It is interesting to note that the basic operation of the Microsoft Windows Operating System has changed very little from the advent of Windows 95 right through the so called "Brand New" Windows Vista. That really means, no matter what you have been led to believe, that if you pretty much know any of these Windows Operating Systems, clear back to Windows 95, then you know all the Windows Systems right up through Windows Visa.
Please scroll down for Special Vista Information
That is not to say that as the Windows systems progressed in development nothing was added. Actually many new features were added to each version. Then how could the last statement be true?
The secret that many never realize . . . There are only 3 main things to learn in order to understand Windows and the Modern Day Computer.
They are:
3 - The mouse buttons
2 - Computer Navigation
3 - Data Management
When you learn these 3 key concepts you will have learned enough about the Windows Operating System, to easily locate all new features and changes in any of the versions, and most software programs you may be exposed to. And yes, at this point you can consider your self as "Computer Literate"
It is important to note that you can change the appearance of the menu system in all Windows versions to appear the same as when Windows 95 was first introduced. For long time users this is important, it leaves very little "new" to learn. For new users it really doesn't matter, use the one you like best. How do you make them all look the same . . . ? Very easy.
"Right" click an open area on the Task bar (not on any icon).
"Left" click" on "Properties
"Left" click the upper right "Start Menu" tab
"Left" click the lower left "Classic Start Menu" box.
This will uncheck the "Start Menu" box just above the Classic Start Menu box.
Follow through with clicking all the "OK" buttons.
To see the changes, "left" click the Windows "Start" button.
The Windows "Start" button is at the left end of the "Windows Task" bar, if the Task Bar is on the bottom of your screen (It is at the bottom by default).
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Special Vista Information
There are several changes in Windows Vista that were all the same from Windows 95 through Windows XP. It is very obvious that these changes were made simply for the sake of "Change alone". They serve no purpose other than to make Windows Vista appear different and new, when in reality nothing is different other than title and location.
Here are the three three most prominent:
"1 - My Computer" is now "Computer". Thus in these lessons Windows Vista users should make note of this.
2 - A "right " click on the open desktop area (not on any icon) produces a context menu, still the same. However the last item on this menu used to be "Properties", in Windows Vista it is now "Personalize". In either case it takes you to the personal options area where you can quickly make many changes, most of them being cosmetic.
3 - "Add and Remove Programs" the top third item in the Control Panel, Windows 95 through Windows XP.
In the Windows Vista Control Panel it is now "Programs and Features", over half way down in the Control Panel. In this feature the acutal functions are almost identical to all other Windows versions starting with Windows 95.
And incidentally, all this talk about The Control Panel, just how do you find it?
Using the Windows XP or Windows Vista "Default" menu, click "Start", then click "Control Panel"
Using the "Classic " menu in any Windows version, click "Start", click "Settings", click "Control Panel".
And what is "Default"? No more than "Factory Settings".
And finally, you should know that this computer training course is frequently updated and modified. This is an attempt to list important new information about the modern day computer and The Microsoft Windows operating systems as it is discovered.
The "Windows" computer operating systems are developed by many Microsoft teams, working in many different areas. Thus it is a good guess that no one person in the world fully knows all aspects of all the Windows versions.
It is more important to get all information on line as quickly as possible than is correct spelling and proper grammar. So please excuse any errors you may discover. All corrections will be made in time.
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