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FUSD > Departments > Information Technology > Instructional Technology & Innovation > Tutorials > Documents > windowsxp  

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Windows XP Basics

Microsoft Windows XP Operating System Basics
 
 
Windows XP Basic Skills Reference Chart
 
Click the Categories below to watch a video tutorial.
 

Category

Task

Procedure

Desktop

Retrieve deleted files

Double-click the Recycle Bin.  Right click on a file and choose Restore

Change Screen Resolution

Right-click on the desktop picture and choose Properties.  Click the Settings tab, then click and drag the Screen Resolution slider to the left or right.  Click OK.

Change Desktop Picture

Right-click on an image file and choose Set as Desktop Background.

The Start Menu (Start Button)

Open a program

Click Start > All Programs, then click the desired program.

 

 

Add Program Launch icons to the Start Menu

Find a program under All Programs and right click, then select Pin to Start Menu.

 

Access Recent documents quickly

Click Start > Recent Documents, then click the desired document.

 

Access Help and Support

Click Start > Help and Support

 

Search for documents and other files on your computer

Click Start > Search, then click All Files and Folders.  Type the file name in the search field and click the Search button.

 

Shut Down or Restart the computer

Click Start > Shut Down, and make your selection from the drop down menu.

The Taskbar – The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of your computer screen

Minimize and Maximize windows/programs

Click the relevant buttons on the taskbar

 

Minimize all Windows

Right-click on the Taskbar and choose Show the Desktop

 

Tile all Windows

Right-click on the Taskbar and choose Tile Windows Horizontally or Vertically

 

Move the Taskbar

Click and hold on the Taskbar and drag it to another side of the screen.

The System Tray – The system tray houses application icons at the far right of the taskbar.  They provide access to software settings and other tools.

Hide and Reveal system tray icons

Click the round arrow button to the left of the system tray

 

Adjust computer volume

Click the audio speaker icon and move the slider up or down

 

Battery Notification

Hover the mouse pointer over the battery icon to view the remaining battery time available.

 

 

Access Wireless access points

Right-click on the Single Computer icon and choose View Available Wireless Networks.  Chick the desired access point and click the Connect button.

Navigating Folders

Open a folder window

Click Start > My Documents

 

Work with files/folders

Click a command from the task pane at the left

 

Change the task pane to Explorer view

Click the Folders button on the top toolbar

 

Customize the Window view

Click the Views button on the top toolbar and select a view

 

Jump to a website

Type the website address in the Address field

 

Sort files

Click the View menu and select Arrange icons by…

Working with Programs

Minimize a program

Click the minimize button in the top-right corner of the program window

Maximize a program

Click the maximize button in the top-right corner of the program window

 

Close a program

Click the red X button in the top-right corner of the program window

Internet Explorer – Web Browser

Open Internet Explorer

Click Start > Internet Explorer

 

Change your Home Page

Navigate to the desired web site.  Click the Tools menu and select Internet Options.  Click Use Current and click OK.

 

Bookmark a good website

Click the Star Icon with green plus or click the Favorites menu and select Add to Favorites

 

Add bookmark to the links bar

Drag the webpage address icon onto the Links bar

 

Save an image from a website

Right-click on the picture and select Save Image As…

 

Search for images

Go to images.google.com and search by keyword

Crashes and Freeze-Ups

Unfreeze a program

Hold down the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys simultaneously.  Click Task Manager.  Select the program that is not responding and click End Task.

 

Force Restart

Hold down the start-up button on the keyboard for several seconds until the computer turns off.  Wait a few seconds and restart the computer.

Control Panel – Click Start and click Control Panel

Adjust screen saver, appearance, and power consumption.

Double-click the Display icon

 

Adjust your track-pad settings

Double-click the Mouse icon

 

Add a user account

Double-click User Accounts.  Then click Create new user account

My Computer

Access Hard Drives and other attached storage devices

Click Start > My Computer

 

Check Storage capacity of hard drive

Right-click on hard drive and select Properties

 

Access CD/USB drive contents

Double-click the relevant icon

Burn CD

Burn CD

1.       Insert blank CD-R into the CD drive.

2.       Click Start > All Programs > Roxio > Creator Basic.

3.       Click Audio to make a music CD

4.       Click Data to copy standard computer files

5.       Click Add Data

6.       Click the red button to record

Jump Drives

Access a jump drive

1.        Connect the jump drive to a USB port

2.       Click Start > My Computer

3.       Double-click the USB drive icon

Healthy Computer

Scan Hard Drive for viruses

Click the V-Shield logo in the system tray and select On Access Scan

 

Defragment Hard Drive

Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.  Click the C Drive and click the Defragment button.  Note:  This will take several hours.