| Learn
More About Windows XP So You Can Get More Out Of Your Computer! |
|
|
|
 |
What
is Windows XP? |
Windows
XP is a computer operating system produced by Microsoft®
for use on laptops and computers. Windows
XP is used to run all the software
you want to install on your computer and more. In my
XP tutorial, you will learn how to get more out of computer by learning
more about Windows XP, the operating system on your computer.
While
most computer systems today are sold with Windows Vista or Windows
7, others still have Windows XP on their computer. In some rare cases,
some folks prefer to have Windows XP
installed on their computers instead of Windows Vista and Windows
7 for all kinds of reasons. I just happen to be one of those people
who still use Windows XP. Why? For me, it's a much faster operating
system, without all the "ooh, did you see how that window opened
up soooo slowwwly, but it really looked cool?"
|
 |
What
Kind Of Operating System Do You Have? |
 Let's
check to see what kind of Which operating system do you have?
RIGHT-CLICK on the icon that says MY COMPUTER located on the
desktop or inside Windows Explorer. Under the GENERAL tab, it
should tell you what operating system you're current running
(i.e., Windows '95, '98, ME, XP, Vista, 7, etc.). Once you know
what kind of operating system you have, you can then proceed
with this tutorial.
|
 |
Keywords
and terms associated with Windows XP ... |
Before
we get into the video tutorials on Windows XP, quickly become acquainted
with these keywords associated with Windows XP:
 |
Desktop
— The first screen you see when either OS is opened. The
desktop always includes at least four items: the “My Computer”
icon, the “Recycle Bin, the “Start” button,
and finally the Taskbar. |
|
Wallpaper
— A graphic/image that appears as a backdrop on the Windows
desktop and other operating environments. Wallpaper images can
be basic images or patterns, more elaborate photographs and cartoons,
or other images created by users or provided by third-party manufacturers.
You can even choose a favorite picture and use that as Wallpaper. |
|
Theme
— An alteration that personalizes your computer’s
desktop by customizing the wallpaper, icons, cursors, sounds and
color schemes. Some Windows versions include different themes,
such as a beach scene that changes to different colors. |
|
Skins
— Images or themes that change the appearance of a user
interface. You can change the look for web browsers such as Microsoft
Internet Explorer and MP3 player such as WinAmp by adding a skin
to it. Skins are usually based on a specific them, such as a movie
or type of product. |
|
Shortcut
Icons —
A shortcut icon is a small graphic image that help you find and
execute commands quickly, especially on the desktop. Commands
tell the computer what you want the computer to do (i.e., open
a software program, open a document, browse the Internet, etc.).
To execute a command by using an icon, simply double-click on
the icon or in some cases a single-click will do just as well.
|
|
Drives
— Drives are devices used to store data on your computer.
Most computers have at least three drives: |
| |
A:\
... which is a floppy disk drive (for 3.5" disks)
C:\
... which is the main storage drive
D:\
... which is a CD or DVD drive (for CDs and DVDs)
E:\
... which could be another internal storage drive
F:\
... which could be another internal storage drive |
| |
If
you partition your main drive (which means to create two drives
out of one) the second drive will typically be labeled E:\ or
F:\ or G:\ depending on how you assign your drives when you partition
them. Whenever you add more drives to your computer, they will
be assigned a letter (i.e., F, G, H, I, J, etc.) |
|
Directory
— A Directory is the path given to a folder on a particular
drive. For example a text file called "Serial Numbers"
is located in the My Documents directory on the C:\ drive would
read:
C:\My Documents\SerialNumbers.txt |
|
Folders
— Folders are used to organize
and store data files on your computer. Just think
of folders like filing cabinets. When you want to save, file and
organize particular files used on your computer, simply save them
into a folders already there or create special ones and name them
accordingly. Typically, software programs are always stored in
their own folder called "Programs" on the C:\ drive;
while documents can be stored all over your computer on any drive
you wish. It's always a good idea to keep related document files
stored together in the appropriate folders. When you need more
folders, just create them. |
|
Files
— Files are individual documents, images, software
programs, etc. stored on your computer. If you click on a particular
file, it will attempt to open a software program associated with
that file based on its file extension. See below ... |
|
File
Extensions — File Extensions are simply
the ending letters associated with a specific file and the software
program that it can be opened in. For example a Microsoft Word
file has an extension of .doc. So, a Word file created in Microsoft
Word called Serial Numbers would look like this SerialNumbers.doc
... When saving a new document, you never have to "assign"
a file extension to the document; it gets assigned automatically
by the program you're saving it in. Simply, give your file a
name and that's it! Here are a number of common 3-letter extensions:
| .doc |
Word
Document |
.html |
Internet
Document |
| .xls |
Excel
Document |
.htm |
Internet
Document |
| .txt |
Text
Format |
.mmm |
Magix
Music Maker |
| .rtf |
Rich
Text Format (Similar to Text) |
.png |
Public
Network Graphic |
| .ppt |
Microsoft
PowerPoint Presentation |
.psd |
PhotoShop
Drawing |
| .mdb |
Microsoft
Access Database |
.jpg |
(JPEG/JIFF
Image) |
| .bmp |
Windows
Bitmap Picture |
.gif |
Graphic
Interchange Format |
| .wav |
Windows
Sound File |
.tif |
Tagged
Image Format File |
| .mp3 |
MPEG
Audio Layer 3 |
.flv |
Flash
File |
|
| |
|
|
 |
Windows
XP Video Tutorials ... |
|
Are
you ready to start learning more about your computer and how
Windows XP helps your computer run all kinds of software applications?
