Computer Laboratory Manual – COMPUTER 1 Prepared by: ARLIE GIL CASO, Computer Instructor

LESSON 3 WINDOWS FUNDAMENTALS

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson the students should be able to:
1. Learn the importance of operating system in a computer.
2. Understand the concept of Windows
3. Identify the parts of a desktop
4. Learn to navigate windows through mouse
5. Run programs in Windows

CONCEPTS/THEORIES:

A. WINDOWS APPLICATION/DESKTOP

An Operating System (OS) serves as the interface between the computer hardware, application
programs and the user.
Examples: Windows, UNIX, Linux and Netware

Functions of the Operating System

1. HARDWARE MANAGEMENT – establishes communication among hardware components

like the input and output devices.
2. MEMORY MANAGEMENT – allocates memory to applications programs.
3. PROCESS MANAGEMENT – schedules the central processing unit (CPU) to the different
processes.
4. FILE MANAGEMENT – manages files in the computer (create, copy, delete file)

WINDOWS – is an operating system made by Microsoft. It is the most widely used OS because of
its graphical user interface (GUI). GUI gives a friendly environment that makes it easier to use and
understand. Windows doesn’t require you to memorize the commands.

It is a multi-tasking operating system that provides features such as longer filenames, faster
operations, network-ready, multi-media support and many other tasks. It is referred to as multi-
tasking because it can open several applications at the same time and can easily switch from one task
to another. It is designed to make your work faster and easier.

Another name for your Windows screen is Desktop. When your Windows desktop appears, it will
serve as a background on your screen or as visual surface on which you can work into. It may contain
several objects, called ICONS, depending on how you computer is set up. Icons graphically represent
items you use when you work or play in windows, like programs, document and other resources
available to your computer system.

PARTS OF THE DESKTOP

1. WALL PAPER – it is the background picture of the desktop. It can be changed

according to your preference. You can have your picture as wall paper.
2. START BUTTON – the entry point that allows you to access programs in your computer.
3. TASK BAR – a bar normally at the bottom of the screen that holds the Start button, opened
applications or programs and the system tray.
4. SYSTEM TRAY – displays the clock and icons of most commonly used programs. You can
change the date and the time of the computer through the system tray.
5. ICONS – pictures or images used to represents applications, files, and folders. The icons can
be moved or placed wherever you want in the desktop.

BASIC ICONS IN THE DESKTOP

1. MY COMPUTER – allows you to access all the drives (floppy, CD ROM, hard disk) and
the Control Panel.

References: Basic Concepts on Microsoft Office with Introduction to HTML by Evangeline Madrid-Hirata 25
Computer Fundamentals with Intro to Windows and Paint by Stephany Caspe
Work Text in Computer 3 – Basic Computer Operations by Mrs. Lorna Delfin
Basic Word Processing and Presentation Making by Emmalyn Atencio
Hardware Fundamentals by Mary Joy Cariaga
Computer Laboratory Manual – COMPUTER 1 Prepared by: ARLIE GIL CASO, Computer Instructor

2. MY DOCUMENTS – it is where your documents are located for faster access and retrieval
of files or folders.
3. MY NETWORK PLACES/NETWORK NEIGHBORHOOD – allows you to see and
access all the computers in the network. A computer network is a connection of two or more
computers.
4. RECYCLE BIN – it is where the deleted files, folders or applications are placed before they
are permanently deleted by making the Recycle bin empty. It is the trashcan of the computer.
The contents of the recycle bin can also be recovered or brought back to their previous
location.

THE START MENU

 START MENU – the most commonly used menu. You begin your computer work by
clicking the Start button. When you click the Start button, the Start menu appears and
presents a list of commands from which you can choose. A menu is a list of commands
from which you can choose.

1. PROGRAMS – it gives you the list of programs currently installed in your

computer. When you click any of the programs, for example Paint, the
computer will start or run this program. It includes application folders; start
up folders, MS DOS prompt and windows explorer, etc.

2. DOCUMENTS – give you the list of the most recent files you have
opened.

3. SETTINGS – allows you to change the settings and appearance of the

computer.

4. FIND/SEARCH – allows you to locate files or folders stored in some

other resources attached to your workgroup or network.

5. HELP – give an online answer to your most frequently asked questions or

support documents regarding a certain topic.

6. RUN – gives another way of starting a program rather that selecting it from
the programs Menu.

7. LOG OFF – this allows another person to use the computer, provided his
username and password has been authenticated correct by the system.

8. SHUT DOWN – the proper way of turning off the computer. You can also
restart the computer, where all the processes or programs running are being
terminated, and the computer system will start up again.

