Unit 7: Basic Windows Operations (Windows 7)

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Here we are going to discuss some basic Windows Operations or general settings using Windows 7 Operating System

Running an Application

Running an application in GUI based operating system is quite easy and can be done in many ways. Some of the ways are mentioned below:

1.  If the application icon is available on the desktop, double-click it

2.  Click on the Start Menu to open the list of applications installed. Choose the application you want       to run and double-click it.

3.  Click on Start Menu then click on Run and type the name of the application in the text box and           press enter.

Operating System Simple Setting

Changing System Date and Time

Follow these steps to adjust system date and time:

1. Click on the time that is displayed in the task bar. This will bring up the Date and Time Properties      box. You can also right-click on the time by clicking on the "Adjust Date and Time" menu option.

                                Or, 

    click Start >>Control Panel >>Date and time to open the dialog box.

2. Change the date, month, year, time settings as you want.

3. Click "Apply” button to save the changes.

Changing Display Properties

To change the display property, right click on the desktop then select properties a new window will appear having following tabs:

1. Theme – Here you can change theme of the OS.

2. Desktop – Here you can change the background and colour scheme of the windows.

3. Screen Saver – Here you can change screen saver and power settings.

4. Appearance – Here you can change style, colour scheme, font of the windows and icons.

5. Settings – Here you can change screen resolution and colour scheme.

All the tabs have “Advanced” button that can be clicked to open more options to be adjusted.

To Add and Remove a Windows Component

Follow these steps to add or remove a windows component:

1. Click on Start >>Settings >>Control Panel >>Add or Remove Programs.

2. Add/Remove Windows Program dialog box appears.

3. Select the Add/Remove Windows Component icon on the left side of the dialog box.

4. Add/Remove Windows Component dialog box opens.

5. Select the component to be removed and click on “Next”

6. A message box will appear asking you to confirm you really want to remove the component.

7. Select the OK button to remove it.

Changing Mouse Properties

Follow these steps to change mouse properties:

1. Click on Start >>Settings >>Control Panel >>Mouse.

2. Mouse Properties dialog box appears.

3. Change the shape of the Mouse Pointer, Mouse Buttons configuration, Pointer Options, etc. as

per your choice.

To Add or Remove Printers

To print, you need to connect a printer directly to your computer (when it is connected in this way, it's referred to as a local printer), or create a connection to a network or shared printer.

To Add a Local Printer

First, connect the printer to your computer following the manufacturer's instructions. Windows will attempt to automatically install the printer. If Windows can't automatically install it, or if you've previously removed the printer and want to add it again, follow these steps:

1. Click on Start >>Settings >>Control Panel >>Printers.

2. Printer dialog box appears.

3. Click Add a printer. To open the Add Printer Wizard.

4. Select Add a local printer option to open Choose a printer port page.

5. Ensure that the Use an existing port option button and the recommended printer port are selected,         and then click Next.

6. On the Install the printer driver page, select the printer manufacturer and model, and then click             Next.

Remove a Printer

1. Click on Start >>Settings >>Control Panel >>Printers.

2. Printers dialog box appears.

3. Right-click the printer that you want to remove, and then choose Delete.

4. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide        confirmation.

File and Directory Management

Creating and Renaming of Files and Directories

A file object provides a representation of a resource that can be managed by the I/O system. Like other objects, they enable sharing of the resources, they have names, they are protected by object-based security, and they support synchronization. The I/O system also enables reading from or writing to the resource.

A directory is a hierarchical collection of directories and files. The only constraint on the number of files that can be contained in a single directory is the physical size of the disk on which the directory is located.

Creating new files or folders

Follow these steps to create new folders:

1. Open Windows Explorer; navigate to the drive or folder in which you want to create your new             folder.

2. Right click anywhere in the white space and hover the mouse over new.

3. Click on folder from the sub-menu that appears.

4. You will then be prompted to name the folder, simply type in the name and then press enter                (return)  key.

The same procedure may be followed for creating files.

Renaming Files and folders

Follow these steps to rename files and folders:

1. Right click on the folder or file which you want to rename.

2. Then click on the sub-menu Rename.

3. Filename gets highlighted. Write the name of the file or folder you want and press Enter.

Common Utilities

Utility software is a kind of system software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer. A single piece of utility software is usually called a utility or tool. Some of the utilities of OS are:

1. Disk defragmenters can detect computer files whose contents are broken across several locations      on the hard disk, and move the fragments to one location to increase efficiency.

2. Backup utilities can make a copy of all information stored on a disk, and restore either the entire        disk (e.g. in an event of disk failure) or selected files (e.g. in an event of accidental deletion).

3. Disk compression utilities can transparently compress/uncompress the contents of a disk,                  increasing the capacity of the disk.

For more information please click to check Presentation on Windows 7


Self-Assessment Questions

1. What are the different ways of executing a program in Windows?
2. How are local user, Domain user and Built-in user accounts different in Windows Operating System? Which user of these has more control of the system?

Practical Task

Write step procedure to complete the following task…

·         How to create a user account?

·         How to Install a Hardware/Software in Windows?

·         How to change date and time of the System?

·         How to Set a Desktop background?

·         How to set a Screensaver?

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