Learn Your Desktop 

  

Roll over the image to see descriptions.

 

After the Windows operating system loads -- currently XP or Vista -- you will see a screen that looks similar to the one shown above. This screen is called the computer desktop. Move your mouse over parts of the picture to learn the parts of the desktop.

The desktop is your work area. It is where you start tasks, temporarily stop the processing of a task, close tasks and shut down your computer. It is a location in which you can choose to keep icons for those things you do frequently. Icons are small graphical pictures used to represent things such as software programs, data files, storage devices and more. Double-clicking on one of these icons with a mouse starts the program or opens the file, etc.

                                                            
The number of icons that are displayed and how they are arranged on the desktop can be controlled by the person using the computer. You can personalize the desktop of your home computer to suit the way you want to work with software programs and documents. It is important to remember though that the more you put on your desktop, the more difficult it is to FIND what you want. Try to keep only things you MUST USE often on the desktop and only save files to the desktop temporarily.

 

The Quick Launch Bar / The Taskbar The quick launch bar and the taskbar are located along the bottom of your screen. They have three primary functions. There is a button you can use to start a program. It holds buttons you can use to switch between programs and documents that are open. Lastly it displays icons you can click to obtain information about the status of your computer system. 

The Start Menu The Start button is used to display a menu (list) of tasks.     The Start Menu provides a convenient way to open software programs you want use.

Some of the programs that are shown depend on what software has been installed on your computer and how you have organized your hard drive (where the software is stored).

 

 

Match the items. a b c d e f 1. The Desktop     a. This is where you start after the operating system on the computer finishes loading, and where you end before turning off your computer. a b c d e f 2. Icons     b. They are small graphics that represent applications, documents, folders, etc. and are located on the desktop. a b c d e f 3. Start Button     c. This is area that shows what programs you have opened and are working with. a b c d e f 4. Start Menu     d. This is where you can store icons for programs you want to open quickly. It only requires a single-click. a b c d e f 5. Quick Launch Bar     e. This is one way to locate programs you want to work with. a b c d e f 6. Task Bar     f. Click this button to access programs and other tasks found in a list.

 

return to top | next page