1. Microsoft Windows 7 1

2. Chapter Objectives 2  Describe Windows 7 basic functionality.  Differentiate between the different versions of Windows 7.  Explain the difference between 32-Bit and 64-Bit operating systems.  Describe the various items on the Windows 7 interface.

3.  Windows 7 is the latest windows operating system from Microsoft Corporation. Windows 7 was released in October of 2009 and soon became the fastest selling operating system in history with statistics showing that a copy was sold about every seven seconds across the globe. 3 Microsoft Windows 7

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5. Windows 7 system requirements  1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor  1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)  16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)  DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.  Additional requirements may be needed to get the full potential out of Windows 7. 5 Microsoft Windows 7 Requirements

6.  Windows 7 Starter: A slimmed down version of Windows that is preinstalled on netbooks only. Since it is designed for smaller netbooks it omits features like customization, Media Center, Snipping Tool and others.  Windows 7 Home Basic: A version only available in emerging countries where the price of software keeps it out of hands of the general public.  Windows 7 Home Premium: The most popular Windows 7 version. This version is basically the core version installed on most new computers. It lacks a few features that only very advanced users will need, but in general is the version of choice for the general public.  Windows 7 Professional: This version includes everything in the Home Premium version and adds the ability to connect to a corporate (work) network and to host your computer as a remote desktop.  Windows 7 Ultimate: This version has everything that the previously mention versions have and adds some advanced file encryption, additional language packs and the ability to boot Windows from a virtual drive. 6 Microsoft Windows 7 Versions

7.  After looking at all the versions, it is clear that for most users the Home Premium version is the right choice because it offers the most common features needed by today’s general public. 7 Microsoft Windows 7 Versions

8.  The version of Windows 7 you decide on may be clearer, but there is still one more level of complexity that has caused many consumers headaches.  The choice of a 32-Bit version or a 64-Bit version. 8 Microsoft Windows 7 Versions

9.  In general, most computers of today have been running a 32-Bit operating system. A 32-Bit OS has a limit of 3.5 GB memory that it can use. This amount of memory was more than adequate in days past, but today’s applications use more and more memory and that may start to be a problem. 9 Microsoft Windows 7 Versions

10. The 64-Bit version of Windows 7 opens up your computer’s memory usage to huge unprecedented levels. The 3.5 GB memory barrier is broken with a 64-Bit operating system. In addition to the memory gain, the 64-Bit version of Windows 7 offers better security from application drivers that meet the 64-Bit mode. 10 Microsoft Windows 7 Versions

11.  The consensus recommendation is that if you have older hardware that you want to continue to use with Windows 7, purchase the 32-bit version. If you are buying a new computer and additional hardware, then the 64-Bit version of Windows makes the most sense. The average consumer cannot tell the difference in performance between the two versions, so it really depends on the future needs of the consumer. 11 Microsoft Windows 7 Versions

12. 12 Windows 7 Basics

13. 13 Windows 7- Start Menu Start Button Menu: Located in the lower left of your Windows desktop is the Start Button. When you click this button you will see a menu of application icons as well as predefined folders and programs that are set by default in Windows 7. You also have quick access to Documents, Pictures, Music, Devices and Printers, and other features. There is also a button to click to shut down your Windows 7 system.

14. 14 Windows 7- Start Menu The Start menu is the passage to your computer's programs, folders, and settings. It's called a menu because it provides a list of choices. You can use the Start menu to do the following: Start programs Open folders and files Adjust computer settings Get help with the Windows operating system Search for files, folders, and programs Turn off the computer Log off from Windows or switch to a different user account

15. 15 Windows 7- Start Menu The Start menu is divided into three basic parts: The large left pane shows a short list of programs on your computer. Clicking All Programs displays a complete list of programs (more on this later). In the lower left corner is the search box, which allows you to look for programs and files on your computer. The right pane provides access to commonly used folders, files, settings, and features. It's also where you go to log off from Windows or turn off your computer.

16. 16 Windows 7- Start Menu

17. 17 Windows 7- Start Menu The Search box The Search box is one of the best ways to find things on your computer. The Search box will examine your programs, all of the folders in your personal folder, your e ‑ mail messages, saved instant messages, appointments, and contacts.

18. 18 Windows 7- Start Menu What's in the right pane of the Start menu? Personal folder. Opens your personal folder, which is named for whoever is currently logged on to Windows. This folder contains user-specific files, including the Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders. Documents. Opens the Documents folder, where you can store and open all kinds of documents. Pictures. Opens the Pictures folder, where you can store and view digital pictures and graphics such as clip art. Music. Opens the Music folder, where you can store and play music. Games. Opens the Games folder, where you can play all of the games on your computer. Recent Items. Opens a list of files you've recently opened. Computer. Opens a window where you can access hard drives, flash drives, printers, cameras and other hardware..

