How to operate
a computer
Getting
Started
1
Set up your
computer. If you are
setting up a new desktop computer, there are a few steps you will need to go
through before you can start using it. After finding a place near your desk to
put the tower, you will need to connect your monitor, keyboard, and mouse, as
well as plug the tower into a power source.
·
These are the only
things required to be connected to the computer in order to use it. You can add
more peripherals and accessories later.
·
If you are using a new
laptop, you will have significantly less to set up. Plug your laptop
into a power source to ensure that it is charged, and then power it on to
begin.
2
Create
a user account. If you are using
the computer for the first time, you will likely be asked to create a user
account when you turn it on. This account will hold all of your documents,
pictures, downloaded files, and any other files that you create.
·
If your computer is in
a public setting, you should create a strong password to protect
your personal information. This is highly recommended, even if your computer is
a home computer.
3
Get
familiar with the desktop. The
desktop is the main work area of your computer, and will likely be the most
visited area of your computer. Your desktop appears every time you log into
your account, and contains icons and shortcuts to your most used programs and
files. The desktop will look and function differently depending on which
operating system you use.
·
Windows operating
systems (except Windows 8) are characterized by the Start menu in the
lower-left corner of the desktop. The Start menu allows you to quickly access
your installed programs and settings.
·
Windows 8 has replaced the Start menu with the
Start screen. It functions much the same way, but is fundamentally
different in the way it displays information.
·
OS X allows you to use
multiple desktops to keep things organized and under control. See this guide for details on how to take
advantage of multiple desktops.
4
Learn
mouse and keyboard basics. The
mouse and keyboard are your primary means of interacting with your computer.
Take some time to get familiar with how they work and how you can interact with
your operating system and programs.
·
Learn how to use
a mouse to navigate. Your mouse allows for pinpoint navigation
and control, and is necessary for a wide variety of activities. Getting
familiar with how to use the mouse will go a long way towards making you a more
proficient computer user.
·
Practice some keyboard shortcuts to
improve your work flow. Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of
keyboard keys that perform a function in the program or operating system you
are using. For example, in most programs that allow saving files, pressing Ctrl+S (⌘ Cmd+S on a Mac) will automatically save your
current file.
5
Launch
some preinstalled applications. Even if you built your computer yourself, there will be
some preinstalled applications and utilities that you can use without having to
install anything additional. If you are using Windows, click the Start menu and
browse through your available programs. If you are using a Mac, check your Dock
and Applications folder.
6
Install
your first program. Installing
software is a very common task on a computer, no matter what kind of computer
you are using. The process is usually very straightforward, as most installers
give clear instructions for each step.
·
Installing Microsoft Office is a good
place to start if you are using a Windows computer. Having access to a word
processor is invaluable, and is one of the main purposes of many people's
computers. Many Windows computers come with a trial version of Office already
installed.
·
Installing software on a Mac is a
little bit different than installing on a Windows PC. This is mainly due to the
underlying structure of the Mac operating system. Many Mac users find
installing and managing programs much easier on OS X instead of Windows.
Learning
Basic Computer Commands
1
Select
files and text. You can use your
mouse or keyboard shortcuts to select files on your computer and text on
documents and website. Click and drag the mouse across the text you want to
select, or press Ctrl+A (PC) or ⌘ Cmd+A (Mac) to select
everything in your current location. Once you've selected files or text, there
are several different actions you can take.
2
Copy and paste. Copying and pasting is one of the most
common actions taken when selecting text or files. "Copying" a file
or text leaves the original intact, while creating a copy on your computer's
clipboard. You can then "Paste" the file or text elsewhere.
·
For PC, copy by
pressing Ctrl+C and paste by pressing Ctrl+V. You can also copy
and paste by right-clicking on the selection with your mouse and selecting the
appropriate option from the menu.
·
For Mac, Copy by
pressing ⌘ Cmd+C and paste by
pressing ⌘ Cmd+V. You can also copy
and paste by right-clicking on the selection with your
mouse and selecting the appropriate option from the menu.
3
Save and open
files. Many programs
such as word processors, photo editors, and more allow you to create and save
documents and files. When working on a computer, it is wise to save often. You
never know when the power might go out, costing you hours of unsaved work. Get
in the habit of saving often, and if you are making major revisions to a file
it might be wise to create a new copy. You can quickly save your work in most
programs that allow saving by pressing Ctrl+S (PC) or ⌘ Cmd+S (Mac).
·
If you have a lot of
important files on your computer, consider setting up a
backup system. This will ensure that you have at least one extra
copy of all your important files should something happen to your computer. Windows and Mac OS X both have backup systems built
into the operating system.
4
Find and sort your files. As you use your computer more and more,
your personal collection of documents, media, and files may start to get a bit
out of control. Take some time and organize your personal folders. You can create new folders to help create a
directory of easily-accessible information.
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