Category list

What s New

What's New

If you're searching for what's new in Windows XP, just look for the icon: . The new icon appears in the table of contents and throughout this book so you can quickly and easily identify a new or improved feature in Windows XP.

How This Book Works

Each task is presented on no more than two facing pages, with step-by-step instructions in the left column and screen illustrations in the right column. This arrangement lets you focus on a single task without having to turn the page.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This book provides concise step-by-step instructions that show you "how" to accomplish a task. Each set of instructions include illustrations that directly correspond to the easy-to-read steps. Also included in the text are timesavers, tables, and sidebars to help you work more efficiently or to teach you more in-depth information. A "Did You Know?" provides tips and techniques to help you work smarter , while a "See Also" leads you to other parts of the book containing related information about the task.

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Real World Examples

This book uses real world examples to help convey "why" you would want to perform a task. The examples give you a context in which to use the task. You'll observe how Home Sense, Inc. , a fictional home improvement business, uses Windows XP to get jobs done.

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Troubleshooting Guide

This book offers quick and easy ways to diagnose and solve common Windows XP problems that you might encounter. The troubleshooting guide helps you determine and fix a problem using the task information you find. The problems are posed in question form and are grouped into categories that are presented alphabetically .

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Show Me Live Software

In addition, this book offers companion software that shows you how to perform most tasks using the live program. The easy-to-use VCR-type controls allow you to start, pause, and stop the action. As you observe how to accomplish each task, Show Me Live highlights each step and talks you through the process. The Show Me Live software is available free at www.perspection.com or www.quepublishing.com/showme.

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Chapter 1. Getting Started with Windows XP

What You'll Do

Use Windows XP Home or Professional

Identify New Features in Windows XP

Start Windows XP

Explore the Windows Desktop

Use the Mouse

Use the Mouse for Quick Results

Use the Start Menu

Manage Windows

Use Menus, Toolbars, and Panes

Choose Dialog Box Options

Use Windows Help and Support

Switch Users

Turn Off Your Computer

Introduction

Microsoft Windows XP Home or Professional is an operating system , a computer program that controls the basic operation of your computer and the programs you run. A program , also known as an application, is task-oriented software you use to accomplish a specific task, such as word processing, managing files on your computer, or performing calculations. Windows XP displays programs in rectangular frames on your screen, called windows (thus the name of the operating system). A window can contain the contents of a file and the application in which it was created, icons (picture representations of a program or a file), or other usable data. A file is a collection of information (such as a letter or list of addresses) that has a unique name, distinguishing it from other files. This use of windows and icons is called a graphical user interface ( GUI , pronounced "gooey"), meaning that you ("user") interact ("interface") with the computer through the use of graphics: icons and other meaningful words, symbols, and windows.