19. 19 Windows 7- Start Menu What's in the right pane of the Start menu? Network. Opens a window where you can access the computers and devices on your network such as networked printer or networked storage device. Connect To. Opens a window where you can connect to a new network. Control Panel. Opens Control Panel window, where you can change the appearance of your computer, add or remove programs, set up network connections, and manage user accounts. Default Programs. Opens a window where you can choose which program you want Windows to use for activities like web browsing, editing pictures, sending e ‑ mail, and playing music and videos. Help and Support. Opens Windows Help and Support, where you can browse and search Help topics about using Windows and your computer..

20. 20 Windows 7- Recycle Bin Recycle Bin: Located on the Windows 7 desktop is the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is basically a standard place where files or folders that you delete end up in. If you ever right click on a file and select DELETE…this is where the file goes. It is your last chance to easily get back a file that you need before it is permanently deleted. Microsoft built the Recycle Bin to help minimize the chance that a user will delete a file that they really need. The Recycle Bin supports “drag and drop” which means you can click a file such as a photo or document and drag it over to the recycle bin to delete it.. The advantage of the Recycle Bin is that your files are never really deleted until you right click on the Recycle Bin icon and select “Empty Recycle Bin.”

21. 21 Windows 7- Desktop Desktop: The Windows 7 desktop is the really the place where user work gets done. It is the user work area of the operating system. The desktop is the most used part of the operating systems GUI. From the desktop the user can display multiple applications at the same time, display pictures, access the icons of other applications, view gadgets (more on that later) and more. The Desktop provides a place for the user to work on various programs that are enclosed in rectangle boxes also known as windows. The user can move and resize the windows around the desktop as needed. In addition to providing a work space for the user, the desktop can be a great place for user personalization. The desktop can be customized with themes, pictures and gadgets.

22. 22 Windows 7- Themes What is a theme? A theme is a combination of pictures, colors, and sounds on your computer. It includes a desktop background picture or color, a screen saver, a window border color, and a sound scheme. Some themes might also include desktop icons and mouse pointers to further enhance the desktop. If you spend a lot of time at your computer screen, you know how important it is to like what you see on the Desktop. The pictures, colors, and sounds you choose can enhance you viewing pleasure. In Windows 7, you can change the desktop background, window border color, sounds, and screen saver on your PC all at once by using themes.

23. 23 Windows 7- Themes Themes are made up of: Desktop background. A picture, color, or design that provides a backdrop to your open windows. The desktop background can be a single picture or a slide show. You can choose from the desktop background pictures that come with Windows, or you can use your own pictures. Window border color. The color of your window borders, taskbar, and Start menu. Sounds. A collection of sounds that you hear when events occur on your computer. Screen saver. A moving picture or pattern that appears on your computer screen when you haven’t used the mouse or keyboard for a specified period of time.

24. 24 Windows 7- Themes You can find all of your themes in Personalization in Control Panel. Click any theme to apply it to your desktop.

25. 25 Windows 7- Themes How to apply a theme to your desktop Open Personalization by clicking the Start button and then clicking Control Panel. Click Personalization. In Personalization in Control Panel, there are four types of themes. My Themes. Themes that you've customized, saved, or downloaded. Any time you make changes to a theme, the new settings appear here as an unsaved theme. Aero Themes. Windows themes you can use to personalize your computer. All of the Aero themes include Aero glass effects, and many of them include a desktop background slide show Installed Themes. Themes that were created by your computer manufacturer or other non-Microsoft providers. Basic and High Contrast Themes. Themes that are designed to help improve your computer's performance or make items on your screen easier to see..

26. 26 Windows 7- Themes Example of a Windows 7 theme

27. 27 Windows 7- Gadgets Desktop gadgets Windows contains small programs called gadgets which can be displayed on the Desktop. Gadgets are mini applications that contain information at a glance. For example, a Weather gadget can be customized to show the current weather in your area. There is no need to go to weather website or watch your local weather on television when you can quickly glance at your Desktop and get the current outside conditions in your area. Gadgets that come with Windows 7 are Calendar, Clock, Weather, Feed Headlines, Slide Show, and Picture Puzzle.

28. 28 Windows 7- Gadgets

29. 29 Windows 7- Gadgets Why use desktop gadgets? Desktop gadgets can keep information and tools readily available for you to use. For example, you can display news headlines right next to your open programs. This way, if you want to keep track of what's happening in the news while you work, you don't have to stop what you're doing to switch to a news website. You can use the Feed Headlines gadget to show the latest news headlines from sources you choose. You don't have to stop working on your document, because the headlines are always visible. If you see a headline that interests you, you can click that headline, and your web browser will open directly to the story.

30. 30 Windows 7- Desktop Backgrounds Desktop Backgrounds Your Desktop Background (also called wallpaper) can be a digital picture, a picture that comes with Windows, or just a plain color. You can choose one image to be your desktop background or you can display a slide show of pictures. To change the Desktop Background Open Desktop Background by clicking the Start button and clicking Control Panel. Click Personalization. Click on Desktop Background. Click the picture or color that you want to use for your desktop background.

