If you are familiar with using a PC computer system, there is a strong possibility you are using Windows Vista. It is one of the latest Operating Systems introduced by on the world’s leading Software Programming Company Microsoft. Windows Vista is basically the entire interface of the computer. It controls and organizes all its basic functions and menu options. For whether reason you are using your computer, this article will give you information as how you can use the Windows Vista Operating System to your advantage.
Things you will need
- PC
- Windows Vista (Installation Disc)
Instructions
- A lot of newly bought computers might have the Windows Vista Operating System installed, if not you can always purchase this disc from an electronic store or order a copy online. After this is done, follow the instructions of the disc and install Windows Vista.
- When all installations have been made (if needed) you will be taken to the desktop where all the menu options of use will be available to you.
- Windows Vista allows you to install other softwares outside of what has been pre-installed. For example, if you want to install a word processor such as Microsoft Office, insert the installation disc and follow the procedure, Vista will ask for your permission to allow the software to be installed, then you should click continue to go through with it. When installing any other program the same permission rule will apply.
- When you have installed all the programs you need, you can go ahead and access all the programs you need to use. A lot of the installed programs will have shortcut icons on the desktop screen to access them. If not there is the start icon that has the windows logo in it on the taskbar to the bottom left of the screen. You can click this to go to ‘All Programs” and then you can choose which program you would like to use.
- To the right of the taskbar (the bottom right corner) will show some icons of the programs which are operating in the background or are already opened and in use. There are some options which can be accessed here such as the volume control and the internet connection menu.
- Windows Vista normally comes with a slidebar, which is a vertical menu to the right side of the screen. If the internet is available this bar can provide information such as the news and weather updates. It also includes a calendar and can be assigned to place program shortcuts in it as well by right clicking it you can add ‘gadgets’ of any sort to display information automatically.
- If you would like to adjust the appearance on our Windows Vista Operating System, simply minimize all you have opened on your desktop and right click on it and you will see the option ‘Personalize’. When you open this you will see a list of selections you can choose from to modify the look of your computer. Some of the options are ‘Theme’, ‘The Desktop Background’, Windows Color and Appearance’, ‘Display Settings’ just to name a few.
- A lot of the options you will want to adjust can be found in the ‘Control Panel’ folder. To find this Just go to ‘Start’ ‘Control Panel’. If you are familiar with the previous Windows System and want to have that look for your control panel, look to the left and click ‘Classic View’ and it will change the way how the options are named and displayed. You can now go through each option to see what you would like to adjust, some of the options include; programs, Users, Parental Controls, System, just to name a few.
- After setting up your computer you may want to create a password for your user account to prevent unauthorized use of your desktop. In the same Control Panel folder select the ‘User Accounts’ option and create a password for your account. Here you can also create multiple accounts that will allow a number of people access to their own desktops on the same PC. Just create the name of the different users and the type of account you would like them to have and set it up. This is used especially for persons who have children and want to restrict their access and how they use the computer
- After creating different user accounts, you can now control the level of access and privilege each user will have. Click on ‘Parental Control’ in the Control Panel, this option allows you to setup how long you’re a person (mainly children) will be able to use the PC, the websites they have access to and what programs they are able to use or not. This cool feature can even provide you with an activity report to see what type of activity is being done on the computer at what time. Just choose the username to which you would like to apply the settings and follow the instructions.
- At times there may be files or programs that you can’t find because you don’t remember where it was originally stored and there is a solution for this problem. You can click the start button and there will be an instant search box, there you can type in the name of the file or program you are searching for and it will go through your entire system archives to find it if it is there. If you have an idea of the folder it may be in for example in ‘Music’ or ‘Pictures’ you can go into these very folders and you will see a search box to the top right corner of each folder where you can put in the name of what you would like to search for.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do not change any settings in the Windows folder on the C drive that you are not certain of. Any slight changes may cause your computer to malfunction and you risk having to load over the computer and possibly losing files.
- Continue to maneuver each folder and menu options on the Windows Vista. With each use you will be more familiarize and batter able to use this Operating System.
