Computer basics Tutorial for Beginners in PDF

• GETTING STARTED
  • Class Overview, What You Will Learn
• BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS
  • Anatomy of a Computer, How Computers Work
  • Turning the Computer On and Logging On
  • The Desktop
• THE KEYBOARD AND MOUSE
  • Keyboard Commands, The Mouse
  • Left-Clicking, Double-Clicking, and Right-Clicking
• OPERATING SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE
  • The Operating System, The Start Menu
  • Managing Windows, Buying a Computer
  • Other Programs and Software
• SHUTTING DOWN THE COMPUTER
  • Logging Off vs. Shutting Down
  • Finding More Help, Vocabulary to Know

Learning the Computer basics

You will use PC laptops with Microsoft Windows as their operating system. At first, it might be hard to use the keyboard and mouse, but it will get easier as you use them more. The mouse is designed to be used with your right hand, whether you are right-handed or not. 

You will learn how computers function and basics. Desktop computers and laptops are the two main types of computers. Hardware and software are what make computers work.

One way to talk to your computer is through the keyboard.

Just like any other machine, computers are just machines. Computers: Some Important Facts The way computers work is the same.

When a computer is on, you should see images on the monitor and maybe hear the CPU "whirring" (hopefully not too loudly!). And when you move the mouse, the pointer on the screen should move too. A computer will be able to play music, type documents, and edit pictures without being connected to the internet. Microsoft Windows and Macintosh OS X are the most popular operating systems. To get a computer to "wake up," just move the mouse or press the space bar on the keyboard. The computer will perform a number of tasks when you turn it on.

If the computer isn't working right, you might get an error message when you turn it on. One of the neatest things about Microsoft Windows is that your desktop may not look like the one above. You must be proficient in using the keyboard and mouse if you want to make the most of your computer. Learning how just a few keys work will help you use your computer and programs more effectively. Here's a list of frequently used keys that do different things.

The pointer, or mouse symbol, that shows up on the computer screen will look different and do different things depending on what it is near or hovering over. Mice come in different sizes and shapes, and some are made to be more comfortable to use than traditional mice. When your computer is busy or "working," your mouse pointer may look like a spinning circle or an hourglass. There are many different pointers, and depending on what you are trying to do, they will change automatically. Apple makes a computer called a Mac, which is like the computer's brain.

Although there are other operating systems, Microsoft Windows is the most widely used. The operating system for Mac computers is called "Mac OS X," which is very different from Microsoft Windows. As a general rule, Macs are usually more expensive than PCs. Because the operating system is so important, any computer you buy will already have one installed and ready to go. Locking a car is like logging out of a computer.

When you click "Shut Down," it's the same as turning off the engine. Programs show up on your screen as "Windows" that are stacked in three dimensions. Over the past few decades, Microsoft Windows has changed a lot. Microsoft Windows can run multiple programs at the same time. The bar that runs across the bottom of your screen next to the Start Menu is the Taskbar.

On the Taskbar, there is a "button" for each open program. Left-click this button to make the window as big as possible without minimizing it. To use one of the "open" programs, just left-click once on it to bring it to the top of the screen. Buying a computer is a big choice and can cost a lot of money. Before you buy a computer, do some research to find out what will work best for your needs.

Software is often made for either a PC or a Mac, so make sure that any program or game you buy will work on your computer. When you first log in to a computer, it's like using a key (password) to get in, and when you're done using the computer, you need to log off (the computer will remain on). When you log off a computer, it's like locking the car. You can't do anything with it anymore. When you click Shut Down, on the other hand, it's like turning off the car's ignition. Do not turn off your computer by pressing the power button!

You should be able to use words like "logging on," "shutting down," and "firing off" after taking this class.