1. Starting Windows 8

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©2015 Visual Steps™ - This is a sample chapter of the Visual Steps book Windows 8.1 for Seniors - ISBN 978 90 5905 118 8.

1. Starting Windows 8

You are ready to begin. This book lies next to your computer. You are going to execute all the exercises in the book on your own computer, at once. This is the quickest way to learn working with your computer. At the beginning of each chapter you will see a section with some background information, such as this piece of text. Also, you will get a brief overview of the subjects we are going to discuss in that chapter. The computer in front of you is also called a PC. This is an abbreviation for Personal Computer. In the past twenty-five years, the PC has conquered the world, marching from the office to the home. Nowadays almost everyone owns a computer. In order to operate a computer, an operating system is required. The operating system installed to your computer is called Windows 8. Windows 8 is manufactured by an American company called Microsoft. You have surely heard of this company sometime. With Windows you can make your computer perform all sorts of tasks. For example, open a computer program. You can perform such a task by clicking something with the mouse. Although you will need to practice clicking the mouse a bit, before you become proficient in it. You will be doing this in this chapter. This book is intended for first-time computer users who haven’t previously worked with a computer. This means you will learn how to switch on a computer, hold the mouse, move the mouse and also all sorts of other things new to you. Take your time to practice these things. For example, it is completely normal that in the beginning, you are a bit uncomfortable when using the mouse for the first time. You will see that you will improve, step by step. Do not hesitate to repeat a certain chapter if you want to practice a bit more. As you work through this chapter, you will understand why this operating system is called Windows. You will see that nearly everything that happens is displayed in ‘window panes’ on your screen. In this chapter you will learn how to: • start and stop Windows 8; • point and click with the mouse; • work with the Start screen and the desktop;

20 Windows 8.1 for Seniors


• open and close programs; • minimize and maximize a window; • use the taskbar.

1.1 Desktop Computer or Laptop Computers come in different sizes and shapes. Desktop computers are designed for use at a desk or table. Desktop computers consist of separate components. This is a desktop computer: Monitor: Computer case or housing: Keyboard: Mouse:

Laptop computers are lightweight portable PCs. They are often called notebook computers because of their small size. Laptops can operate on batteries, so you can take them anywhere, even if you do not have a power outlet. Of course, you can also use a laptop computer on your desk. The screen folds down onto the keyboard when not in use. Laptops combine all computer components in a single case. This is a laptop computer: Screen: Keyboard: Touchpad:

Chapter 1 Starting Windows 8 21


Operating Windows 8 on either type of computer is the same. It does not matter whether you use a desktop or a laptop. In order to use your computer, you first need to turn it on. You will learn how to do this in the next section.

1.2 Turning On Your Desktop Computer or Laptop First, make sure your computer is plugged into an electrical outlet. You turn on your computer by pressing the power button found on the case. Turn on your monitor by pressing its power button. You will see this symbol: on or near this button. If you are using a desktop computer, the power button is often located on the front of the case:

Press the power button

With some desktop computers you need to turn on the monitor separately. If you do not see anything happening on your monitor after a short wait then your monitor most likely has not yet been turned on:

Press the monitor’s power button

Your computer is now turned on.



On a laptop, the power button is most likely found on the keyboard. You can easily identify this button by this symbol: . The laptop in this example has a power button that looks like this:

Press the power button

Now the laptop is turned on. The laptop screen does not need to be turned on separately.

HELP! I cannot find the power button. If you are unable to locate the power button, consult your computer’s instruction manual. Usually this will tell you where the power button is. 1.3 Starting Windows 8 Windows 8 is automatically started when you turn on your computer. After a short time, you will see a screen that looks like this: This is called the lock screen.



Please note: The screen shots used throughout this book may differ significantly from what you see on your computer screen. The appearance of the screens and windows in Windows 8 can be customized in many ways. Perhaps someone who recently used your computer added another picture for the lock screen for example. Computer manufacturers can also influence the appearance of it. This will not interfere however with any of the tasks you need to do. You can continue reading. In the screen shot below you will see a picture. You may see a different picture on your own computer. This does not matter. It will not affect the operations you are going to execute. Somewhere on the screen

you see a white arrow . In this example the arrow is on the left-hand side: On your own screen, the arrow might be in a different spot.

This arrow is called the pointer, mouse pointer, or mouse arrow. In this book we will use the term pointer.

You can direct the movement of the pointer on your computer screen by gently moving your mouse across your desk. In this chapter you will learn how to do this. 1.4 Mouse, Touchpad or Touchscreen

The pointer can be used as if it were your fingertip. You use it to ‘point’ to things on the screen such as the icons on the screen. You can move the pointer in any direction on your computer screen. Then you can ‘click’ the items to perform various actions. This is done with a computer mouse, or simply called a mouse.



A desktop computer will usually be supplied with a computer mouse: There are many types of designs and options available in computer mice, with a cable as well as wireless.

If you are working with a laptop, you can choose whether to operate it with a computer mouse or use the built in touchpad. The touchpad is a sensitive square which reacts when you move your fingertip across it. The movement of your finger on the touchpad is transferred to the computer and this makes the pointer move across your screen. Here you see the touchpad for this laptop: A different brand of laptop may use a touchpad that looks a bit different.

