Objectives
Learn how to use Windows to interface with users, files and folders, applications, and hardware
Learn about some Windows tools that you can use to examine and support the system
Using Windows
Operating system (OS) software
Controls a computer
Four main functions of all OSs
Provide a user interface
Manage files
Manage hardware
Manage applications
Windows 7 is an upgrade to Windows Vista
Every PC support technician needs to be a power user of Windows 7 and be familiar with Vista and XP
The Windows Desktop
Desktop is the initial screen that is displayed
Windows Desktop provides a graphical user interface (GUI)
Windows 7 and Vista desktop provides a 3-D user interface called the Aero user interface
Aero interface is not available for the Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic editions
Windows 7 requires 1 GB of RAM and a video card that supports DirectX 9 graphics standard and has at least 128 MB of graphics memory Start menu
Username shown at the top right
Applications used often are listed in the white left column (can change from time to time)
User libraries, files and OS utilities are listed in the dark right column
How to launch an application
Use the Start menu
Click the Start button and select All Programs
Use the Search box
Click the Start button and enter the name of the program in the Search box provided
Use Windows Explorer or the Computer window
To use the Computer window in Windows 7 or Vista, click Start, Computer
Use a shortcut icon
Right-click the program file in the Computer or Explorer windows and select Create shortcut
Windows 7 Aero Snap and Aero Shake can help:
Aero Snap automatically maximizes a window when you drag it to the top of the desktop
To restore to its original size, drag the window downward
Drag a window to right or left so that it snaps to fill half the screen
Aero Shake minimizes all other windows except the one you shake
To shake, grab the title bar and shake it
The Taskbar and Notification Area (System Tray)
Bottom of Windows desktop
Information about open programs, quick access to others
Quick launch icons
Notification area (system tray or systray)
Right side of taskbar and displays open services
Service: program that runs in the background
Supports or serves Windows or an application
Right-click the taskbar, use the shortcut menu
Click Properties
Personalize the Windows desktop
Right-click anywhere on the desktop
Choose Personalize from the shortcut menu
Most common problem with display is a problem with screen resolution
Screen resolution is number of dots or pixels on the monitor screen expressed as two numbers
Example: 1680x1050
Right-click anywhere on desktop and choose Screen Resolution
Can also be accessed from the Personalization window
Windows Explorer And The Computer Window
Two most useful tools to explore files and folders are Windows Explorer and the Computer window
To Open the Computer Window
In Windows 7 or Vista, click Start, and select Computer
To Open Windows Explorer
Click the yellow Windows Explorer icon in the taskbar
Right-click Start and select Open Windows Explorer from the menu
Files and Directories
Every OS manages a hard drive, optical drive, USB drive, or other type of drive by using directories (also called folders), subdirectories, and files
Drive is organized with a single root directory
At top of the top-down hierarchical structure of subdirectories
Exception: hard drive
Divided into partitions
Each volume has its own root directory and hierarchical structure of subdirectories
Root directory can hold files or other directories
These directories are called subdirectories, child directories, or folders
Any directory can have files and other subdirectories in it
Path: location of a file referenced by a drive and directories

Navigate the Folder Structure
Tips to navigate when working with Windows Explorer or Computer window
Double-click items in the left pane (called navigation