Windows Basics for Seniors

For Seniors: Set a Default Printer in Windows

In Windows 7, you can set up a default printer that will be used every time you print. With a default printer set, you don’t have to select a printer each time — instead, unless you specifically select [more…]

For Seniors: Set Default Printer Preferences in Windows

Set default printer settings for your Windows printer so you don't have to select them each time you print. Your printer might offer preferences such as printing in color or black and white, printing in [more…]

For Seniors: View Documents in the Windows Print Queue

As you send documents to your Windows printer, they are placed in a queue as they wait to be printed, one by one. View documents in the print queue anytime you like, without disturbing the printing process [more…]

For Seniors: Remove a Printer from Your Laptop

If you upgrade to a new printer for your laptop, remove the old printer (and its printer driver software) to keep it running lean and mean.

To use a printer with your laptop, you have to install its printer [more…]

For Seniors: Install a Scanner on Your Laptop

Connect a scanner to your laptop, and use it to convert hard copies of information into electronic files. Before you can scan documents into your laptop, you need to install the scanner driver so that [more…]

For Seniors: Modify Your Laptop's Scanner Settings

Change a scanner's default settings in Windows 7 to make it easier to scan material using your preferred options. You use a scanner connected to your laptop to convert hard copies of information into electronic [more…]

For Seniors: Back Up Files to a Laptop's CD/DVD Drive

Make backups (copies) of important files on your Windows laptop onto a CD or DVD, in case it gets lost or damaged. The backup files on the CD/DVD can then be used instead of the originals you no longer [more…]

For Seniors: Understand Windows Files and Folders

In Windows, you save and organize your work using files and folders. Work you create such as letters or reports are saved in files; files are organized in folders. Files can be saved to your laptop hard [more…]

For Seniors: Access Recently Used Files on Your Laptop

If you worked on a file recently on your laptop, Windows offers a shortcut to finding and opening it again. Recently used files are displayed just off the Start menu, but if they are not, you can turn [more…]

For Seniors: Open a File on Your Laptop

Files contain data, and when you open them, you can make changes. One way to open a file is to locate it first in Windows Explorer/Computer (the file management program in Windows). [more…]

For Seniors: Search for a Windows File

Search for files you can't locate in the Computer window of Windows 7. Search can not only look through filenames, but also the contents of files to find a match. [more…]

For Seniors: Move a Windows File or Folder

You can move a file or group of files in a Windows folder from one location to another. You might want to move files or folders after reorganizing your work, or to make the files or folders easier to locate [more…]

For Seniors: Rename a Windows File or Folder

If a file is hard to identify, rename it. Likewise, rename folders if their purpose has changed or is hard to identify. By renaming Windows files and folders when needed, you can often make it easier to [more…]

For Seniors: Create Shortcuts to Favorite Files and Folders

In Windows, you can create shortcuts to your favorite files and folders to make them easier to open. Shortcuts to files or folders are placed on the Windows desktop where you can use them to open the file [more…]

For Seniors: Delete a File or Folder on Your Laptop

If you don’t need a file or folder anymore, you can clear up clutter on your Windows laptop by deleting it. Deleting unwanted files or folders clears up much needed hard disk space for files and folders [more…]

For Seniors: Compress a Windows File or Folder

Compress, or shrink, a file to reduce its size. You can compress a single file in Windows, or all the files in a folder. Compressing files makes them easier to send as an e-mail attachment because they [more…]

For Seniors: Add a File to Your Windows Favorites List

The Favorites list in the Windows Start menu offers another quick way to access frequently used files and folders. Add favorite files and folders to the Start menu and to the Navigation pane in Windows [more…]

For Seniors: Find Windows' Gadgets Online

Windows provides gadgets through its Desktop Gadget gallery, although you can search for more gadgets online. Gadgets are useful apps, and you'll find a collection of them on Microsoft's website. [more…]

For Seniors: Using Windows Desktop Gadgets

Gadgets are little applications (such as a clock or a calendar) you can display as icons on the Windows 7 desktop. Using Windows gadgets, you can quickly check the weather, review your calendar, check [more…]

For Seniors: Add the Clock Gadget to the Windows Desktop

With the Clock gadget on your Windows desktop, you can easily keep track of time. The Clock gadget allows you to change clock styles and set different time zones if needed. A gadget, by the way, is a small [more…]

For Seniors: Add the Slide Show Gadget to the Windows Desktop

With the Slide Show gadget on your Windows desktop, you can display a continuous show of the pictures. The Slide Show gadget allows you to select the folder of pictures to use, the number of seconds to [more…]

For Seniors: Add the Calendar Gadget to the Windows Desktop

The Calendar gadget on your Windows desktop displays a customizable calendar you can use to see the current day or month. Browse the Calendar gadget to display other months as needed. [more…]

For Seniors: Add the Puzzle Gadget to the Windows Desktop

With the Puzzle gadget on your Windows desktop, you can play a quick game and relieve mental stress. The Puzzle gadget displays a mixed-up picture; your job is to put it right again. You can even time [more…]