1. Chapter 2 Looking at Windows

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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