To start working on a branch instead of the default development line, you have to bind your local copy to the branch. This is needed to make sure that actions such as updates, commits etc. work on the branch rather than on the main line of development.
To move your local copy to another branch, do the following:
Select the Create -> Create a branch menu item.
In the New branch name input field, enter a tag name that you want to use on your branch.
In the Module to fork input field, select the module you wish to branch from the dropdown list, or type in a submodule from your repository. Eg. to branch out the submodule source/utils, type that into the input field.
Press the OK button.
Or, to create a branch of a selection, do the following:
Select the top level directory of the project. (If you know exactly what directories and files are part of the branch, you may select these instead.)
Click the right mouse button on the selction, and choose the Update selection menu item.
Make sure Create missing directories that exist in the repository is checked.
Select the Sticky options tab.
Click the Retrieve rev./tag/branch checkbox.
In the Retrieve rev./tag/branch input field, enter the tag name of the branch you want to switch to (or select it from the dropdown list).
Press the OK button.
WinCvs will now do the necessary updates to your working copy and move it to the desired branch. The updating may include adding or removing files.