Microsoft Windows

The Windows Vista Desktop Interface

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Vista

Using the Windows Key

Windows Key:
Open/Close the Start Menu

Windows Key + PAUSE Key

Display the System Properties
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Windows Key + D
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Display the Desktop

Windows Key + M
Minimize all of the windows

Windows Key +SHIFT+M

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Restore minimized windows

Windows Key + E
Open Computer

Windows Key + Tab Key

Cycle open programs with 3D Flip

Windows Key + Spacebar

Brings gadgets forward

Windows Key + L
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Lock keyboard (or switch users)

Windows Key +R
Open the Run dialog box

Windows Key + Number (1, 2, 3)

Opens Quick Launch applications

1. The Start Orb: This is a button in the lower left-hand side of your desktop that is the launching pad for accessing your programs, files, Control Panel, accessing the Internet, E-mail and more. Some call it the Start pearl or jewel, but most have settled on orb. 2. The Instant Search Box: One of the best new features in Windows is this search dialog that allows you to instantly search for items like applications, documents and even emails. With as-you-type searching, it will begin scanning all items from the moment you type in your first character. 3. All Programs: This is the location where all installed software programs are accessed. Click on All Programs to explore available applications on your computer. Click on any program shortcut on the menu to open the application. 4. The Left Side Of The Start Menu: Here is an alternative way to open applications. Frequently used applications automatically move up the list from the lower left. The upper left contains fixed shortcuts to programs, usually Internet and E-mail applications. 5. The Right Side of the Start Menu: This is where commonly accessed personal files such as Documents, Pictures and more are generally stored. Shortcuts to the Computer, Control Panel and Help and Support are located here. 6. Shutdown Options: From here you can choose to tell the computer to sleep, shutdown, lock, log off, switch user or restart. 7. Recycle Bin: Used as a repository for files you plan on deleting but they havent been deleted just yet. This is a holding bin. You can right-click the bin and restore all items within. Typically though you will open the bin and locate specific files to restore. 8. The Desktop: Like a real desktop, this is where various objects such as files, folders and more can be placed for quick access. 9. The Windows Sidebar: The docking station for mini applications called gadgets. Gadgets you can snap-in include different clocks, calendars, photo slideshow applications, newsfeeds, stock information, calculators and much more. 10. Windows Taskbar and Notification Area: Usually located at the bottom of the Desktop, this area shows all open applications. Also provided is a notification area to the right of the taskbar. Important details regarding software updates, messages and more are relayed here.

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Shortcut Keys Improve Your Speed

Ctrl + A Select All Items Ctrl + Z Undo action Ctrl + X Cut text Ctrl + Y Redo action Ctrl + C Copy text F1 Display Help Ctrl + V Paste text Alt+F4 Close Active Window Ctrl + O Open Ctrl+P Print Ctrl+Mousewheel: Change the view type larger or smaller. SHIFT with any of the arrow keys to Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document. Shift+Delete: Permanently delete an item. ALT+ENTER: View properties for the selected item. ALT+F4: Close the active item, or quit the active program. ALT+Enter: Displays the properties of the selected object. ALT+TAB: Switch between open items. CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Brings up Task Manager CTRL+ESC: Open the Start Menu Print Screen Key: Takes a screenshot of the whole desktop. Alt+Print Screen: Takes a screenshot of selected Window On the keyboard, hold down CTRL while dragging an item to Copy selected item. On the keyboard, hold down CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item to Create shortcut to item.

A Tour of the Start Menu

User Account: At the top of your Start Menu is the logged in user account. Selecting this item allows you to access folders within such as that accounts Contacts, Downloads, Favorites and so forth. Documents: A location to save your files under your specific user account. Pictures, Music and Games: To help you organize your games and media into easy to locate categories. Computer: Will bring you to your local, mapped and networked drives. Network: Shows you other systems on your network segment. Control Panel: Locate your applets. Help and Support: For assistance on using Windows Vista (and to ask for remote assistance).

New Control Panel Apps

New Features
Windows Aero: The name given to a new graphical look for a Windows OS, which includes window transparencies, live thumbnails and icons and additional eye candy. Application Upgrades: Vista comes with Internet Explorer 7.0 and Media Player 11. New or Revamped Applications include: Windows Mail Windows Calendar Windows Photo Gallery Windows DVD Maker Windows Media Center Windows Movie Maker User Account Control: A security feature that is designed to help prevent malicious software or software you havent explicitly approved as an Administrator, from running on your system. It works by constantly presenting approval dialog boxes in front of you so that you can (if logged in as an Administrator) simply continue, or (if logged in as a Standard User) either provide whats called over the shoulder credentials or be stopped by the OS from performing the task. BitLocker: Can encrypt your entire systems full disk. In the event your laptop is stolen, if it was BitLocker protected, your date will be safe. Windows Defender: A spyware detection and removal software (with a few bells and whistles)

Backup and Restore Center: Allows you to perform a backup of data or a CompletePC backup for a full system restore. Ease of Access Center: Replaces Accessibility Center as the location for tools to help persons with special needs. Tools include Magnifier, OnScreen keyboard, Narrator and High Contrast. Personalization: For background, screensaver, etc Parental Controls: Perfect for home, school, library or kiosk machines, this group of settings allows you to control what applications a Standard User can access, what games can be played, what times they can access the computer, and what Internet sites they may have access to. Security Center: Although not a new applet, there are some improvements. You can access other important tools here including Windows Update, Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, and Internet Options. You can see at a glance if your system is protected in the four essential areas of Firewall, Automatic Updating, Malware Protection (both a spyware detector and antivirus tool).

Explorer
Explorer is a file manager that helps you locate your data. 1. From the options bar in Explorer you can alter the way you Organize or View your data. You can also choose to Play it through Media Player, view it as a Slide Show, Email it, configure Sharing Settings or burn it to a variety of media. 2 1 5 3 2. Address Bar (a.k.a. Breadcrumb Bar): Designed for easier navigation with ways to walk your way backward through the folder structure. 3. Search: In Vista practically every shell has a Search bar at the top to facilitate location of data. 4 4. Preview Pane (to the right) and Details pane (at the bottom) which shows you metadata.

5. The Favorites Pane: Commonly accessed folders and the folder structure of files you are currently viewing. Search folders too.

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2009 ClipTraining LLC

Visit: www.cliptraining.com Call: 1-888-611-CLIP (2547)