Computer Basics

COMPUTER
BASICS
Gordon Kelley Academic Success Center
Vines Building, Room 202
asc@uafs.edu 788.7675
Topics
◦ Windows Desktop
◦ W hat is a Window?
◦ Files, Folder s, and Paths
◦ Creating a Folder
◦ Star ting Applications
◦ Saving Files
◦ Cut, Copy, and Paste
◦ Screenshots
◦ Searching and Surfing
◦ Shutting Down
The major parts of the Windows Desktop include these elements:
The desktop—display area that is seen when Windows is opened
Start button—opens the Start menu which is what is used to open all programs and documents
Taskbar—at the bottom of screen, displays buttons and icons for the most used applications
Notification area—part of the taskbar displaying the clock, volume control, and other utilities that
run in the background of system
Icons—small graphics that represent programs, files, or folders
Icons
Internet Access Notifications Area

Taskbar
(Systems Tray)
Start Button
What is a Window?
Title Bar
Menu
Scroll Bar
Files, Folders, and Paths
Windows organizes files into folders on the hard
drive. Folders can contain both files and
subfolders, allowing for structure and organization
within the filing system of the computer.
Microsoft Windows creates a series of libraries to
store data in. Libraries can be found by going to
the Start menu (see image at right) and then
clicking on Computer.
Files can be stored on the computer’s hard disk
which is the C: drive, a DVD, a CD, a USB drive,
or in any of the appropriate libraries as defined by
Windows.
Each storage device on your PC is identified by a
unique device letter. The C: drive is always listed
first when viewing storage devices through
“Computer” on the Start menu (see next slide).
On campus at UAFS, students are allocated space
on the R: drive to store documents and files. Many
students prefer to save on a USB drive so that files
are transportable.
A library is not a real folder, but just a collection of files or folders in different
locations on the computer. This allows the user to store documents, music, images,
etc. in different locations across the hard drive.
A path specifies a complete location or name of where a computer, file, web, or other
object is located. In this example the path
begins at Computer, then goes to the C: drive, then goes to a folder named UAFS
Classes and then to a subfolder entitled Math.
To Create a New Folder
A folder is a an object that contains files
and other subfolders on the computer.
1) Double-click on the C: drive.

2) Click on New Folder.
3) Key in name of new folder.
Note: Folders can be created in many

areas within the Library of the
computer.
How to Start Application Software such as Word,
PowerPoint, or Excel:
 Click on the Start Button (see image at right)
 In the search box key in Word (if attempting to start
Microsoft Word)
 Click on Word 2013 and this particular application will open
Other applications can be accessed from the Start button by

doing the following:
 Click on the Start Button
 Click on All Programs
 Scroll down list and click on desired application
One or more applications can be open at the same time. Buttons

on the taskbar will indicate which applications and/or programs
are open and running. To switch from one application to
another, click one of the buttons on the taskbar.
The blue “E” on the taskbar (see image), will allow access to the
Internet through Internet Explorer. The multi-colored circle
(Google Chrome) will also allow students to gain access to the
Internet.
How to Save Files
Saving means storing files or documents on the
computer or another drive so that these files can
be accessed again later. Saving frequently while
working is always a good idea.
When starting a new document, it is always a
good idea to begin saving inside the folder where
work is normally stored such as on a USB drive or
on the R: drive when at UAFS. The R: drive is
available on all computers here on campus but
files stored here can only be accessed on UAFS
computers.
When using Word, the following steps will assist
you in saving documents:
1) On the Ribbon, click on the File tab
2) Choose “Save As”
3) Double-click on “Computer”
4) Double-click on area where file should be
saved such as a USB flash drive or local drive
5) Change the filename to something acceptable
6) If necessary, the proper file extension can then
be selected
Copy, Cut, and Paste
To copy text or material:

1) Using the mouse, click and continue to hold down the left mouse button; while
doing this, move the mouse across the text to highlight the material to be copied;
then lift up on the mouse button
2) Right-click one time on the highlighted material and select copy
3) Go to the area where copied material is to be pasted and right-click to paste
To delete text or material:

1) Using the mouse, highlight the material to be deleted or cut
2) Right-click on the highlighted material and select cut
1) Press Printscreen – Windows captures the entire screen and
copies it to the clipboard How to
2) Press Alt-Printscreen – Windows captures the active window Capture a
only and copies it to the clipboard Screenshot
After the screenshot has been captured, right-click and paste to
document.
A screenshot can also be taken using the Snipping Tool. Typically,

the Snipping Tool can be found on the Start menu and then moved
to the Taskbar for easy access.
Follow these steps when using this very useful tool:
1) Click New from the Snipping Tool Menu
2) The screen will gray out and cross-hairs will appear allowing
the user to select material that needs to be “snipped” (or
copied)
3) Right-click on the snipped material and select copy; now paste
to document by right-clicking again
Searching and Surfing
To search for files on the computer To search for information on the
using Windows: Internet or surf the web:
1) Click on Start Menu 1) Click on the web browser icon
located on the Taskbar
2) Click on Computer
3) Click on device or drive where file
is stored 2) After browser opens, key in topic
to search for in the URL address
4) Key in part of document name in
line; then strike Enter.
search box in upper left-hand
corner of window
3) Click on desired link.

Shutting Down Windows and
Turning Off the Computer
1) Save and close any files that are open; then close applications (such as Word)
2) Click the Start button in the lower left-hand corner of your screen so that the Start
menu is displayed.
3) Click the Shut Down button.
Note: On campus at UAFS, complete the first two

steps above; then, beside the shut down button, hover
over the arrow and click Log off (see image).
Forgetting to log off poses a security risk with any
computer that is accessible to other people. To avoid
misuse by others, remember to log off before leaving
any facility on campus such as a lab or the library.

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COMPUTER

Internet Access Notifications Area

1) Double-click on the C: drive.

Note: Folders can be created in many

Other applications can be accessed from the Start button by

One or more applications can be open at the same time. Buttons

To copy text or material:

To delete text or material:

A screenshot can also be taken using the Snipping Tool. Typically,

3) Click on desired link.

Note: On campus at UAFS, complete the first two

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