Open and Closed Windows

Opening a window means that it is 'open' and available to work on, for example to type a letter in Microsoft Word.

Closing a window means to put a program back into its 'closed' state, so that it cannot be used to carry out any tasks.

An in-between stage, running a program 'minimised' means that the window is dormant - unavailable for tasks, but ready to be opened at the click of a mouse.

For example, double-click on the Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop (note that on some computers this may be labelled simply as 'The Internet'). The program launches and is now 'open' - in that action can be carried out upon it, for example accessing a web site (which we will look at in another section).

For now, please note that at the top right-hand corner of your screen there are a row of small grey boxes with symbols on them (also illustrated below).

From the left, these are the Minimise button, the Maximise button (if your window is already maximised - ie. full screen - this button will have a symbol of two small boxes, one in front of another) and the Close button.

If you launched Internet Explorer as instructed earlier, click on the Close button. The program will then close.

Continue: Launching or Starting Programs

Contents: Using a Computer

Skill Check: Using a Computer