 MENU – is a list of commands that appears on your desktop.

 COMMAND – is an order you can give to your computer, such as running a program,
opening a document, or closing a file.
 TASK BAR – is the rectangular bar that runs horizontally across the bottom of your
screen. It includes the Start button. The task bar shows the list of names of the windows
that are currently opened when you start working, and it also shows the current time.

B. OPENING AN APPLICATION WINDOW

When you have a particular task in mind that you want to accomplish with your computer,
you have to open an application program appropriate to the task you intend to work on. The
most frequently used menu is the Start Menu.
1. You begin by clicking the Start button. This will tell the Windows to start working.

References: Basic Concepts on Microsoft Office with Introduction to HTML by Evangeline Madrid-Hirata 26
Computer Fundamentals with Intro to Windows and Paint by Stephany Caspe
Work Text in Computer 3 – Basic Computer Operations by Mrs. Lorna Delfin
Basic Word Processing and Presentation Making by Emmalyn Atencio
Hardware Fundamentals by Mary Joy Cariaga
Computer Laboratory Manual – COMPUTER 1 Prepared by: ARLIE GIL CASO, Computer Instructor

2. The Start menu will present a list of commands from which you can choose. This
command chosen will indicate the direction you want to go to the start doing your
work.

C. APPLICATION WINDOW DEFINITION

APPLICATION WINDOW – is a rectangular area that appears on the screen when you run
an application program. You can open several application windows at the same time on your
desktop in which each window is running a different program or is displaying different
document.
D. PARTS OF THE APPLICATION WINDOW SCREEN

1. Control Menu Icon – this button is found at the upper left corner of the window. It
changes the appearance according to the application program it represents.
2. Title bar – this bar is at the top edge of all windows. It contains the application name and
the name of the document. By dragging this bar, you can move the window around the
desktop.
3. Menu bar – contains menu options that have commands used for the application.
4. Minimize button – this button is found in the upper-right corner of most windows. It looks
like a single line. Clicking this button hides the window, but the program continues
running.
5. Maximize button – this button is in the upper right corner of most windows. It looks like a
single window. Clicking this button enlarges the window to fill the entire screen.
6. Close button – this button is found in the upper right corner of all windows. It has an “x”
mark on it. Clicking this button closes your document window as well as the application
window.
7. Restore button – this button is found in the upper right corner of most windows. It looks
like two overlapping windows. Clicking this button will set the window to the size and
position before it was minimized.
8. Working Area/Typing Area – this is where you type your document. It looks like a blank
space or a white bond paper.
9. Horizontal Scroll bar – this bar appears along the bottom of any window when the
window contains information that is wider that windows’ current width. The scroll bar
moves the display of the window’s content horizontally without changing the window size
or location.
10. Vertical Scroll bar – this bar appears along the right side of any window when the window
contains information that is longer than the windows’ current length. The scroll bar moves
the display of the windows’ content vertically without changing the windows size or
location.

E. MANIPULATING WINDOWS

 Moving the window

1. See to it that your window is in maximize mode.
2. Position your mouse pointer at the title bar.
3. Click and hold down the left mouse button.
4. Drag to its new position.
5. Release the mouse button.

 Sizing/Resizing the window

1. Position your mouse pointer either at the right or left edge to widen or narrow the
window or position your cursor either at the top or bottom edge to lengthen or shorten
the window. The mouse pointer changes to a double headed arrow.
2. Click and hold down the left mouse button.
3. Drag until you obtain your desired size.
4. Release the mouse button.

References: Basic Concepts on Microsoft Office with Introduction to HTML by Evangeline Madrid-Hirata 27
Computer Fundamentals with Intro to Windows and Paint by Stephany Caspe
Work Text in Computer 3 – Basic Computer Operations by Mrs. Lorna Delfin
Basic Word Processing and Presentation Making by Emmalyn Atencio
Hardware Fundamentals by Mary Joy Cariaga
Computer Laboratory Manual – COMPUTER 1 Prepared by: ARLIE GIL CASO, Computer Instructor

 Scrolling and Navigating

1. Position your mouse pointer at either vertical or horizontal scroll bar.
2. Click the hold down vertical or horizontal scroll bar.
3. Scroll/move to your desired part of the documents. You can view the document in a
left- to- right direction by the use of the horizontal scroll bar and top-to-bottom
direction by the use of the vertical scroll bar.
4. Release the mouse button.

Name: Date Performed:

Crs. Yr. & Sec.: Date Submitted:
Subject: Instructor:
Points Earned: Rating:

Exercise 3
A. MOUSE OPERATIONS (Desktop Properties)

1. Objectives:
At the end of this exercise, the student should be able to:
1. Enhance their skills in basic mouse operations.
2. Familiarize the basic parts and properties of the desktop.

