Exploring Programs

Programs enable you to do work on the computer. For example, a word processing programs such as Microsoft WordPad allows you to create a basic document. You can easily open a program from the Start menu using the All Programs button.

To open a program using the Start menu:

• Click Start.
• Click All Programs and slide your mouse pointer until you've selected the program you want to open (it turns blue).
• Click to open the program you've selected. (Remember, programs with small black arrows beside them will open another cascading menu. Simply drag your mouse pointer to make your selection.)

Launching Internet Explorer from the Start menu

Internet, another choice on the Start menu, opens Internet Explorer; the web browser that comes bundled with Windows XP.

To launch Internet Explorer from the Start menu:

• Click Start.
• Choose Internet.
• Click to open Internet Explorer.
• To close a program, click the located at the top right of the window.

Launching Microsoft Outlook Express from the Start menu

Email, another choice on the Start menu, opens Microsoft Outlook Express; the email client that comes bundled with Windows XP.

To launch Outlook Express from the Start menu:

• Click Start.
• Choose Email.
• Click to open Microsoft Outlook Express.
• To close Outlook Express, click the located at the top right of the window.

• Open the Calculator on your computer. (It's located under All ProgramsAccessories.)
• Close the Calculator
• Launch Internet Explorer from the Start menu.
• Close Internet Explorer.
• Launch Outlook Express from the Start menu.
• Close Outlook Express.

Windows XP Bars and Buttons

Windows XP got its name from one its most basic elements: the window. The rectangular work area for a program, file, or other task is called a window.

Below is an example of a Microsoft Word window. While Word is a word-processing program, the example below features many of the elements common in Windows XP.

The workspace is the white area inside the window. This is where you do your work with a program, such as writing a letter. Depending on what program you're working with, the workspace will appear differently.

More Windows XP Bars and Buttons

Windows XP offers several tools, menus, and commands that make the operating system easy-to-use.

The title bar is the horizontal bar at the top of a window. It's displayed as white text on blue background by default

The Control menu button is the icon at the far left end of the title bar. The Control menu button opens a menu you can use to control the window.

More Windows XP Bars and Buttons

The menu bar is the below the title bar. It contains several menus, which let you see a list of commands.

Some Windows XP programs have toolbars across the top of the window. The toolbar buttons allow you to print, cut, paste, or do other tasks. The options vary depending on the program.

Scrolling

The scroll bar appears at the right side or the bottom of a window when all the information in that window can't be seen at the same time. Use the scroll bar to view hidden information.

The scroll bar features scroll arrows that allow you to move easily through a document. It's especially convenient when viewing a long document.

To scroll:

• Click the arrow to scroll up.
• Click the arrow to scroll down.
• Click the arrows to scroll up one page at a time.
• Click the arrows to scroll down one page at a time.
• Click the button to open a browse menu.

OR

• Click and drag the scroll bars to view your document.

• Click Start.
• Choose All Programs Accessories Notepad.
• Choose File from the menu bar.
• While holding down the left mouse button, move the mouse pointer over the other menus (Edit, View, etc.) to view the drop down menus.
• Choose Format Font to open the Font dialog box.
• Close the Font dialog box.