Technology Tip Number 51
Getting Through Windows

Today’s Technology Tip will help you navigate your way through the various folders and windows on your Microsoft desktop.

Some common terminology you should be familiar with:

1. DESKTOP:  The opening screen when you turn on your computers.  It probably looks something like this:

2. ICONS:  The little pictures that represent files or programs.  Here are some sample icons:

Shortcut to Word:     Shortcut to GradeQuick:    
A Word Document:  

3. MY COMPUTER:  The desktop icon from which you can navigate your way through the various drives, folders and files on your computer.

The “My Computer” Icon:  

4. FOLDERS:  The basic organizational structure in Microsoft Windows.  Like a giant filing cabinet your computer uses folders to organize everything in it.  Here are some sample folder Icons:

You might notice that your icons and folders might look different than the ones pictured above.  When ever you open a folder (by double clicking the left mouse button) a new window opens to show you what is in that folder.  You can change how the icons (files) are displayed.  Here’s how:

1)      Open a folder, any folder.

2)      Every window has the following “Bars” at the top:

The Title Bar tells you the name of the folder you are in.  In this example the title bar tells you that you are in a network drive called "X:"

Each word on the Menu Bar gives you a drop down menu of options.

The Tool Bar offers you shortcuts for common tasks

The Address Bar tells you which folder you are in and also offers you a way to access other folders.  If you click the triangle on the Address Bar you can see a drop down list of other folders and pathways to them:

 3)      To change the view click on the word “View” on the menu bar and select a new view from that list.  Each view has its own advantages and disadvantages.  For example, if you are looking at a folder full of pictures you might want to use the “Thumbnail” view so you can see what each picture looks like.  If you are trying to clean out your C: drive you might want to use the “Details” view to find the largest files so you can delete them first.  Here are some sample views of the same folder:

Thumbnail View	Tile View
Icon View	List View
Details View

PRACTICE ACTIVITY:  Open up a folder on your computer today and try changing the view.  Select a new one that you like.

TO KEEP ON LEARNING:  If you'd like to learn some more about the desktop in Microsoft Windows try searching the internet for:

Microsoft Windows History
Using Windows
Windows Basics

Looking for Something?