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WindowsVista/7Basic Usage Lab
Objective: TobeabletoworkeffectivelywiththeWindowsVista/7desktop,includingworking withtheStartbutton;managingthedisplaythrough theControlPanel;changingStartbuttonproperties;obtaininghelp;performingfile,folder,andcomputer searches;andaccessingprograms
Parts:ComputerwithWindowsVistaor7andtheWindowsNotepadapplicationinstalled
Procedure:Completethefollowingprocedureandanswertheaccompanyingquestions.
1. PoweronthecomputerandlogontoWindowsifnecessary.
WorkingwiththeStartMenu
2. ClicktheStartbutton.ThetoprightoftheStartmenuonsomesystemsshowswhois currentlyloggedontothecomputer.Usersarecreatedsothatthesystemcanbeindividualizedwhenmultiplepeopleusethesamecomputer.
Whatdoyouthinkisthedifferencebetweentheapplicationslistedontheleftandthose listedontherightsideoftheStartbuttonmenu?
3. YoucanmakechangestotheStartbuttonmenubyright-clickingtheStartbutton
PropertiesStartMenutabCustomizebutton.
Whatisthecurrent settingfortheControlPaneloption?
[Displayasalink|Displayasamenu|Don’tdisplaythisitem]
Whatisthecurrent settingforGames?
[Displayasalink|Displayasamenu|Don’tdisplaythisitem]
Howmanyrecentprogramsarecurrentlysettodisplay?
4. ClickCancel.SelecttheTaskbartab.
Listthreeoptionsthatcanbecustomizedthrough thistab.
5. SelecttheHowdoIcustomize thetaskbarlink.Usingtheinformationavailable,answer thequestionsthatfollow.
Howcanyoutellifthetaskbarislockedorunlockedwithoutmovingit?
Whattoolbarscanbeaddedtothetaskbar?
Howcanataskbarthatishiddenbereactivated?
6. ClosetheWindowsHelpandSupportwindow.
7. ClickontheNotificationAreatab(Vista)ortheCustomizebuttonintheNotification area(7).
Listthreesystemicons.
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8. ClicktheToolbarstab.
Listanyenabledtoolbars.
9. ClickCancel.Presscontrol and cancelorpresstore-accesstheStartbutton.
WhatarethetopfouroptionsintherightcolumnoftheStartmenu?
10. TheDocumentsoptionrepresentsafolderthatisthedefaultstoragelocationforsaved files.Pictures,Music,andGamesalsorepresentfolders.Afoldercancontainanother folder,andthisfolderiscommonlycalledasubfolder.Afileisadocumentcreatedbyan application.Filesarestoredandorganizedinfolders.ClicktheComputerStartbutton option.TheComputeroptioncontainsaccesstodrivesinstalledorconnectedtothecomputer.Floppydrives,harddrives,opticaldrives,tapedrives,andsoonaregivendriveletterssuchasA:orC:.
Whatdrivelettersareavailablethrough theComputeroption?
WorkingwithControl Panels
11. SelecttheControlPanelStartbuttonoption.ControlPanelallowsaccesstoControlPanel iconsorlinksusedtoconfigurethecomputer.Therearetwowaystoviewcontrolpanels: ClassicandCategory.Thedefaultviewisbycategory.InVista,ifthewords“Systemand Maintenance”donotappearintherightpane,selecttheControlPanelHomelinkinthe leftpane.InWindows7,selectCategoryintheViewby:drop-downmenu.
ListtwoControlPanelcategoriesshownonthescreen.
12. InVista,clicktheClassicViewoptionlocatedintheleftwindow.InWindows7,select LargeiconsorSmalliconsintheViewby:drop-downmenu.Theclassicview/largeor smalliconsistheoldermethodforaccessinganyparticularcontrolpanel.Returntothe Categorycontrolpanelview.
Table11.12showscommonVista/7ControlPanelcategoriesandtypesoffunctionsper- formedwithineachone.Somesystemshavespecialcontrolpanelsduetothehardware installedortypeofcomputersuchasanetbookortablet.Noticehowsomeoftheoptions arefoundinmultiplecategories.
