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Extra Windows Programs You Can Use On Your Computer

Drew's Missing Windows's Programs And Components Tutorial

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OK, today we are going to explore all the great accessory programs that are part of Windows and that you may or may not have turned on, on your computer.

Did you know there was a great little calculator? Did you know there might be more games? How about the Clipboard where you can see what you have on the Window's clipboard.

Of course there's the Character Map we covered last week. But there's actually quite a bit to see and use. There's even assisted computing for the visually impaired.

It's all easy and it's all right below the surface. In the old days they didn't used to turn on all the programs because of slow computers and maybe disk space, although the programs are already on your computer.

So now, I don't know why we shouldn't just turn on any of the ones we are interested in and use them whenever it makes sense.

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I like to use the Resource Meter and the System Information. But you'll probably find a few really useful programs that will help you on a daily basis. And, drop me an email if there are any programs you want more information about. I'll write new tutorials whenever there's a need.

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So, enjoy this tutorial about which programs are available. OK. That's it. Let's get started.


This Is The Windows 98 Section.	Skip To The Windows XP Section But Don't Miss The Win 98 Section. There's Good Stuff That Applies To You Too

Just Find your Start Menu (1) and click it. Then Move to Settings (2) and Finally Click on Control Panel. Once You Click, a new Window will open.

Here we are in your control panel. That was easy so far wasn't it? OK now just double click on the Add/Remove Programs Icon and Onward.

This is the window you'll see. It's where you add and remove programs OTHER than those that are included in Windows. So, this is a good place to know about because if you just keep adding programs, your Start Menu gets messy and can slow down your computer.

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Plus, you might want to clear up disk space if you're getting tight. However these days using up a hard drive isn't as easy as it used to be. Anyway, all we are doing here is Clicking on the Windows Setup at the top. Don't worry, this isn't like real setup. This is just for adding and removing the components that are already on the computer. At least that's all I'm going to show you today. OK, next screen.

So here we are at the Components screen. See (1) how they tell you exactly what to do? Good old Microsoft. OK (2) shows you what's on and what isn't. You can see I don't have anything checked at Accessibility.

You can double click it to see what's available if you want. Well if you look down at (3), you'll see that I have 0 of 2 components selected. See, they really do tell you everything. Then look down a bit to the Communications Box. Do you see that it's Gray? That's because I have some, not all of its components selected.

If you double clicked it you'd find out what was and what wasn't selected. OK now you're going to scroll down one picture so you can see that I've scrolled down in this same box to System Tools.

OK, here we are in system tools. You can see that I don't have all of the items selected in this category because it's gray. At the bottom (2) you can see that I have 7 of 8 components selected. Let's Double Click System Tools and look inside.

OK, now we're in System Tools. If you look at (1) You'll see that I do have Character Map Selected which is why I have access to it from my Systems Tools Menu. Check (2) below and you'll see the rest of the 8 components that are in System Tools.

I just pasted this extra part of the picture here for you to see. You would normally see it by just scrolling down in the window where the Character Map is. Anyway I did that so you could see the "winPopup" component that I don't have selected. That's all. Basically now you know how to find and activate the components. Wasn't that simple?

So, If you Go back to your Start Menu and Navigate to the System Tools, you'll find 7 of the 8 components including the Character Map whenever you want.

And isn't it nice that you can add or subtract these programs and then have the exact programs show up in your menus just as you selected it? See, there there really is logic to all of this 'stuff' on your computer.

Below is the Windows XP Tutorial. As You can see it's virtually the same as the Win 98 Tutorial.

I hope you've checked out the Windows 98 Information, because it's very similar and I've probably added some extra thoughts that might be useful along the way. OK, All you do to get started is (1) Click the Start Menu and then (2) Click on Control Panel.

Now we're in Control Panel. We're going to open 'Add or Remove Programs' by double clicking it.

Once you've double clicked the 'Add Remove Programs' you get this screen showing all your Non-Windows Programs. This is where you can remove programs you no longer need. For now, just Click the Button That I've Marked with Red Arrow 2 to get to the Windows Section.

Here you can see the various programs/components that you have access to. And look above and below in the gray and you'll see that there are nice descriptions along the way. Anyway, today we are just going to Double Click on Accessories and Utilities.

Now you have two choices. We're going for Accessories. But, you can open Games and see if they are all installed or not. But, don't get sidetracked. If you're ready, Double Click Accessories.

Does this look familiar. If you followed the Win 98, you know what to do. Just put a check mark in any of the programs that you don't have checked already and that you want, and you're done.

Then just Click OK at the bottom and when this window closes you're back to the screen right before this one (see above). Click Next. Windows will load your changes and you're done. Enjoy all your new programs.

A few last things that I want to mention.

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Here's one more tip. Next time I'm going to cover it in depth, but why not try a screen capture right now. Here's what you do.

Hit the 'Print Screen' Button on your keyboard. It's just above the delete key or arrow keys on most key boards.

Now open your Accessories Menu and open the Clipboard Viewer. You should see a perfect copy of your desktop. OK that was easy. Now open your graphics program.

Do you have Photoshop, Fireworks, or some other program? NO, well don't worry. We can do this with Paint, which I know you have.

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OK, so if paint is open, just paste into it. You already have the desktop in your Clipboard so all you need to do is hit Control V (Remember that from my Keyboard Shortcuts Tutorial), or use the paste button or menu in Paint .

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Now you can select just a part of the picture as if it was an Alert Box or some other piece of information that you might want to pass along. OK, you've got it now. Next time we'll turn this into a .GIF or a JPEG and send it to someone.

Still have questions? Did I miss something (probably)? I'll add it if you write to me.

Enjoy. . . Drew

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