• You would use two clicks to
  • Select and launch an application.

Try These Tasks

• Find the My Computer icon. Double-click the My Computer icon. A new window is now displayed on the desktop.

• Close the My Computer window. Click once on the Close (X) button in the upper-right corner of the open window.

When you click the right mouse button (Right-click) the computer displays a menu on the desktop. The menu displays commands specific to the object or area you click.

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The Windows 95 Desktop
The Windows 95 desktop is what you see when the computer and Windows are finally ready to be used after they are turned on. It is the area that is used for file management and opening other applications.

Normally the person sitting at the PC can customize the Desktop. At the War College, we have established an initial standard Desktop to enable users to have access to the applications available to them. The PCs in the common user areas (CEC, Library, and Seminar/Study Rooms) may have locks on the Desktop to prevent further customization.


Icons are also called shortcuts because they open a window for the item they display. To open an icon, you must double-click it.

Task Bar
At the bottom of the Desktop is the Task Bar. This bar tells you what applications are running. If the application is in the form of a button, it is an application you have started and minimized (see page 9 for description of 'minimized'). The exception to this is the Start button, which is discussed later.


On the right side of the Task Bar is the clock (Windows default) and additional applications that may be there due to particular hardware the PC has or special software that has been enabled to constantly run (i.e. virus scanning software). If you hold the mouse pointer over each image, it will give you information about it.

Default Icons

My Computer
This icon, when double-clicked, opens up a window showing the contents of your computer. This includes

• The C: drive
• A Floppy Drive (A:)
• A zip Drive (usually E:)
• a CD ROM Drive (usually D:)
• Plus any network drives that were linked if you logged on to the network.

The contents of My Computer can be viewed as primarily icons or primarily text (with details if desired).

This is a user choice that is selected using the buttons on the Tool bar or by using the View menu of My Computer.

Network Neighborhood
The Network Neighborhood is similar to My Computer. It shows all the devices on the network. Each device (PCs, printers, servers, etc) has an identification and is listed in the window.

Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is Microsoft's Browser for accessing the Internet (and not to be confused with Windows Explorer). The PCs at Carlisle Barracks have browsers set to open at the front page of our Intranet (CBNet). Information on CBNet can be gotten from the Network Basics tutorial.

Recycle Bin
The Recycle Bin contains items you have discarded (deleted). Just like a trash container, it needs to be emptied occasionally. To empty the Recycle Bin:

• right-click on the icon and select Empty recycle bin.

Start Button
The Start Button, when clicked, activates a menu. It is from the main menu that you can activate programs for which you do not have a shortcut.




Use the mouse to scroll the menu items.

If a menu item has a small arrow after it, another menu will come up when it is selected.

Arrange Icons
There may be times when some icons appear to be overlapping. This is easy to fix.

1. Right-click in the Desktop open area.
2. Click on Arrange Icons
3. Click on Auto Arrange (if Auto Arrange has a checkmark in front of it, click on by Name).

Window Elements
Everything (except the desktop) on a Windows 95 PC is viewed within a Window. Every window has a standard look and standard elements.

Title Bar
Across the top of the window is the Title Bar. This bar tells us what application we are using. If a secondary window is maximized, then the content of that window is also identified.

At the right side of the title bar are three icons that look like buttons (and are frequently called buttons). They are in the order shown:

• Minimize
• Maximize/Restore
• Close

(See Size a Window below for details on using these buttons).

Menu Bar
Every Window has a Menu Bar. Most menu bars will have File, Edit, View, and Help and there also may be additional menus unique to the application window.

Each menu has numerous options that will vary according to the application. Whenever you are opening a new application you should acquaint yourself with the menus and what they offer. (Below are two examples of menu bars.)

Toolbars
The Toolbar provides shortcuts to most of the commonly used menu items. These shortcuts are usually called buttons because of their size and shape. Each window has a Standard Toolbar that normally comes up automatically. Below are two samples of a Standard Toolbar.

