[h=3]Opening the Search Companion When you have trouble finding a file or folder on your computer, search for it using Microsoft XP's Search Companion.
[h=5]To open the Search Companion:
Open and Start menu and choose Search.
OR
Open My Documents and click the Search button.
OR
Open My Computer and click the Search button.
The Search Companion opens in the left pane and presents the following list of options:
[h=3]Using the Search Companion Depending on what option you choose, you're presented with various ways to conduct your search.
Let's say you choose to search
for a particular file. The Search Companion prompts you with questions to help you refine your search. It's helpful if you can remember something about the missing file such as all or part of the filename, file type, when you last worked with the file, a word or phrase in the file, or what drive it's on, etc. The more criteria contained in your search, the more refined the search becomes.
Once you click Search, the Search Companion tells you what it's searching.
Your search results display in the white space.
The Search Companion tells you when the search is complete and prompts you with more Search options.
If your search is complete, click Yes, finished searching.
Simply double-click the file to open it.
Finding a file can take seconds, minutes or much, much longer depending on the type of search and where you look. If you don't find the file or folder you're looking for on the first try, type in a different name and/or location.
To quickly review files listed in your search results, hover your mouse pointer over the filename. A yellow pop-up window displays, telling you its location, the file type, and size. Double-click the file to open it.
[h=3]Previewing Image Files You can preview image documents (including fax documents) using the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer without opening an image editing program. This is especially useful when browsing through a list of non-descriptive filenames. For example, let's say you have a file named 09786.jpeg. You may wonder what the file looks like.
[h=3]Understanding User Accounts A user is someone who uses a computer. A user account defines what a user can do using Windows XP. In Windows XP, there are three types of user accounts.
Administrator account. The administrator can do everything with the computer and can go anything he or she desires - essentially giving them control over the entire computer, including other accounts. The administrator account can never be disabled or deleted.
Standard account. Users with standard accounts can install programs and hardware, change pictures and related personal data, and create, change, or remove his or her password.
Guest account. The guest account doesn't require a password, can't add or remove programs from the computer, and is disabled by default. This account type is great for kids or students.
[h=3]Creating a New Account You can create new user accounts as needed, giving others access to your computer (without sharing your password).
[h=5]To create a new account:
Click Create a New Account in the User Accounts window.
A User Accounts window appears. Enter the name of the new account and click Next.
The next window asks you to pick an account type. Choose Computer Administrator or Limited by clicking the appropriate radio button.
If you're not sure, click each one and read the list of actions that can be performed by the account type.
When finished, click the Create Account button.
The new account now appears in the User Account window.
[h=3]Changing An Account Any account can be easily edited or changed from the User Accounts window.
[h=5]To change an existing user account:
Click Change an Account in the User Accounts window.
A window appears asking you which account you want to change.
The next window (figure below) allows you to change the name on the account, change the picture, change the account type, create a password, or delete the account. Make necessary changes.
Use the Back button to return to the original list to make any additional changes.
Passwords provide security and prevent unauthorized users from logging in using someone else's user account. For more information on passwords, see our Internet Basics course.
[h=3]Changing User Log on/Log off Procedures You can also select the way users log on and log off.
[h=5]To change log on and log off options:
Click Change the way users log on and off in the User Accounts window.
You'll see two checkboxes that allow you to enable the Welcome screen and Fast User Switching. Fast User Switching allows you to switch to another user account without closing any programs.
[h=3]Accessibility and the Accessibility Options Dialog Box As you know, a computer functions with both input (keyboard and mouse, for example) and output (monitor and printer, for example) devices. In this lesson, we'll focus on how Windows XP allows you to configure your computer's input and output behaviors to accommodate people with a range of disabilities.
[h=5]To access the Accessibility Options dialog box:
Open the Control Panel.
Click the Accessibility Options link.
The Accessibility Options window opens.
Under Or pick a Control Panel icon, click the Accessibility Options link.
[h=3]Adjusting the Keyboard When you open the Accessibility Options dialog box, notice that it is equipped with five tabs: Keyboard, Sound, Display, Mouse, and General.
The Keyboard tab allows you to change the way your keyboard inputs information into Windows XP.
[h=5]The following features are especially helpful for users who have difficulty using the keyboard.
StickyKeys. Enable StickKeys so you don't have to hold down several keys at once on the keyboard. For example, if you want to use Control + Alt + Delete, StickKeys allows you to press one key at a time rather than having to hold them down all at once. To use StickKeys, check the Use StickyKeys box and press the Settings button to adjust your personal settings. Once you enable or disable these, you can use them by pressing the Shift key five times in a row.
Filterkeys. Enable FilterKeys to ignore brief or repeated keystrokes. To use FilterKeys, click the Use Filterkeys checkbox and click the Settings button to adjust your personal settings.
Togglekeys. Enable ToggleKeys if you want to hear tones when pressing CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, and SCROLL LOCK. To use ToggleKeys, click the Use ToggleKeys checkbox and click the Settings button to adjust your personal settings.
The Accessibility Options Sound tab allows you to enable Windows sounds to help you operate Windows XP.
[h=5]These features are especially helpful for users who are hearing impaired. Choose from two options:
SoundSentry. Windows XP uses sound to alert the user to certain warnings or notices. Sound Sentry enables these warnings to appear on your screen instead of as a sound. To use Sound Sentry, click the Use SoundSentry checkbox. Then choose the kind of visual warning you want to receive.
ShowSounds. Use ShowSounds to tell any programs to show text for any sounds or speech they may use. To use ShowSounds, click the Use ShowSounds checkbox.
[h=3]Adjusting the Display The Display tab allows you to use high-contrast colors and adjust the cursor to make reading easier.
[h=5]These features are especially helpful for users who are visually impaired. Choose from two options:
To enable High Contrast, click the Use High Contrast checkbox. Clicking the Settings button enables the shortcut for High Contrast, ALT+SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN.
Use the sliders to change the cursor blink rate and the width of the cursor.