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Learning the Basics

Starting a program

Starting a program

The easiest way to start a program is to double-click the name of the file that contains the information you want to work on. To find the file, use the Start menu or Windows® Explorer.

If you prefer to open the program first, you have four options. You can:

Double-click the icon for the program on your desktop

Use the Start menu

Use Windows® Explorer or the Start menu to locate the program file

Use the Search or Start Search Field in the Start menu

The next three sections explain how to start a program from the Start menu, Explorer and the Start Search field.

Starting a program from the Start menu

When you install a program, the operating system usually puts an icon in the All Programs menu. To start a program that has an icon in the All Programs menu, follow these steps, which use the Windows® WordPad program as an example:

1Click Start, and then All Programs.

The Windows® operating system displays the All Programs menu, which lists programs and program groups. If your program is listed, go to step 3, otherwise, continue with step 2.

NOTE

If you pause with your mouse on All Programs, it will open it up. You

 

may need to scroll up or down to see the complete list.

 

 

2Click the program group, in this example, Accessories. The Accessories menu is displayed.

3Click the program, in this example, WordPad. WordPad opens.

To close the program, click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the program’s window.