Useful Windows 95
or - "what is probably in the manual when you get time to read it"
Lots of this sounds obvious but they're all features which found from the manual, help files, trial and error or colleagues. It's also been inspired by a family member whose IT course somehow managed to ignore Windows....
Windows Explorer is a key program, it shows your (computer) desktop. Below this is 'My Computer' which contains your A:\ floppy drive, C:\ hard drive and other features. Double-clicking on a folder reveals its files and any subfolders. Right-clicking on a file shows its full details and also you can "Send to" an e-mail address directly, ideal for photos or boring work statistics demanded daily :>)
Desktop was long neglected by me, but I now put all my regularly-used programs there by copying the icon and file over either using Windows Explorer or Start button -> right-click -> Open (double click on programs until an icon to copy is reached). Minimising all open windows using the - button top right gets you to the desktop quickly.
Cutting a file using the top menu or the scissors icon on many Microsoft programs automatically saves a copy in the clipboard, which can then be used for pasting. Two further commands related to the clipboard are useful particularly where there is no menu evident - Ctrl-C (control key and C key together) to copy, Ctrl-V for paste, Ctrl-X for copy and cut, finally Delete key for cut only.
Perhaps it's due to years of statistics presentation, but I often use the arrow keys and shift key together to highlight text for copying or cutting, rather than the mouse. Page Up, Page Down, Ctrl-Home and Ctrl-End also work in this way in conjunction with the shift key.
Dragging files always seems a bit of a gimmick to me; within the same drive (eg C:\) it moves a file or folder but to another drive (eg to a floppy drive) it copies a file.
Internet Explorer - Windows Update has transformed my ancient browser and vintage Windows 95 CD files into a reliable, fast up-to-date secure system (128-bit encryption etc). Many moan about Microsoft but I appreciate this excellent free service. I download the large files on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings when server usage is light.
The little arrows beside 'Back' and 'Forward' in IE5 allow you to jump more than one web page.
Right clicking on a hyperlink allows you to open a separate window, highly useful for offline reading or to avoid continually reloading a large page with many links.
Bookmarks also known as 'favorites' are essential for keeping track of sites regularly visited, remember for essential business tools, holidays, trains, and air fares the internet is virtually indispensible for those who want to get the best rates and home delivery. Mine are posted for you courtesy of the File -> Export menu.
Hope this helps - Alan