The most recent development in the field of screens is the touchscreen, a screen that is sensitive to the touch of your fingers. A touchscreen looks the same as a regular screen. The more expensive laptops and desktop computers may be equipped with a touchscreen. If you have a touchscreen you can operate the computer through touching the screen with specific gestures. These touchscreen gestures consist of moving one or two fingers on the screen. You could say your fingers act like a mouse. Some ticket machines or ATMs work with touchscreens too, nowadays. If you are using a laptop for the first time it is good idea to purchase a mouse too. In this book you will learn how to use a mouse. The advantage is, that you will be able to use other computers too, later on. Since most computers are still operated by using a mouse.



Please note: In this book you will learn how to use a computer mouse. If you do not yet have a mouse you can purchase one at your local computer store.

Tip Buy a mouse Take your laptop with you when you go to buy a computer mouse at the computer store. The sales representative can then show you how to connect your new mouse to your laptop. Then when you get home you can get started right away. Here you see a laptop with a computer mouse attached with a cable: On the back of the laptop you will find a slot in which you can fit the mouse cable’s jack. There also exist wireless computer mice. Instead of connecting them with a cable, a wireless mouse connects to the computer through a small transmitter that you insert into the computer.

Tip

Learn how to use a touchpad or touchscreen Do you want to learn how to work with a touchpad or touchscreen, after a while? In the Bonus chapters Working With a Touchpad and Working With a Touchscreen, which you can download from the website accompanying this book, www.visualsteps.com/windows8, you can find more information. In Appendix C Opening the Bonus Online Chapters you can read how to open these bonus chapters on your computer. We advise you to only do this after you have learned how to use the Internet. Or you can ask someone who is already proficient in using the Internet to download and print the bonus chapters for you.



1.5 The Computer Mouse A computer mouse is usually just called a mouse. The mouse sits on your desk or table. The mouse is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. Place your mouse beside your keyboard on a clean, smooth surface. This may be the surface of a table or desk, or a special mousepad. Hold the mouse gently with your index finger resting on the left button and your thumb resting on the side. A mousepad is a smooth, square surface for enhancing the movement of a computer mouse. It is not absolutely necessary. You can also use your mouse on a smooth, clean surface such as the table or desk where your computer is located.

Tip What is the best way to hold the mouse? Not like this: But like this:

• Do not grasp it between two

fingers with the other fingers in the air.

• Do not lift your wrist from the tabletop.

• Do not squeeze or grip your mouse tightly.

• Do not lift the mouse.

• Hold the mouse gently. • Hold the palm of your hand lightly on the mouse. • Your hand follows the shape of the mouse. • Let your index finger gently rest on the left

mouse button, and let the other fingers drop beside.

• Rest your thumb to the side of the mouse, on the table.

• Rest your wrist and lower arm on the table. • The mouse buttons are aimed away from you.

- Continue on the next page -



It is important to teach yourself the proper way to hold the mouse from the very beginning. You will only have sufficient control of the mouse and be able to move it precisely if you keep it in the palm of your hand.

1.6 Moving the Mouse You operate the computer almost entirely by using the mouse. The first few times that you use the mouse, it will seem awkward and unfamiliar. It is a matter of practicing. The more you use the mouse, the more proficient you will become.

To move the pointer on the screen, you slide it slowly on your desk surface or mousepad in any direction. As you move the mouse, the pointer on your screen moves in the same direction. Just give it a try: Somewhere on your screen

you will see the pointer :

Slide the mouse slowly across your table or mousepad

Watch how the pointer moves with it. If you run out of room when you move your mouse on your desk surface or mousepad, just pick it up, bring it back closer to you and gently set it down again. Remember: hold the flat part of your hand lightly on top of the mouse. If you grip the mouse too tightly you may inadvertently press one of the buttons. You will learn how to use these buttons later. For now try to move the mouse again: Somewhere on your screen

you will see the pointer . Keep watching it:

Slide the mouse slowly across your table or mousepad

The pointer will move along with it:



When you move the mouse with your hand, the pointer on your screen will move in the same direction.

Please note: Move the mouse by pivoting your arm at your elbow. Avoid pivoting the mouse with your wrist. This is to guard against possible injury such as RSI, repetitive strain injury. RSI complaints can occur when your joints are forced to make the same repetitive movement over and over again, over a long period of time.

HELP! I see a different screen. You may have clicked one of the mouse buttons by mistake. You then will see a different screen, but you can carry out the actions discussed in this section in this screen, too.

Slide the mouse across the table or mousepad

The pointer on your screen will move along with it:

Slowly slide the mouse to the right

When you move the mouse in different directions, the pointer on your screen

follows these movements. Keep watching the pointer on the screen while moving the mouse.



Slowly slide the mouse away from you on your table or mousepad

Slowly slide the

mouse towards you on your table or mousepad

The pointer on your screen moves in the same direction.

Please note:

If you run out of room when you move your mouse on your desk surface or mousepad, just pick it up, bring it back closer to you, gently set it down again and continue moving it.

Slowly slide the mouse in a circle

Try making smaller and bigger circles.

Slide the mouse in the shape of a triangle

Start with small triangles, then make larger ones. Keep watching the pointer on the screen while moving the mouse.

It is a good idea to repeat these exercises a few times until you feel you have sufficient control over your mouse. Then you can continue with the next section.

Please note: Rest your hand lightly on the mouse. Watch the position of your index and thumb. Rest your wrist and lower arm on the table.

1. Starting Windows 8

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