When you do, your confident will soar as you use your computer
to perform all kinds of tasks ...
To
watch one of my video tutorials, simply click on the link corresponding
to the topic you'd like to learn more about:
|
| 1.0
— Getting Started With Windows XP ... |
| 1.1 |
 |
Make sure you have Windows XP to benefit
from my videos ... |
| ..1.2 |
|
or not ... |
|
|
|
2.0 — "Start Menu" Video Tutorials ... |
 |
| Here's
where it all "starts", well that is if you want to launch
software programs, view your most recent documents, manage printers,
access the Control Panel, turn your computer off and much more.
C'mon, let's check out these video tutorials ... |
| ..2.1 |
|
— Click
this button to display the Start Menu and get access to
programs and a lot more ... |
| ..2.2 |
|
— Click here to see all the software programs you
have installed in your computer ... |
| ..2.2 |
|
— Right-click
to modify the Start Button area and Taskbar properties ... |
| ..2.3 |
|
— These are the most recently used software programs
you've used lately ... |
| ..2.4 |
|
— Shortcuts
to Internet Browser and eMail ... |
| ..2.5 |
|
— Represents
user currently logged on ... |
| ..2.6 |
|
— The person who's logged on ... |
| ..2.7 |
|
— These folders give you quick access to the contents
they contain ... |
| ..2.8 |
|
—
Find and open your most recently used documents and images
... |
| ..2.9 |
|
— Like Windows Explorer, helps you manage your computer,
folders and files ... |
| 2.10 |
|
— Allows
you to give access to folders and files on a network on
other computers ... |
| 2.11 |
|
— Customize
your computer, add/remove programs and lots more ... |
| 2.12 |
|
—
Choose programs for activities like Web browsing and sending
eMail ... |
| 2.13 |
|
—
Access the Printer properties to add, remove or modify your
printers ... |
| 2.14 |
|
—
Click here to get help with your computer and XP ... |
| 2.15 |
|
— Can't find
a particular file? Click here to search for all kinds of
files ... |
| 2.16 |
|
— Click here
to install and run software programs, documents and commands
... |
| 2.17 |
|
—
Click here to (1) log off, (2) turn off or (3) restart your
computer ... |
| 2.18 |
|
— Click here to "log off" your account and
return to the Welcome screen ... |
|
|
|
3.0 — "Desktop" Video Tutorials ... |
 The
desktop is the area that contains all of your software program
shortcuts and other document icons, the Quick Launch toolbar,
the Taskbar, and the System Tray. If you RIGHT-CLICK on
the Desktop, a Properties menu box will open up letting
you customize the color scheme of windows, choose screen
savers, change desktop themes, change screen resolutions
and much more ...wallpaper and a lot more!
