Desktop

Desktop

Get to know the Desktop

Once Windows XP has initialized, the following screen will appear. It is possible that it is not the same as the one on your computer because Windows allows us to customize the background. This will be discussed later on.

On the desktop we have icons that allow us to open the corresponding program

For example, by clicking on the icon Internet Explorer will open up. Later on we will discuss how to create and organize the icons on the desktop, we will also discuss how to change the background.

Desktop   The Bars and Start Button   The Start Button is located at the bottom left corner of your desktop screen. It is situated on the left edge of the Taskbar. A single left-click on this button will launch a popup menu that will look something like   Task Bar   The task bar is what appears on the bottom of the screen. On the bottom left corner there is the Start button. Next we have the area for shortcuts, then the programs running, and lastly the notification area   On the top we can find the name of the current user. In this case it is saurabh On the middle part there are two areas: The left area contains three separate areas divided by a thin line.   On the top third we can see Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.   They are located here because these are programs included with WindowsXP. On the next third we find all the programs that we have been using lately. In this example, MSN,Windows Media Player, ... This way we have quicker access to the programs that we most frequently use.   To gain access to the rest of the programs we have the green triangle All programs. By clicking here, we can view all of the programs that are installed on our computer.   On the right hand area there are icons to access the different parts of WindowsXP that are most often used: My documents, My Recent Documents, My Pictures, My Music and My Computer.   With the Control Panel icon we can configure and customize the appearance of our computer   If we have any questions we can use the Help and Support that Windows offers us.   With the Search icon we can find files whose location we are not sure of.   The option Run allows us to directly execute certain commands, for example to execute a specific program, etc...   At the bottom we have the options Log Off and Turn Off Computer. The first option allows us to close the current session, and the second option allows us to restart or turn off our computer.   The shortcuts area   Contains icons that are used to access a particular program quickly. To place an icon here, simply drag it from the desktop. These icons are shortcuts that we can create, as we will see on the following page.   To execute, simply click on the icon.   The icon represents the desktop. It is used to minimize the windows that are opened to access the desktop easier   The icon represents Internet Explorer. It is used to quickly access Internet.   The icon represents Windows Explorer. It used to quickly access files and folders.     Open programs   In this area we can see the buttons of the programs that are currently open and two small arrows pointing up and down. If the button is slightly darker it means that it is the button of the program that we are working with. By clicking on each button we find ourselves in the respective program.     When there are several programs opened at the same time they are grouped under a button. For example, if we have several windows of Internet Explorer opened or several programs with files. By clicking, a window will choose to open one of them. In this case we choose between the three Internet pages shown.   Further to the right, as in the example above, two black arrows help us to  navigate the buttons in the event that we are working with many windows and they do not all fit on thetask bar.     The Notification Area   This area contains icons that represent the programs that start up automatically when the computer is turned on as well as other information. In this case about automatic updatesand about the antivirus program.   If a round button appears, this allows us to expand or shrink the area that contains the icons of these programs. The time also appears here. If you wish to open them simply double-click on the icon.         Desktop   The Icons and Shortcuts     The icons and shortcuts are small images situated on the desktop of Windows XP.Just like buttons, icons have the objective of immediately executing a given program.To start the related application simply double-click with the left mouse button.   Some icons examples   How to organize the desktop icons       Desktop Shortcut   A desktop shortcut, usually represented by an icon, is a small file that points to a program, folder, document, or Internet location. Clicking on a shortcut icon takes you directly to the object to which the shortcut points. Shortcut icons contain a small arrow in their lower left corner. Shortcuts are merely pointers—deleting a shortcut will not delete the item to which the shortcut points.   To create a shortcut to an item located on the Start menu:   1. Click Start. The Start menu will appear.   2. Locate the item to which you want to create a shortcut. If the item is located on a submenu, go to the submenu.   3. Click and drag the item to your desktop.     To create a shortcut to items visible in Windows Explorer:   1. Open Windows Explorer.   2. Minimize the Windows Explorer window.   3. Locate in Windows Explorer the item to which you want to create a shortcut.   4. Hold down the right mouse button and drag the item onto the desktop.   5. Release the right mouse button. A context menu will appear.     Desktop Shortcut Wizard   1. Right-click the desktop. The context menu will appear.   2. Click New. A submenu will appear.   3. Click Shortcut. The Create Shortcut dialog box will appear.   4. Type in the location and name of the item to which you want to create a shortcut. Alternatively, browse to find the item.   5. Click Next. A dialog box will appear.   6. Accept the default name or type in a new name.   7. Click Finish.     Rename a Desktop Shortcut   To rename a shortcut:   1. Right-click the shortcut.   2. Click Rename.   3. Type the new name.     Delete a desktop shortcut   To delete a shortcut:   1. Click the shortcut.   2. Press the Delete key.   3. Click Yes.     Change the icon associated with an object   To change the icon associated with an object:   1. Right-click the icon. The context menu will appear.   2. Click Properties.   3. Click the Change Icon button.   4. Click the icon of your choice.   5. Click OK.         Desktop   Change the Date and Time   The computer has a clock located on the the right side of the task bar.   If you wanted to know the day of the week you would have to place the pointer over the clock and wait a couple of seconds for the complete date to appear.   You can also check and modify the properties of the clock with the dialog box that appears next. It appears as you double-click on the clock on the task bar.   To change the Date follow these steps:   1. Double-click on the clock on the task bar to open the dialog box   2. To change the month place the pointer on the month box and click with the mouse on the arrow to the right. A list with the months will be displayed. Select the appropriate month.   3. To change the year place the pointer on the year box and with the arrows you can change the year.   4. To change the day select it on the calendar that appears.   5. Click Apply if you want the change to take effect and remain in the dialog box. Note: Click OK if you want the changes to be permanent and for the dialog box to close.     To change the Time do the following:   1. Place the pointer on the clock.   2. To change the time select the time digits with the arrows to the right and adjust to the necessary time.   3. This same process must be done with the minutes and seconds.   Hint: You can change the meridian by selecting it on the list of Time Zones.   Note: If you click Apply the change will take place and you will remain in the dialog box. If, however, you click on OK, the changes will take effect and the dialog box will close.         Desktop   Visualize the ToolBars   To visualize the Tool Bars:   1. Right click with the mouse on the task bar.   2. Select Toolbars.   3. From the menu that appears select the toolbars that you wish to see. Note: If next to the option a check mark appears it means that the tool is already visible.