Computer Tutorial--Part 2D: More basics of Microsoft

This section deals with the "Tools" and "Help" buttons of Windows

Al Harper

As you read through these Sections, you may find that my description of a given window or drop-down menu or listing does not agree with the one you have in every detail.  I hope the differences are small.  My machine is a Dell, and each manufacturer will have his own ideas in some areas.

The next button we will deal with is "Tools".  When clicked this button shows three options involving networks and one for "Folder Options" as follows:



A network involves at least two computers hooked together.  For most users these three options can be ignored.




The "Folder Options" window looks like this:



"Folder Options" is important and has a "General" button followed by three others which are used for advanced options and will not be discussed.

The "General" button shows three options each with two major selections:

1. "Tasks" has "Show common tasks in folders" which if selected shows your window with two "Browse folders" columns: the right column is the listing of the items in the window; the left column has three headings "File and Folder Tasks", "Other Places" and "Details".  Each heading appears in a gray bar and has a double arrow at the end.  If the arrows point up, you will see a list of sub-options under that heading.  If the arrows point down, you must click on them to get the list of sub-options.  Some of these sub-options have been discussed earlier, and the others are advanced and will not be discussed here.  The "Details" area has no sub-options but gives data on the base folder you are using.  
"Use Windows classic folders" simply lists the items in the window.

2. "Browse folders" allows you to open each folder in the same window as the base folder or open it in its own window.  I use the latter, because the new window will otherwise obscure the items in the base folder.

3. "Click items as follows": your choice as to a single or double click.

The last button in this section is "Help".  Clicking here brings up three options, "Help and Support Center", "Is this copy of Windows legal" and "About Windows".

Clicking on the "Help and Support Center" opens a large window with eight icons below the heading, a white bar for searching, and four sections 'Pick a Help Topic", "Ask for Assistance", "Pick a Task" and "Did You Know?".

The "Index" icon will probably be the most helpful in the beginning.  Clicking on "Index" brings up a drop-down menu of many, many items to search for, starting with special characters, then numerics, and lastly a huge alphabetic list.  You can select any item, highlight it and then click on "Display" at the bottom of the window.  If you prefer, you can type in a keyword of your own choosing in the bar above the list and then hit "Display".  If there is any information on your keyword, it will be displayed on the right of the window.  If not, a message will say so.  Any item highlighted will respond with some data.  For some items a small window will open with further choices.  Highlight one of the choices and click "Display" in that window.  The information on the right may include answers to questions, specific instructions, or sites to click on for further information.

The "Pick a Help Topic" will supply general information on a number of topics of a general nature.  Clicking here will bring up a drop-down menu of options.  Clicking on one of the options may bring up further options on the right.  At the bottom of the drop-down menu there may be a section titled "See Also" listing related items and sections.

The headings "Ask for Assistance", "Pick a Task" and "Do You Know" tend to be for the advanced users and will not be discussed here.

The second option in "Help" is an odd one.  "Is This Copy of Windows Legal?" would seem to be a "Big Brother is Watching You" option.  You can do what you wish with this.  If you click on it, the software will check product codes etc.

The last option, "About Windows", will show you the version, copyright data, license data, and physical memory available for Windows.


NEXT: Part 3 on Folders



April, 2007

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