Table11.12CommonWindows Vistaor7ControlPanelcategories*
ControlPanelcategorySubcategoryFunction
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SystemandMaintenance (Vista)/Systemand Security(7)
WelcomeCenter(Vista)Usedtoaccessbasiccomputerinformation, informationonhowtouseWindowsVista,and Vistahelpvideos
BackupandRestoreUsedtosaveorrestorefilesandfolderstoor fromadifferentlocation
SystemUsedtoviewbasiccomputerproperties,suchas
RAM, processortype,andcomputername
WindowsUpdateUsedtocustomizehowVista/7updatesare receivedandinstalled
PowerOptionsUsedtoconfigurepowersaving modes
IndexingOptions*UsedtoconfigurehowVistasearchesforfiles andfoldersmoreefficiently
1
ProblemReportsand
Solutions(Vista)
Usedtoreceivehelpwithorviewahistoryof computerproblems
1
ControlPanelcategorySubcategoryFunction11
1
PerformanceInformation
andTools (Vista)
Usedtoobtaininformationaboutthecomputer
speedandpossiblesolutionsrelatedtospeed
1
DeviceManager(Vista)Usedtoviewandupdatehardwaresettings
AdministrativeToolsUsedforsuchtasksasfreeinguphard
diskspace,managingharddrivepartitions, schedulingtasks,andviewingevent logs
ActionCenter(7)Usedtoviewpersonalinformation,viewa
historyofcomputerproblems,viewperformance information,configurebackup,troubleshoot problems,andrestorethecomputertoa previoustime
Security(Vista)SecurityCenter(Vista)Usedtoviewandmodifycomputerfirewalland updatesettings
WindowsFirewallUsedtoenableandcustomizesecurityfirewall features
WindowsUpdateUsedtocustomizehowupdatesarereceived andinstalled
WindowsDefender*Usedtoscanthecomputerforunwanted software
InternetOptions(Vista)UsedtocustomizeInternetExplorer
ParentalControls(Vista)Usedforchanging,enabling,anddisabling settingsrelatedtofamilymemberaccess
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BitLockerDrive
Encryption(7)
NetworkandInternetNetworkandSharing
Center
Changeoruseencryptionoptions
Usedtocheckthestatusandmodifynetwork- relatedsettingsaswellassharefiles,folders, anddevicesonthenetwork
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InternetOptionsUsedtocustomizeInternetExplorer
PeopleNearMe*Usedtoconfigurethecomputerforsoftware suchasWindowsMeetingPlace
SyncCenter*Usedtosynchronizemobiledevicesornetwork shares
HomeGroup(7)Usedtoviewandchangesharingandpassword options
HardwareandSoundPrinters(Vista)Usedtoadd,delete,orcustomizeprinter settings
DevicesandPrinters(7)Usedtoadd/removeadevice,scanner,camera, printer,andmouseaswellasaccessDevice Manager
AutoPlayUsedtochangehowmediaisautomatically handledwhenadiscortypeoffileisaddedor inserted
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ControlPanelcategorySubcategoryFunction
SoundUsedtomanageaudiodevicesandchange soundschemes
Mouse(Vista)Usedtocustomizemouseandmousebutton settings
PowerOptionsSameasfoundintheSystemandMaintenance
(Vista)/SystemandSecurity(7)category
Personalization(Vista) Usedtocustomizethedesktop,adjustmonitor settings,selecta theme,orchangethemouse pointer
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ScannersandCameras
(Vista)
Usedtoadd,delete,orcustomizesettings relatedtoscannersorcameras
1
Keyboard*Usedtocustomizekeyboardsettings
DeviceManager(Vista)SameasfoundintheSystemandMaintenance category
1
Phone andModem
Options*
Usedtoinstallamodemandcontrolmodemand phonedialingproperties
1
GameControllers*Usedtoadd,remove,andcustomizeUSB
joysticks,gamepads,andothergamingdevices
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WindowsSideShow
(Vista)
UsedtocustomizeSideShowsettings
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PenandInputDevicesUsedtoconfigurepenoptionsforatabletPC ColorManagement* Usedforadvancedcolorsettingsondiscplays,
scanners,andprinters
Tablet PC SettingsUsedtoconfiguretabletandscreensettingson atabletPC
Display(7)Usedtoadjustresolution,configureanexternal display,ormaketextlarger/smaller
BluetoothDevicesUsedtoinstall,configure,andadjustBluetooth wirelessdevices.
