Chapter 2 Working with the Win7 Desktop

Chapter 2 covers the following: how to create WordPad documents, moving/renaming a file, creating/moving a folder, using a USB flash drive to store a document, delete/restore shortcuts/files/folders using the Recycle bin. Also covered is how to customize and rearrange desktop gadgets.

WordPad is a scaled down version of Microsoft's powerful Word application.  WordPad can format and print text, but lacks spell checker and a thesaurus. If you just need to type simple letters or memos, then WordPad fits your needs. To open the WordPad application, you press the start button, type in WordPad in the search box and press the enter key to launch the app. From this point you're ready to begin creating a document. The activity for this chapter was to create a simple document following the steps on pages 70 through 75 of the text book (see below).

Chapter 2 activity

One thing new I learned was a method of how to create a blank document directly in the Documents Library without opening an application. This method is called the document-centric approach. Right click an open area (white space) in the Documents Library. In the resulting shortcut menu, point to *New*, click the *Text Document* option, give the document a name, press enter. Right click on the file, point to *Open With* and select *WordPad*.

To copy documents (or any data for that matter) on a USB flash drive, you simply insert a USB drive into an open USB port on your computer (or via a Hub). Select *Open Folder to view files* from the auto-play popup dialog box. This action displays contents on the flash drive. You're ready to move files to the drive. Right click on any file, point to *send to* command and select the name & drive letter representing your flash drive. USB flash drives are very handy for backing up important files and useful for moving between physical computers.

There are several options as to how you can view the folders and files within your Documents Library. Options include small, medium, large or extra large icons, list view, tiles view, and the default details view. I prefer the list view. I like the organized and streamlined appearance this view gives. My method of arrangement is by folder, but there are several other options for arranging the order of your folders and file. Those options include: author, date modified, tag, type, name.

Creating a folder in the Documents Library is easy: click the *new folder* button on the tool bar and up pops a new folder ready to be re-named with the name of your choice. If you have a file that you want to move into this new folder, right-click and drag the file (don't let go of the mouse button) to the folder and click the *move here* command on the shortcut menu. I have always left clicked on files to drag and drop into folders so the right-click drag thing is new to me. Likewise, the *new folder* button is new to me as well. I have always right clicked in an empty space where I want a new folder and pointed to *new* and created a folder this way. There always seems to be more than one way, or several ways to perform the same function. There really is no *right* or *wrong* way, it's whatever method is easiest for the user to remember how to do something.

Desktop gadgets are like mini programs and can be useful tools. They can be also be customized. Click the Start button, select All Programs, followed by Desktop Gadget Gallery. See below for an idea of gadgets available in the gallery. The weather gadget is missing because the gadget is on my desktop. If you're not happy with the choices available, you can always click the *Get more gadgets online* link in the bottom right corner of the gallery. Otherwise right click on the gadget of your choice, click *add*. To customize the gadget on your desktop, right click on the gadget, select *options*. For the clock gadget, there are 8 views. Click the arrow left or right to select a different view. In the *Clock name* box, type in what you want to call the clock. For example, your first name. The name will appear on the clock. You can also set the time zone and select the option to show the *second* hand. To remove the gadget, click the close button or right click and select close gadget.

Windows 7 Gadget Gallery

In addition to reading chapter 2, part of this week's assignment included reading Appendix B. Appendix B is entitled Windows 7 Security. Two activities was assigned to complete as well. Researching Antivirus Software was activity 1, and Viewing Windows Update was activity 2. In the text book under Appendix B it says, "according to Microsoft, Windows 7 has been engineered to be the most secure version of Windows ever."

Windows 7 includes security features to protect your computer from malware, spyware, viruses, worms and other potentially unwanted software.Windows 7 comes with a program called Windows Defender which is designed to protect your computer against malware. There is also a built in firewall which protects against unauthorized users between your computer and the internet (or a network). Windows does not include an anti-virus program. I do not use Windows Defender or Windows Firewall. I am using Norton's Security Suite provided free from my internet provider Comcast. I also have a paid application installed called Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. I have found both products to be more than adequate. If you don't have an anti-virus program installed on your computer, get one ASAP. Avast has a free version that blocks viruses & spyware.

Windows Update helps to protect your computer from viruses and other security issues. Windows Update periodically checks with Microsoft for updates for your computer. The updates will download automatically if you have configured the application to do so (highly recommend). I have my computer configured to download the updates but I do not want them installed automatically as I prefer to handle this manually. I've had one instance where an update was applied automatically and it caused a glitch with the firewall I was using at the time (Zone Alarm). The glitch made is impossible for me to connect to the internet. I disabled the firewall so I could research the issue and discovered it was a Windows Update that was the problem. I uninstalled the update and reactivated my firewall and was back in business. For this reason, I do not allow windows to apply updates automatically. If something goes wrong after a manual install, I will know immediately what the problem is.