Microsoft Windows XP

1. Microsoft Windows XP Tutorial 4 Personalizing YourWindows Environment New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

2. Types of Desktop Icons New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

3. Creating and Storing a Document on the Desktop • Right-click an empty area of the desktop, and then point to New on the shortcut menu • Click the type of document you want to create • Type a name for the document that appears on the desktop as a document icon New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

4. Opening a Document Stored on the Desktop • To open a document that is stored on the desktop, you double-click its icon New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

5. Creating a LOG File • Notepad automatically inserts the date when you open a document only if the document begins with .LOG in uppercase letters New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

6. Using Shortcuts • Shortcuts are quick ways to access an object on your computer without going to its permanent location New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

7. Deleting Shortcut Icons • If you delete a document icon, you also delete the document • If you delete a shortcut icon, you don’t delete the document itself because it is stored elsewhere • To delete a shortcut, click the shortcut icon to select it and then press the Delete key New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

8. Using the Control Panel • The Control Panel is a window that contains specialized tools you use to change the way Windows looks and behaves • All of the Control Panel tools provide access to a dialog box that lets you select or change the properties, or characteristics, of an object New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

9. Control Panel New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

10. Control Panel Categories • Appearance and Themes • Network and Internet Connections • Add or Remove Programs • Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices • Performance and Maintenance • Printers and Other Hardware • User Accounts • Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options • Accessibility Options New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

11. Opening the Appearance and Themes Category • In the right pane of the Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

12. Changing Your Desktop’s Background • In the Appearance and Themes window, click Change the desktop background • If necessary, click (None) in the Background list if it is not already selected • Click the Color list arrow and choose the color you wish to set as your background color New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

13. Changing the Appearance of Desktop Elements • Open the Display Properties dialog box • Click the Appearance tab in the Display Properties dialog box New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

14. Screen Savers • A screen saver blanks the screen or displays a moving design whenever you haven’t worked with the computer for a specified period of time • You can select how long you want the computer to sit idle before the screen saver activates • Windows XP provides a wide variety of screen savers New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

15. Activating a Screen Saver • Click the Screen Saver tab in the Display Properties dialog box • Click the Screen saver list arrow, and then select your desired screen saver • Click the Preview button • When you’re finished previewing the screen saver, move the mouse and then click the OK button New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

16. Activating a Screen Saver New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

17. Changing the Screen Resolution • Open the Appearance and Themes window, and then click Change the screen resolution • Drag the Screen resolution slider to the left or right, to select the desired resolution New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

18. Viewing the Color Settings • Click the Color quality list arrow to display the list of color palettes and select the desired color quality • Click the OK button New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

19. Moving and Resizing the Taskbar • Make sure the taskbar is unlocked. To do so, right-click any blank area on the taskbar, and then click Lock the Taskbar on the shortcut menu to remove the check mark • To move the taskbar, click a blank area on the taskbar, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the taskbar to a new location • To resize the taskbar, move the mouse pointer over the taskbar border until the pointer changes, then drag the border to the desired width New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

20. Moving and Resizing the Taskbar New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

21. Setting Taskbar Appearance Properties • Right-click a blank area in the taskbar, and click Properties on the shortcut menu New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

22. Working with Taskbar Toolbars New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

23. Displaying a Taskbar Toolbar • Right-click a blank area of the taskbar, point to Toolbars, and then click the name of the toolbar you want to edit New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

24. Creating a Custom Taskbar Toolbar • To create a new toolbar, right-click a blank area of the taskbar, point to Toolbars, and then click New Toolbar • In the New Toolbar dialog box, click the folder or object you want to turn into a toolbar, and then click the OK button New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

25. Adding an Item to the Start Menu • Right-click a blank area of the taskbar, and then click Properties on the shortcut menu • Click the Start Menu tab in the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, and then click the Customize button • Click the Advanced tab in the Customize the Start Menu dialog box • In the Start menu items list, select the file, folder, or object that you want to add to the Start menu • Click the OK button New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

26. Selecting Start Menu Settings • My Network Places • My Pictures • Network Connections • Printers and Faxes • Run command • Scroll Programs • Search • System Administrative Tools • Control Panel • Enable dragging and dropping • Favorites menu • Help and Support • My Computer • My Documents • My Music New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP

27. Removing a Start Menu Item • Right-click a blank area of the taskbar, and then click Properties on the shortcut menu • Click the Start menu tab on the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box • Click the Customize button to open the Customize Start Menu dialog box • In the Start menu items list, deselect the item that you want to remove, and then click the OK button New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows XP