ProgramsProgramsandFeaturesUsedtouninstallandchangeprogramsaswell asenable/disableWindowsfeaturessuchas games,telnetserver,telnetclient,TFTPclient, andprintservices
WindowsDefender*SameasfoundintheSecuritycategory
DefaultProgramsUsedtoremoveastartupprogram,associate
afileextensionwithaparticularapplication,or selecttheprogramusedwithaparticulartypeof file
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WindowsSideshow
(Vista)
WindowsSidebar
Properties(Vista)
SameasfoundintheHardwareandSound category
Usedtoaddgadgetstothesidebaraswellas customizethegadgetsdisplayedonthedesktop
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1
ControlPanelcategorySubcategoryFunction11
DesktopGadgets(7)Usedtoadd/remove/restoredesktopinteractive
objects
MobilePCWindowsMobilityCenterUsedonlaptopstoadjustscreenbrightness, audiovolume,wirelessenablingandstrength status,presentationsettings,andexternal displaycontrol
PowerOptionsUsedonlaptopsandhasthesame functionas foundintheSystemandMaintenancecategory
PersonalizationUsedonlaptopsandhasthesame functionas foundintheHardwareandSoundcategory
Tablet PC SettingsUsedonlaptopsandhasthesame functionas foundintheProgramscategory
PenandInputDevicesUsedonlaptopsandhasthesame functionas foundintheHardwareandSoundcategory
SyncCenterUsedonlaptopsandhasthesame functionas foundintheNetworkandInternetcategory
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UserAccountsand
FamilySafety
Appearanceand
Personalization
Clock,Language,and
Region
UserAccountsUsedtoadd,remove,ormodifyaccounts allowedaccesstothecomputer
ParentalControlsSameasfoundintheSecurity(Vista)/System andSecurity(7)
WindowsCardSpaceUsedtomanagerelationshipsandinformation suchasauserIDandpasswordforwebsites andonline services.Thepersonalcard informationiskeptencryptedonthelocalhard drive.
CredentialManager(7)Usedtostoreusername/passwordinavaultfor easylogontositesand/orcomputers
PersonalizationSameasfoundintheHardwareandSound category
TaskbarandStartmenuUsedtocustomizetheStartmenuandtaskbar byaddingorremovingicons
FontsUsedtocustomizeavailablefonts
Folder OptionsUsedtoconfigurehowfoldersareviewedand actedupon,includingwhatfilesareseen
DateandTimeUsedtoconfiguretime,date,timezone, clocks fordifferenttimezones
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RegionandLanguage
Options
Usedtoconfiguretheformatfordate,time, currency,etc.thatareregionspecific.Alsoused tocustomizekeyboardsettings
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AdditionalOptionsHoldsspecialcontrolpanelsthataresystem specific,suchasaNVIDIAvideodisplayorJava controlpanel
*Note thatinWindows7,particularoptionscanbefoundbytypinginthesubcategoryintheSearchControlPaneltextbox.
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Fill in Table 11.13 with the correct Control Panel category and subcategory.
ControlPanelcategoryControlPanelsubcategoryTask
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Usedtoconfigurethemousebuttons foraleft-handedperson
1
Usedtomutethecomputerspeaker sound
1
Usedtoconfigurethedatetobeinthe formatApril15,201X
1
Usetodefinehowfastacharacter repeatswhena specifickeyisheld down
1
Usetodefinewhatpage(homepage) appearseverytimeInternetExplorer starts
1
UsedtoconfigureanIPaddressona wirelessnetworkadapter
1
Usedtosetaprinterasthedefault printer
1
UsedtoseeifWindowsrecognizesa particularpieceofhardware
1
1
ObtainingHelp
13. ClickHelpandSupportfromtheStartbuttonmenu.TheHelpandSupportwindowcontainslinkstoonlineandlocallystoredhelpdocuments.
14. InVistathestandardhelplinksareWindowsBasics,TableofContents,Securityand Maintenance,Troubleshooting,WindowsOnlineHelp,andWhat’sNew.InWindows7the standardthreelinksareHowtogetstartedwithyourcomputer,LearnaboutWindows Basics,andBrowseHelptopics.InbothVistaand7theSearchHelptextboxisusedby typingawordorseriesofwordsonaspecifictopic.NotethattheHelpandSupportwindowmayvarydependingonthecomputermanufacturer.
