Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional in 10 Minutes

By Dorothy Burke and Jane Calabria

• Table of Contents
  • Copyright
  • Tell Us What You Think!
  • About the Authors
  • Introduction
  • Conventions Used in This Book
  • Lesson 1. Navigating Windows 2000 Professional
    • What Is Windows 2000 Professional?
    • Starting Windows 2000
    • Understanding the Windows Desktop
    • Using the Mouse
    • Using the Start Button
    • Using the Taskbar
    • Shutting Down Windows 2000 Professional
  • Lesson 2. Working with a Window
  • Lesson 3. Using Menus
  • Lesson 4. Using Windows 2000 Professional Help
  • Lesson 5. Using Dialog Boxes
  • Lesson 6. Working with Multiple Windows and Applications
  • Lesson 7. Copying, Moving, and Linking Between Windows and Applications
  • Lesson 8. Using My Computer
  • Lesson 9. Managing Files with My Computer
  • Lesson 10. Using WordPad
  • Lesson 11. Understanding File Properties and the Recycle Bin
  • Lesson 12. Printing
  • Lesson 13. Using My Network Places
  • Lesson 14. Using the Control Panel
  • Lesson 15. Using Outlook Express Mail
  • Lesson 16. Sharing Workstations and Setting Passwords
  • Lesson 17. Using Internet Explorer 5
  • Lesson 18. Web Site and Document Searching
  • Lesson 19. Troubleshooting, Restarting, and Disaster Planning
  • Lesson 20. Customizing the Windows 2000 Environment

Using the Mouse

You use the mouse to perform many actions in Windows and in Windows applications. With the mouse, you can easily select an icon, folder, or window, among other things. Selecting involves two steps: pointing and clicking. You can move an item by clicking and dragging that particular article.

To point to an object (icon, taskbar, Start button, and so on) move the mouse across your desk or mouse pad until the onscreen mouse pointer touches the object. You can pick up the mouse and reposition it if you run out of room on your desk. To click, point the mouse pointer at the object you want to select, and then press and release the left mouse button. If the object is an icon or window, it opens. When following steps in this book, click the left mouse button unless the directions specify otherwise.

The right mouse button can be used when you want to display a shortcut, or a quick menu. To right-click, point the mouse pointer at an object—folder, taskbar, desktop, and so on—and click the right mouse button. A shortcut menu that presents common commands relating to the object appears. If, for example, you right-click a folder, the menu might offer these commands: Open, Explore, Create Shortcut, and Properties. The items on the menu depend on the object you're right-clicking.

When you double-click an item, you point to the item and press and release the left mouse button twice quickly. Double-clicking is often a shortcut to performing a task. Double clicking is usually reserved for use within Windows applications, such as Word or Excel.

You can use the mouse to move an object (usually a window, dialog box, or icon) to a new position onscreen. You do this by clicking and dragging the object. To drag an object to a new location onscreen, point to the object, press and hold the left mouse button, move the mouse to a new location, and release the mouse button. The object moves with the mouse cursor as you drag it. If you want some practice with the mouse, open the Solitaire game and play a round or two; choose Start, Programs, Accessories, Games, and then Solitaire. Solitaire will also help you practice double-clicking.

You also can perform certain actions, such as selecting multiple items or copying items, by performing two additional mouse operations. Shift+click means to press and hold the Shift key and then click the left mouse button while pointing to various objects; Ctrl+click means to press and hold the Ctrl key, and then click the left mouse button. The result of either of these actions depends upon where you are in Windows.

Share This