Revised 1/19/2004

Windows XP

Seminar Description: The significant differences between XP and Windows 98 and how they may affect the use of the computer.

Windows XP is an Operating System developed by Microsoft. By understanding and learning how to effectively use and manage the features of your Operating System, specifically Windows XP, you can work more efficiently and ensure that you are making the best use of your computer's capabilities.

In order to understand Windows XP, we will cover the following topics:

• What is an Operating System?
• What are the Basic Elements of a Windows Operating System (GUI Interface)?
• What is different about Windows XP?
• How can I perform specific tasks in Windows XP?
• What are the networking considerations with Windows XP?

What is an Operating System?

What are the Basic Elements of a Windows Operating System (GUI Interface)?

GUI operating systems have the following basic components:

• Pointer - In Windows XP it is an arrow. When you move your pointer over a text area, it will change to an insertion point (like the uppercase letter I) so that you can begin typing or selecting text. (Sometimes it requires you to click your pointing device in the text area to change it to an insertion point.)
• Pointing Device - In order to move your pointer, you must have a device connected to your computer such as a mouse or trackball. The mouse will enable you to make selections on the desktop or another display window by moving the pointer.
• Desktop - The display area from which you begin working.
• Icons - Small pictures that represent commands, files, or folders. When you use Windows, you execute commands by using the pointing device to move your pointer to an icon. When you double-click the icon, the command is executed or the folder is opened. You can also move icons on your computer desktop by "clicking and dragging."
• Windows - The individual screens that enable you to work in different applications and view the contents of folders and drives. You can have a number of Windows opened simultaneously.
• Menus - A list of commands that are available. In Windows XP, the most commonly used menu is the Start menu.

• Click (or Single Click):  Press the left mouse button one time. Used to select an object, move a cursor (or insertion point), or invoke a button.
• Double Click:   Press the left mouse button two times, quickly. Used to start an application or open a folder.
• Right Click:  Press the right mouse button one time. Used to invoke a context sensitive pop-up menu.
• Click and drag:  Press and hold down the left mouse button. Used to move and copy objects, files, and folders.

DESKTOP and ICONS
After you log into your computer, you are prompted to the Desktop.

The Desktop is the Windows GUI interface with the computer and contains many components including:

• Taskbar: Usually located at the bottom of the screen, the Taskbar contains the Start button on the left and the System Tray  or Notification Area on the right. When you open another Window or application, a button will appear on the Taskbar. You can use this button to quickly switch between the Windows you have open.
• Start button - Provides quick access to your Start menu with all of your applications. We will examine the Start menu in Windows XP in more detail in the next section.
• The System Tray (or Notification Area) displays the time as well as icons that represent programs that are loaded into memory.  It is also called the Notification Area because this is the location used by Windows to notify you that something requires your attention, such as a problem with printing, new hardware detected, or critical updates ready to be installed.
• You can also customize your Taskbar by adding other Toolbars such as Quick Launch.
• You can change the characteristics of the Taskbar by right clicking on the unoccupied portion of the Taskbar and selecting Properties.We will look at some of the settings when we discuss the new Taskbar features in Windows XP in the next section.

• Desktop Icons
• Shortcuts to applications
• Folders and Files
• System Folders

In Windows XP when you open the System Folders indicated below, there is a panel on the left that provides links to System Tasks, Other Places, and Details. (See Background and Display Settings below to add the system folder icons to your desktop.)
• My Computer - Invokes a window which displays:
• Files stored on This Computer
• Hard Disk Drives (usually just your C drive)
• Devices with Removable Storage (floppy disk drive, CD drive, zip drive, usb key)
• Network Drives
• Other
• My Documents
• The default location of the actual My Documents folder is on the hard drive. We will see in Windows XP that the location of this folder is very different than in Windows 98.
• The desktop shortcut points to the folder mentioned above on the hard drive, but it can be modified to point to another location or drive (such as a mapped drive on the LAN).
• In the public site areas, the My Document desktop icon is pointing to your H Drive.
• My Network Places (formerly Network Neighborhood)
• Local Network


