BOOTING

                                 When to shut down

Even though putting your computer to sleep is the fastest way to turn it off, and the best option for resuming work quickly, there are certain times when you should shut down instead:

• You are adding or upgrading the hardware inside your computer—such as installing memory, a disk drive, a sound card, or a video card. Shut down the computer, and then disconnect it from its power source before proceeding with the upgrade.
• You are adding a printer, monitor, external drive, or other hardware device that does not connect to a universal serial bus (USB) or IEEE 1394 port on your computer. Shut down the computer before connecting the device.
• When your computer does not have a UPS or is on unreliable power system

To shut down your computer, click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then choose Shut Down.

Note

• When adding hardware that uses a USB cable, you don't need to turn off the computer first. Most newer devices use USB cables.

Windows Basics

The desktop (overview)

The desktop is the main screen area that you see after you turn on your computer and log on to Windows. Like the top of an actual desk, it serves as a surface for your work. When you open programs or folders, they appear on the desktop.  You can also put things on the desktop, such as files and folders, and arrange them however you want.

The desktop is sometimes defined more broadly to include the taskbar and Windows Sidebar. The taskbar sits at the bottom of your screen. It shows you which programs are running and allows you to switch between them. It also contains the Start button, which you can use to access programs, folders, and computer settings. On the side of the screen, Sidebar contains small programs called gadgets.

An icon is a small picture that represents a file, folder, program, or other object or function.

A file is a collection of information that is stored on a computer under a single name.  A file can be a text document, a picture, a program, and so on.  Files typically have a three-letter file name extension that helps to indicate the type (for example, picture files are often saved in JPEG format and have the file name extension .jpg).

The taskbar

The taskbar is the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen. Unlike the desktop, which can get obscured by the windows on top of it, the taskbar is visible almost all the time. It has four main sections:

• The Start button, which opens the Start menu.
• The Quick Launch toolbar, which lets you start programs with one click.
• The middle section, which shows you which programs and documents you have open and allows you to quickly switch between them.
• The notification area, which includes a clock and icons (small pictures) that communicate the status of certain programs and computer settings.

The Start menu (overview)

The Start menu is the main gateway to your computer's programs, folders, and settings. It's called a menu because it provides a list of choices, just as a restaurant menu does. And as "Start" implies, it's often the place that you'll go to start or open things.

Use the Start menu to do these common activities:

• Start programs
• Open commonly used folders
• Search for files, folders, and programs
• Adjust computer settings
• Get help with the Windows operating system
• Turn off the computer
• Log off from Windows or switch to a different user account

Getting started with the Start menu

To open the Start menu, click the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen. Or, press the Windows logo key on your keyboard. The Start menu appears.

The Start menu is divided into three basic parts:

• The large left pane shows a short list of programs on your computer. Your computer manufacturer can customize this list, so its exact appearance will vary. Clicking All Programs displays a complete list of programs (more on this later).
• In the lower left corner is the search box, which allows you to look for programs and files on your computer by typing in search terms.
• The right pane provides access to commonly used folders, files, settings, and features. It's also where you go to log off from Windows or turn off your computer.