Minimizing, maximizing, and restoring windows
Windows allows you to easily enlarge, hide, or shrink a
window using the Minimize, Maximize, and Restore buttons.
The Minimize button is among the three buttons at the right end of the title bar. This button has a small dash (or minus sign). The Minimize button shrinks the window and places it on the taskbar while leaving the program running.
The Maximize button, which looks like a
small window, is used to enlarge a window to cover the entire desktop.
Sizing windows
Sizing windows is slightly different from minimizing,
restoring, and maximizing. Note: You cannot size a window if
it has been maximized.
To change the size of a window:
1. Hover
the mouse pointer over any corner of the window. (You can also
place the pointer over the borders of the window.)
2. The
mouse pointer changes into a double-headed arrow.
3. Click and hold
down the left mouse button.
4. Drag the
arrow out or in to make the window larger or smaller.
5. Release the
mouse button when the window is the size you want.
v
Make sure the mouse pointer changes into a
two-headed arrow before you try to size the window.
Moving a window using the title bar
Sometimes a window may obscure an item you want to click on
or view.
To move a window:
1. Place
the mouse pointer over the title bar (located
at the top of the window).
2. Click
and hold down the left mouse button.
(You cannot move a window that has been maximized other than to use the
Minimize button.)
3. Drag the window to the place where you
want it, then release the mouse
button.
Tiling and cascading windows
Sometimes moving and sizing multiple windows can create
confusion. To keep better track of multiple windows, try cascading or tiling the
windows.
▶
Cascading windows are layered on top of each other.
▶
Tiled windows are next to each other. Windows can be tiled
horizontally or vertically. If windows are tiled horizontally, they appear one
above another. If windows are tiled vertically, they appear side by side.
To cascade or tile windows:
1. With
two or more windows open, right-click on a blank area of the
taskbar.
2. Choose Cascade
Windows, Tile Windows Horizontally, or Tile Windows Vertically.
To return to your previous window
arrangement:
1. Right-click on
a blank area of the taskbar.
2. Select
the Undo command.
To show the desktop:
1. Right-click on
a blank area of the taskbar.
2. Choose Show
the Desktop.
Switching between windows
Windows XP allows you to have more than one program open at
the same time. It also allows you to easily move between open windows. The
window you select becomes the active window. When a window is active on the
desktop, its title bar (and button on the taskbar) is blue. When a window is
inactive, the title bar is light blue.
To switch between windows:
1. Open more
than one program.
2. Size the
windows so they're open on the desktop.
3. Click
on any part of the window you want to work with.
OR
▶ Click the program
buttons on the taskbar to activate the window you want to work
with.
Unlike previous versions of Windows, Windows XP keeps the
taskbar from getting too cluttered. It groups the buttons when
too many accumulate on the taskbar. For example, when you open Outlook Express
you'll see one button on the taskbar. However, if you have three or more email
message windows open, one button represents the Outlook Express's open windows.
Simply click the button to select from the pop-up list of
open windows.
Switching using the keyboard method
When you have more than one window open, you can also switch
between them using the keyboard.
To switch between windows using the keyboard method:
1. Open more
than one program or window.
2. Press
and hold down the Alt key while pressing the Tab key.
3. A menu featuring
file and program icons appears.
4. Tab to
the window you want to view. Once it's outlined with a box, release both keys.
