Introduction to Windows

 


PROGRAM MANAGER:
When you start Windows you will be running a program called "Program Manager". This IS Windows (the shell you use to move around in Windows). It should look "similar" to the picture below (without the text boxes of course).


 
 


The program groups open up into a window of icons that start different programs. You can open a group by "double-clicking" on the icon. Double-clicking is a term that means to put your mouse arrow over top of an item and click the left mouse button 2 times in a row (rather quickly).

You can start a program the same way - Place your mouse arrow on the icon (picture) you want to start and double-click on it.

What If My Program Manager DOESN’T Look Like That ?

 Because Windows was designed to be SO flexible and customizable, sometimes you may find a completely different look when you start. This text will not go into the variety of different (or third party add-on’s) shells that can be used with Windows, BUT ...
If the person who used the computer last changed the look of Windows, and saved their settings when exiting, then you may have to change a thing or 2 to get everything back the way you want.

If a Program Group is Maximized ...

you may see ONE program group that has "expanded" over the Program Manager window to cover all your other program groups.

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If this is the case you can "RESTORE" that group to it’s original "Windowed" size by clicking on a button called the Restore button. It looks like 2 little arrows, (1 pointing up, and 1 pointing down) on one button ...

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Then you will be able to see the rest of your Program Manager. If some of your groups are still covered up - you can always click on the Minimize button (the down arrow) to close you "Group" down into an icon. Then open another group.

What If Some of My Icons Are NOT Showing up On The Screen ?

 Sometimes there are too many icons to fit into the size window you have - OR - your icons are not automatically arranged in the window.
 
 

SCROLL BARS AND BUTTONS:
 

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Sometimes your window is "holding" more than you can actually see on the screen. In that case it will automatically add scroll bars and buttons to the right side and bottom of the window - So you can move around inside it.

  As you click (or click on and continue to hold down on the mouse button) you will notice that the little gray block move up and down, or side to side to indicate where you are in the window.

Changing Window Sizes:
 

  As you move your mouse (or more preciecely, the mouse arrow or cursor) over the screen you may notice that when it gets to the edge, or corner of a window that it changes its shape. When it changes into a double arrow. When it does this you can hold down on your left mouse button and "drag" the window border so that it changes the size and shape of the window.
 
  Note: Some computers have mouse programs added to them that allow you to change the kind of pictures or arrows that are displayed. If your mouse arrow changes shapes - try clicking and dragging - See what happens !  
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