• Internet
• This is where you can add a dial-up connection, if you want to connect to Lehigh from home.
  • Click on "View Network Connections."
  • Click on "Create a New Connection."
• Recycle Bin
• When something is deleted from the hard drive (hard drive only!), it is moved to the recycle bin, in the event that it needs to be restored in the future.
• Remember, if you delete an item on a floppy disk or the LAN (H or I drive), it does not go to the recycle bin.
• To remove items in the recycle bin, you can right click on the desktop icon and select "Empty Recycle Bin." Once you empty your Recycle Bin, the items are permanently deleted.
 
• Background and other Display Settings
• You can change your display settings by selecting Display from Control Panel or, more simply, by right clicking on an empty space on the Desktop, and selecting "Properties."

NOTE: The default Windows XP desktop contains only the Taskbar and Recycle Bin. To add the desktop icons for My Computer, My Network Places, My Documents, and Internet Explorer, click on the Desktop tab, and then press the Customize Desktop button. You can check the boxes in front of the icons that you want on your Desktop.
• Add a screen saver to preserve your display and a screen saver password to add security to your computer.

• Managing Windows
• Maximize:  Enlarge a window to its maximum size
• Restore:  Return a window to its original size.
• Minimize: Convert a window to an icon.
• Close: Close a folder or file, or terminate an application.
• Resize a Window - By pulling the edges or the corners of a window, you can change its shape or size.
• Move a Window - Click and drag the title bar.
• Exploring  and Navigating in Windows XP
• Open Windows Explorer
• Right click on Start button -or-
• Press Windows-Key/E.
• To navigate withing Windows Explorer or to change the view of files and folders:
• From the View menu you can choose the preferred method of viewing: Thumbnails, Tiles, Icons, Lists, Details.
• To open a folder in the left panel, without changing the display in the right panel, press the + sign in front of it.
• Double clicking an item in the left panel will open in both panels.
• Refresh the view by selecting Refresh from the View menu or pressing F5.
• To Check System Properties:
• Right click on My Computer and select Properties -or-
• Press Windows-Key/Pause.
• To return to the Desktop (minimizing all open Windows):
• Click on the Desktop icon on the Quick Launch Toolbar.
• Right click on an unoccupied space on the Taskbar, and select Minimize All Windows.
• Press Windows-key/D.
• Scrolling
• To go to the top of a document in a window:
• Click and drag the scroll bar all the way up.
• Press and hold down the up arrow at the top of the scroll bar until you reach the top.
• Press Control/Home.
• To go up (or down) one page at a time:
• Click either above (to go up) or below (to go down) the scroll bar to advance one page.
• Press Control/Page Up or Control/Page Down.
• To go to the bottom of a document in a window:
• Click and drag the scroll bar all the way down.
• Press and hold down the Down arrow at the bottom of the scroll bar until you reach the bottom.
• Press Control/End.
• To locate a file or folder using Search (formerly Find).
• Select Search from the Start menu.
• Press WIndows-key/F.
• Right clicking on a folder or drive in My Computer or Windows Explorer and selecting Search.

What is different in Windows XP?

• System restore - If something goes wrong, roll back your computer to a previous state.
• Software compatibility - Provides a platform that will run both newly designed applications as well as provides compatibility mode to run older applications.
• Truly a "plug and play" operating system. Many drivers are included so that once you plug in your hardware, Windows XP immediately recognizes the device and installs the necessary drivers (software that communicates with the hardware device).
• Remote Desktop - With this feature enabled, you can remotely control your computer from another office, from home, or while traveling. This allows you to use data, applications, and network resources that are on your office computer, without being in your office.
• Remote Desktop Assistance - With this feature, you can invite someone to view and control your computer along with you. This is an extremely effective way to get support from another user or consultant who is in another location.
• Allows you to set up your computer to automatically download and install critical updates from Microsoft.