Whatisthefirstlinklistedinthehelpwindow?
15. IneitherVistaor7,typemonitorqualityandpressEnter.
Listthreesettingsusedtoimprovedisplayquality.
16. Toseealistoftroubleshootingtopics,typetroubleshootingintheSearchhelptextbox.A
listoftroubleshootingtopicsimmediatelydisplays.SelecttheOfflineHelpmenuarrow. Whatmenuoptionsappear?
17. SelectSettings.Noticehowyoucancustomizethetypeofhelpyoureceivebyenablingor disablingtheonlinehelpcheckbox.
18. ClosetheWindowsHelpandSupportCenterwindow.
SearchingforFiles, Folders, andComputers
19. ClicktheStartbuttonandfindtheStartSearch(Vista)/Searchprogramsandfiles(7) textbox,locateddirectlyabovetheStartbutton.Thisoptionisusedtohuntforfiles,other computersonthenetwork,peoplelistedinyouraddressbook,andinformationlocatedon theInternet.
20. In the textbox, type system configuration, but do not press e. Notice how the program shows in the panel. Always keep in mind that applications are simply a type of file that brings up the specific software. Also, any files that contain the words “SystemConfiguration” appear under the files list. Select the
System Configurationprogramfromthelist.Closethe windowoncethequestionhasbeenanswered.
Listfive tabsfoundintheSystemConfiguration window.
21.Bringupthesearchlistforsystemconfiguration, butdon’tpressEnteragain.
InWindows7,clickontheSeemoreresultslinkandscrolltothebottomofthelist;locateandselect theInterneticon.
ListoneURLthatthesystemfound.
22. ReturntothecomputerStartSearch(Vista)/Searchprogramsandfiles(7)textboxand typeinyourclassmate’scomputernameandpressEnter.Intheresultingwindowinthe Folderspanelontheleft,selecttheNetworkoption.
Doestheremotecomputernameappear?[Yes|No]
23. Closethewindow.
StartingApplications
24. Softwareapplicationsareaccessedthrough theStartbutton.ClicktheStartbutton.The leftcolumncontainsthemostrecentlyusedapplications.Ifaprogramisnotlistedthere andtheapplicationisinstalled,youcanaccessitthrough theAllProgramsoption.Point toAllPrograms;locateandclicktheAccessoriesoption.LocateandclickNotepad.The Notepadapplicationopens.
25. TypeWhateveryouarebeagoodone.-AbrahamLincoln.ClicktheFilemenuoption,Save,thentypequoteintheFilenametextbox.Noticethepathforwherethedocumentissavedlocatedatthetopofthewindow.Thefolderandsubfoldersareseparatedbyarrows.
Writethepathforwherethedocumentwillbesaved.
26. ClicktheSavebutton.ClicktheClosebutton(thebuttonwiththeX)intherightcorner.
Re-accesstheStartbuttonmenu.
DoestheNotepadapplicationnowappearintheleftcolumnoftheStartmenu?[Yes|No]
27. IntheStartSearch(Vista)/Searchprogramsandfiles(7)textbox,typenotepad,butdonotpresstheEnterkey.TheNotepadapplicationislistedundertheProgramssection.IntheStartSearch(Vista)/Searchprogramsandfiles(7)textbox,deletetheword notepadandtypequote,butdonotpressEnter.Yourfile(andanyothersthathavethe word“quote”inthefilenameordocument)willappearundertheFilessectionofthelist. Noticetheiconbesidethefilename.ClickontheQuotedocument.Thedocumentopens. Closethedocumentandapplication.
Recycle Bin
28. Right-clicktheStartbuttonandselecttheExplore(Vista)/OpenWindowsExplorer(7) option.UsingtheinformationyouwrotedownforStep32,clickonthefirstfolderyou wrotedown.ItshouldbelocatedundertheFolders(Vista),Desktop(7),orDocuments sectionoftheleftpanel.Double-clickonthesecond(andanysubsequent)folderyou wrotedown.Locatethefilecalledquote.Donotopenthefile,justbrowseuntilthefile- nameappearsinthemajorwindow.