Many applications have additional toolbars that can be used and they provide shortcuts for specific groups of functions. Within the application, click on the View menu and select Toolbars. You will see the variety of toolbars available and the type of functions they have as shortcuts. You will also see which toolbars are currently activated.

Status Bar
At the bottom of the window is a Status Bar. The information given varies based on the application in the window but usually can be very valuable. Below are two examples.

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Scroll Bars
If a window is too small to see all of its contents, horizontal and/or vertical appear. Using the features of the scroll bars and the left mouse button, you can scroll the window contents up and down or left and right.

• Click on the arrow buttons located at the ends of the scroll bar. . Each click will move the contents of the window one line.
  
• Click in the gray area of the bar to move the contents a screen at a time for faster scrolling.
  

Dragging the slide button along the gray area will move the contents continuously. Let go of the mouse button when you see the area you want. The size of the slide button depends on the percent of information not showing.

Size A Window
A window can be enlarged to fill the entire screen by maximizing it, reduced to an icon button on the Task Bar by minimizing it, or returned to its original size by restoring it.

These buttons are located on the upper right hand top of the Title Bar of each window. If the window does not have these buttons, it can not be sized.

Minimize		Reduces the window to an icon button and places it on the Task Bar.
Maximize		Enlarges the window so that it covers the full screen. This button changes to the Restore button when the window is maximized.
Restore		Changes the window back to the size it was before it was maximized.
Close		Closes the currently open window

The window can also be sized by dragging the edge (frame) with the mouse cursor. Place the mouse arrow on a frame until it becomes a bi-directional arrow .

Holding the LEFT mouse button down, drag the frame to the location you want, then let go of the mouse button. If you place the arrow on the top, bottom, left, or right, just that edge can be moved. If you place the arrow on a corner, you can move both edges that meet at that corner.

Move A Window

There will be times when you need to move a window to see something underneath. Windows that are maximized or minimized can not be moved.

• Point the mouse arrow into the Title Bar.
• Hold the LEFT mouse button down.
• Drag the mouse/window to the location you want.
• Let go of the mouse button.

Close A Window. Each Window has a Close button located in the extreme right side of the Title Bar. To close a Window, click on the Close button. If a document window is maximized, the Close button for it will be on the Menu bar of the application Window. You can close a document separately or it will close when you close the application.

Manage files
Microsoft Windows 95 calls directories Folders and uses a filing folder icon as the symbol. Files (which include documents, presentations, programs, spreadsheets, databases, etc) in Windows 95 are called Files but the icons vary depending on the type of file they are.

Managing your files can be done from either :

• My Computer.
• Explore

Explore can be accessed by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Explore. The following images and steps are show a person using using Windows Explorer.

Note: Many of the PCs in Root Hall have been configured so that My Computer looks and acts just like Explorer. It may not be that way on a home PC.)

Notice in the above image, the window is split into two frames, each having their own scroll bars. The frame on the left shows "All Folders" and the frame on the right shows the "Contents of C\" because it is selected (highlighted) in the left frame.

The list of drives own in the left frame also have a boxed + in front. This means that they are condensed and each contains additional items (folders and files).

If you click ON the +, it will expand ONE level in the left frame.

If you click on the drive (or folders under the drive), the contents will be displayed in the right frame.

When you have clicked on the + it changes to a to show that it has expanded.

Clicking on the - will condense the drive or folder back.

The image to the abpve right shows a drive and some of the folders that have been expanded.

Create Folders
The management of electronic files is much like managing the papers on your desk. You normally sort them by subject and put them in a filing folder to be placed in a file cabinet. Electronic files can be also placed by subject matter into folders, electronic folders.

One thing to remember with electronic files and folders is the folders have to be created before anything can be placed in them.

1. Find the location where you want the new folder to be. Usually it will be under another folder (like My Documents) but sometimes it may be a drive (like the U: drive or a floppy disk -A:).

2. Select the location by clicking ONCE on it.

3. 

   Click on File/New/ Folder.

