Teach Yourself

Windows 98

Module 2: Working with Files, Folders, and the Desktop

Objectives of this Modulefor Chapter 4

• Viewing Contents of Your Computer• Changing Appearance of Items• Sorting Items• Arranging Items Automatically• Using Windows Explorer

Viewing Contents of Your Computer

You can use the My Computer window to view the files and folders on your computer.

Drives

Viewing Contents of Your Computer

To view the contents of a drive, double-click the drive name. To view the contents of a folder, double-

click on the folder.

Folders

Changing Appearance of Items

Use the View menu to change the way items appear in the window. For example, you can choose to view

the contents as small icons, list view, or details.

Changing Appearance of Items

Another way to change the way you view items is to click on the View button’s drop-down arrow and

select a view.

Sorting Items

Sort the items displayed in the window to view files and folders more easily.

1. To sort items, switch to Details view.

2. Click the column heading you want to sort by. For example, to sort the items by size, click the Size column.

Arranging Items Automatically

Use the Auto Arrange feature to neatly arrange items in the My Computer window.

1. Switch to Large Icons or Small Icons view.

2. Open the View menu and choose Arrange Icons, Auto Arrange.

3. The icons line up neatly in the window.

Messy

Neat

Using Windows Explorer

The Windows Explorer window works just like the My Computer window. It’s just another way to view the

contents of your computer.

Using Windows Explorer

To open the Windows Explorer window:• Click the Start button and choose Programs, Windows Explorer.

Using Windows Explorer

To view a folder’s contents, click the folder.

This side shows the organization of folders

This side shows the contents of the selected folder

Objectives of this Modulefor Chapter 5

• Opening a File• Opening a Recently Used File• Selecting Files• Renaming a File• Creating a New Folder• Moving and Copying Files• Copying a File to a Floppy Disk• Deleting a File

Objectives of this Modulefor Chapter 5

• Restoring a Deleted File• Emptying the Recycle Bin• Printing a File• Viewing Files Sent to the Printer• Canceling Printing• Finding a File• Adding a Shortcut to the Desktop

Opening a File

You can quickly open a file form the My Computer window or the Windows Explorer window. Simply double-

click on the file you want to view.

Double-clickto open

Opening a Recently Used File

Windows keeps track of the last files you worked with

and lists them in the Documents menu.

To open one of these files, click the Start button, click Documents, then the file

you want to open.

Selecting Files

Before performing any actions on files, such as copying or moving, you must first select the files. Selected files appear highlighted in the My Computer or Windows

Explorer window.

• To select a file, click on it.

• To select two or more files, hold down the Shift key while clicking on the files.

• To select two or more random files, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on the files.

Renaming a File

You can rename files as needed. Click the file, then open the File menu and choose Rename. Enter a new file name

and press Enter.

Creating a New Folder

To help you organize files, you can create folders and move related files into the folders. For example, you

might have a project with related document files. Rather than store the files in the My Documents

folder, why not create a special Projects folder that holds all the related files?

1. Open the File menu and choose New, Folder.

2. A new folder icon appears. Type a folder name and press Enter.

Moving and Copying Files

It’s easy to move and copy files in Windows 98. You can move files around in the My Computer and Windows

Explorer windows, as well as on the desktop.

To move a file:• Drag the file to a new

location.

To copy a file:• Hold the Ctrl key down

while dragging the file.

Copying a File to a Floppy Disk

You can copy a file on your computer’s hard disk drive onto a floppy disk you can share with someone else, or

store in a safe place.

To copy a file to a floppy disk:

1. Insert a floppy disk into the floppy drive.

2. Select the file you want to copy from the My Computer window.

3. Open the File menu and choose Send To, Floppy. Windows copies the file.

Deleting a File

To free up disk space, delete a file you no longer need.

To delete a file or folder from the My Computer window:

1. Select the file or folder you want to delete.

2. Press the Delete key.

3. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

4. The file is moved to the Recycle Bin.

DeleteDelete

Restoring a Deleted File

If you accidentally delete a file, you can retrieve it from the Recycle Bin, if you haven’t emptied it yet.

To restore a file from the Recycle Bin:

1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop.

2. Select the file you want to restore.

3. Open the File menu and choose Restore.

4. The file is returned to its original location.

Emptying the Recycle Bin

Free up room on your hard disk drive by emptying the files stored in the Recycle Bin.

To empty the Recycle Bin:

1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop.

2. Open the File menu and choose Empty Recycle Bin.

3. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

4. Click the window’s Close button to exit the Recycle Bin.

Printing a File

You can print a paper copy of a file stored on your computer.

To print a file:

1. From the My Computer window, select the file you want to print.

2. Open the File menu and choose Print.

Viewing Files Sent to the PrinterTo check a printing document’s status, open the Printer’s

document queue.

1. Double-click the Printer icon on the Taskbar.

2. A window appears displaying information about the printing file(s). Click the window’s Close button to exit.

Canceling Printing

To cancel a file from printing:

1. Double-click the Printer icon.

2. Select the file you want to cancel.

3. Press the Delete key.

Finding a FileIf you forget a file name, you can use Window’s Find

feature to try and locate the file.To find a file:

1. Click the Start button and choose Find, Files or Folders.

2. Click the Look in drop-down arrow and choose a location for the search.

3. Specify all or part of the file name in the Named text box. To search for a word within the file, enter the text in the Containing text box.

