Windows Tutorial - Desktop
Important :In Windows a task or a function can be performed in more than one way, for example you can launch an application from desktop icon or from Start Button menu or from Quick Launch bar or from My Computer or from .... . Therefore, the method stated on this page and other pages of this tutorial to perform various functionsis not the only method to perform that task or function.
Desktop
Desktop
Desktop is the on-screen work area on which windows, icons, menus, and dialog boxes appear. It typically consists of
1. Wallpaper :
Wallpaper is the background image of the desktop against which desktop menus, icons, and other elements are displayed and moved around. We can change the wallpaper by
Right Click in blank area of the Desktop >> Click on 'Properties' >> Click 'Desktop' >> Select from list of Wallpaper listed or browse and select an image of your choice.
We can also set a picture as wallpaper by
Right click on the picture >> Click on 'Set as Desktop Background'
2. Icons :
Icons are small graphical images of shortcuts to launch an application or program. We can rename an icon by right click on the icon image and selecting 'Rename'.
Most programs /applications, on installation create desktop icons for their execution. Icon for any file or program or application can be created by
Right click in the blank area on the desktop >> Click on 'New' >> Click on 'Create Shortcut' >> Click 'Browse' >> Point to the location of the file for which shortcut is to be created. >> Name the Icon.
The image of an icon for a program/application can be changed by
Right click on the icon >> Click on 'Properties' >> Click on 'Change Icon' >> Select and click on the image from icon images displayed or browse and point to any other image.
3. Taskbar :
Taskbar is a bar by default located at the bottom of the desktop screen and is the most important part of the desktop. It can be dragged to left, right or top of the screen by mouse. It comprises of Start Button, Quick Launch Bar, System Tray and space for tabs of open programs/application. We can switch from one program/application window to another simply by clicking on its tab on the Taskbar. We can minimize an active window by clicking on its tab on the Taskbar and similarly open an inactive window by a click on its tab in the Taskbar.
We can auto hide the Taskbar by
Right Click in blank area on 'Taskbar' >> Click on 'Properties' >> Select 'Auto Hide Taskbar'
Now the Taskbar will appear when mouse is moved to the bottom of the screen and will disappear when the mouse is moved up.
The Taskbar comprises of
Start Button
Start Menu
Classic Start Menu
Start button is the most important part of the desktop as it provides access to the user to all programs, applications, controls and settings, files and documents, search and windows help. A click on 'Start Button' opens Start Menu. By default, Windows XP has 'Start Menu' as shown in the figure. A user, familiar and comfortable with old versions of Windows, can change to 'Classic Start Menu' by
Right Click on 'Start Button' >> Click on 'Properties' >> Select 'Classic Start menu'
By default Start Menu comprises of the following:
- Internet :
A click on the icon opens the default internet browser. Internet Explorer is the default internet browser in windows. - E-mail :
A click on the icon opens the default E-mail Client application. Outlook Express is the default E-mail Client application in windows. - My Documents :
It is the default folder created by windows at the time of installation to storedocuments and files created by the user. A click on the icon opens the folder. - My Recent Documents : Hovering of mouse on this icon opens recent 15 documents opened, viewed or created by the user.
- My Pictures : A sub folder created by Windows in My Documents folder for storing all image files of the user.
- My Music : A sub folder created by Windows in My Documents folder for storing all music/sound files of the user.
- Control Panel : Provides access to the user to control, add, remove or change settings of installed hardware and programs/applications.
- Set Program Access and Defaults : Enable user to set default programs for web browsing, email and set accessible programs from the Start Menu
- Printers and Fax : Shows printers and fax machines installed and enables the user to make default settings for these devices.
- Help and Support : Help and Support for Windows.
- Search : Enables search of a file/folder on the computer by its name/ content/ date of creation or to search for an item on other computers in the network or on internet.
- Run : User can run any execute or open a file, program or application by typing its name or by browsing and pointing to the location of the file, program or application.
- All Programs / Programs (In Classic Start Button menu) : Hovering of mouse on this opens a menu list of all executable programs / applications from the Start Menu. A small triangle on the right side of an item in the menu list indicates a sub menu for the item. Hovering of mouse on such item opens the sub menu for that item. A click on an item in the list executes the program/application.
- Log off :The user can log off by a click on this button. If multiple users are set on a computer, another user can log in to the computer.
- Turn Off Computer : A click on this will open a window with options for Stand By, Turn Off, Restart and Cancel. To avoid corruption of Windows files, the Windows must always be closed properly by using this button or by using button available on the CPU before switching off power to the computer.
The Start Button menu can be closed by a click in the blank area of the Desktop or any open program/application window.
Quick Launch
By default Quick Launch bar is not displayed in Windows XP. To view Quick Launch bar
Right Click in blank area of the 'Taskbar' >> Hover mouse on 'Toolbar' >> Click on 'Quick Launch'
We can add icon for a program to Quick Launch bar by dragging ( to move an item on the screen by selecting the item and then pressing and holding down the mouse button while moving the mouse) and dropping the icon in the Quick Launch bar area. We can also delete an icon from Quick Launch bar by right click on the icon and selecting delete. Advantages of using Quick Launch :
- A program/application can be executed by a single click.
- A program or application can be executed without opening desktop or Start Button Menu.
System Tray
System Tray displays system Date and Time and is by default located at the right corner of the Taskbar. We can adjust system Date and Time by
Right Click in System Tray area >> Select 'Adjust Date/Time' >> Change 'Date / Time' or 'Time Zone'
Notification area.
Notification area is located on left of the System Tray and contains icons for programs / applications which give short term notification or display change of status. In Windows XP, icons in the Notification area are, by default, hidden when they are inactive.