Microsoft Windows checklist
Note: some of the documents on this page are in PDF format. In order to view a PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 
You will be expected to use a computer to write assignments. Knowledge of Microsoft Windows is essential for this. Windows is the operating system. This is the software that allows interaction between all the programs you use and the hardware, such as the printer, the mouse and keyboard etc.
Read the following statements and follow the action list below if you can't answer yes to all the questions.
Can you..
- Use a mouse and keyboard?
- Start a word processor from the Start button?
- Type a few lines of text?
- Use a scroll bar to move up and down a page?
- Choose a command from a menu and an icon (button)?
- Make a window bigger, smaller or close it?
- Open, save and close a file?
- Store files, find them again, create folders, and organise your files? (very important!)
If you can't answer yes to all of the above:
You should learn the basics of Microsoft Windows:
By self-study before or after starting your course:
You can download and work through the University of Bristol training document: Getting started with PCs: Using Windows and word processing (PDF, 5.23Mb) [UoB only]. Also, have a look at the other learning resources for basic computer skills.
See also some other ways to learn.
Follow-up
When you are familiar with the basic of Windows you must also acquire the skills listed in the other Essential IT skills checklists.