Get to Know the Windows Desktop
When you start your computer, the first thing you see on the screen is called the desktop. This is the area you can use to navigate your computer. There are several useful and customizable features available from the Windows Desktop.
Wallpaper
The desktop background is called the wallpaper, which is completely
customizable. To change the look of your wallpaper, just right click on any
empty portion of the desktop, choose Properties, then click on the Desktop tab
and select a background. You can also use any graphic or picture from the
Internet or your hard drive for your desktop wallpaper. Just right-click on the
picture and choose Set as Desktop Background.
Taskbar
The taskbar is the blue strip containing the green Start button usually located
at the bottom of the desktop. The taskbar helps you work with the programs that
are installed on your computer. It will also give you easy access to the
computer's components and settings. To customize the taskbar, right-click
on any empty taskbar area and choose Properties. You can also lock the taskbar
so it can't be changed or hide it when it's not in use. If you have a
Windows keyboard, you can press the Windows key (the key with the Windows) and
the D key at the same time to display the desktop. This is handy if you have
many application windows open. Pressing Windows+D again will return you to your
previous screen with the windows open.
Quick Launch
Quick Launch is an area on the taskbar located just to the right of the Start
button. You enable it by dragging program icons onto the Quick Launch area.
Icons are small pictures that represent the computer's programs, files,
folders, and other resources. The program icons stored in the Quick Launch area
can be used for quick access to that program and are a great way to keep
often-used programs handy.
System Tray
The System Tray is the area in the far-right corner of the taskbar and contains
the current time and icons of programs that start when Windows launches.
Start Menu
Clicking on the Start button displays a menu box showing the programs available
on your computer. You will also see shortcuts to often-used programs, a link to
the Control Panel where you can change many of the computer's settings, a
Search button that can be used to locate files on your computer, a Help button,
the button to turn off your computer, and several other useful links. You can
personalize the Start Menu by right-clicking on the Start button and choosing
the Start Menu tab to access the customization options. The Start menu can be
quickly access by pressing on the Windows key.
System Icons
Many icons for standard system features appear on the desktop. For example,
double-clicking on the My Computer icon will open a window displaying
additional icons that represent different parts of your computer. Other
standard icons often found on the desktop include a trash or recycle can that
represents the Recycle Bin and a yellow file folder that accesses the My
Documents folder. Icons with an arrow in the lower-left corner are shortcut
icons. Double-clicking on them will open the related program or folder. You can
delete a shortcut icon without deleting the program or folder to which it
points.
About the Author
Sandy Berger is a nationally-known author and has written several books on computers.
