Searching and evaluating web pages often requires having multiple windows open at the same time. Use these tips and exercises to strengthen your navigation skills.
If navigating between windows is new to you, learn to toggle. Here are a couple easy ways to toggle.
1. First, open several windows. Click each of the following links; each one is programmed to open in a new window:
(You could also open a word document, an excel spreadsheet, etc.)
PC users: Method 1-- Find the buttons on the bottom task bar, next to "START," for each window that is open. Move between your windows by clicking on a button. In the example given, there are 7 windows in use. (Note: if you had multiple windows open before you started this activity, Windows XP will group all three windows under one button for the internet browser you are presently using).
Method 2-- Hold down the "Alt" button and press "Tab" to go back to the window you had opened previously. Pressing Tab repeatedly takes you back through all the windows in the order they were last used.
Mac users: The "Apple button" and Tab key perform the same as method 2 above.
Occasionally, you will want to see the contents of more than one window at the same time. This requires controlling the size of the windows you want to look at. Generally, the easiest way is to "drag" a window to the desired shape using the mouse.
1. If a window is covering the entire screen, it is "maximized." Size buttons are located at the extreme upper right of a window. To remove a window, press the "X" or the red button (Mac); to move it off-screen (but still available), press the "-".
To minimize a screen, press the middle button shown |
To maximize a screen, press the middle button shown |
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To maximize a Mac window, click the green (+) button 
. To minimize a Mac window, use the drag method described below.
2. A minimized screen has control points located at the bottom right corner of the window. Click in the area shown and, while holding down the left mouse button, drag it to the desired shape and size.
PC
Mac
PC 
PC