How to open the computer step by step

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A computer is more than just another household appliance. The vast amount of information and possibilities can be overwhelming. But you can accomplish a lot with a computer, and using one can be a good experience. Let's walk through getting started with your first computer.

Turning on a computer for the first time can be different from one computer to the next. Your experience could be different from this lesson. It's OK to ask someone for help.

If you're using a desktop computer, you'll need to make sure that the keyboard, mouse, and monitor are plugged into the computer case before you continue. Review our lesson on Setting Up a Computer to learn how.

The very first step is to turn on the computer. To do this, locate and press the power button. It's in a different place on every computer, but it will have the universal power button symbol (shown below).

Once turned on, your computer takes time before it's ready to use. You may see a few different displays flash on the screen. This process is called booting up, and it can take anywhere from 15 seconds to several minutes.

Once the computer has booted up, it may be ready to use, or it may require you to log in. This means identifying yourself by typing your user name or selecting your profile, then typing your password. If you've never logged in to your computer before, you may need to create an account.

The keyboard and mouse

You interact with a computer mainly by using the keyboard and mouse, or a trackpad on laptops. Learning to use these devices is essential to learning to use a computer. Most people find it comfortable to place the keyboard on the desk directly in front of them and the mouse to one side of the keyboard.

The mouse controls the pointer on the screen. Whenever you move the mouse across the desk, the pointer will move in a similar manner. A mouse usually has two buttons, which are referred to as the left button and the right button. You will often interact with the computer by moving the mouse pointer over something on the computer screen, then clicking one of the buttons.

On laptops, you can use the trackpad, located below the keyboard, instead of a mouse. Simply drag your finger across the trackpad to move the pointer on the screen. Some trackpads do not have buttons, so you'll either press or tap the trackpad to click.

The keyboard allows you to type letters, numbers, and words into the computer. Whenever you see a flashing vertical line—called the cursor—you can start typing.

Note that the mouse pointer is also called a cursor, but it is shaped differently. The keyboard cursor is also called the insertion point.

Using a computer

The main screen you'll start from is the desktop. This is sort of like a main menu or a table of contents. From here, you can access the programs and features you need to use your computer.

Icons are used to represent the different files, applications, and commands on your computer. An icon is a small image that's intended to give you an idea at a glance of what it represents, like a logo. Double-clicking an icon on the desktop will open that application or file.

A button is a command that performs a specific function within an application. The most commonly used commands in a program will be represented by buttons.

Menus are organized collections of commands and shortcuts. Click a menu to open it and display the commands and shortcuts within. Then click an item in the menu to execute it.

When you open an application or folder, it is displayed in its own window. A window is a contained area—like a picture within a picture—with its own menus and buttons specific to that program. You can rearrange multiple windows on the desktop and switch between them.

What's next?

OK, so these are just the basics of using a computer. In the next lesson, we'll talk about how to use your computer's specific operating system.

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This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 70,291 times.

Co-authors: 6

Updated: July 28, 2022

Categories: Computers and Electronics

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Turning on your computer isn’t always easy. Some manufacturers hide the ‘on’ button – for instance, on top of the case or flat on the front where you can’t see it. When you get your computer, don’t be embarrassed to ask: ‘Where’s the “on” button?’

Follow these step-by-step instructions to help you turn on your computer

Step 1: Find the ‘on’ button. It probably looks like this (but might be square or oblong!):

Step 2: Push the button.

On some computers, the button lights up when the computer is on. On laptops, there’s often a light on the front that comes on. You may have to keep pushing for a couple of seconds to make this happen, but don’t worry – you’ll soon get to know how your computer works.

If nothing happens, there are a few things you can check easily:

If you’re using a laptop, the battery might be flat. So plug in the charger, plug the charger into the mains and let the laptop recharge. You can continue to use it while it’s doing this.
If you have a PC, make sure that the plug or any of the other wires haven’t become disconnected.
Ensure that the monitor is turned on. Most PC monitors have an ‘on/off’ button on the bottom corner of the screen (see below). The button often lights up green when the monitor is on.

Step 3: Now you need to log in.

If you’re the only user of your computer, once it’s turned on it may go straight to the desktop:

If you’re using a public computer – for example, in a library – you’ll be given instructions (and help if you ask for it) on how to log in.

If you’re sharing your computer with other people, each one will usually have their own account. When you turn on the computer, the screen will look something like this:

When you click the icon above your name, you’ll be asked for a password. The main user or administrator should set this up for you before you begin. Type in your password and click the arrow.

Done!

Top tip: surge protectors

If you have a PC, it’s a good idea to buy a ‘surge protector’. This prevents your computer being damaged if there’s a sudden problem with your electricity supply. You can buy surge protectors that let you plug all your separate pieces of equipment into them, in addition to your computer. Then when you turn your computer on or off, this automatically turns them on or off, too.

Stephen Baird-Parker is a qualified ICT teacher.