Gateway Profile 4 User Manual

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Using the desktop
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Using the desktop
The desktop contains the taskbar, the Start button, and the Recycle Bin icon.
Desktop elements Description
The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of the computer display containing the 
Start button on the left and a clock on the right. Other buttons on the taskbar 
represent programs that are running.
Click a program’s button on the taskbar to open the program’s window.
The Start button provides access to programs, files, help for Windows and 
other programs, and computer tools and utilities.
Click the Start button, then open a file or program by clicking an item on 
the menu that opens.
The Recycle Bin is where files, folders, and programs that you discarded 
are stored. You must empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete them from 
your computer. For instructions on how to use the Recycle Bin, see “Deleting 
files and folders” on page 53. 
						

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Using the Start menu
You can start programs, open files, customize your system, get help, search for 
files and folders, and more using the Start menu.
To use the Start menu:
1Click the Start button on the lower left of the Windows desktop. The Start 
menu opens showing you the first level of menu items.
2Click All Programs to see all programs and files in the Start menu. When 
you move the mouse pointer over any menu item that has an arrow next 
to it, another menu, called a submenu, opens and reveals related files, 
programs, or commands.
3Click a file or program to open it.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about the Windows XP Start menu, 
click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword Windows Start menu in the HelpSpot 
Search box  , then click the arrow. 
						

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Using the desktop
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Adding icons to the desktop
You may want to add an icon (shortcut) to the desktop for a program that you 
use frequently.
To add icons to the desktop:
1Click Start, then click All Programs.
2Right-click (press the right mouse button) the program that you want to 
add to the desktop.
3Click Send To, then click Desktop (create shortcut). A shortcut icon for that 
program appears on the desktop.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about desktop icons in Windows XP, 
click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword desktop icons in the HelpSpot Search 
box  , then click the arrow. 
						

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Identifying window items
When you double-click the icon for a drive, folder, file, or program, a window 
opens on the desktop. This example shows the Local Disk (C:) window, which 
opens after you double-click the 
Local Disk (C:) icon in the My Computer window.
MinimizeMaximize Close Title bar
Menu bar 
						

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Identifying window items
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Every program window looks a little different because each has its own menus, 
icons, and controls. Most windows include these items:
Window item Description
The title bar is the horizontal bar at the top 
of a window that shows the window title.
Clicking the minimize button reduces the 
active window to a button on the taskbar. 
Clicking the program button in the taskbar 
opens the window again.
Clicking the maximize button expands the 
active window to fit the entire computer 
display. Clicking the maximize button again 
restores the window to its former size.
Clicking the close button closes the active 
window or program.
Clicking an item on the menu bar starts an 
action such as Print or Save.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about windows in Windows XP, click 
Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword window in the HelpSpot Search box 
, then click the arrow. 
						

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Working with files and folders
You can organize your files and programs to suit your preferences much like 
you would store information in a file cabinet. You can store these files in folders 
and copy, move, and delete the information just as you would reorganize and 
throw away information in a file cabinet.
Viewing drives
Drives are like file cabinets because they hold files and folders. A computer 
almost always has more than one drive. Each drive has a letter, usually Local 
Disk (C:) for the hard drive and 3½ Floppy (A:) for the diskette drive. You may 
also have more drives such as a CD or DVD drive.
To view the drives on your computer:
■In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer on the Start menu.
- OR -
In Windows 2000, double-click the 
My Computer icon on the desktop.
Drives 
						

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Working with files and folders
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To see the files and folders on a drive:
■Double-click the drive icon. If you do not see the contents of a drive after 
you double-click its icon, click 
Show the contents of this drive.
Creating folders
Folders are much like the folders in a file cabinet. They can contain files and 
other folders.
Files are much like paper documents—letters, spreadsheets, and pictures—that 
you keep on your computer. In fact, all information on a computer is stored 
in files.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about files and folders in 
Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword files and folders in the HelpSpot 
Search box  , then click the arrow.
Folders
Files 
						

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To create a folder:
1In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer on the Start menu.
- OR -
In Windows 2000, double-click the 
My Computer icon on the desktop.
2Double-click the drive where you want to put the new folder. Typically, 
Local Disk (C:) is your hard drive and 3½ Floppy (A:) is your diskette drive. 
If you do not see the contents of the drive, click 
Show the contents of this 
drive
.
3If you want to create a new folder inside an existing folder, double-click 
the existing folder. If you do not see the contents of the drive or folder, 
click 
Show the contents of this drive or Show the contents of this folder.
4Click File, New, then click Folder. The new folder is created.
5Type a name for the folder, then press ENTER. The new folder name appears 
by the folder icon.
For information about renaming folders, see “Shortcuts” on page 63.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about creating files and folders in 
Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword creating files and folders in the 
HelpSpot Search box  , then click 
the arrow. 
						

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Working with files and folders
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Copying and moving files and folders
The skills you need to copy and move files are called copying, cutting, and pasting.
When you copy and paste a file or folder, you place a copy of the file or folder 
on the Windows clipboard, which temporarily stores it. Then, when you decide 
w h a t  f o l d e r  y o u  w a n t  t h e  c o p y  to  g o  i n  ( t h e  destination folder), you paste it there.
When you cut and paste a file or folder, you remove the file or folder from its 
original location and place the file or folder on the Windows clipboard. When 
you decide where you want the file or folder to go, you paste it there.
To copy a file or folder to another folder:
1Locate the file or folder you want to copy. For more information, see 
“Viewing drives” on page 48 and “Searching for files” on page 56.
2Right-click (press the right mouse button) the file or folder that you want 
to copy. A pop-up menu opens on the desktop.
3Click Copy on the pop-up menu.
4Open the destination folder.
5With the pointer inside the destination folder, right-click.
6Click Paste. A copy of the file or folder appears in the new location.
ImportantThe clipboard stores whatever you cut or copy until you 
cut or copy again. Then the clipboard contains the new 
information only. Therefore, you can paste copies of a file 
or folder into more than one place, but as soon as you copy 
or cut a different file or folder, the original file or folder is 
deleted from the clipboard. 
						

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To move a file or folder to another folder:
1Locate the file or folder you want to move. For more information, see 
“Viewing drives” on page 48 and “Searching for files” on page 56.
2Right-click (press the right mouse button) the file or folder that you want 
to move. A pop-up menu opens on the desktop.
3Click Cut on the pop-up menu.
4Open the destination folder.
5With the pointer inside the destination folder, right-click.
6Click Paste. The file or folder you moved appears in its new location and 
is removed from its old location.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about copying files and folders or 
moving files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then 
click Help and Support.
Type the keyword copying files and folders or moving 
files and folders in the HelpSpot Search box 
, then click the arrow.