MICROSOFT WINDOWS

A window is a rectangular area on a display screen which text or graphical images may be displayed. Windows 95or 98 programs appear on the screen in graphical method. Like other low windows, they afford the ability to run programs under them and to perform management of document. Windows are menu driven, they have the capacity of performing several tasks, can display programs to be ran on the screen and afford the ability for program to share data

THE WINDOWS DESKTOP

The desktop is the available area on your screen where you can carry out your operations. It is similar in meaning to a working place where all the equipment of work are located and working can take place. The desktop contain several icons. Each icon represents an object such as folder in the program. At the bottom of the desktop is a horizontal line called task bar.

GETTING STARTED

If the computer is boot on, the system loads Windows 95, 98, automatically. You are advised not to do otherwise until the loading is complete. The appearance of Windows 95, or 98 etc desktop menu is an indication for complete loading.

The following are seen on the screen;

i.                   My Computer

ii.                 Network neighborhood

iii.               Inbox

iv.              Recycle bin

v.                Setup for Microsoft Network

At the low left part of the screen is the task bar that contains start button and lock. If you intend to start a program, position the mouse pointer on the start button and click on it.

OPENING WINDOW

Before any activity is done in windows, it requires first opening the window. To do this, click on the start button, you can alternatively open window by;

·         clicking a command, menu folder or document

·         From my computer click an application or document

·         You can also click an icon a separate programs shortcut bar, such as Microsoft Office Shortcut bar.

When windows are open by clicking on the start button contained on the task bar, it brings out menu containing some selection. From up to down, the following setting is done; programs, document, setting, find, help, run and shutdown.

Programs

Programs are placed at the very top of the opening menu. Available features contained under programs are accessories, Microsoft office; start up, MS-DOS prompt and windows explorer.

Accessories

If you point the mouse pointer on the accessories various of menus will appear.

BASIC ELEMENTS OF WINDOW

The title Bar

This is the top most area on the screen where the application name is displayed and when you save your job under name, the name given to your file also appears in that location, if the document window is not detach from the application window.

The Menu Bar

This is the area directly under the title bar where a list of menus are located. Mot a times the menus range from File, Edit, to help menu. In some other windows it range from Home, layout to help menu. It is important to note that menu normally would have a pull down or submenu which essentially list of command which could be use on your document.

The minimize button

This is hyphen like (-) in nature at the upper right of the window. By way of function, it is used to reduce the window to an icon which is placed at the button of the window.

The maximize button

This is a square box located at the upper right corner of the title bar. It is essentially used to enlarge the application you are working with so that you can have a full computer screen for your work space.

The close button

The close button is used to close the active window. This is designated by (X) located at the right corner of the title bar to the right of the maximize button.

Restore button

This button is represented by double squares, one placed on top of the right corner of the other. It can only come up to be seen after you have clicked on the maximize button. The work of the button is to restore the active window to its previous size prior to its maximization.

The mouse pointer

This is the arrow that appears on the screen if mouse is installed on your system. With this, you can select the application of your choice and the necessary commands you desire to use on the document.

The Window border

This is the outside edge for instance the four edges of the window. You can enlarge or reduce it to suit your taste.

The Workspace

This is the area inside window where you do your work.

The Icons

These are graphical representation of minimized window application and document.

The scroll bar

The scroll bars are located at the windows right and bottom edges. The one to the right is called the vertical scroll bar while the other at the bottom edge is known as the horizontal scroll bar. This is the area in between an upward pointing triangle and a downward pointing triangle.