Overview
Learn to open, resize, move, and close windows. Understand file and folder structures, and perform basic file operations.
In a GUI-based OS, applications run within rectangular areas called windows. Understanding how to manage these windows and organize your data using files and folders is fundamental.
Working with Windows:
- Opening a Window: Click on an application icon or select it from the Start Menu.
- Minimizing: Reduces the window to a button on the taskbar, keeping the application running in the background.
- Maximizing: Enlarges the window to fill the entire screen.
- Restoring Down: Returns a maximized window to its previous size and position.
- Moving: Click and drag the window's title bar to reposition it on the desktop.
- Resizing: Click and drag the window's borders or corners to change its dimensions.
- Closing: Click the 'X' button in the top-right corner of the window.
- Switching Windows: Use the taskbar buttons or Alt+Tab (Windows) to switch between open applications.
File and Folder Management:
Files: Digital containers for data (e.g., documents, images, videos, programs). Each file has a name and an extension (e.g., .docx, .pdf, .jpg) that indicates its type.
Folders (Directories): Containers used to organize and group related files and other folders. This hierarchical structure helps in managing large amounts of data.
Basic File Operations (using File Explorer/My Computer):
- Creating: Right-click in an empty area, select 'New', then 'Folder' or a specific file type.
- Opening: Double-click a file or folder.
- Copying: Select an item, right-click and choose 'Copy', then navigate to the destination, right-click and choose 'Paste'. Creates a duplicate.
- Moving: Select an item, right-click and choose 'Cut', then navigate to the destination, right-click and choose 'Paste'. Moves the original item.
- Renaming: Select an item, right-click and choose 'Rename', then type the new name.
- Deleting: Select an item, right-click and choose 'Delete'. Deleted items usually go to the Recycle Bin (or Trash on macOS/Linux), from where they can be restored or permanently removed.
Exam Tip: Understand the difference between 'Cut-Paste' (move) and 'Copy-Paste' (duplicate). Know how to perform basic file operations.