2. Theory:
You use the mouse to select icons, buttons, or other elements in your
desktop. It is a direct entry pet-peripheral device because you are using your
hand movements to select, move and activate objects you see on the screen.
There are four mouse actions to help you carry out different functions in
windows, such as pointing, clicking, double-clicking, and dragging/dropping.
With this exercise, which involves the mouse, you will get more practice
with pointing and clicking by using the mouse.
3. Devices:
Computer Unit
4. Procedures:
PLAYING WITH ICONS:
1. Look at your desktop. There you can find icons that represent applications, files, and
folders. The icons can be moved or placed wherever you want in the desktop.
2. At your desktop, click the right mouse button and select Arrange Icons By then you
can see the choices such as Name, Size, Type and Modified. The icons will be
arranged depending on the users’ selection. By now, we have to select the Type.
3. Again, at your desktop, click the right mouse button and select Arrange Icons By
and you have to uncheck the Auto Arrange. Uncheck means you have to see to it
that the check mark () will disappear. By doing this steps you can move or drag
the icons everywhere.
4. By the use of your mouse, point to an icon, press and hold down the left mouse
button and drag the icon to the designated area. This time you have to move all the
icons to form the first letter of your name.
5. Have it check by your instructor.
6. After checking, at your desktop, click the right mouse button and select Arrange
Icons By and you have to check the Auto Arrange. By this time the check mark
() will appear. By doing this steps, all the icons that you moved will automatically
arrange to its proper location.

MANIPULATING DESKTOP PROPERTIES

References: Basic Concepts on Microsoft Office with Introduction to HTML by Evangeline Madrid-Hirata 28
Computer Fundamentals with Intro to Windows and Paint by Stephany Caspe
Work Text in Computer 3 – Basic Computer Operations by Mrs. Lorna Delfin
Basic Word Processing and Presentation Making by Emmalyn Atencio
Hardware Fundamentals by Mary Joy Cariaga
Computer Laboratory Manual – COMPUTER 1 Prepared by: ARLIE GIL CASO, Computer Instructor

1. At your desktop, click the right mouse button and select Arrange Icons By, then
select Properties. You can see the following tab names such as Themes, Desktop,
Screen Saver, Appearance and Settings.
2. Select the Desktop tab, selecting this tab will provide you background display
properties that you can use to enhance screen environment. Also, you can see a 3-D
picture of a computer monitor.
3. Under the Background selections, select the display you want to use. By clicking a
particular background, the preview can be seen on the 3-D Computer monitor.
4. After selecting the desired background, click the Apply button. The selected
background will then be viewed in your monitor.
5. Select the Screen Saver tab, selecting this tab will provide you screen saver display
properties that you can use to save the computer’s energy. This property will be
activated if you tend to leave the computer or if the computer is no longer in use
depending on the time specified by the user. Also, you can see a 3-D picture of a
computer monitor with the animated display.
6. Under the Screen Saver drop down box, select 3D Text, click the Settings button
and select Custom Text, type your name in the text box corresponds to the custom
text.
7. In the Rotation Type, click Spin and click the OK Button.
8. In the display properties window, change the number of minutes in the Wait:
selection into 2 minutes. Click the Preview button. Clicking this button will preview
your screen saver settings in just a few seconds.
9. Click the OK button. Wait for the screen saver settings to activate in your monitor.

B. MOUSE OPERATIONS (MS Paint Application)

1. Objectives:
At the end of this exercise, the student should be able to:
1. Enhance their skills in basic mouse operations.
2. Familiarize the basic parts of MS Paint Application Window.

2. Theory:
You use the mouse to select icons, buttons, or other elements in your
desktop. It is a direct entry pet-peripheral device because you are using your
hand movements to select, move and activate objects you see on the screen.
There are four mouse actions to help you carry out different functions in
windows, such as pointing, clicking, double-clicking, and dragging/dropping.
With this exercise, which involves the mouse, you will get more practice
with pointing and clicking by using the mouse.
3. Devices:
Computer Unit
4. Procedures:
1. Boot the Computer.
2. Familiarize with how the mouse is to be handled.
 Rest the right hand on the mouse.
 Use the pointer finger to click the left button of the mouse.
 Use the middle finger to click the right button of the mouse.
3. Open the MS Paint Application window.
 Click the Start button at the Task Bar
to display the Start Menu.
 Select Programs on the Start Menu.
 Then slide to the right on the Programs
menu and select Accessories.
 On the Accessories menu, select and
click MS Paint application.
 Wait until the MS paint Application
window appears on the screen.