4. Click Find Now. The bottom portion of the window displays the search results.

Adding a Shortcut to the Desktop

You can add shortcut icons to your favorite programs or files for quick access.

Add a shortcut icon:

1. From the My Computer window, select the file or program you want to create a shortcut to.

2. Open the File menu and choose Send To, Desktop as Shortcut.

3. The shortcut icon now appears on the desktop. Double-click the icon to open the file.

Objectives of this Modulefor Chapter 6

• Moving and Sizing the Taskbar• Hiding the Taskbar• Changing the Date and Time• Adding Wallpaper• Setting Up a Screen Saver• Changing Screen Colors• Changing Mouse Settings

Objectives of this Modulefor Chapter 6

• Changing the Way Your Computer Behaves

• Changing Folder Appearance• Starting a Program Automatically• Adding a Program to the Start Menu

Moving and Sizing the TaskbarYou can move the Taskbar to another location onscreen. Perhaps you prefer it at the top of the screen instead of

the bottom? You can also resize the Taskbar.

To move the Taskbar:

1. Move the mouse pointer over a blank area of the Taskbar.

2. Drag the Taskbar to a new location.

To size the Taskbar:

1. Move the mouse pointer over the top edge of the Taskbar.

2. Drag the Taskbar to a new size.

Hiding the TaskbarYou can also hide the Taskbar so it’s not in the way.

To hide the Taskbar:

1. Click the Start button and choose Settings, Taskbar & Start Menu. This opens the Taskbar Properties dialog box.

2. Click the Auto hide check box.

3. Click OK to exit the dialog box.

4. To see the Taskbar again, hover the mouse pointer over the bottom of the screen.

Changing the Date and TimeIf your computer is not showing the current date and

time, you can change it.

1. Double-click the Date and Time area on the Taskbar. This opens the Date/Time Properties dialog box.

2. Select the correct date and time.

3. Click OK to exit the dialog box and apply any changes.

Adding WallpaperTo dress up the Windows 98 desktop, try adding some

wallpaper. Desktop wallpaper is a design you can use as a background.

1. Right-click over a blank area on the desktop and choose Properties.

2. From the Background tab, select a wallpaper design.

3. Click OK to add it to your desktop.

Setting Up a Screen SaverA screen saver is a constantly moving picture or pattern that appears on the monitor when the computer is not

being used.

1. Right-click over a blank area on the desktop and choose Properties.

2. Click the Screen Saver tab, select a screen saver.

3. Set the Wait box to the number of minutes you want the computer to be inactive before the screen saver kicks on.

4. Click OK to turn it on.

Changing Screen ColorsPersonalize your desktop by changing the screen colors.

1. Right-click over a blank area on the desktop and choose Properties.

2. Click the Appearance tab, select a color scheme.

3. Click OK to turn it on.

Using a Desktop ThemePersonalize your desktop even further by adding a theme.

1. Click the Start button and choose Settings, Control Panel.

2. Double-click the Desktop Themes icon.

3. Select a theme from the Theme drop-down list.

4. Click OK to apply the theme to your desktop.

Changing Screen ResolutionYou can change your screen resolution. A higher

resolution shows a clearer image, but smaller icons. A lower resolution is not as clear, but the icons are larger.

1. Right-click over a blank area on the desktop and choose Properties.

2. From the Settings tab, drag a new resolution.

3. Click OK.

Changing Color DepthAnother way to fine-tune the desktop is to specify the

number of screen colors.

1. Right-click over a blank area on the desktop and choose Properties.

2. From the Settings tab, click the Colors drop-down arrow and specify a setting.

3. Click OK.

4. You may need to restart yourcomputer to apply the settings.

Changing Mouse SettingsAdjust the way your mouse moves onscreen through the

Mouse Properties dialog box.

1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel.

2. Double-click the Mouse icon.

3. Depending on the brand of mouse you use, the options in the Mouse Properties dialog box will vary. Check out the options, change any settings you like, then click OK to apply them.

Changing the Way Your Computer Behaves

Yet another way to change the appearance of the desktop is to change the desktop style.

1. Click Start, Settings, Folder Options.

2. From the General tab, choose a desktop style: Web style, Classic style, or Custom style.

3. Click OK.

Changing Folder AppearanceIf you’re using Web style desktop, you can add a

background picture to the folder window, such as the My Documents folder.

1. Open the My Documents folder via the My Computer window.

2. Open the View menu and choose Customize this Folder.

3. Click the Choose a background picture option, then click Next.

4. Select a background picture and click Next.

5. Click Finish.

Starting a Program AutomaticallyIf you find yourself using the same program each time you start the computer, consider setting up the program

to open automatically.

1. Locate the program you want to start in the My Computer window.

2. Right-click on the Start button and choose Open.

3. Double-click the Programs folder.

4. Drag the program icon from the My Computer window to the StartUp folder in the Programs window.

Adding a Program to the Start Menu

To add a favorite program to the Start menu:• Locate the program you want to add, then drag it over

to the Start button.• Click the Start button to see the program shortcut.

To remove a shortcut from the Start menu:• Right-click over the Start button and choose Open.• Select the program from the Start menu folder, then

press the Delete key. • Click Yes to confirm the deletion from the Start menu.

Teach Yourself

Windows 98

This concludes Instruction Module 2