If you are logged into Active Directory, any updates that have been downloaded are installed everyday at noon.
• Multiple user capability - Each user has his own profile containing his documents and settings.
• Logging into a Windows XP Machine (at Lehigh) - The login screen will be different depending on how your Windows XP machine is configured.
• Press Control/Alt/Delete - default method of evoking the login screen.
• If Novell is installed, you will get a Novell Login Screen.
• Unless you check the "Workstation Only" box, you must log into Novell and Windows. Press the Advanced button to view the following tabs:
• NDS (Novell Directory Services) tab which indicates your context.
• Windows - which indicates your user name and domain. If you are in Active Directory:
• User name is your Lehigh id.
• Domain is AD.
• Note: if you are logging into NDS and Active Directory, your user name and password are the same. If there is a problem, you must go to http://www.lehigh.edu/account to sychronize them.
• If you do not have Novell on your computer, you will get only the Windows login.
• If your computer is not in Active Directory, your domain will be the Workgroup set up in the System Properties under Computer Name.
• Security login - Only predefined users can log into the computer. Additionally, Windows XP allows you to determine the rights of those who log into the computer. There are three fundamental levels of security granted to users. These are granted to end users through membership in the Users, Power Users, or Administrators groups:
• Users (most secure group)
• Can perform most common tasks, such as running Windows-certified applications, using local and network printers, and shutting down
• Will not be able to run most programs written for versions of Windows prior to Windows 2000 (WIndows 95 and 98), because they did not support file system and registry security
• Not allowed to modify operating system settings or other users' data
• Can't view files or documents in Administrator's "My Documents"
• Power Users
• Can run software that has not been certified for Windows
• Can Install programs that do not modify operating system files or install system services
• Can customize systemwide resources including printers, date, time, power options, and other Control Panel resources
• Can't view files or documents in Administrator's "My Documents"
• Administrators (or Administrative Rights)
• Can see all files and documents
• Can change settings
• Can Add and Remove programs and peripherals
• Can change passwords
• Can add users and change users' group membership and access rights
• Desktop themes - Windows XP has a different look for the Taskbar, Start button, dialog boxes, and other desktop elements. The intent is to both unify and clear up your desktop. You can switch themes, customize a theme, or revert to the Windows Classic look.
• Start Menu
• More customization options
• Shows who is logged in
• Automatically adds the most frequently used programs to the top-level menu.
• Enables you to move any programs you want to the Start menu.
• Provides access to My Documents, My Pictures, and Control Panel from the top level.
• Desktop Cleanup Wizard - removes shortcuts that you don't user from your desktop
• Control Panel has a new category view that groups similar items. The classic view that lists items individually is still available and you can switch the view back and forth according to your preference.
• Reduction of Taskbar "clutter" -
• Hidden Icons in the System Tray or Notification Area - icons are hidden from view when they haven't been used in a while. If an icon becomes hidden, you can temporarily display it but clicking the arrow (<). If you click one of these icons, it will be displayed again. This feature can be disabled.
• Taskbar Groups - groups windows within a particular application as one button on the Taskbar.  If you want to close an entire group of windows, you can right-click on the taskbar group and select "Close Group" from the popup menu. It is helpful for organizing a crowded Taskbar, however, you may find that you have more Windows open than you realize.
• To change these settings or any other Taskbar settings, right click on the task bar and select Propertites. The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties windows will appear.
• Built-in Firewall
• Limits or prevents access to your computer through the internet.
• The setting is a property of the internet connection via My Network Places.
• Right click on My Network Places on the Desktop.
• Select Properties.
• Right Click on "Local Area Connection." (If at home, you would right click on your dial-up connection, etc.)
• Click on the Advanced Tab.
• Check the box for the firewall to enable it.



• Includes software for copying data to CD-R's and CD-RW's.

How can I perform specific tasks in Windows XP?

