[h=3]Changing the WallpaperWallpaper is the background image that appears on your desktop. Windows XP offers many wallpaper choices.
[h=5]To change the wallpaper:
Open the Control Panel (located in Start menu).
Under Pick a Category, click Appearance and Themes.
Under Pick a Task, click Change the desktop background.
The Display Properties dialog box opens with the Desktop tab selected.
In the Background box, click or use the arrow keys to view the choices.
Use the drop down boxes to alter wallpaper position or color.
Click OK to close the dialog box.
[h=5]Advanced Users:
Click Browse to choose a picture from the My Pictures folder (or navigate to a picture located in another folder.)
Click the Customize Desktop button to alter your desktop icons or display a web page on your desktop.
[h=3]Changing the Screensaver In the early days of computing, screen savers helped prevent images from being burned into the monitor. Now, screen savers entertain us, provide some privacy, and enhance or work or home environment. Windows XP comes with several screen savers.
Under Pick a Category, click Appearance and Themes.
Under Pick a Task, click Choose a screen saver.
The Display Properties dialog box opens with the Screen Saver tab selected.
Click the arrow to open a drop down box. Click or use the arrow keys to view the choices. Or, click Preview to view each option on your computer screen. Press any key on your keyboard to return to the dialog box.
Click Settings to customize the appearance or your chosen screen saver.(A dialog box will notify you if your choice doesn’t have any options.
In the Wait box, determine how many minutes should pass before your screen saver turns on.
[h=3]Customizing the Taskbar You already know about the Taskbar, but did you know you can customize its appearance?
[h=5]To customize the Start menu:
Open the Control Panel (located in Start menu).
Under Pick a Category, click Appearance and Themes.
Under Pick a Control Panel icon, click Taskbar and Start Menu.
The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box opens with the Taskbar tab displayed.
Use the checkboxes to customize its appearance and click OK.
Click the Start Menu tab to switch between the XP Start menu and Classic Start menu. Classic Start menu is the Start menu featured in older versions of Windows.
Files are collections of information. In fact, almost all of the information stored in a computer is stored in a file. There are many different types of files, including operating system files, program files, and your own files.
Different types of files store different types of information. Each file is given a filename and has a three-letter filename extension that identifies the file type. (The filename and filename extension are separated by a period.) For example, a document created using WordPad might have the file name, letter to John.doc.
Files, Folders, and Drives :6 [h=3]Creating, Renaming, and Deleting Files With Windows XP, you can create a file using different programs such as WordPad or Notepad.
[h=5]To create a file using Notepad:
Click Start.
Choose All Programs
Accessories
Notepad.
Notepad opens.
Type, "This is my new document."
Choose File
Save from the menu bar (Ctrl + S).
The Save As dialog box appears.
Save your file to the desktop.
Name your document new document.
In the Save as type drop down box, be sure your document is saved as a text document.
Click Save. Your file is now saved to the desktop.
Locate your file (in this case, the file is located on the desktop).
Right-click the file icon.
Choose Delete.
A Confirm File Delete dialog box appears asking you if you are sure you want to send the file to the Recycle Bin.
Choose Yes.
The file is moved to the Recycle Bin.
Get in the habit of periodically saving changes to documents your working in case of power outages or other problems. To learn more about Save and Save As, see GCFLearnFree.org's Office 2000 course.
[h=3]What is a Folder? When you first start using Windows XP, you may only create a few files. Over time, you'll create MANY files. To keep your files organized, create folders. Windows XP uses various folders to store and manage files. To become more familiar with the structure of a Windows XP folder, let's open a folder called My Documents.
[h=5]To open and view the contents of the My Documents folder:
Double-click the My Documents icon on the desktop.
The My Documents folder opens.
OR
Right-click the My Documents icon (on the desktop).
Choose Open.
OR
Open the Start menuand choose My Documents.
[h=5]Your My Documents folder looks something like this:
[h=5]All Windows XP folders include the following features:
Title bar:contains the name of the folder
Menu bar: contains the File, Edit, View, Favorites, Tools, and Help menus.
Navigation bar: contains the Back, Forward, Up, Search, Folders, and Views buttons.
Address bar: shows current folder location. Use the drop down arrow to navigate your computer's places.
White space: displays contents of the folder (folders and files)
File and Folder Tasks list: a convenient list of tasks
Other Places: convenient list of your computer's places
[h=3]Creating, Renaming, and Deleting Folders At some point, you may want to create a folder within a folder. Here, practice creating a Job Search folder in the My Documents folder.
[h=5]To create a new folder in the My Documents folder:
Open My Documents.
Choose File
New
Folder.
A new folder icon appears in My Documents, with its name highlighted. (The default is New Folder.)
Type a new, more descriptive name and click Enter.
OR
Open My Documents.
Choose the Make a New Folder link from the File and Folder tasks menu.
[h=5]To rename a folder:
Locate your folder.
Right-click the folder icon.
Choose Rename.
The folder name is highlighted in blue, ready to be retyped.
Type a new name and press Enter.
OR
Open your folder.
Click the folder icon.
Choose Rename this folder from the File and Folder Tasks menu.
[h=5]To delete a folder:
Locate your folder.
Right-click the folder icon.
Choose Delete.
A Confirm Folder Delete dialog box appears asking you if you are sure you want to send the file to the Recycle Bin.
Choose Yes.
The folder is moved to the Recycle Bin.
OR
Open your folder.
Click the folder icon.
Choose Delete this folder from the File and Folder Tasks menu.
[h=3]What is a Drive? A drive, or disk drive, is hardware on which you can store files and folders. Disk drives are assigned a letter.
Your hard drive (the drive inside your computer) is known as the (C drive.
Your floppy disk drive is known as the (A drive.
If your computer has a CD ROM drive, it is usually called (D
Choose where you'll save your files during the Save As process. Most computer users store their files on the (C drive. Learn more about Save As in our Office 2000 course.
Using My Documents, My Computer and Windows Explorer :7
[h=3]Introduction to My Documents My Documents is a folder that provides you with a convenient place to store your important files and folders. Remember, you can quickly reach My Documents in the Start menu or by double-clicking the My Documents icon on your desktop.
[h=5]The My Documents folder looks something like the example below:
My Documents includes a few default subfolders called My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos. Feel free to use, rename, or delete these folders.
Very important! When you save a file, the file is automatically saved in My Documents unless you've chosen a different folder or drive.
Using My Documents, My Computer and Windows Explorer :7
[h=3]Exploring Windows Explorer Windows Explorer is a file management tool that lets you create, rename, and delete folders. It also allows you to copy, print, move, delete, rename, and manage files.
Using My Documents, My Computer and Windows Explorer :7
[h=3]Exploring My Computer My Computer is another tool you can use to manage files and folders. With this tool, you can create, rename and move folders and copy, print, move, delete and rename files. It also allows you to gain access to other system tools.
drive.
