Beginner level handout for windows desktop and operating system. Created by Hibbing Public Library. Updated by Connect Your Community. Published under Creative Commons license.

1. DeskTop & Windows
Desktop - The screen you see when you turn on your computer. You can open a
program by using your mouse to double click on an icon on the desktop. When you
open a program, it is visible as a window or rectangular area on the computer
screen.
Key Elements of the Desktop
Icons - Small pictures that represent files, folders, programs, and other items.
Task Bar - Area of the desktop that contains the Start button and buttons for all open
programs. The taskbar is located at the bottom of the desktop.
Start Button - Opens up the Start menu which is the main gateway to your computer's
programs, folders, and settings. It's called a menu because it provides a list of choices.
Use the Start menu to: start programs, open commonly used folders, adjust computer
settings, get help, and most importantly turn off the computer.
Quick Launch Toolbar - An area of the taskbar that contains shortcuts to frequently-
used programs which lets you start programs with one click.
Notification Area – The area on the rights side of the Windows taskbar containing
shortcuts to programs (including a clock) and icons that communicate the status of
certain programs and computer settings.

2. Window - A rectangular area on the screen that displays information. A window can
be opened by double clicking a program icon on the desktop, using the Start menu or it
could pop-up automatically.
Key Elements of a Window
2. Menu Bar
3. Minimize,
1. Title bar
Maximize, & Close
4. Scroll bar
5. Borders &
Corners
1. Title Bar- Displays the name of the document and program (or the folder name if
you're working in a folder).
2. Menu Bar- Contains items that you can click to make choices in a program.
3. Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons - These buttons hide the window,
enlarge it to fill the whole screen, and close it.
4. Scroll Bar - Lets you scroll the contents of the window to see information that is
currently out of view.
5. Borders & Corners - You can drag these with your mouse pointer to change the
size of the window.
www.indianprairielibrary.org
05-09/AMS
Updated by Connect Your Community August 2010
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