Checking Out the Accessories


You can get a good idea of the accessory programs included in Windows XP by displaying the Accessories folder. To do so, click Start, All Programs, and then Accessories. Some programs are grouped together into a folder (such as System Tools). Others are listed on the menu (see Figure 21.1). To open a folder and display the programs, click the folder name. To start any of these programs, click the program's name.

Figure 21.1. You can view the accessory programs included with Windows XP.


The following briefly lists the main uses of the Accessories program and provides references to other chapters where these features are covered.

  • Accessibility accessories provide special features for those with special needs. For instance, you can display an onscreen keyboard and type from that. You can also magnify the screen. You can read more about these features in Chapter 23, "Using Accessibility Options."

    caution

    If you do not see a Windows program listed that is covered here or in other books, that component may not have been installed. To install additional Windows components, see Chapter 20, "Upgrading Windows."


  • Communications features include the Home Networking Wizard and other networking features (covered in Chapter 24, "Setting Up Windows XP on a Home Network"), the New Connection Wizard (covered in Chapter 8), and Fax (covered in Chapter 10).

  • Entertainment programs include Sound Recorder, Windows Media Player, and Volume Control. Music is covered in Chapter 11. You can also use the new Windows Movie Maker (covered in Chapter 12, "Working with Photographs and Movies").

  • System Tools include features for checking and optimizing your computer. These topics are covered in Part V of this book.

  • Address Book helps you keep track of contacts. You can find out more about using Address Book in Chapter 15, "Customizing Email and Internet Explorer."

  • Calculator is a basic calculator you can use to calculate mathematical equations. This program is covered later in this chapter.

  • Command Prompt is a throw-back to those DOS days (before Windows). Even within the world of Windows, you might need access to a command prompt. For instance, you might use Command Prompt to run a DOS game or to execute a command for checking your system.

tip

Windows XP also includes games. These programs are stored in the Games folder, not the Accessories folder. You can read more about games later in this chapter.


  • Notepad is good for simple text files.

  • Paint is fun for creating simple illustrations. This program is covered in this chapter.

  • You can use WordPad to create simple text documents. Like Paint and Calculator, WordPad is described in this chapter.

  • The Accessories folder also includes tools for checking program compatibility, setting up a camera or wizard, synchronizing data from a laptop with your desktop computer, viewing a tour of Windows XP, and managing files with Windows Explorer.



    Absolute Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Windows XP
    Absolute Beginners Guide to Windows XP (2nd Edition)
    ISBN: 078973432X
    EAN: 2147483647
    Year: 2005
    Pages: 176
    Authors: Shelley OHara

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