4. Type the name you want the new folder to be and press the Enter key on the keyboard.

   

Move/Copy Files
Moving or Copying files can be a simple mouse function. This is one of the times you can use drag-and-drop to make the task easier. The trick is to have the file (name) to be moved showing in the right pane and the location to which it is going showing in the left pane. When you can see both items, then do one of the following steps.

• Point the mouse at the file (name) and holding the LEFT mouse button down, drag the mouse pointer to the new location. When the new location is highlighted, release the mouse button. If the location is on the same disk (floppy, C: or U:) the file will be moved. If the location is on a different disk, the file will be copied.
  
  
• Point the mouse at the file and holding the RIGHT mouse button down, drag the mouse pointer to the new location. After releasing the mouse button, you will get a menu to select the option you want.
  
  
• You can also use the Cut/Copy/Paste buttons located in the Toolbar. This method is useful if you are having problems viewing the location and file (name) simultaneously.
  

Delete Folders/Files
Deleting files or folders (and the contents) is very easy. Remember that all deleted items go into the Recycle Bin and it needs to be emptied occasionally.

1. Select the item or items to be deleted by clicking on them ONCE. You can hold the Ctrl key down to select multiple items. (Hold the Cntl key down and press the A key to select all the files.)

2. Click on the Delete key located on the Tool Bar.

3. Say Yes to deleting the items.

Shutting Down Windows 95
Unlike previous versions of Windows, just turning off the PC is NOT the way to shutdown your PC. Turning off the PC with Windows 95 still running will produce error files and disk fragmentation.

Additionally, at Carlisle Barracks PCs left with Windows running are still logged on to the network.

There are three major options to choose when doing a Shutdown. Theyare Shutdown the Computer, Restart the Computer, and Close all programs and log on as a Different User.

Each of these has appropriate times to be used.

1. Click on Start/Shutdown.

2. Now select the desired option (descriptions below) and click the Yes button.

   a. Shutdown the computer if you are going to turn the power off.

   This is usually done just at the end of the day or during the weekend on the PCs in the Seminar/Study rooms and the CEC.
   
   b. Restart the computer is done when the PC seems to be having problems with system resources. This option and the Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode are usually done by HelpDesk personnel when troubleshooting or repairing problems.

   b. Close all programs and log on as a different user should be the option of choice for all students using the PCs in the Seminar/Study rooms, the CEC and the USAWC Library. This resets the PCs so that another user can sit down and immediately logon.

Tips and Tricks

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Search for a File
Occasionally you need to open a file and just cannot remember where you saved it.

For students on a PC in the USAWC it is usually not a big problem because files are normallysaved in C:\My Documents, U:\, or the group drive under the seminar folder.

But what about Staff and Faculty and your home PC? The places where files are saved can be endless. Luckily Windows 95 has a search function we can use.

• Select the drive or folder you want to search on. Sometimes it is more efficient to search the whole c: or u: drive instead of doing each folder separately.

• Click on Tools/Find/Files or Folders.

• In the dialog box that comes up, make sure the Look in box has the location you want to search. If not, you can click on the Browse button and click to the location.

• Type in the name of the file you are looking for. It is sometimes best to use the Wild Characters (i.e. CEC*.ppt, *.ppt, CEC*.*) particularly if you are not SURE of the ful name.

• 6. Click the Find Now button when you are finished entering the information. The system will search the area you indicated and place the results in a frame below the dialog box.
  Determine File Size
  If you are using the Details view in My Computer or Explore, the size of the file is shown. If you are not, click on the Details view button on the Toolbar to change to that view.
  An alternate is to RIGHT-click on the file and select Properties. The size of the file is located on the General Tab.
  
  
  Determine Free Space
  Determining free space is helpful when moving or copying files to a floppy disk or zip cartridge. Remember, the size of a floppy disk is 1.44 MB (1,440,000 bytes). The status bar on My Computer or Explore will tell you how much room you have on a particular disk when that disk is selected.
  
  Relocating The Task Bar

  The Task Bar is normally located on the bottom of your screen. You can easily relocate the task bar on the desktop and from the "Start" Menu.

