Windows Basics:
Exercises

 Title: Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101

The ability to have several windows open at once is one of the most useful features of Windows. But it also causes trouble. All those windows get in each others' way.

In the exercise below you will use several methods for corralling your wayward windows.


Where you are:
JegsWorks > Lessons > Windows

Before you start...

Project 1: Windows Basics
    Desktop & Taskbar
    Window
    MouseTo subtopics
    Dialog BoxTo subtopics
    Windows HelpTo subtopics
    Summary
    Quiz
    Exercises Subtopics display    
    Exercise Ex. 1: Solitaire
    Exercise Ex. 2: Calculator
    Exercise Ex. 3: Tile & Cascade

Project 2: Files & FoldersTo subtopics

    Search
    Glossary

Exercise Win1-3: Tile and Cascade

What you will do: New Skill Manage multiple windows
                   - Drag to arrange windows
                   - Cascade windows
                   - Switch between windows with ALT + TAB
                   - Tile windows

Start with: Monitor with desktop with Taskbar showing.

You have already seen how to switch to a different window by clicking its button on the Task bar. There are several ways to arrange your windows and to switch between them.

  1. If you have not paused in working the exercises, you should now have open on the desktop - Solitaire, Calculator, and Calculator Help. (If you interrupted your session at the computer, just open these applications again.)
     
  2. Windows arranged to show parts of allOpen Notepad: From the Start menu, open Notepad. (Start > All Programs > Accessories > Notepad).
     
  3. Arrange windows: Drag the Title bar for Calculator until it overlaps the Calculator Help window. Which is on top? In early versions of Windows, Help always remains on top by default. In some applications Help windows are still set to remain on top all the time.
     
    Drag other windows to Calculator Help. What is on top?
     
    Drag the windows around so that as much of each window as possible is visible.  You may resize windows, if you wish.
     
  4. Cascaded windows (WinXP)Cascade:Icon: Right click Right click on the taskbar and from the context-sensitive menu (right-click menu), choose Cascade Windows. How does the arrangement change?
     
    TipThere is no Undo command for arranging windows.
     
  5. Switch between windows: Press the keys ALT + TAB and keep holding down the ALT key. You will see a small window with the icons for all the open applications. The icon with the box around it is the active one and its name is also shown. While continuing to hold the ALT key down, press TAB again. The next application in the list is now the active one. Release the keys. The program that was selected is now the active program and is on top of the other applications. It's title bar is a different color from the inactive programs.

    ALT + TAB combo shows open applications (Win98)Bar of open applications from ALT+TAB (WinXP) ALT + TAB combo shows open applications (Vista)

    Win98, WinXP, Windows Vista

    ALT + TAB shows icons for the open applicationsIcon: WinXP In WinXP with PowerToys installed (a separate download from Microsoft), when using ALT + TAB, you can see a thumbnail of the selected application. This can help you choose when you have more than one copy open of the same application, like Internet Explorer or My Computer.


    Flip 3D cascade of windows (Vista)Icon: Windows VistaIn Windows Vista when Aero is turned on, yet another view is available, Flip 3D. Hold the Windows logo key Windows Logo key down and press the TAB key. The open windows appear in an open stack so you can see at least part of each window. As you keep pressing the TAB key, the windows move up the stack. When you release the keys, the window on top of the stack becomes the active window.

    Alternate method for Vista: Click on Button: Switch Windows the Switch Windows button in the Quick Launch area of the Task bar. Use the TAB or arrow keys to rotate through the windows. Press the ENTER key and the window in front becomes the active window.
     

  6. Icon: Right click Right click on the taskbar to open the context-sensitive menu. The choices you see vary with the version of Windows.
     
  7. Choose Tile Horizontally or Stacked Windows. How does the arrangement change?
     
  8. Icon: Right click Right click on the taskbar and from the context-sensitive menu, choose Tile Vertically or Side-by-Side. How does the arrangement change?
     
  9. Close Calculator and its Help window. Repeat the previous two steps. Quite a difference!
     
  10. Be neat. Close all the windows now - with the method(s) of your choice.

TipSome programs will remember the last window size the next time you open the program.