Chapter 2 Looking at Windows

Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2 Looking at Windows FAQs Which version of Windows do I have? What is the Windows desktop? How do I use the Start menu? What is an Aero desktop theme? What are gadgets? What’s in the Accessories folder? What’s the Control Panel? Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

Which version of Windows do I have? An operating system is the core piece of software on your PC The latest Windows version is Windows 7 Starter Home Premium Professional Ultimate To discover which version and edition of Windows you’re using, enter System in the Start menu’s Search box and then click the System option Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

Which version of Windows do I have? Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

Which version of Windows do I have? Past Windows versions include: Windows 3.1 Windows 95 Windows 98 Windows Me (Millennium Edition) Windows XP Windows Vista Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

What is the Windows desktop? Windows desktop is your gateway to all the tasks you want to perform with your PC The taskbar includes: Start button, which is the main control Notification area displays the time and icons such as volume controls and computer settings Show Desktop button moves open windows out of the way and brings you back to the desktop Windows contain programs, files, alerts, and settings Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

What is the Windows desktop? Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

How do I use the Start menu? Click the Start button to access the Start menu Frequently-used programs are displayed on the left All Programs option gives you access to more programs Search box can help you quickly find programs Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

How do I use the Start menu? Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

What is an Aero desktop theme? An Aero desktop theme incorporates design elements such as translucent windows and animated icons Aero peek Aero snap Aero shake You can select and modify desktop themes by entering “Theme” in the Start menu Search box, then choosing a theme Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

What is an Aero desktop theme? Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2 What are gadgets? Gadgets are mini-applications designed to display information that is constantly changing Examples of gadget topics include the time of day, local weather, headline news, photo slide shows, or statistics about how hard your computer’s microprocessor is working Several gadgets are included with Windows 7 Gadgets work best if your computer has a widescreen display device Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2 What are gadgets? Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

What’s in the Accessories folder? Accessories folder includes: Windows Explorer Paint Notepad and WordPad Snipping Tool Calculator Sound Recorder Subfolders include System Tools and Ease of Access Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

What’s in the Accessories folder? Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

What’s the Control Panel? Control Panel contains important tools for configuring and customizing Windows including: Date and time Hardware devices Network connections Security controls Desktop Appearance Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

What’s the Control Panel? Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2 Input Devices User Interface is the combination of hardware and software that manages the way humans and computers interact Windows offers a graphical user interface (GUI), which includes icons, menus, dialog boxes, and toolbars, that provides: An input method allowing you to communicate to the computer An output method allowing the computer to communicate with you Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2 Input Devices Keyboards, mice, and trackpads are the most popular input devices Mechanical technology Optical technology Wired mouse Wireless mouse You can adjust several mouse settings in Windows A trackpad is a pointing device typically built into the system unit of a notebook computer or netbook Multi-touch trackpad Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2 Input Devices Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2

Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2 Is Windows a monopoly? What do you think? If you purchase a new computer, would you prefer to use preinstalled Internet software instead of obtaining and installing the Internet software of your choice? Do you think Microsoft’s dominant share of the operating system market is detrimental to consumers? Have you ever used any operating system other than Windows? Practical PC 6th Edition Chapter 2