Open an Application/Program or Gadget

Programs (also called applications or software) offer computer users, like you, a way to perform tasks such as writing letters or editing photos. You open programs that are installed on your computer from the Start menu. Once a program is open, you can access to its tools to perform tasks. For instance, if you open Windows Media Player, you can use the interface options to listen to music, create playlists, rate music and delete music (among other things). Here you'll open the Desktop Gadget Gallery.    1.  Click Start.    2.  Click All Programs.    3.  Click Desktop Gadget Gallery to open the application. The Desktop Gadget Gallery lets you drag       ...

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Set the time on the clock gadget

Almost all gadgets offer a wrench icon when position your mouse over them. You can use this icon to access settings for the gadget. The first thing you may want to set is the time on the clock gadget.    1.  Position the mouse pointer over the clock you dragged to the desktop. Look for the small x and the         wrench to appear. Clicking the x will remove the gadget from the desktop. Clicking the wrench will         open the gadget's properties, if properties are available.    2.  Click the arrow in the Time zone window and select your time zone from the list.    3.  Click the right arrow underneath the clock...

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Shut down Windows safely

When you're ready to tun off you computer, you need to do so using the method detailed here. Simply pressing the power button can damage the computer and/or the operating system.     1.  Click Start.             2.  Click the arrow shown here.     3.  Click shut down.           (Windows normally shows               shut down tab before arrow                                   but i have changed the            settings for my computer.)      Extra...

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Change the view in the Pictures window

When you open most folders, you will see additional folders inside them. You'll use these subfolders to organise the data you create and save, such as documents, pictures and songs. You open a folder to see what's in it and then you can change the appearance of the content inside these folders. You can configure each folder independently so that the data appears in a list, as small icons or as large icons, to name a few.1.  Click Start.2.  Click Pictures.3.  Locate the Views button.4.  Click the arrow next to Views and make a selection     using the slider. Extra Tip :  Show items in the Pictures folder as Large or Extra Large icons and you'll be able...

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Take a screen shot

The Snipping Tool lets you dag your mouse cursor around any area on the screen to copy and capture it. Once captured, you can save it, edit it and/or send it to an email recipient. There are several ways to edit the ' clip ' or ' snip ' (either one will do for a name for the copied data). You can start by copying it or writing on it using a variety of tools. (These tools will become available after creating a snip). You can write on a clip with a red, blue, black or customised pen or highlighter, and if you mess up, you can use the eraser. 1.  Click Start.2.  In the Start Search dialogue box, type Snip.3.  Under programs, select Snipping Tool.4.  Drag your mouse across any part of the screen.     When...

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Record a sound clip

If you need to record a quick note to yourself, a music clip, a sound or other audible, it's easy with Sound Recorder. Sound Recorder is a simple tool with only three options : Start Recording, Stop Recording and Resume Recording. To Record, Click Start Recording ; to Stop, Click Stop Recording ; to Continue, Click Resume Recording. You save your recording as a Windows Media Audio file, which will play by default in Windows Media Player.     1.  Click Start.     2.  In the Start Search dialogue box, click Sound Recorder.     3.  Under Programs, click Sound Recorder.     4.  Click Start Recording and speak into your microphone.  ...

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