Hallo and greetings!
By now you will have updated your Internet Explorer browser and E-mail program
(See Clinic No. 1 if you missed it) - you know how to create
special folders on your
desktop, and you know how to save each Computer Clinic as a single file
(both of these we covered in Clinic No. 2)
Now its time to make your computer life easier!
HOW TO MAKE USEFUL SHORTCUTS
Click here to skip to Windows XP version.
Windows 98 Version
When you installed Windows, several shortcuts were created on your desktop.
Among these were My Computer and Recycle Bin.
When you updated your browser and e-mail program like we showed you,
these shortcuts were also
created on your desktop :
Internet Explorer AND 
Outlook Express
There are some other very useful shortcuts that you should also have.
We will be using these in future Clinics, so here is how to make them.
First of all, double-click the "My Computer" icon on your desktop
 |
Double-click
on this
shortcut
|
A box like the one below pops up. To make a shortcut, hold you mouse pointer over one of the
icons and RIGHT-CLICK once.
In this example, we have RIGHT-CLICKED on the "Dial-Up Networking" icon.
Click on
"Create Shortcut" |
Hold your mouse
pointer over
one of the icons.
RIGHT-click once.
A small menu pops up.
Now ... |
Another box will pop up saying that a shortcut cannot be created "here" (which means in
the "My Computer" folder) - would you like the shortcut to be placed on your desktop?
Select "Yes" - and .... BINGO ... a shortcut appears on your desktop.
WE SUGGEST YOU MAKE THE FOLLOWING THREE SHORT-CUTS :
-
3 1/2 Floppy
-
Control Panel
-
Dial-Up Networking
Now you can close the "My Computer" folder
It is also important to make a "Windows Explorer" shortcut.
BUT FIRST - DR. MAC'S JARGON BUSTER
INTERNET Explorer is the browser you use to surf the internet.
WINDOWS Explorer (sometimes just called "Explorer") is the program you
use to explore all the different files and folders on your computer.
O.K. NOW ... TO MAKE YOUR "WINDOWS EXPLORER" SHORTCUT ...
Click once on the big "START" Button
Point your mouse to "Programs"
A side-menu appears. Scroll down until you see Windows Explorer.
This is what it looks like :
 |
RIGHT-click
on the
icon |
When you RIGHT-click on this icon, a menu will pop up.
Select "Send to .... Desktop (as a shortcut)"
Click here to skip Windows XP version.
Windows XP Version
The My Computer icon may not be on your desktop by default. To get it there, click on the Start button (at the bottom left of your screen).
|
A menu appears. Right click on the My Computer option. Then.... |
 |
from the new menu select Show on Desktop. |
Now, double-click the "My Computer" icon on your desktop
 |
Double-click
on this
shortcut
|
A box like the one below pops up. To make a shortcut, hold you mouse pointer over one of the
icons and RIGHT-CLICK once.
In this example, we have RIGHT-CLICKED on the "3½ Floppy" icon.
|
Hold your mouse
pointer over
one of the icons.
RIGHT-click once.
A small menu pops up.
Now ... |
| Click on
"Create Shortcut" |
Another box will pop up saying that a shortcut cannot be created "here" (which means in
the "My Computer" folder) - would you like the shortcut to be placed on your desktop?
Select "Yes" - and .... BINGO ... a shortcut appears on your desktop.
WE SUGGEST YOU PRACTICE BY MAKING THE FOLLOWING THREE SHORT-CUTS :
(You may choose to remove them later if they are no longer needed
by right clicking on the desktop shortcut icon and choosing 'Delete'.)
-
3 1/2 Floppy
-
Control Panel
-
Dial-Up Networking
In Windows XP, you have to delve a bit deeper to get to the Dial-up Networks icon.
|
Click on the Control Panel. The contents of the Control Panel are displayed. |
|
Double click on Network Connections, Then .... |
| Right click on the Dial-up Icon and select Create shortcut as above. |
Together again
WELL DONE ! You have now created several very useful shortcuts.
Please play around with all of these shortcuts by double-clicking on them.
Take a good look at what they take you to and what appears.
Remember, we will be using all of these shortcuts in future Clinics.
Thanks for joining me. And before I forget .... have you saved THIS Clinic
as a single file in your special folder yet ??? (The full "how to ..." is in Clinic No. 2)
See you next time for more tips, tricks and Computer Medicine!
Best wishes ....
Dr. Mac
