Windows Operating System

Introduction to GUI and its features

A Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows a user to enter commands by pointing and clicking at the objects that appear on the screen. It takes advantage of the computer’s graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. Well-designed graphical user interfaces can be free from the user to learn complex command languages. On the other hand, many users find that they can work more effectively with a command drove interface, especially if they have already known the command language. The main disadvantage of GUI is the amount of less memory space . The graphical user interface like of Windows needs a lot of RAM and hard disks spaces to run properly.

The feature of GUI is shown below:

• GUI is easy to operate and user-friendly.
• The user doesn't have to understand the syntax.
• The job, which is to be performed, can be understood by icons present in the GUI mode.
• Other peripherals like mouse, joystick, light pen etc can also be used.
• Image, games can be played in the easy way i.e. an assuming environment can be created.
• Users can explore more by themselves.
• Users don’t need to remember all the commands.
• GUI environment is full of multimedia operation and animation.
• It requires larger memory space and faster processor to operate.
• It is capable of operating multi-tasking, multi-programming and multi-user systems.
• GUI based OS are usually 32 or 64 bit OS.

Task Bar

Figure:Task Bar

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The taskbar displays opened files, folders, and programs. When multiple windows are opened, you can click on file, folder or program buttons in the taskbar to switch between windows. The taskbar also contains a notification area where the current time and other program are loaded while booting windows are displayed by default. The notification area is to the right of the taskbar. This part of the taskbar is also known as system tray. Start button, system tray with some programs, quick launch bar, and time bar are the components of the taskbar.

Desktop

The desktop is the background displayed on your computer screen. It is the total visible area on the screen which users gets immediately after turning on the computer. File, folder, and program icons can be displayed on the desktop for easy access to users. Opening files, folder, and programs are displayed on window frames. The desktop may contain many items such as Computer, Network, Recycle bin, User, etc. the desktop can be customized with themes and background to personalize the look of the computer.

Customizing the taskbar and desktop:

We can customize the desktop, for example, create shortcuts to programs and files which you can use frequently and you can modify the desktop to display a different background color or theme.

Creating shortcuts

A shortcut is an icon that has the location of a specific file or program stored in it and which acts as a pointer to it. A shortcut icon is shown with a little arrow attached. If you double click on the shortcut it is same as double-clicking on the file or program itself. Shortcuts can be placed on the desktop which allows quicker access to frequently used files or programs. To create a shortcut on the desktop, you should click right of the file and send to desktop.

Deleting shortcuts

Fig: Deleting Shortcuts

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A shortcut can be deleted like any other files or program icon. When you delete a shortcut, it only deletes the icon; the original file or program will still exist. To do this, the step is given below:

• Click on the shortcut icon file to select it.
• Press the <Delete> key to remove it from the desktop.
• Press <Enter> or click on [yes] to confirm the deletion.

Creating a theme

If you want to customize the desktop color scheme and fonts then you can set up a theme. This is particularly important if you have accessibility problems. To do this, the step is given below:

• Open the start menu and choose control panel then double click.
• Move to the appearance tab and choose a color scheme and font size setting.
• Move to the themes tab click on [save as….] to create your own theme.

Use of Accessories

Windows accessories are also called utilize or system tool. They can be used for management of computer system, disk utilizes and other services. Some of the important accessories are:

• Calculator

The calculator is used for simple or scientific calculation. To start calculator:

Fig: calculator

• Notepad

Notepad is a generic text editor just as you use a notepad on your desk, you can use notepad to take notes or screen while working in other windows application. Because notepad stores file in text format, almost all word processing application can retrieve notepad’s files. However, if you want the capability of formatting your documents, you will need a true word processor. To start notepad:

Fig: Notepad

• WordPad

WordPad is the word processor that comes with windows that can perform most basic word processing task. Although it is not nearly as powerful and versatile as a full featured word processing application such as Microsoft Word, it is much more powerful than notepad, the text editor that comes with windows. To start notepad:

Fig: Wordpad

• Paint

Paint is a simple computer graphics application that you can use to create and modify graphics images. Paint starts up and opens a new, empty paint file.To starting windows paint:

Fig: Paint

• The Magnifier

The Magnifier is easy to operate utility that magnifies the screen area below the current position of the mouse cursor (pointer) within Windows. New features include the ability to track the text caret (text cursor), follow dialogs and keyboard focus, and the often requested full-screen operation (with support for multiple monitors (if available)). Quick & easy keyboard shortcuts allow access to different magnification factors; to toggle colors; to toggle visibility; to toggle full-screen vs. window mode operation, and to access many other features & capabilities. TO starting the magnifier are:

Fig:The Magnifier

• The Narrator

The narrator is a text to speech utility for people who are blind or have low vision. The narrator read what is displayed on the screen. The content of the active windows, menu options, or text that has been typed to start:

Fig:The Narrator

(Dilli , 2015,218-222)

Bibliography

Dilli , S. P., Singh, k. E., Khadka , D., Bhatta, K. D., Baral, N., Saud, R. S., . . Dangi, R. (2015). Fundamental of Computer Science. Kathmandu: KEC publication and Distribution.