  From the Desktop:

  1. Use the mouse to move the cursor onto the task bar.

  2. Click and hold down the left mouse button. Move the cursor to the right side of the screen and let go of the mouse button. This positions the task bar on the right side of the screen. (Note: an outline will appear as you move the task bar).

  3. In the same manner try moving the task bar to the top, left side, and bottom of the screen.

  Setting Task bar Options

  1. Click the "START" button to open the start menu.

  2. From the start menu select "SETTINGS".

  3. From the settings menu select "TASK BAR." This brings up the Task bar Properties Dialog Box.

  4. In the Task bar Properties Dialog Box click the Task bar Options tab.

  5. There are four options. Click on each option in turn. Watch the effect on the task bar in the window of the dialog box.

  6. Select AUTO HIDE and select SHOW CLOCK. Clock on the apply button.

  7. On the desktop you will see that the task bar is nearly off the bottom of the screen. Move the cursor to the bottom of the screen and the task bar will now reappear.

  

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  Using the Start Menu to Start A Program

  You do not need to click or hold down the left mouse button to navigate around the start menu. To start a program from the menu try the following steps.

  1. Click once on the start button on the bottom left of your screen.

  2. Slide the cursor up to the program entry on the start menu. This causes the programs menu with additional selections to appear on the screen.

  3. From the programs menu move the cursor (bar) to select the program category you want such as MS Office. This causes the group to display further menu on the screen.

  4. Move the cursor (bar) over the program you want to start and click once to start the program.

  

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  Copy Instead of Move

  If you drag and drop a file or folder on the same storage device (say, from one location on your hard disk to another), the object is moved. But if you press and hold the Ctrl key while you drag, the object is copied to the new location.

  

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  Adding Items to The Start Menu

  Any number of applications (programs) and utilities can be added to the Start Menu. By adding items to the Start Menu you can gain quick and easy access to those programs you use frequently. To add items to the Start Menu begin by:

  1. Click once on the Start button.

  2. Slide the cursor to the settings entry. This opens the next level of menus.

  3. Select the task bar entry and click once. This opens the Task bar properties dialog box.

  4. From the Task bar Properties select the "START MENU PROGRAMS" tab. Click on the Add button to customize your "START MENU"

  5. In the CREATE SHORTCUT DIALOG BOX type the name of the program on the command line that you want to add to the START MENU. Click on the next button.

  6. In the SELECT PROGRAM FOLDER dialog box, click the start menu folder that you want to add to.

  7. Click on the Next Button.

  8. Click on the finish button. The CREATE SHORTCUT dialog box will disappear.

  9. Click on the OK button on the TASK BAR PROPERTIES dialog box. The program is now added to your START MENU.

  

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  Switching Between Applications

  The task bar is an easy means for you to switch between applications. The task bar displays the buttons of each running program and enables you to quickly switch between these programs with one mouse click. For example - If you are working on a Power Point application and have a Word processor open, you can switch between the two by just one click on the task bar.

  

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  Minimize A Program To The Task bar

  Each active window (Open Program) includes three buttons on the upper right corner of the window.

  Clicking on the Minimize button shown at the left, closes the active applications window and places a button on the task bar. By Minimizing a program you can temporarily move it off the desktop while keeping it readily available.

  The Maximize button shown at the left, allows you to enlarge a small window on the desktop to a full screen view.

  The close button shown at the left allows you to close the active window and thereby close the program.

  

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  Creating Short Cuts

  Shortcuts are yet another way you can quickly open documents or programs that you use frequently. You can create shortcuts to any object in Windows 95. Icons for programs such as CC:Mail, Netscape, Word, etc. can be placed on the desktop by using shortcuts. You can even create shortcuts to word document that you use on a daily basis and place them on your desktop. Let us assume that you want to create a shortcut for Microsoft Power point. To create a shortcut:

  1. Double-click on MY COMPUTER.

  2. Double-click on the C: drive.

  3. Find the folder named MSOFFICE and double -click on the folder.

  4. Find the folder named Powerpnt or Powerpoint and double-click on that folder.

  5. Find the file Powerpnt.exe and right click the mouse on that file.

  6. From the menu select create shortcut. A ne shortcut icon for the selected program appears in the window.

  7. Click and drag the shortcut icon to the desktop and close all open windows.

  You know have a quick and easy way to access your program by double-clicking on the icon just as you did in windows 3.11.

