view. Printing is one way to create the paper copy.

When would I want to print?

Print files or web pages when you want a paper copy

How do I print files and web pages?

There are three primary methods for printing from Windows: Print from a program, from Windows Explorer, or using a Printer Shortcut. Always begin by verifying that a printer is connected to your computer, and switch on the printer.

Print a document from Notepad:

1.     Start Notepad. (Or open an existing text file, such as "New Text Document.txt")

2.     Type a note in the Notepad window.

3.     Click the "File" menu.

4.     Click "Print" on the File menu.

Print from within a program (Internet Explorer):

1.     Verify your computer is connected to the Internet

2.     Start Internet Explorer

3.     Open a web page you would like to print

4.     Click the File menu.

5.     Click "Print.". Explorer displays a Print window, containing print options to modify         before sending the file to the printer.

6.     Select a printer "Name" to determine which printer to use.

7.     Click "OK" after making any desired changes

Print from Windows Explorer:

1.     Start Windows Explorer (or My Computer).

2.     RIGHT-click a file associated with a program on your computer that has print         capability.

3.     Click "Print" with the LEFT mouse button. The associated program (based on the file         name extension) is opened, printed, and closed.

Print with a printer desktop shortcut:

1.     Verify that you have a printer shortcut visible on the desktop or in an open Windows         Explorer window.

2.     Locate the file to print in Windows Explorer (or My Computer).

3.     Using the left mouse button, "drag and drop" the file icon onto the printer shortcut         icon.

Saving Files

When you are creating files on the computer, they are initially stored in a temporary electronic holding space called memory. If you switch off the computer, the information on the screen is lost. By saving your computer work, you preserve it in a more permanent location, such as a hard disk or a floppy disk.

When would I save files?

Save files you create or edit.

1.     Incomplete files: Saved files can be opened later and modified.

2.     Files you might need later: It is almost always a good idea to save copies of your         work on the computer. The ability to store large amounts of data is a key advantage         of computers.

3.     Backup for printed copies: If a printed copy is lost or destroyed, print a new copy         from the saved file on your computer.

How do I save files?

Most programs allow you to save files with the "Save" and "Save As…" functions in the File menu. Use "Save" to save files with the same name in the same location. The original file is overwritten with the updated file. Use "Save As…" to specify a file name and folder in which save to save it.

Save an existing document after editing it in Notepad:

1.     Open an existing text file, such as "New Text Document.txt".

2.     Add or change text in the Notepad window.

3.     Click the "File" menu.

4.     Click "Save" on the File menu. The file is saved with the same name in the same         location. The original file is overwritten with the updated file.

Save a new document in Notepad:

1.     Start Notepad.

2.     Add text in the Notepad window.

3.     Click "Save As…" on the File menu.

4.     Use the "Save in" field and the window below it to select a folder in which to save the         file.

5.     Click the "File name" field and type a name for the file.

6.     Press "Enter."

Shutting down Windows

Shutting down Windows is the procedure undertaken when you are done using the computer.

When do I shut down Windows?

While it is not always necessary to shut down the computer, it saves energy. Shutting down Windows also gives the operating system an opportunity to perform system maintenance tasks.

Shut down windows when:

Placing the computer in "Stand by" mode. "Stand by" mode powers down the computer to minimize energy usage, without powering off the computer. Windows is not actually shut down with this option. Moving the mouse or pressing a keyboard key "wakes up" the computer in the same state as before. Programs that were running remain running in computer memory. (Some keyboards have a "Sleep" key that places the computer in "Stand by" mode.)

Switching off the computer. (Important!) Switching off the computer without shutting down windows first can cause errors, and sometimes software or hardware problems. This option saves current Windows settings and any information in memory to the hard disk.

Restarting Windows. Performs the same operations as when switching off the computer, but re-starts Windows afterwards, rather than shutting down completely.

Restarting the computer in MS-DOS mode. Performs the same operations as when switching off the computer, but starts the computer in a command-line mode afterwards, rather than shutting down completely. MS-DOS mode is an operating system interface requiring all input through typed keyboard commands. There are no buttons or pull-down menus as in Windows.

Close all programs and log on as a different user. Saves Windows settings and information in memory to disk for the current UserId. Returns to the Windows log in screen without shutting down Windows.

How do I shut down Windows?

Shut down Windows:

1.     Click the "Start" menu on the taskbar.

2.     Click "Shut Down…"

3.     Click a radio button to select the shut down option. (See above.)

4.     Click "OK."

Shut down Windows 98:

Shut down Windows 95: