Reviewer – Computer

Computer – composes of hardware and software

Operating System – serves to be the parents of the computer
- Like Windows 7, manages the computer hardware and software
- Helps the computer for use
- Checks the hardware attached in your computer such as the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and
printer, if they are working properly.
- Without an operating system, you will not be able to use the programs installed in your
computer.

Windows 7 – is an operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation.

- Provides graphical user interface (GUI), wherein you can easily communicate and work with your
computer through pictures and menus.

Windows 7 has better ways to find and manage files, and improved its taskbar previews. Below are
some of the new features:
1. Jump Lists – can quickly find recent files such as documents, songs, and websites that you’ve
worked with.
- To show the jump lists, right-click on the program button on the task bar. In the figure on the
left, the frequently visited websites are shown.
2. Snap windows – new and fun way to arrange and compare two open windows on your desktop.
3. Peek – will give you an X ray vision of your desktop
4. Shake – will allow you to work on a single window on a cluttered desktop by just clicking on the
title bar and shake the mouse.
5. Improved Taskbar – you can better preview opened programs in thumbnail view and customize
it in a clean and neat way.

The following are also observable in Windows 7 but more notable to Windows Vista compared to
Windows XP:
1. Windows Aero – is a translucent effect in an open window
- You can look through the window and see what is behind it
- The effect will depend on the color intensity being used
2. Window Flip 3D – cool effect that takes place when you switch from one window to another
3. Windows Live Preview – pointing the mouse pointer to an open program on a task bar will give
you a preview of its content in a thumbnail size.

Desktop – main screen that you will see

- Working area in Windows 7 where you can open and work with different programs and
documents
Desktop icons – small pictures representing programs, applications, folders, or files
- Recycle bin, computer and documents
Taskbar – rectangular bar found at the bottom of the desktop
- Has the start button, the Quick Launch bar, and the Notification area
a. Start Button – blue round button that contains the four-color Windows logo and is found on
the lower left corner of the desktop
- All programs available in your computer will be displayed
b. Notification area- system tray
- Contains icons representing programs that are running such as anti virus, volume control, and
the clock
Gadgets – housed the mini-programs which help you in doing some tasks in your computer
Sidebar – provides you programs for keeping you watch the exact time of your place or friends in other
location
Quick Launch bar – contains icons, used to launch a program in a click
Lesson 2 – Using the Start Menu

Start Menu – contains a list of programs installed in your computer

- To search for a file or folder, get help, lock, log off and turn off the computer
Elements of Start Menu
- It has left and right pane
a. Left pane – shows the programs available in your computer
- If you click all Programs, it will display the programs in alphabetical order followed by list of
folders.
- At the bottom, is Search Box – used to locate files
b. Right pane – easy way of opening the different folders available in your computer.
1. Personal Folder – the folder name will depend on the name you entered the first time you
used Windows 7.
2. Documents – link to the folder where you can put your documents and files
3. Pictures – where you can save your digital pictures and graphics
4. Music – where you can save your audio files
5. Computer – cab have access to disk drives, etc.
6. Control Panel – customize the appearance and functionality of your computer
7. Default programs – set the program you want Windows to use for activities
8. Devices and Printers – shows option on how to manage and set devices and printers
9. Help and Support – various topics and information

Switch user – switches users to other account leaving all programs open
Log off – switches user and closes all opened programs
Lock – locks the computer preventing others from using your account
Restart – reboots the Windows after closing all the opened programs
Sleep – turns the computer in a low-power state to save energy
Hibernate - puts your open documents and programs on your hard disk and turns off the computer

In Windows Vista, at the bottom f the right pane is where the Power button, the lock button and an
arrow to it are located.

Lesson 3 – Customizing the taskbar

Taskbar- the desktop part that helps you manage your running programs in Windows
- Is the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen
- Area that contains the Start button, Notification area and the buttons of all opened programs
- Can be personalized and customized

Move the Taskbar

1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar
2. The pop-up menu appears. Click to uncheck the option Lock the Taskbar.
3. Then, click on an empty space on the taskbar, and then hold down the mouse as you drag the
taskbar to the top, bottom, or side of the desktop.

