Module 5: Windows 7 Applications

Windows Fundamentals Student Guide Module 5: Windows 7 Applications

Version 3.1 Page 5.1 ©1998-2012 Peoples Resource Center

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Module 5: Windows 7 Applications

Windows 7 offers many applications that let you customize your computer. We will look at some

of them in this module

Topics

Date and Time

Power Options

Utilities

Internet Explorer

Exercises

5A – Set Date and Time

5B – Select Power Settings

5C – Calculator

5D – Snipping Tool

5E – Sticky Notes

5F – Internet Explorer

Objectives

At the end of this module you will be able to:

1. Set the date and time on a computer

2. Select the proper power setting for your computer

3. Use Windows 7 Utilities

4. Use Internet Explorer to access the Internet

Date and Time

Windows uses the computer’s internal clock to know when to perform activities such as:

Date and time stamp saved files

Scheduled Backups

Scheduled virus scans

Checking for Windows updates




The date and time are displayed on the desktop at the right end of the taskbar.

Figure 5.1 Date and Time

Setting Date and Time

The date and time can be set manually. Follow these steps to set the date and time on your

computer.

1. Click on the date and time displayed on the taskbar. The date and time dialog is

displayed.

Figure 5.2 Date and Time Dialog

2. Click on Change date and time settings. The following is displayed.

Figure 5.3 Change Date and Time




3. Click on Change date and time. The Date and Time Settings dialog is displayed.

Figure 5.4 Date and Time Dialog

4. If you wish to change the date select the correct day, month and year and click on it.

Click OK when done.

5. Use the tab key to select hour, minute, seconds or AM/PM. Then use the up or down

arrows to make adjustments. Click OK when done.

Figure 5.5 Adjust Date and Time




During the initial setup of the computer you may need to change the time zone setting. To

change the time zone:

1. Click on Change time zone.

Figure 5.6 Time Zone

2. Use the drop down arrow to display time zones. Select the correct time zone and click

OK when done.

Figure 5.6 Change Time Zone

Exercise 5A – Set date and Time This exercise provides practice setting the date and time on a computer.

1. Use the steps shown above to change the date and time on your computer.

2. Reset the computer to the correct date and time.




Power Options

Windows 7 comes with three power settings. These settings determine how your computer uses

power. The settings are:

Balanced

Power Saver

High Performance

Each setting defines how long the computer is idle before the display is turned off and when the

computer enters sleep mode. The default values are shown in the table below.

Power Plan Turn off display Activate sleep mode

Balanced 10 minutes 30 minutes

Power Saver 5 minutes 15 minutes

High Performance 15 minutes Never

Use the control panel to access the Power options dialog.

Figure 5.7 Power Options




Default values can be changed by clicking on Change plan settings. Select a new value and

click Save changes when done.

Figure 5.8 Change Power Settings

Exercise 5B – Select Power Setting In this exercise you will observe the power setting on the computer.

1. Select Power Options from the Control Panel.

2. What Power option is selected for this computer?

3. What are the power setting values for Display and Sleep Mode.

4. Are these the default values?

Utilities Windows 7 offers a series of tools to make your computer experience easier. These tools are

accessed through the Start button and are found in the Accessories folder.

Figure 5.9 Accessories Folder




In this module we will look at a few; when you have time please explore all of them.

Calculator

Snipping tool

Sticky Notes

Calculator

Clicking on Calculator in the Accessories folder brings up the following.

Figure 5.10 Calculator

Displayed is a basic calculator. Use the mouse button to select numbers and a function. For

example, if we wish to add 342 to 591 we would click 3 then 4 then 2. Next click the plus sign

(+), then 5, 9 then 1.

Figure 5.11 342 + 591




Last, click the equal sign (=) and the answer is displayed.

Figure 5.12 Total

Click the View tab to select another type of calculator.

Figure 5.13 Other Calculators

Exercise 5C – Calculator Use this exercise to practice using the calculator.

1. Open the Calculator found in the Accessories folder.

2. Perform some math functions such as add, subtract, multiply and divide.

3. For extra credit, open the scientific calculator and determine the sin of a 90⁰ angle.




Snipping Tool

The Snipping tool lets you capture part of a screen. This image can be saved and inserted in a

document. To use the Snipping tool:

1. Select Snipping Tool from the Accessories folder.

Figure 5.14 Snipping Tool

The Snipping tool dialog box appears.

Figure 5.15 Snipping Tool Dialog

2. Select the shape desired. Notice the cursor shape has changed.

Figure 5.16 Select Shape




3. Place the cursor at the point where you wish to capture the image. Hold down the mouse

button to draw a box around the desired image.

Figure 5.17 Select Image

4. Release the mouse button and the selected image is captured.

Figure 5.18 Release mouse

5. Use the Save As feature to save the image for future use.

The Snipping tool can also be used to capture text.

Exercise 5D – Snipping Tool Let’s get snipping!