  

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  Using the Help System

  The windows 95 help system is designed to provide you help when you need it. There are three ways for you to fine information in the help dialog box. Each method is outlined by a tab in the help dialog box.

  • Contents Tab - Help is organized by general tours and topics - Windows 95 provides you with Help Wizards that guide you through tasks in a step by step manner. The help contents is organized into books and provides you with categories of information about using windows.

  • Index Tab - By Topical Index - The index enables you to type a word to identify the specific category of help you need.

  • Find Tab - (find by specific words) - Find creates a list (database) of every word in the help files, enabling you to search by a word rather than by category.

  

Using The Help Screen

1. Click the Start Button once.

2. Slide the cursor bar up and click once on help.

3. Click each of the CONTENTS, INDEX, and FIND tabs to familiarize yourself with the contents of each card.

4. Click on the CONTENTS tab and double-click on the HOW TO entry.

5. Double click on PRINTING A HELP TOPIC.

6. Follow the instructions and make a printed copy of the help information. After printing is finished, click on the HELP TOPICs button to return to the CONTENTS tab.

7. Close the help window by clicking once on the "X" in the upper right corner, or click once on the cancel button in the lower right corner.

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Using the Find Feature To Locate A File

Using the Windows 95 Find Files or Folders feature helps you to find files even if you don't know the name or path. To find a file using this feature do the following:

1. Click the start button. From the start menu select FIND, (this brings up another menu level to the right or left) and then select "FILES OR FOLDERS" and click once.

2. A new dialog box similar to the one below will appear on your screen.
   

3. In the NAMED field type the document or file name you wish to find.

4. In the LOOK IN field type the drive letter you wish to search in.

5. Click on the FIND NOW button to start the search. Windows 95 will search the contents of the drive you specified and find all occurrences of the file name you specified. The found files will be displayed as shown below. Just double click on a file name in the lower window to open that file.
   

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General Tips

Turbo charge Your Start Menu

You can launch programs by clicking in the Start menu, moving the mouse pointer up to the Programs group, selecting the program group, then the program-but there’s a much faster way. Add items to the top of the Start menu (above the Programs folder)so you don’t have to dig for them.

Open My Computer and find the programs you use the most. Drag and drop the executables onto the start button. That will put all your most frequently used programs right on the first line of the Start menu, available for fast access.

Assign Numbers to Your Applications

While adding items to the top of the Start menu is a great way to keep them handy. It's even handier to launch them with keystrokes. To assign keystrokes, right-click on the Start button and select Open. Rename each of the items you've added by placing a number in front of it. Now you can open the Start menu by pressing Ctrl+Esc, then launch the program of your choice by pressing the associated number.

Use Win 95's Secret Icons

Win 95 has a default icon file called SHELL32.DLL, which lives in the SYSTEMS subfolder of your WINDOWS folder. But there's another file hidden in the SYSTEM folder, called PIFMGR.DLL. Here you'll find Win 95's secret stash of cool icons, which you can use if you want to change the icon for a shortcut you've created. You can still use your old Windows 3.x icons, too. They're called PROGMAN.EXE and MORICONS.DLL, and you'll find them in the WINDOWS folder.

Recycle? No, I Want to Dump It!

Some files may be so sensitive (budget reports, for example) or toxic (some ripe Internet downloads, for example) you want them immediately gone forever, without an intermediary stop in the Recycle Bin. To immediately delete a file, no fooling around, hold down the Shift key when you delete it.

Really Quick Tips

Add Programs to Start Menu - To quickly add a program to the "Start" menu you can drag the icon from the desktop to the start button.

Dragging Files - You can use your right mous button to drag files. Try it and see what happens.

Minimize all Windows - You can minimize all open windows at once: just use your right mouse button to click an empty area on the taskbar, then click on minimize all windows.

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