Resize the taskbar

1. Position your mouse pointer to the edge of the taskbar until it changes into a double-headed
arrow
2. Then, drag the border up and down. Release the mouse button when you have reached your
desired size.

 Remember that you can resize and move the taskbar if it is unlocked.

Hide the Taskbar

1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar
2. From the options, click on Properties
 3. On the Taskbar tab, check the Auto-hide the taskbar, and then click Ok. After that, the taskbar is
hidden from view but will reappear when you position the mouse pointer on it.

 To unhide taskbar, just uncheck the Auto-hide taskbar option on the Taskbar and Start Menu
Properties dialog box.

Change How Icons Appear on the Taskbar

1. Right click on the taskbar
2. Click on Properties
3. On the Taskbar tab, choose the Taskbar buttons
 Always combine, hide labels – This is the default setting. Each program appears as a
single, unlabeled icon.
 Combine when taskbar is full – this shows each item as individual, labeled icon.
 Never combine – each item will be displayed as individual with labels.
4. Click Ok.

Pin Items on the Taskbar

1. Choose a program to pin on the taskbar
2. Right click on it, then choose Pin to taskbar

Add a Toolbar to the Taskbar

Toolbar – is a row, column, or group of buttons or icons representing tasks you can do within a
program.

Taskbar Toolbars are as follows:

1. Address
- It is a bar where you can type in a web address without opening a web browser such as Internet
Explorer. This will allow you to go to the site after pressing the ENTER key or clicking the arrow
beside it.
2. Links
- Contains shortcuts to different Internet sites.
Favorite Bar – is found under the Personal Folder>Favorites Folder

Tablet PC Input Panel – it allows you to enter text using the mouse and not through a keyboard.
- It has two small buttons found on the upper left side of its window. These are the Writing Pad
and Touch Key board. Beside them is the Tools menu and the Show or Hide Correction Video
buttons.

Writing Pad – allows uou to enter text using the mouse in a handwritten form as shown in the figure
below.
Touch Keyboard – is similar to a typical keyboard but instead of typing, you can enter text by clicking on
the keys.

Desktop – links for the items found in your desktop

New Toolbar – it will provide link to access the contents of the folder that you added.

To add any of these toolbars in your desktop, simply follow these steps:
1. Right-click an empty area on the taskbar and point to Toolbars.
2. Click any of the toolbars. The items with check marks beside them means they are already on
the taskbar.
Lesson 4 – Personalizing your Windows Desktop

Desktop Theme – a predefined set of icons, fonts, colors, sounds and other window elements that give
the desktop an organized and distinctive look.

Change Desktop Theme

1. Right click on an empty space of the desktop.
2. Click on personalize. The control panel Personalization window appears.
3. Choose a theme from the categories.

Desktop Themes:
1. Architecture
2. Characters
3. Landscapes
4. Nature
5. Scenes

Desktop background – wall paper

Change Desktop Background:
1. Right click on an empty space of the desktop
2. Click on personalize, and then choose desktop background
3. Click a picture from the list to make it your desktop background.
4. You can also make a desktop background slide show by selecting more than one picture to
create a slide show in your desktop.
5. To select pictures, click the check box on each picture you want to include in the slideshow.

 You can press and hold Shift key or Ctrl key on your keyboard while clicking the mouse if
selecting many pictures.
6. Set the number of minutes the desktop background will change.
7. Click on Save Changes.

Set your Personal Picture as Desktop Background

1. If you want to apply your personal picture as the background, Click Browse, to locate for the
folder containing the picture saved in your computer.
2. When you find the folder you want, double click it.
3. Choose the picture you want to set as background.
4. You can change how the picture is positioned by choosing any option such as Fill, Fit, Stretch,
Tile or Center. If you choose Center, you can click the change background Color to apply solid
color as background.
 You can also set any picture in your computer as your wall paper by just right-clicking on the
picture, and then click Set as Desktop.

Background
Aero – premium visual which features a transparent glass design with window animations and window
colors.

Change Color Scheme

1. Right click on an empty space of the Desktop
2. Click on Personalize, and then choose Window color.
3. Choose the color from the list or create your own using the color mixer.
4. Click Enable Transparency, and drag the Color Intensity bar to see the effect.
5. Click Ok if your desired color has been achieved.