| 3.1
|
|
video tutorial ... |
| 3.2
|
|
Here's how I get there ... |
| 3.3 |
|
so you can stay organized on your
Desktop ... |
3.4
|
|
again, so you keep your
Desktop clean and organized ... |
| 3.5 |
|
:
Minimizing, resizing, moving, maximizing and closing
software programs ... |
|
TOP OF PAGE
|
| 4.0
— "Quick Launch Toolbar," "Taskbar"
& "System Tray" Video Tutorials ... |
|
| In
this section of tutorials, you will learn some very handy
functions as they relate to the Quick Launch Toolbar, the
Taskbar and the System Tray. C'mon, let's check 'em out
... |
| 4.1 |
|
to the Quick Launch Toolbar
... |
| 4.2 |
|
Watch this video to find out ... |
| 4.3 |
|
Watch this
video to find out ... |
4.4
|
|
Let's check the System Clock to
see the current time / date ... |
|
TOP OF PAGE
|
| 5.0
— Desktop "Properties" Menu ... |
| In
this section, you will learn how to configure the "properties"
for your computer, the desktop and other important aspects
as they relate to your computer and using it ... |
| 5.1 |
|
— Choosing
what theme you want ... |
| 5.2 |
|
— Change the
wallpaper and more ... |
| 5.3 |
|
— Choose one, and turn it on/off ... |
5.4
|
|
— Choose an XP color scheme ... |
| 5.5 |
|
— Change screen resolutions, etc. |
|
TOP OF PAGE
|
| 6.0
— Control Panel Video Tutorials ... |
| Inside
the Control Panel, you can manage, adjust and tweak a number
of computer settings, add/remove software, configure your
mouse settings, adjust sound and audio settings and lots more!
Below are a number of popular tasks performed within the Control
Panel: |
| 6.1 |
|
, etc. |
 |
| ..6.2 |
|
from your computer, etc. |
| ..6.3 |
|
to update your computer. |
| ..6.4 |
|
from your computer, etc. |
| ..6.5 |
|
(i.e., speed, mouse pointers, ...) |
| ..6.6 |
|
(i.e., adding, removing, etc.) |
| ..6.7 |
|
(Helps
you manage Windows Security) |
| ..6.8 |
|
(Adjust volume, recording devices, etc.) |
| ..6.9 |
|
(Customize Start Menu + Taskbar) |
| 6.10 |
|
(Add/delete
users, change passwords, etc.) |
| 6.11 |
|
(Turn on/off to protect the
computer) |
|
TOP OF PAGE
|
| 7.0
— Windows Explorer ... |
| Windows
Explorer (much like the My Computer window) allows you to manage,
move, organize, create, name, rename and delete files and file
folders on your computer. Master this area! Below are a number
of popular tasks performed within the Control Panel: |
| 7.1 |
|
with two simple keys ... |
 |
| 7.2 |
|
with
Windows Explorer? |
| 7.3 |
|
... |
| 7.4 |
|
... |
| 7.5 |
|
... |
| 7.6 |
|
(Thumbnails, List, Details, etc.) ... |
| 7.7 |
|
using
Windows Explorer ... |
| 7.8 |
|
(Check
available space!) ... |
| 7.9 |
|
within
Windows Explorer ... |
|
TOP OF PAGE
|
| 8.0
— "Help & Support" Video Tutorials |
| When
you need help with your system, where can you go? Right to the
Help & Support Center located in the Start menu list of options.
No need to go online or call long distance for help. Help is just
a few mouse clicks away! Below are a number of popular tasks performed
within the Help & Support center. |
| 8.1 |
|
interface
"quick-start" tour and introduction ... |
| 8.2 |
|
— Search
for specific topics and problems by entering key words in
the Search box ... |
| 8.3 |
|
— Restore
your computer back to an earlier time when it was working
properly ... |
|
TOP OF PAGE
|
| 9.0
— "System Tools" Video Tutorials ... |
The
System Tools allow you to keep your computer clean and running
smoothly. It's always a good idea to visit this section when
you suspect your system isn't performing well. Below are a number
of popular System Tools tasks often performed.
|
| 9.1 |
|
— Helps
clear your hard drive of files you don't use to make room
for new files ... |
| 9.2 |
|
— Defragments your hard drive(s) so your computer runs faster
and more effectively ... |
|
|
HomeWelcome Home!
My TutorialsLearn A New Skill Today! 
Computer & Internet EssentialsComputers, iPod, Graphics, etc.
Business, Marketing & Making $For Entrepreneurs / Business Owners
Creating Information ProductsBooks, eBooks, Audio, Tele-Classes ...
Web Design & Internet MarketingWeb Design, eMarketing, eCommerce ...
Personal Growth & DevelopmentChapter Excerpts From "B.S. The Book"
Sponsor Ad for "My Tutorials"
My ChecklistsDo This 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.
My RolodexMy Resource Are Yours!
Advertising Resource Links
My ServicesTraining, Help, Design, etc.
My BlogTech Talk, Tips & More!
