Top 5 Tech FAQs For Windows Newbies

 So there you have it! After hours of reading notes, looking at diagrams, and trying to find out which cables, connections, and ports go where, you finally have your brand new computer set up. And now that you're up and running, the last thing you want to do is read more complex instructions to figure out how to use your Windows-based applications.

So, don't be worried. The fundamentals are simple, and with only a few simple steps under your belt, you'll be rocking and rolling in no time! The top five technical questions that most Windows newbies (wink, wink) are searching for answers to are listed below.

Locate and Start a Program

Every window-based operating system operates in a similar manner. You'll see a Start button in the bottom left corner of your display screen (you'll see the Windows icon to the left of the word start) once you've turned on your device. Left-click on the start button with your mouse, and a pop-up window will open. The term "Programs" appears at the bottom of the pop-up window, on the left. Slide down to Programs without clicking your mouse, then left-click once. The new window will show all of the programmes installed on your computer. Slide your mouse over the software you want to open and then left-click once. You'll be able to start the programme as a result of this!

A window may be closed, minimised, or maximised.

Closing a window is probably one of the most straightforward tasks you would ever undertake. When a software has been introduced and the window has opened, look to the top right of the window for a red box with a white x inside it. Your software will close if you left-click the red box. If you have a file open in the window that you have not yet saved, the software will prompt you and ask if you want to save it.

You'll see two more boxes to the left of the little red box, one with an empty square inside and the other with a dash at the bottom. These are the options for maximisation and minimization. The minimise button allows you to keep the programme open but hide it from view, which is especially useful if you have several programmes open at once. Simply left-click the dash button once to reduce your software to the bottom of your display screen. Click the window at the bottom of your screen that has the file name you were working on inside it to bring the software back into your view.

You may want to maximise a window to expand your viewing space. When you press the button immediately to the left of the close button, your software window will be maximised to the maximum dimensions of your display screen. It will return to its original size if you press it again.

Your Computer's Files

Assume you've produced a Word document. There are two methods for saving your file, and both are the same basic methods used by almost every programme ever made.

1) At the top of every document window, there is a small icon (picture) of a diskette in the toolbar. Your documents will be saved automatically if you left-click on the diskette. If you've already saved your file to a desired folder on your computer and want to save as you go so you don't lose any of your content if the software freezes or your device crashes, this is a good option.

2) Every document window has a toolbar at the top with the word "File" on the far left end. An options window will appear when you left-click on File. Left-click once after sliding your mouse down to Save. A new window with the title "Save As" will appear. A white box with the words "File Name" to the left will appear at the bottom of the Save As window. You're finished once you've typed in the name of your paper and clicked the Save button to the right of the title window.

NOTE: Before entering the name of your file, click the My Documents icon in the left corner of the Save As window to save it to the My Documents folder that comes standard with any Windows system.

Don't be afraid to experiment with your toolbar buttons and pull-down menus to learn more about how they function (just make sure you save your file first). Go for it! Trial and error is one of the best ways to learn, so take advantage of it!