Picking the Right Windows Vista Command Button

Command buttons may be the simplest part of a form to figure out — Microsoft labeled them! Command buttons usually require clicking after you've filled out a form. Based on the command button you click, Windows either carries out your bidding or sends you to another form.

Although Vista eliminated most forms, Table 1 identifies the command buttons you'll still come across.

Table 1: Common Windows Vista Command Buttons

Follow these additional command button guidelines:

• The OK button usually has a slightly darker border than the others, meaning that it's highlighted. Just pressing Enter automatically chooses the form's highlighted button, sparing you the inconvenience of clicking it.

If you've clicked the wrong button but haven't yet lifted your finger from the mouse button, stop! Command buttons don't take effect until you release your finger from the mouse button. Keep holding down the mouse button, but scoot the pointer away from the wrong button. Move safely away and then lift your finger.

• Did you stumble across a box that contains a confusing option? Click the question mark in the box's upper-right corner. Then click the confusing command button to see a short explanation of that button's function in life. Sometimes merely resting your mouse pointer over a confusing button makes Windows take pity, sending a helpful caption to explain matters.