FAQs and General Information

How do I create a shortcut on my Windows desktop?

Using My Computer or Computer, locate the file for which you would like to create the shortcut. Point to the file; then right-click and hold down your right mouse button on the file as you drag it to an empty area of your desktop. Release the mouse button, and choose Create Shortcut(s) Here from the menu.

You can even place shortcuts to your favorite files and programs on the Start menu. To do this, simply drag the folder, file, or program to the Start button, and the item will appear on the first level of the Start menu.

Why can't I find the file I just deleted in the Recycle Bin?

Files and folders that you delete from your hard drive remain in the Recycle Bin until you either restore them or empty the Recycle Bin. However, files and folders deleted from external drives (such as network or Zip drive),  never make it to the Recycle Bin so they cannot be restored. When deleting files from these locations, you'll want to be extra careful.

How can I do a "print screen"?

There may be times when you want to print a "snapshot" of the computer screen. This kind of printing is sometimes called a "screen dump." There are actually two steps to this type of printing: First you have to take the snapshot. Then you have to paste the snapshot into some program that is capable of displaying that snapshot, and then print the snapshot from within that program.

To get started, first make sure your screen looks the way you want the printout to appear. Then do either of the following:

• To take a snapshot of the entire screen, press the Print Screen key on the keyboard.
• Or, if there's an open window on the screen and you want to print just that window, press Alt + Print Screen.

Although nothing will seem to happen, Windows has stored a snapshot of the screen in the Windows Clipboard. To print the snapshot, you need to paste it into a program that will print graphics. You can use Microsoft Word, for example. Just open a Word document, and click the Paste button on the toolbar (or open the Edit menu, and click Paste). Your snapshot will appear in the Word document as a picture. To print the snapshot, simply print the Word document.

If you prefer, you can use Microsoft Paint to print your snapshot by following these steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and click Paint.
2. In the Paint window, open the Edit menu, and click Paste.
3. If the screen displays a message asking if you want the bitmap enlarged, click the Yes button. The snapshot appears inside Paint's window.
4. To print the snapshot, open the File menu, and click Print. Then click the OK button in the Print dialog box. Be patient because it might take a while for the printer to actually start printing the snapshot.
5. If you want to save the snapshot, open the File menu, and click Save. In the Save As dialog box, choose the desired location and name for the file. Click the Save button.
6. You can exit Paint as you would any other program: Click the Close (X) button (or open the File menu, and click Exit).

How to change your default printer

You can change the default printer at any time and you can still select other printers for occasional print jobs. Open Printers by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking Printers. Right-click the printer you want to use, and then click Set as Default Printer.