Learn Vista - Working with windows

In Windows Vista, there are many programs with various functions that we can take advantage of. Not only built-in programs but also external programs. Luckily, most of those programs have similar part of window layout. This is very helpful for us in learning to use new programs.

The parts of window which are similar one another:

1. Menu bar
Contains items (menu items) that you can click as a link to a specific instruction.

2. Title bar
Displays the name of the program and/or documents being opened.

3. Minimize button
Hide the window.

4.  Maximize button
Enlarge the window to fill the whole screen.

5. Close button
Close the program.

6. Scroll bar
Scroll the contents of the program to see information that can't be seen.

7. Border
The outer limit of the window.

Resize the window size

In order to resize the window (make it smaller or bigger), move the pointer to the border of window. The pointer picture will change to double-arrow picture. Just drag the border to shrink or enlarge it. Resizing window can not be done for maximized window, you will have to restore it first in order to resize it.

Switch Among Windows

Since we can run multiple programs in Windows, so usually a program window is covered by others. Therefor, to work to another program, we have to switch to the other window. Thare are 3 ways of selecting program to work with.

1. Clicking the program button on taskbar

By clicking the button represents a program on taskbar, it will activate the program window so that the window appears on the top of the other windows.

2. Pressing ALT + TAB

Another way to switch to other window is by holding down ALT button and then pressing TAB button on keyboard simultaneously. By doing that, you will get this display:

or if your Windows Vista supports Windows Flip, you'll get display like this:

3. Using Windows Flip 3D

If your Windows Vista supports Windows Aero feature, you can switch among program windows by hold down Windows Logo button and then press TAB button. Windows Flip 3D arranges program windows in a three-dimensional stack that you can quickly flip through.

Arranging Windows

Besides arranging windows manually, you can use auto-arranging facilities. The ways are: righ-click on one of the program button on taskbar, and then while pressing Ctrl button, right-click the other program button on taskbar. On the floating menu, you will find there are three options you can use to arrange windows: Cascade, Show Windows Stacked, and Show Windows Side by Side.

And here are the displays representing each choice: