MODULE 1

WINDOWS GUI

INTRODUCTION TO WINDOWS PLATFORM

Microsoft Windows is a graphical user interface operating system. It is very easy to operate
the computer with windows operating system. In GUI based operating system, we can give
commands to the computer by clicking on icons, menus and buttons using a pointing device
like the mouse. It is not necessary to remember commands to perform any tasks in the
computer.

Desktop

The Windows Desktop is operating system main screen. The background area of the
windows screen where icon, menu etc. appear is called Desktop. The desktop appears with
different elements when we start the computer. Windows 10 also introduces a search box
in the Taskbar, which facilitates browsing both your computer and the Web.
One of the most important parts of your Desktop is the Taskbar. By default, it sits at the
bottom of your screen giving you access to the Start Menu, several application icons, and
the Notification Area.
Taskbar
Icons
Small picture buttons that represents commands, programs, files or folders are called Icons. My
computer, Recycle Bin etc. are the desktop icons. To open or access an icon, just double click
on it.

Start Menu
If you are looking for a specific application, you can also open the Start Menu and click
“All Applications”. This will open an alphabetical list of all the applications installed on
your computer.
File Explorer
If you are looking for a specific document, another alternative is to use the File Explorer
by clicking on the Folder icon on the Taskbar.

In the File Explorer window, you can browse all your folders and documents.
Windows
In Windows 10, if an application is active or opened, you will see a green line below its
icon. Clicking the icon will bring the application window up.

Every open window features three buttons in the upper-right corner. These are used to
minimize, maximize, or close the window −

 Minimizing means that the window will hide in the Taskbar.

 Maximizing will bring the window to a full-screen size.
Windows can be moved around or resized as you please −
 To move a window, just click on its Title Bar on the upper side of the window and
drag it.
 To resize a window, move your mouse to any corner until you see a double-
sided arrow. Then click and drag until you reach the desired size.
 Start Menu
The Start Menu is the main point of access to your applications. There are two main
ways to open it −
Step 1 − Use your mouse to click Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the taskbar.

Step 2 − Press the Windows key on your keyboard.

Left Pane
Among the things you can do in the left pane are −
 Click the username at the top of the menu to change account settings or log in
with another user.
 Access the applications you use more frequently.
 A small arrow next to an application will open a sub-menu with a list of recent
documents opened with that application.
 Open the “File Explorer” to navigate your folders and files.
 Change the settings of your computer like your Internet connection or changing
your background.
 See different options to shut down your computer.
 See a list of all the applications installed in your computer.
Search Box
The “Search box” on the Taskbar will allow you to search within your documents and
files or on the Web for anything you write. The initial results will appear within the Start
Menu itself.
The results will be grouped according to the closest match (or matches) labeled “ Best
match” at the top of the list.
The remaining results will be grouped according to what they are or their location −

 Web results
 Documents or folders
 Apps
 System settings
The icons on the left side of the menu do the following −

 The Gear icon will allow you to configure the settings of your Search.
  This icon will let you send Feedback to Microsoft on what you like or dislike
about Windows.

 The Cortana icon will activate Windows’ new personal assistant.

Right Pane
The right pane features a varied array of tiles. These tiles can be moved and dragged
to different places by holding the mouse button.
The taskbar sits at the bottom of the screen giving the user access to the Start Menu,
as well as the icons of frequently used applications. On the right-side, the Taskbar
features the Notification Area which informs the user of different things like the state of
the Internet connection or the charge of the laptop battery.

The icons in the middle of the Taskbar are “pinned” applications, which is a way to
have a quick access to applications you use frequently. “Pinned” applications will stay
in the Taskbar until you “unpin” them.
Notification Area
The Notification Area is located at the right side of the Taskbar. It shows different types
of notifications from your computer like your Internet connection, or the volume level.
At first, the Notification Area shows a limited amount of icons. But you can click the
upward arrow on its left-side to see other icons as well.

File Explorer
File Explorer is the file management application used by Windows operating systems
to browse folders and files. It provides a graphical interface for the user to navigate and
access the files stored in the computer.

The main way to access the File Explorer is by clicking the folder icon in the Taskbar.
After clicking the icon, the File Explorer window will open.
The initial File Explorer window is comprised of the following sections −
 The File Explorer ribbon, which resembles the ribbon featured in Microsoft
Office. The ribbon contains buttons for common tasks to perform with your files
and folders.
 The Navigation Pane gives you access to your libraries of documents and
pictures, as well as your storage devices. It also features frequently used folders
and network devices.
 The Frequent folders section on the right features the folders you’ve worked
with recently to allow for quick access to them.
 The Recent files section in the lower part of the window features files and
documents that you’ve opened recently.

The File Explorer Ribbon

In Windows 10, the File Explorer features a new ribbon toolbar, similar to the one
featured in the recent versions of Microsoft Office. This ribbon contains buttons and
commands for the most common tasks.
The Ribbon features four tabs, each with different commands. Among the tasks you
can perform from the Home tab are −

 Copying and pasting files and folders from one place to another.
 Moving files and folders to another location.
 Copying files and folders to another location.
 Deleting a file or folder permanently or sending it to the Recycle Bin.
 Renaming a file or folder.
 Creating a new folder or other new items.
 Verifying or modifying the Properties of a document or folder.
 Opening a file or folder.
 Different options to select one or various files and folders.

The Share ribbon gives you different options to share your files and folders. For
example −

 E-mailing or messaging a file.

 Compressing (“Zip”) a folder to take less space.
 Printing or faxing documents.
 Sharing with other users or networks.

The View ribbon allows you to change the way Windows displays your files and
folders. Some of the changes you can make here are −

 Adding additional panes to show a preview or details of your files.

 Changing the layout of the files and folders from icons to list, and others.
 Sorting and arranging the contents of your folder.
 Hiding selected folders or files.
The File tab opens a menu with different options like −
 Opening an additional File Explorer window.
 Opening command windows for advanced users.
 Changing or configuring options about how File Explorer behaves.