 Click Open Classic Appearance properties for more color options, the appearance setting dialog
box appears. From the Color scheme, Choose Windows Aero.

Screen Saver – moving picture

 - Protects the computer from burning lights of the monitor especially if you are using a
monochromatic monitor.

Screen Savers:
1. 3D text
2. Mystify
3. Ribbons
4. Photos

Apply Screen Saver

1. Right click on the empty space of the desktop. Click Personalize.
2. Click on Screen Saver Setting Dialog box appears
3. Click the drop down list box under Screen Saver, and then Choose what effect you want to
apply. You can have a preview of how the screen saver looks like.
4. Click Ok.

 Password in the screen saver is the same as the user account password.
 To apply a password, click on resume, display log on screen check box, and set the time after
which to start the screen saver, and then click Apply/Ok.

Using the Icons – Recycle bin, computer, and network

Desktop Icons Setting Box

Add or remove Common Desktop Icons: (computer, User’s files, network, Recycle bin, and control panel)

1. Right click on any part of the desktop.

2. Choose Personalize
3. In the left pane, click Change desktop icons. The Desktop Icon settings dialog box appears.
4. Under the Desktop icons, Click the check box for each icon that you want to add to the desktop,
and then click OK.

Add desktop Icons Shortcuts

1. Right Click on any part of the desktop
2. Choose New
3. Click shortcuts
4. Locate the item that you want to create a short cut for. Cick Next
5. Type the name you want to assign to the shortcut
6. Click finish.

Show or Hide Desktop icons:

1. Right click on an empty space of the desktop
2. Point to View, and then Uncheck the show desktop icons.

 To display again the icons, right-click on the desktop, point to View, and then click show Desktop
icons to check it. A check mark will indicate that the icons are displayed on the desktop.

Change the Size of the Icons

1. Right click on an empty space of the desktop
2. Point to View, and then click large icons, medium icons or small icons.

Arranging the Icons

1. Right click on an empty space of the desktop
2. Point to Sort by, and then click the name, size, item type or date modified
Desktop Icons:
1. Recycle bin
2. Computer
3. Network
4. Mozilla firefox
5. Yahoo messenger

Desktop icon size

1. Small icon
2. Medium icon
3. Large icon

Setting up the Way the Mouse Works

1. Right click on an empty space of the desktop. Choose Personalize.
2. Click on Change Mouse pointers. The Mouse Properties dialog box appears.

 Click the Buttons tab to Swift the functions of the right and left mouse buttons. Just click on the
switch primary and secondary buttons check box.
 Click the Pointers tab to change the appearance of your mouse pointer.
 To speed up the process of selecting a choice when a dialog box appears, select the
Automatically move pointer to the default button in a dialog box check box.

Lesson 5 – Adding user Account

What is a User Account?

User account – can be created for every person using a single computer for different purposes.
- Each account can be assigned with a user name and password.

3 different types of User Account

1. Administrator
2. Standard user
3. Guest accounts

Administrator Account Standard User Account Guest Account

Can open all files stored in the
computer
Can install/uninstall software
and hardware
Can set and modify account’s
name, picture, and password
Can create and delete other
user accounts
Can create and change account
properties such as the picture
and password
Cannot install software and
hardware
Cannot change account type
and name
Can change account’s picture
Cannot install software and
hardware
Cannot change account type
and name

Add User Account

 Each one of you must have a separate user account with each own password and personalized
settings. This will avoid others form changing important security settings in the computer wth
your permission.

1. Click on the Start button, and then click control panel.

2. Click on user account
3. Click Manage another account
4. Click create new account
5. Type the name you want for the user account
6. Choose the account type, Standard User or Administrator
 7. Click Create Account

Assign/Change the Account Password

- assigning a password to your account will prevent other people from accessing your personal
desktop.
1. Click on Start Button, and then click on Control panel.
2. Click on User account
3. Click Create a password for your account
4. Type the password in the New password box, and then type the password again in the Confirm
new password box
5. If you would like to use a password hint, type the hint in the password hint box.
6. Click Create password.

