Microsoft®Windows V Viissttaa 

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The Windows Vista Desktop Interface

Using the Windows Key 

Windows Key:

Open/Close the Start Menu

Windows Key + PAUSE Key

Display the System Properties

Windows Key + D

Display the Desktop

Windows Key + M

Minimize all of the windows

Windows Key +SHIFT+M

Restore minimized windows

Windows Key + E

Open Computer

Windows Key + Tab Key

Cycle open programs with 3D Flip

Windows Key + Spacebar

Brings gadgets forward

Windows Key + L

Lock keyboard (or switch users)

Windows Key +R

Open the Run dialog box

Windows Key + Number (1, 2, 3)

Opens Quick Launch applications

1. The Start Orb: This is a button in the lower left-hand side of your desktop that is the launching pad for accessing your programs,

files, Control Panel, accessing the Internet, E-mail and more. Some call it the Start pearl or jewel, but most have settled on orb.

2. The Instant Search Box: One of the best new features in Windows is this search dialog that allows you to instantly search for

items like applications, documents and even emails. With ‘as -you-type’ searching, it will begin scanning all items from the moment

you type in your first character.

3. All Programs: This is the location where all installed software programs are accessed. Click on All Programs to explore available

applications on your computer. Click on any program shortcut on the menu to open the application.

4. The Left Side Of The Start Menu: Here is an alternative way to open applications. Frequently used applications

automatically move up the list from the lower left. The upper left contains fixed shortcuts to programs, usually

Internet and E-mail applications.

5. The Right Side of the Start Menu: This is where commonly accessed personal files such as Documents, Pictures

and more are generally stored. Shortcuts to the Computer, Control Panel and Help and Support are located here.

6. Shutdown Options: From here you can choose to tell the computer to sleep, shutdown, lock,

log off, switch user or restart.

7. Recycle Bin: Used as a repository for files you plan on deleting but they haven’t been deleted just yet. Thi s is a holding bin. You

can right-click the bin and restore all items within. Typically though you will open the bin and locate specific files to restore.

8. The Desktop: Like a real desktop, this is where various objects such as files, folders and more can be placed for quick access.

9. The Windows Sidebar: The docking station for mini applications called gadgets. Gadgets you can snap-in include different clocks,

calendars, photo slideshow applications, newsfeeds, stock information, calculators and much more.

10. Windows Taskbar and Notification Area: Usually located at the bottom of the Desktop, this area shows all open applications.

Also provided is a notification area to the right of the taskbar. Important details regarding software updates, messages and more

are relayed here.

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Shortcut Keys Improve Your Speed A Tour of the Start Menu

Ctrl + A Select All Items Ctrl + Z Undo action

Ctrl + X Cut text Ctrl + Y Redo action

Ctrl + C Copy text F1 Display Help

Ctrl + V Paste text Alt+F4 Close Active Window

Ctrl + O Open Ctrl+P Print

Ctrl+Mousewheel: Change the view type larger or smaller.

SHIFT with any of the arrow keys to Select more than one

item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a

document.

Shift+Delete: Permanently delete an item.

ALT+ENTER: View properties for the selected item.

ALT+F4: Close the active item, or quit the active program.

ALT+Enter: Displays the properties of the selected object.

ALT+TAB: Switch between open items.

CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Brings up Task Manager

CTRL+ESC: Open the Start Menu

Print Screen Key: Takes a screenshot of the whole desktop.

Alt+Print Screen: Takes a screenshot of selected Window

On the keyboard, hold down CTRL while dragging an item to

Copy selected item.

On the keyboard, hold down CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an

item to Create shortcut to item.

User Account: At the top of your

Start Menu is the logged in user

account. Selecting this item allows

you to access folders within such as

that account’s Contacts, Downloads,

Favorites and so forth.

Documents: A location to save your

files under your specific user

account.

Pictures, Music and Games: To help

you organize your games and media

into easy to locate categories.

Computer: Will bring you to your

local, mapped and networked drives.

Network: Shows you other systems

on your network segment.

Control Panel: Locate your applets.

Help and Support: For assistance on

using Windows Vista (and to ask for

remote assistance).

New Control Panel Apps New Features 

Backup and Restore Center: Allows you to

perform a backup of data or a CompletePC backup

for a full system restore.

Ease of Access Center: Replaces Accessibility

Center as the location for tools to help persons

with special needs. Tools include Magnifier, On-

Screen keyboard, Narrator and High Contrast.

Personalization: For background, screensaver, etc

Parental Controls: Perfect for home, school,

library or kiosk machines, this group of settings

allows you to control what applications a

‘Standard User’ can access, what games can be

played, what times they can access the computer,

and what Internet sites they may have access to.

Security Center: Although not a new applet, there

are some improvements. You can access other

important tools here including Windows Update,

Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, and

Internet Options. You can see at a glance if your

system is protected in the four essential areas of 

Firewall, Automatic Updating, Malware Protection

(both a spyware detector and antivirus tool).  

Windows Aero: The name given to a new graphical

look for a Windows OS, which includes window

transparencies, live thumbnails and icons and

additional ‘eye’ candy’. 

Application Upgrades: Vista comes with Internet

Explorer 7.0 and Media Player 11.

New or Revamped Applications include:

  Windows Mail

  Windows Calendar

  Windows Photo Gallery

  Windows DVD Maker

  Windows Media Center

  Windows Movie Maker  

User Account Control: A security feature that is

designed to help prevent malicious software or

software you haven’t explicitly approved as an

Administrator, from running on your system. It works

by constantly presenting approval dialog boxes in

front of you so that you can (if logged in as an

Administrator) simply continue, or (if logged in as a

Standard User) either provide what’s called ‘over the

shoulder credentials’ or be stopped by the OS from

performing the task.

BitLocker:  Can encrypt your entire system’s full disk.

In the event your laptop is stolen, if it was BitLocker

protected, your date will be safe.

Windows Defender: A spyware detection and

removal software (with a few bells and whistles)

Explorer

Explorer is a file manager that helps you locate your data. 1. From the options bar in Explorer you can alter the

way you Organize or View your data. You can also choose to Play it through Media Player, view it as a Slide

Show, Email it, configure Sharing Settings or burn it to a variety of media.

2. Address Bar (a.k.a.

Breadcrumb Bar): Designed for

easier navigation with ways to

walk your way backward through

the folder structure.

3. Search: In Vista practically

every shell has a Search bar at the

top to facilitate location of data.

4. Preview Pane (to the right) and

Details pane (at the bottom)

which shows you metadata.

5. The Favorites Pane:

Commonly accessed folders and the folder structure of files you are currently viewing. Search folders too.  

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