29. Right-clickonthequotefilename.NoticethatthereisaDeleteoption.Donotclickon thisoption.Clickawayfromthefilenameonanemptypartofthewindowandthenclick onceonthequotefilenametoselectit.Thenameishighlightedwhenitisselected.Press theDeletekey.TheAreyousureyouwanttomovethisfiletotheRecycleBin?dialogbox appears.ClickYes.ThefileissenttotheRecycleBin,whichisjustafolderonthehard drive.
TheRecycleBinholdsdeletedfilesandfolders.Whenafileorfolderisdeleted,itisnot immediatelydiscarded;instead,itgoesintotheRecycleBinfolder.Onceafileorfolder
isintheRecycleBin,itcanberemoved.Thisissimilartoapieceoftrashbeingretrieved fromanofficetrashcan.Atechnicianmustrememberthatthefilesandfoldersinthe RecycleBintakeupharddrivespaceandthatusersfrequentlyforgettoemptythese deletedfilesandfolders.
30. Fromthewindowwhereyoulocatedthenow-deletedquotedocument,locatetheRecycle Binicon;forWindows7,theRecycleBiniconiscommonly locatedonthedesktop—selectDesktopfromtheFavoritessection.Double-clickonthis icon.
DoesthequotetextdocumentappearintheRecycleBinwindow? Ifnot,redothe stepsinthissectiontocreateanddeletethefile.
31. SelecttheEmptytheRecycleBinoptionfromthetopmenu.Aconfirmationwindow appears,askingifyouaresureyouwanttopermanentlydeletethefile.ClickYes.The namedisappearsfromtheRecycleBinwindow(asdothoseofanyotherfilesthatwere locatedintheRecycleBin).Closethewindow.
PinninganApplication totheStart Menu
32. ClickStartAllProgramsAccessoriesandlocatetheNotepadapplication.Right-click theNotepadapplicationandselectthePintoStartMenuoption.
33. ClicktheStartbutton.NoticehowtheNotepadapplicationappearsatthetopoftheStart menu.Oncetheapplicationispinned,italwaysappearsinthattoplist.
34. Right-clicktheNotepadStartbuttonoptionandselectUnpinfromStartMenu.TheapplicationisremovedimmediatelybutstillresidesinAllPrograms.
OtherWindowsVista/7 Differences
35. OneofthethingsthatisdifferentinWindowsVistaand7fromWindowsXPisthegad- gets.Gadgetsareminiapplicationsthatstayonthedesktop.Bydefault,theyloadto
theright,butyoucancustomizewheretheygo.Right-clickonthedesktopandselect
Gadgets.
Listthreegadgetsyouwouldfindusefultohaveonthedesktop.
WindowsVista/7 ShutdownOptions
36. Whenfinishedworkingonthecomputerfortheday,thecomputerneedstobeturnedoff orshutdownproperly.Allapplicationsandwindowsshouldbeclosed,andthenspecial stepsneedtobetakenforshutting down.ClickStartandlocatetheStartSearch(Vista)/ Searchprogramsandfiles(7)textboxyouhavebeenusing.Immediatelytotherightof thattextboxaretwosymbolsandarightarrowinWindowsVistaoraShutdownbutton inWindows7.SeeFigure11.25.
TheshutdownoptionsthatcommonlyappeararelistedinTable11.15,alongwiththe purposeofeachone.
Table11.15Windows Vista/7shutdown options
OptionPurpose
Switch UserAllowsanotherusertoswitchtohisorher ownenvironment(desktop,files, etc.).
LogOffKeeps thecomputerpoweredonbutlogsoffthecurrentuser.
LockLocksthecomputer,suchaswhensomeonegoestolunch.Allsettings andcurrentapplicationsareleftuntouched.
RestartUsedwhennewsoftwareorhardwarehasbeeninstalledorwhenthe computerlocks.
SleepReducespowerconsumptionbutkeepstheapplicationsandsettingsthat arecurrentlyonthescreen.
ShutDownPowersoffthecomputer.
37. SelecttheShutdownoptionunlessdirectedotherwisebytheinstructororlabassistant.