A Windows Vista Tutorial for Beginners

Windows Vista is an impressive system, but it is complex. Computer users familiar with Windows XP or an earlier version will notice many changes, both structural and visual, and users new to Windows entirely might become quickly overwhelmed by all the advertised features such as the Sidebar, the increased parental controls, the strengthened security, and the Aero visual features. Once you get a handle on everything, however, you'll find that there's much to enjoy.

Windows and the Desktop

The basic design of Vista is very similar to that of previous Windows systems. Programs and files are organized into a hierarchy of folders. Most folders, files, and programs open in "windows" or boxes on your screen. You can close a window by clicking the "X" button in the upper-right hand corner.

The main screen, called the desktop, displays icons representing files, folders, and programs. You can double-click on each icon to open them in windows, single-click and hold to drag them around, and right-click to see a list of advanced options. When you want to delete an icon, you can drag it to the Recycle Bin icon; to recover it, just open the Recycle Bin and drag it out again.

New to Vista is the Windows Sidebar. This appears by default on the right side of your screen and features "gadgets" like a clock, to-do lists, weather information, and more. Press the plus ("+") button at the top of the Sidebar to add more gadgets, or right-click on a blank part of the sidebar and select "Close Sidebar" to close it.

Taskbar

At the bottom of the desktop is the taskbar, which consists of a few different areas:

Start Menu: this is the large round button on the far left with the Windows logo on it. Click on it once to open it. On the right you'll see common features like your Documents folder and the Control Panel, while on the left will be a list of commonly-used programs. On the bottom is a search box you can use to find any program; right above it, click "All Programs" to see a list of all your programs.

Quick Launch Toolbar: this refers to the small icons on display right next to the Start Menu button. You can place any icon in this toolbar by dragging the icon on top of it. Move your mouse over each icon without clicking on them to see what each one does.

Notifications Area: this refers to the far left area of the taskbar. This area contains the clock, volume controls, and other common processes that run in the background. Click on each icon for more options.

The large middle section of the taskbar will contain any windows that you currently have open. Click on each one to bring that window to the front of the screen. Click on the minus ("-") button in the upper-right hand corner of each window to send them back down to the taskbar or "minimize" them.

Tools

The first few times Windows Vista boots up, you'll see a Welcome Center window. If you don't, open the Start Menu, then click "Control Panel," then click on "Getting Started with Windows." The Welcome Center helps walk you through common computer tasks like adding a User Account and connecting to the Internet. Click on "Show All Items" and you'll find a Windows Basics help section, a Windows Vista Demos section, and a "What's New with Windows Vista" section.

In the upper-left corner of the Welcome Center window will be an arrow pointing left. This is the "Back" button. Click on it to go back to the Control Panel. Here you'll find a lot more options: you can change the clock, uninstall programs, add hardware like printers, change the desktop background, or set parental controls.

Sometimes when you open a program, a window will come that says "Windows Needs Your Permission" or "A Program Wants Access to Your Computer." This is a new security feature in Vista called "User Account Control." Whenever you actually meant to open the program that Vista is asking about, you can safely click "Allow" or "Continue."

Customizing the Appearance

One of the most enjoyable features of Vista is its Appearance and Personalization section. If you still have the Control Panel open, you can access it through there. Otherwise, right-click on an empty section of your desktop and select "Personalize." You'll be presented with a number of options.

"Windows Color and Appearance" lets you change the colors of your windows. "Desktop Background" lets you choose from a gallery of desktop "wallpapers." There are also options that let you change the appearance of the mouse, change the default sounds, and add screensavers.

Most Vista systems come with a visual scheme called "Aero" that features a lot of cool graphics and effects like windows transparency. However, many of these features are disabled in Windows Vista Home Basic. If that's the version you use, you won't be able to access the "Colors and Appearance" controls and a few other features.

References

• Bleeping Computer
• Microsoft
• Vista 4 Beginners