Chapter 4 Working With Windows
Vocabulary
Application software: May also be called application program, app, or application. May consist of one or several programs that allow the user to perform certain tasks or activities. Requires the system software to run it. All apps are programs, but not all programs are apps.
Click: Describes the action of pressing on the left or right mouse button; can be one or more clicks.
Default: The preset selection of an option offered by a system and will always be used unless the user changes it.
Desktop: The main screen display of a personal computer where icons, windows, and other items appear.
File: A named collection of information, in the form of text, programs, graphics, etc., held on a permanent storage device such as a C drive or flash drive.
Folder: A place on a drive for holding and organizing multiple subfolders or files.
Icon: A small picture or image that represents an application, file, or folder. The user can click or double-click the icon to open the application software, file, or folder.
Pin: Describes the action of placing a shortcut on the taskbar, which allows the user to quickly access the application software.
Shortcut: Placed on the desktop or within a folder and creates a link to a file or folder. Double-clicking on the shortcut will open the file or folder.
Start button: Located on the bottom left or center of the taskbar. Clicking this will display the start menu.
Start menu: Opens a list of application software (apps), shortcuts to settings, and files that can be selected.
Taskbar: Found at the bottom of the computer screen by the default setting. Contains selectable buttons and icons of opened and pinned application software, along with the date and time.
Wallpaper: A picture or design that is displayed in the background on a computer screen or mobile device screen.
Window: A rectangular area on a screen in which a document or application can be viewed. Most windows allow the user to minimize, maximize, and close them.
Navigating Windows
Microsoft Windows (also known as “Windows”) was created by the Microsoft Corporation and is one of the three most common operating systems for personal computers. An operating system manages the computer’s memory and the processes. It coordinates the activities of the installed hardware and software. Windows uses graphical user interface (GUI), which means the user can interact with the computer through graphical icons, menus, and buttons.
If you have used computers in the past, you may be familiar with navigating Windows. This section will review some basics and cover some tips and tricks when working with various windows. This chapter is based on Windows 10, though some Windows 11 content is added. If you are using a different Windows version, there may be some differences in how you accomplish different tasks.
The first time you log onto Windows, you will need to create an account. Each time you log into Windows, you will need to sign in with your pa