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Lesson 3: Introduction To The Desktop and Windows

This document provides an introduction to the desktop and windows environment in Windows. It describes the basic components of the desktop including icons, the start menu, folders for documents, pictures, music and computer files. It also outlines the taskbar at the bottom with shortcuts to open programs, and control panel for computer settings. The document explains windows with title bars, buttons to resize, minimize and close. It provides instructions for opening and closing programs using icons or the start menu.

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Prody Lacasa
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45 views

Lesson 3: Introduction To The Desktop and Windows

This document provides an introduction to the desktop and windows environment in Windows. It describes the basic components of the desktop including icons, the start menu, folders for documents, pictures, music and computer files. It also outlines the taskbar at the bottom with shortcuts to open programs, and control panel for computer settings. The document explains windows with title bars, buttons to resize, minimize and close. It provides instructions for opening and closing programs using icons or the start menu.

Uploaded by

Prody Lacasa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LESSON 3: INTRODUCTION TO THE DESKTOP AND WINDOWS

The Desktop
The Windows Environment helps us to visually organize our files, folders, and programs to make it easier to
find and open them using the “Desktop”, which generally looks like this:

Often people change the image on the screen, called the background, which can make the desktop
look different from computer to another. However, this won’t change the basic parts of the screen

Icons: In the body of the screen you’ll see a number of images (pictures) that are
called icons. Each one of these, also known as shortcuts, are related to either a computer file, a
folder (containing files), or a program. When double-clicked, icons will open the object in a new
window.

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Start Menu
The start button is another way of locating
files, folders, and programs on the computer.
When you left-click the buttons you will see a
new window that looks like the one to the
right. The icons on the left will be programs
you have opened recently. Single clicking any
of these will open the program. The options on
the top right are where you go to find files
you’ve saved on the computer.

My
Documents/Pictures/Music/Computer: 
This is a quick method for finding computer
files that you have saved. Windows will
automatically save your files to one of these
folders based on the file type. My Computer,
when clicked, will give you access to the entire
computer.

Control Panel
This is where you make changes to the
computer settings, appearance, and to remove
programs.
Printers and Faxes
This is where you can add, remove, or make
changes to the properties of your printer(s).

All Programs
 This button will help you locate all of the
programs loaded on your computer.  

Taskbar: At the bottom of the Desktop you will see a strip of buttons and images. This is called the
Taskbar. The small icons here are shortcuts to opening programs.

In the middle are open programs. On the right is a clock and programs running in the background.  

The Windows Environment


The image here is an example of a “Window” or rectangular box that pops onto the screen when we
open a computer file, folder, or program. Learning what the buttons in the typical window do will be
very helpful.

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Title Bar: This describes the opened Window

Resize/Maximize: will allow you to change the size of the window, or to maximize to full screen.

Minimize: Will take your window off the main screen, but will not close it.

Close: will close the current window. You’ll have to open the window again if closed.

Scroll Bars: will help you move up, down, left, or right within the window. Simply click and drag the bar.
 

Menu Bar
Just below the title bar is the standard menu bar (Windows XP). By clicking on the titles, like File, Edit, View,
etc it will show your options. Each window will place this menu bar in the same place, however the options
might be different. This MS Word window has additional menu options as icons that can be used for opening,
saving, or printing the document you have open. This bar also includes the most common formatting options
like font type, size, color, and whether you want your words to be left, right, or centered.

Opening Programs
To open programs from the Desktop, simply double-click the program’s icon. To open a program from the start
menu, single-click one of the recently opened programs, or find the program using the All Programs menu
shown at the bottom. To close an open program, simply single-click the X button at the top of the program
window.

Helpful websites for learning more about the Desktop (Practicing):


 Becoming familiar with the XP Operating System: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/windowsxp
 More detailed instruction: http://www.free-computer-tutorials.net/windows-xp-tutorials.html

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