Module 1: Using Computers, LANs, and Email for Academic Coursework

Task 6: Exploring the Operating System

Name: _______________________ Instructor: __________________ Section: ________

Objectives

In this task you will learn to:

• use the Windows desktop
• open, close, and navigate between application programs

Instructions

Start with your screen showing the Windows desktop. Then follow the instructions and write the results.

Exploring your computer

You have four main methods of exploring your computer: explorer; double clicking on icons; searching; and the task bar (Start). Practice using EACH of these methods to find the Microsoft Word Application file on your hard disk drive.

NB: The Microsoft Word Application file is named winword.exe, and this file is located in one of the subfolders on the computer you are using.

Explorer

Place the cursor over the My Computer icon; right click and select "Explore." Use this feature to open folders and look for the Microsoft Word Application (winword.exe).

Double Clicking

Find the My Computer icon on your desktop; double-click on it to open it. Find the Microsoft Office folder; double-click on it to open it. Then find the Microsoft Word Application (winword.exe).

1. How do you get the Microsoft Word Application to start once you have found it?

Find the Microsoft Word icon on your desktop or in the task bar. (There may NOT be one!) Double-click on it.

2. What happens when you double-click on this icon?

Searching

Click on the Start icon, select "Search", and "For Files or Folders". In the search entry box type "microsoft word" and click "search now".

3. What is one path to the Winword application? (There may be more than one path shown.)

4. What happens when you click on the path as it is shown in the Search results list?

Task Bar

New Office Document

Click on the Start icon, select "New Office Document". Select the General tab of this dialogue box.

5. What do you see?

6. How can you start the Microsoft Word application from this dialogue box?

Programs List

Click on the Start icon, select "Programs."

7. How would you start the Microsoft Word application from here?

8. Which of these methods you have just learned is the easiest for you to remember and use to start Microsoft Word?

Learning about the Control Panels

NB: Some computers on some networks may NOT allow you to change these settings.

Change the background and appearance of the desktop

Click on Start, select "Settings" and then "Control Panel." Double-click Display. (If you see icons instead of names, which one represents Display?)

Set the background to Chateau and the appearance scheme to Spruce.

Change the settings for your display to true color (24bit) and 1024 by 768.

Change the settings for your mouse

In the folder named Control Panel, double-click on Mouse (or on the mouse icon). Set the double click speed, and the motion to your liking.

9. Why is it useful for you to change the mouse settings in this way?

Now go back and reset the control panels to default (original settings).

Use the Help feature

Click Start and select "Help." Find and read the explanation of how to format a floppy disk.

10. Write down--in your own words--how you would do it.

Make a shortcut for Microsoft Word

Find the file for the Microsoft Word Application (using what you learned in part 1. above). Right click on the application file name or icon; select "Create Shortcut"; click OK. Place the shortcut: 1) on the desktop 2) in the "Quick Launch" section of the toolbar.

11. What is the easiest way to place the shortcut on the desktop?