There was a time when you had to go to school to learn how to use a computer, but those days are long gone. Now, just about anyone can use a computer with very little instruction and many people rely on their computers for almost everything – from work to entertainment.
But even though most people know how to use a computer, not everyone knows how to do everything with one. There are still some basic things that everyone should know how to do to get the most out of their machines.
Here are eight of the most important ones.
Sending and receiving emails
Email has become one of the most important forms of communication in the modern world, so everyone must know how to send and receive emails. It’s very easy to do – you just need an email account and an internet connection. If you don’t have an email account, you can set one up for free with Gmail, Yahoo Mail, or Outlook.com. Once you have an account, all you need to do is open your email provider’s website, log in and check your inbox. Any new messages will appear there.
Installing the internet
The internet is a vast and wonderful resource that can be used for everything from learning new things, but you need to install the browser first. According to Moo Soft, the three most popular browsers are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Once you’ve downloaded the browser of your choice, all you need to do is open it and type in a website’s address – like www.google.com – into the search bar. The website will then load on your screen.
Additionally, you will need to connect to the internet to access the internet. If you have a home computer, you can do this by connecting an Ethernet cable from your router to your computer or by setting up a Wi-Fi connection. If you’re using a laptop, chances are it already has Wi-Fi capabilities and you just need to find an available connection.
Creating and using folders
Folders are a great way to organize your computer’s files, and everyone should know how to create and use them. To create a folder, simply right-click on your desktop (or in any other location) and select “New Folder.” A new folder will appear and you can name it anything you want. To put files into the folder, just drag and drop them from their current location. You can then access the folder by double-clicking on it.
Additionally, you can create subfolders inside other folders. This can be helpful if you want to organize your files even further. To do this, just create a new folder as usual and then drag and drop it into the folder where you want it to be located.
Downloading and installing programs
If you want to do more with your computer than just browse the internet or check your email, you’re going to need to download and install some additional programs. The best place to find new programs is on the internet – just search for what you’re looking for and you’ll find plenty of options. Once you’ve found a program you want to try, all you need to do is download it and run the installation file. Most programs will walk you through the installation process so it’s very easy to do.
Saving and opening files
Every computer user needs to know how to save and open files. When you’re working on a document, you can save it by going to the File menu and selecting “Save.” You can then choose where you want to save the file and give it a name. To open a saved file, just go to the File menu and select “Open.” Then, browse to the location of the file and double-click on it.
On the other hand, if you want to save a file that you found on the internet, all you need to do is right-click on it and select “Save As.” Then, choose where you want to save the file and click “Save.”
Printing documents
If you need to print out a document, you can do so by going to the File menu and selecting “Print.” A print dialog box will appear and you can choose your preferred printer and settings. Once you’ve made your selections, just click “OK” and the document will start printing.
Nowadays, there is a cloud printing solution available whereby you can send your documents to a cloud-connected printer from anywhere. Google Cloud Print is one such solution – it’s free to use and very easy to set up.
Backing up files
Backing up your files is important in case something happens to your computer and you lose everything on it. There are two main ways to back up your files – you can either copy them to an external hard drive or upload them to a cloud storage service like Dropbox or Google Drive. Both options are very easy to do – just connect your external hard drive or sign up for a cloud storage service and follow the instructions.
Using social media
Social media is one of the most popular online activities, and it’s very easy to get started. All you need is an internet connection and an account with a social media site like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Once you have an account, you can start posting updates, photos, and messages. You can also follow other users to see their updates in your news feed.
Additionally, most social media sites have mobile apps that you can use to access your account from your smartphone or tablet. This is handy if you want to stay connected while you’re on the go.
Everyone can benefit from learning how to do a few simple things on a computer. By taking the time to learn some basic skills, you’ll be able to do more with your computer and get the most out of it.
Whether you’re using it for work or play, knowing how to do things like download and install programs, save and open files, print documents, and back up your data will make using your computer much easier and more enjoyable.