If you already have a password, you can change it by clicking Change your password. Type in the current
password, then the new password and then confirm new password. Click Change new password to
replace the old with a new password. Click remove your password to renove the password in your
account.

Change the Account Type or Name

1. Click Start button, and then click on Control Panel
2. Click on User account
3. Click on Change your account type
4. Select the Account type you want, and then click Change Account type.

 Your computer needs at least one administrator account. If you have left one administrator
account, you cannot change it to standard user account.

Change the Account Picture

1. Click on the Start button, and then click on control panel
2. Click on user account’
3. Click change your picture
4. Select from the list of picture you want to use, and then click change picture. If you use a picture
of your own, click Browse for more pictures, navigate to the picture you want to use, click the
picture, and then click Open.

Switch User Account

 If you use Switch User, all programs running in the previous account will be kept open. If you
click on log off, windows 7 automatically closes all opened programs before switching to another
account.
1. Click on the Start button
2. Point t the arrow next to the shut down button, and then click Switch user.
3. Then click the suer name of the account to log on.
4. If the account is protected by a password, type in the password
5. Click the Go arrow beside the password dialog box or press enter

Lesson 6 – Managing Folders and Files Using Windows Explorer

Understanding Files and Folders

Files – are nay data stored in your computer
Folders – drawer-like where files are placed
- You have to place them in a folder so that you can easily find, move, copy or open them.
- You can identify the file by looking on its icon- word document, powerpoint presentation, excel
workbook
Subfolder – a folder within a folder

 A file is created when you are using a program. Another example is when you copy a song from
a CD to your computer.
Windows Explorer
- Helps you manage files and folders easily.
- You can open windows Explorer by clicking the start button; choose All Programs, click
Accessories and then choose Windows Explorer. Anotehr way is to right click on the start button
then click Open Windows Explorer
- The Windows Explorer shows the whole folder tree structure on the left and the contents of the
selected drive or folder are shown on the right. The most obvious difference of windows
Explorer since Windows vista is the menu bar. In the latest version, the menu bar is hidden.

Parts of a Windows Explorer Window

1. Address bar – can navigate the files and folders easily
2. Navigation pane – found on the left side which contains links of the location of the folders,
documents and files saved in the computer.
3. Command bar – displays the task available for the selected file or folder
4. Details pane – gives details about the file. It shows the thumb nail icon representing the file and
information on who and when the file is created.
5. Preview pane – allows you to see the content of the file without opening it

7 Different Viws available to view files and folders:

1. Extra large icons
2. Large icons
3. Small icons
4. List
5. Details
6. Tiles
7. Contents

 The Desktop content in different views: 1) Details view 2) Medium icons 3) extra large icons

Use the organize button

 In organizing files and folders, you must have to consider how your files are arranged and
viewed. You must know how to place your files in correct folders.

Change the layout

1. Click organize
2. Choose layout
3. Select to show or hide the Menu bar, Details pane, Preview pane, or navigation pane

Create a folder
 The folder’s name implies the kind of file that can be saved in them.
1. Click on the Navigation pane where to create your new folder
2. Click onNew folder found on the command bar
3. Type in the name you want to assign to your folder

By default, Windows automatically assigns “New folder” as the name of the folder.
You can rename a folder by right-clicking on it, choose Rename, and then type the new folder.

Copy Files and Folders

- A copy can be copied from one folder to another folder. In the same manner, a folder can also
be copied from one location to another.
1. Select the file or folder you want to copy
2. Click Organize and then Copy
3. Select the new location where you want to put the copied file/folder
4. Click organize, and then paste

You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste.

Move files and folders

 1. Select the file or fodler you want to move
2. Click organize then cut
3. Select the location where you want to move the file or folder
4. Click organize, and then paste.

Finding Files
Search box – allows you to locate a file without browsing through the folders and subfoldersone by one.

You can find a file by following these steps:

1. Select the location (computer, local disk C, Drive D) on the Navigation plane
2. Click on the search box
3. Type in the file name or the folder name you are looking for

You must practive proper care in navigating through your files, especially if you are copying and moving
files from one folder to another. You have to kake sure that you are copying and moving the right files or
folders.