Windows XP Foundation

SECTION 2

Understanding the Layout of a Window

A window is a frame which contains the contents of files or folders. Windows can also display applications. When an application is opened or data is viewed, they are displayed from within a window. A window can change depending on the type of file, folder, or application opened. For now, we will focus on windows showing files or folders.

My Computer, Calculator, Control Panel, and Date and Time are all examples of items that open in a window. The advantage of this is that you may have several windows open, each running a different application, and displaying different data. This is valuable when it comes to multitasking. Windows can be arranged so they do not overlap each other (tiled windows), or so they do overlap each other (cascade windows), or a preference manually set by the user.

Title Bar	Shows the location you are currently viewing and can be clicked on for options. In the example above, the My Documents window is showing. At the right side of the title bar are the buttons for Minimize, Maximize, and Close, which we will explain in a moment.
Control Menu	The Title Bar icon (or Control Menu icon) in the upper left-hand corner of any window may be single-clicked to display a menu of commands for managing the window or double-clicked to quickly close the window.
Menu Bar	Displays the available menus for the specific window that is open. You will notice that a lot of windows have the same menus with the same options, making it easy to use.
Standard Buttons Bar	Displays the most commonly used functions for a window. In our example we see the buttons Back, Forward, Up One Level, Search, Folders (which switches to Windows Explorer mode), and View options.
Scroll Up	Allow you to single-click (or click and hold) to see additional information in a file that may be above what the monitor is capable of viewing.
Viewing Window	This window is where your main focus will be. In this section you can interact with any of the icons present.
Explorer Bar	Also referred to as the Task Pane. This feature is new in Windows XP. The Task Pane displays helpful shortcuts and options that vary depending on the content you are viewing. In the picture above it shows links to various tasks: Make a New Folder, Publisher this Folder to the Web, and Share this Folder.
Scroll Box	Portion of the scroll bar that helps indicates where the user is located as the user moves through a document. The user usually has the ability to quickly scroll through a page by clicking and dragging the scroll box.
Vertical Scroll Bar	Portion of the scroll bar that represents the full ability of a software program to move up or down, allowing the user to see additional information in a file that may be beyond what the monitor is capable of viewing.
Scroll down	Allow you to single-click (or click and hold) to see additional information in a file that may be below what the monitor is capable of viewing.
Status bar	The bottom portion of a window that displays the current status of window currently being viewed. In this sample, we can see the number and size of the objects in the window. We can also see the location of this folder: My Computer.
Resizing Corner	Using the mouse, the Resizing Corner can be dragged and dropped, allowing you change the width and height of a window at the same time. You will find the other comers can be moved in the same way.
Minimize	Allows you to hide a window and keep the application running.
Maximize	Allows you to enlarge a window to its maximum size, usually the full display area of the monitor or screen.
Close	Shuts down the current window.

Familiarize yourself with the My Documents window by browsing through the menus and adding or removing toolbars. You will also notice a lot of familiar commands and shortcuts from previous windows.