1. Follow the steps above to use the Snipping tool to capture an image on your desktop.

2. When complete, do not save the image.




Sticky Notes

We all have used those yellow sticky notes to leave reminders to ourselves. Windows lets us

place sticky note reminders on our desktop. To place a sticky note on the desktop:

1. Select Sticky Notes from the Accessories folder.

Figure 5.19 Sticky Notes

A colored square that looks like a paper sticky note appears on the desktop.

Figure 5.20 Sticky Note on Desktop




2. Without moving the cursor, type the note to yourself.

Figure 5.21 Type Sticky Note

3. Click on the top bar of the sticky to drag and drop it to a new location on the desktop.

Release the mouse button and the sticky note is in its new location.

Figure 5.22 Reposition Sticky Note

4. To add another note, click on the New Note button (+).

Figure 5.23 New Sticky Note




A new note appears. Remember, use drag and drop to reposition notes.

Figure 5.24 Drag and Drop New Sticky Note

5. Use the Delete Note Button (X) to remove a note that is no longer needed.

Figure 5.25 Delete Sticky Note

Confirm the deletion.

Figure 5.26 Confirm Deletion of Sticky Note




Exercise 5 E – Sticky Notes Put away those paper notes; let’s put some sticky notes on the desktop.

1. Follow the steps above to place a Sticky Note on your desktop.

2. Drag and drop this note to a new desktop location.

3. Add a second note.

4. Delete both notes.

Internet Explorer You may have the term “browser” used before. A browser is an application or program used to

access the internet. Browsers use an internet address to access web pages (also called web

sites). For more information on the Internet and web addresses please see Module 6 of the

PRC Introduction to Computers class.

There are many browsers available, including:

Internet Explorer

Mozilla Firefox

Google Chrome

Opera

Most browsers are available free of charge. Internet Explorer is part of the Windows software.

Shown below is the Internet Explorer window.

Figure 5.27 Internet Explorer Window




Address Bar

The Address bar is where you would enter the address of the web site you wish to access.

Figure 5.28 Web Address

When you have finished typing the address, press Enter and the page will begin to load.

There are three icons on the right side of the Address bar.

Figure 5.29 Address Bar Icons

The one you will use most often is the curved arrow. Clicking this icon will refresh the page you

are currently looking at. A refresh reloads the page. When a page is loading this icon is changed

to an X. Clicking on the X will stop a web page from loading.

Figure 5.30 Stop Page Loading

Favorites Bar

There are three icons on the Favorites bar.

Figure 5.31 Favorites Bar

Clicking on the Favorites button creates a link to the current page. An icon for that page will be

created on the Favorites bar. A single click on that icon will return you to that page. This is

handy for sites that you visit on a regular basis. Right click on a favorite to delete the link.

Figure 5.32 Site Added to Favorites Bar

Suggested Sites and Add-ons will not be discussed in this class.




Command Bar

The Command bar provides links to common tasks.

Figure 5.36 Command Bar

Home Button and Menu – Clicking on the Home button returns you to your home web

page. Use the drop down menu to make any page your home page.

RSS Feeds – Will not be discussed in this class.

Read Mail Button – Click this button to take you to your Microsoft Outlook account.

Help Button – Clicking on the Help button brings you to the Microsoft Internet Explorer

web page.

Figure 5.37 Help Page

To obtain help, type questions in the search panel and press enter.

Page, Safety and Tools will not be discussed in this class.




Menu Bar

Having worked with other Microsoft products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and others) you should

be familiar with the Menu bar.

Figure 5.38 File Menu

All of the commands on the Favorites and Command bars (and many other commands) may be

found on the Menu bar.

Exercise 5F – Internet Explorer Now some fun time!

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Access some web sites.

3. Refresh a web page.

4. Stop a page from loading.

5. Press the Home button. What is the home page?

6. Press the Help button and click on some of the links displayed.

7. Close Internet Explorer.




Module Summary

In this module you learned how to:

Set the date and time on a computer

Select the proper power setting for your computer

Use Windows 7 Utilities

Use Internet Explorer to access the Internet

Homework

This homework assignment allows you practice in the skills you gained in this lesson.

1. Click on the date and time displayed on the task bar.

2. Open “change date and time settings”.

3. Verify that the date and time are correct, change if necessary.

4. Click OK when done.

5. Use the Control Panel to open the Power Settings.

6. Which power setting is chosen for your computer? What are the time values for display

and sleep mode?

7. Open the calculator found in the Accessories folder of the Start menu, have some math

fun with it!

8. Open a photo you have saved on your computer.

9. Open the Snipping tool and use it to capture a part of the photo.

10. Close the Snipping tool but do not save.

11. Open the Sticky Note tool and place a note to yourself on the desktop.

12. Open Internet Explores and click on the Help button.

13. Click on “Getting started with Internet Explorer” and read what is displayed.

Documents

Module 5: Windows 7 Applications