31. 31 Windows 7- Desktop Backgrounds Desktop Backgrounds

32.  Time/Date: The Windows “clock” is located by default on the bottom right of your desktop. It is technically part of the Taskbar which we will discuss next. The Time/Date area shows the current time and date that is set by your computer. Depending on what time zone you live in you may have to adjust the date and time when you first install Windows 7.  To adjust the Time and Date, click on the Time/Date area and then select “Change date and time settings.” 32 Windows 7- Time/Date

33.  Taskbar: We learned that when you have a program open an icon for that program is displayed on the taskbar. You can use this area to switch between programs that are running and much more. The Taskbar is built to provide easy access to favorite programs and files. Let’s take a look at all the different features of the new Windows 7 Taskbar. 33 Windows 7- Taskbar

34.  If you hover your mouse over an icon that has an associated running application you will see a small thumbnail version of the program (see figure below). Using this method, a user can quickly take a look at different programs that are running at the same time without fully opening up each application. 34 Windows 7- Taskbar

35. The Taskbar can contain two different kinds of icons:  Icons that have been pinned there either by the user or an install program. By default Windows 7 puts the Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer and Windows Media Player icons on the Taskbar.  Icons associated with running programs. When a program starts and is running, an icon for the program appears on the Taskbar. When the program is closed the icon is removed. 35 Windows 7- Taskbar

36. The Taskbar also has an exciting new feature called Jumping. If you right-click any icon in Taskbar you will see a window popup with a list of links to items associated with that icon. This list of links is called a Jump List. In the example figure to the right, the user has right-clicked on the Microsoft Excel icon and a Jump List of recently used Excel documents appears. 36 Windows 7- Taskbar

37. The Taskbar can be easily modified by the user by the use of Pinning. In general, Pinning is a great way to add shortcuts to your most- often used programs in Windows 7. You can pin items to the Taskbar, at the bottom of the screen, or to the Start menu. That saves a lot of clicks and makes you more efficient. 37 Windows 7- Taskbar

38. Windows Explorer is the Windows 7 operating system's file and folder manager. Whenever you create, save, change or delete a file; the Windows Explorer knows about it. 38 Windows 7- Windows Explorer

39. Windows Explorer is made up of files and folders. A file is an item that contains information. Text, images or music are good examples of files On your computer, files are represented with icons; this makes it easy to recognize a type of file by looking at its icon. A folder is a container you can use to store files in If you had thousands of paper files on your desk, it would be nearly impossible to find any particular file when you needed it. That's why people often store paper files in folders inside a filing cabinet. On your computer, folders work the same way. Here are some typical folder icons: 39 Windows 7- Windows Explorer

40. When it comes to getting organized, you don't need to start from scratch. Windows comes with a handful of common folders that you can use as anchors to begin organizing your files. Here's a list of some of the most common folders you can store your files and folders in:? Documents. Use this folder to store your word-processing files, spreadsheets, presentations, and other business-oriented files. Pictures. Use this folder to store all of your digital pictures, whether you get them from your camera, scanner, or in e‑mail from other people. Music. Use this folder to store all of your digital music, such as songs that you copy from an audio CD or download from the Internet. Videos. Use this folder to store your videos, such as clips from your digital camera, camcorder, or video files that you download from the Internet. Downloads. Use this folder to store files and programs that you download from the web. 40 Windows 7- Windows Explorer

41. 41 Windows 7- Windows Explorer

42. When it comes to getting organized, you don't need to start from scratch. You can use libraries, a feature new to this version of Windows, to access your files and folders, and arrange them in different ways. Libraries make it easier to find, work with, and organize files scattered across your PC or network. A library brings your stuff together in one place—no matter where it's actually stored. A library can include up to 50 locations. 42 Windows 7- Windows Explorer

43. Here's a list of the four default libraries and what they're typically used for: Documents library. Use this library to organize and arrange word-processing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other text-related files. By default, files that you move, copy, or save to the Documents library are stored in the My Documents folder. Pictures library. Use this library to organize and arrange your digital pictures, whether you get them from your camera, scanner, or in e‑mail from other people. By default, files that you move, copy, or save to the Pictures library are stored in the My Pictures folder. Music library. Use this library to organize and arrange your digital music, such as songs that you rip from an audio CD or that you download from the Internet. By default, files that you move, copy, or save to the Music library are stored in the My Music folder. Videos library. Use this library to organize and arrange your videos, such as clips from your digital camera or camcorder, or video files that you download from the Internet. 43 Windows 7- Windows Explorer

44. Compress Files in Windows  If you need to upload an assignment to an instructor that is large or has multiple files there is no need to attach one after another after another to your e-mail. Instead, compress the files into one smaller, easier-to-manage file. In other words, zip them.  The Zip file format has long been used to compress and archive data. Suppose you have, say, 50 Word documents that have a combined size of 5MB. By zipping them, you end up with a single file that's much smaller.  Imagine stuffing all your clothes into a tiny suitcase--that's what compression does….It makes files smaller.  If you're already using a compression utility like PKZip or WinZip to compress and decompress files, there's little point in changing. But Windows 7 now has compression capabilities built right in to the OS.PKZipWinZip 44 Windows 7- Compression/Zip Files

45.  End of Chapter 5. 45