• Creating a shortcut on the desktop
• Open My Computer or Windows Explorer.
• Locate and click on the item you want, such as a file, program, folder, printer, computer or a shortcut from a menu.
• METHOD 1:
• On the File menu, click Create Shortcut.
• Resize the window so you can see the desktop.
• Drag the new shortcut to the desktop.
• METHOD 2:
• Drag the item to the desktop with the right mouse button.
• Lift your finger from the right button.
• Click Create Shortcut(s) Here.
METHOD 3:
• Right click on the item.
• Select "Send to | Desktop (Create Shortcut).
• Once you have created the shortcut, you can modify it or rename it by right clicking on it and selecting Properties.
• Deleting a shortcut
• Drag it to recycle -or-
• Click on it and press the Delete key on your keyboard -or-
• Right-click on it and select Delete.
• When you delete a shortcut to an item, the original item is not deleted. It still exists on your computer in its original location.
• Copying files
• Locate the file or files you want to copy using either My Computer or Windows Explorer.
• METHOD 1: (Copy and Paste)
• Select the file or files by clicking on them.
• To select a range of files, click on the first file, press the Shift key, then click on the last file.
• To select files randomly, press the Control key as you click on each file.
• Copy the files by one of the methods below:
• Select Copy from the Edit menu.
• Right click and select Copy.
• Press Control/C.
• Navigate to the folder or drive where you want to copy the file(s) and open it so that the contents display in the right panel.
• Paste the files by one of the methods below:
• Select Paste from the Edit menu.
• Right click and select Paste.
• Press Control/V.
• METHOD 2: (Drag and Drop)
• Select the file or files as described above.
• Click and drag them to the folder or drive (opened in a window as described above).
• METHOD 3: (Send to) This method only works if the drive or folder you are copying to is included in the "Send to" list.
• Select the file or files as described above.
• Right-click and select Send to [drive or folder in list].
• Modifying the Send to list:
• The Send to list is a set of shortcuts pointing to drives, disks and email clients.
• To add a shortcut to the list follow the steps for creating a shortcut to the desktop, but copy it to the following folder instead: c:\documents and settings\username\send to
• Copying files to a CD-R or CD-RW on a computer with a CD-RW Disk Drive using the Windows XP software:
• Insert a blank, writable CD into the CD-RW drive.
• Open My Computer.
• Click on the files or folders you want to copy to the CD. Then under File and Folder Tasks, click Copy this file, Copy this folder or Copy the selected items.
• In the Copy Items dialog box, click the CD recording drive, and then click Copy.
• In My Computer, double-click the CD recording drive. Windows displays a temporary area where the files are being held before they are copied to CD. Verify that the files and folders you intend to copy to the CD appear under Files Ready to be Written to the CD.
• Under CD Writing Tasks, click Write these files to CD. Windows displays the CD Writing Wizard. Follow the instructions in the wizard.
NOTE: If you format a cd-rw disk, you can copy the files directly to the disk as you would a floppy disk or zip disk.

• System Tray - Disabling unnecessary memory resident programs
• Some applications, such as the Novell client (red N) and Norton Antivirus (gold shield) should be present. Other programs are there, however, so that they will launch faster when you want to use them. If they are not programs that you really need, they are only draining system resources and you should disable them from Startup.
• One way to disable these programs is to right click on the icon and see if there is an option to disable it from starting when you turn your computer on. Usually third party add-on media players such as "Real Player" or "Winamp" can be disabled this way.
• If you can't find a way to disable within the program itself, you can also remove it from the Startup group via the msconfig command. To do this, click on the Start button, click on Run and in the field type msconfig. Click on the tab for Startup, and remove checkmarks from programs that you no longer want to load at startup.

What are the networking considerations with Windows XP?

Networking at Lehigh

• Internet and Mail - You can connect to the Internet and the Network Server (mail) simply by plugging an ethernet cable running from your network card into an active network jack.
• Home Servers, Application Servers, and Banner Server - In order to connect to the LAN (local area network), you must have the Novell Client installed on your computer.