What is the windows desktop? (A)
The windows desktop is the background on which everything else appears. This can be set to display a picture, a pattern or a plain coloured background. The background of the computer has been set by ICT and cannot be altered.
What are ‘icons’? (B)
Icons are the pictures that can represent programs, folders, files etc. These icons can appear in various places (in the start menu, the windows desktop, the taskbar etc). If you double click an icon that represents a program the program will run. If you click on a ‘container icon’ (eg ‘Recycle Bin’) then the contents of that container is displayed.
What is the Start/Windows button? (C)
Normally found in the bottom left of your screen, the ‘Start’ or ‘Windows’ button is the gateway to your PC. See ‘The Start Menu’ section for more information.
What is the ‘taskbar’? (D)
The taskbar contains the start/windows button, shortcuts to programs, bars representing open windows/files/software and the system tray. It can normally be found running along the bottom of the screen. See the ‘Taskbar’ section of this guide for more information on its usage.
What is the ‘system tray’? (E)
The system tray contains icons for programs which add functionality to Windows. Most of the icons relate to programs that start when you log into Windows and are said to be ‘running in the background’. The system tray is usually found at the bottom right of the screen.
If a small arrow is shown, click this to display any hidden icons (G).When connected to the Internet a ‘Network’ icon will appear in this area (H).
What is the ‘system time’? (F)
The current ‘system time’ and date is displayed in the bottom right hand side of the screen in the taskbar.
How do I move an icon around the desktop?
- Click on the icon you wish to move.
- Press and hold down the left mouse button.
- Drag the icon around the screen to the required position.
- Release the mouse button.
How do I delete an icon from the desktop?
Method One:
- Drag it over the recycle bin and release the mouse button.
Method Two:
- Click on it once to select it.
- Press <Delete> on the keyboard.
Method Three:
Right click on the icon to be deleted.- Click the ‘Delete’ button.