References: Basic Concepts on Microsoft Office with Introduction to HTML by Evangeline Madrid-Hirata 29
Computer Fundamentals with Intro to Windows and Paint by Stephany Caspe
Work Text in Computer 3 – Basic Computer Operations by Mrs. Lorna Delfin
Basic Word Processing and Presentation Making by Emmalyn Atencio
Hardware Fundamentals by Mary Joy Cariaga
Computer Laboratory Manual – COMPUTER 1 Prepared by: ARLIE GIL CASO, Computer Instructor

4. The MS Paint Application allows you to create and edit simple graphic
images.
Familiarize the parts of the MS Paint Application window such as:
 Control menu icon (represents an active application)
 Title bar (contains the name of the application and a document)
 Minimize button (used to turn your window into an icon)
 Maximize button (used to enlarge your window to occupy the
whole screen)
 Close button (used to close your document window as well as
your application window)
 Restore button (used to turn an application into a resizable
window )
 Menu bar (contains the list of available menus)
 Tool box (contains icons representing drawing and editing
tools)
 Drawing area (the blank area where you create your images)
 Horizontal scroll bar (used to scroll documents from left to
right)
 Vertical scroll bar (used to scroll documents from top to
bottom)
 Color box (serves as the color selection of a particular tool)

5. Start your drawing by using the different tools and colors by following
the instructions below:
 Make sure that your drawing area fits in the application window.
If not, move your vertical and horizontal bar at the lowest
position of the screen by the use of your mouse.
 Point the mouse pointer at the intersection of the edge of your
drawing area. See to it that the mouse pointer changes to a
diagonal resize shape.
 Press and hold down the left mouse button to the top left portion
until the working area fits in the window and release the left
button.
 Click the Pencil tool. Your mouse pointer (arrow) appears as a
pencil or it changes shape depending upon the selected tool.
 Draw a continuous line in a different location by pressing and
holding down your left mouse button in your drawing area (as if
your creating an abstract painting).
 You can also use the following tools:

Rectangle tool (to create square and rectangle shape)
Rounded Rectangle tool (for rounded edge) area)
Brush tool (to draw lines with size selection)
Ellipse tool (to draw circle and oblong shape) Pick Color tool (to copy color form one area)
Air brush tool (for dots effect) Fill with color tool (to fill in color to a particular
Line tool (to create straight line) Eraser tool (to erase a particular area)
Polygon tool (to create) Select tool (to edit/select an image)
Curve tool (to create curve line) Free Form select tool (selection of desired shape)
Text tool (to add text) Magnifier tool (to zoom the image)

6. Save your document by simply clicking File in the Menu bar. Select and
click File Save As. The dialog box will appear in your display screen. In
the Save in: text box, click the selection arrow and select/click My
Documents. Go to the lower portion of the dialog box, you will see the
File Name: text box with the default name Untitled. Change the
Untitled to your Complete Name; for example you have to type:
References: Basic Concepts on Microsoft Office with Introduction to HTML by Evangeline Madrid-Hirata 30
Computer Fundamentals with Intro to Windows and Paint by Stephany Caspe
Work Text in Computer 3 – Basic Computer Operations by Mrs. Lorna Delfin
Basic Word Processing and Presentation Making by Emmalyn Atencio
Hardware Fundamentals by Mary Joy Cariaga
Computer Laboratory Manual – COMPUTER 1 Prepared by: ARLIE GIL CASO, Computer Instructor

Robert Langdon and click the Save button or simply press the Enter
key in your keyboard.
7. After saving you file, again go to File in the Menu bar. Select/click Set
as Background (Centered) in the File menu drop down box.
8. Close the application window by just clicking the Close button, with the
X mark found in the upper right of the application window or simply
press ALT + F4 in your keyboard.
9. Your drawing will appear in your desktop as your background display.
Have it checked with your instructor for your performance grade/score.
10. Your grade will be based on the following criteria:

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Mastery (usage of tools/applications) 40% _____ %

Creativity (originality/color combination) 30% _____ %
Neatness (clarity/impact) 30% _____ %

Total 100% _____ %

References: Basic Concepts on Microsoft Office with Introduction to HTML by Evangeline Madrid-Hirata 31
Computer Fundamentals with Intro to Windows and Paint by Stephany Caspe
Work Text in Computer 3 – Basic Computer Operations by Mrs. Lorna Delfin
Basic Word Processing and Presentation Making by Emmalyn Atencio
Hardware Fundamentals by Mary Joy Cariaga