Windows BasicsWindows BasicsComputers 1Computers 1

Windows DesktopWindows Desktop• What is the desktop?What is the desktop?

– On-screen work area on which windows, On-screen work area on which windows, icons, menus, and dialog boxes appear icons, menus, and dialog boxes appear

Desktop Icons

Open Program Buttons System TrayStart Button

Taskbar

Open Program Windows

Program WindowsProgram Windows• Title BarTitle Bar

– Tells the name of the Tells the name of the program and may show the program and may show the name of the open filename of the open file

• Tabs/RibbonsTabs/Ribbons– Provide access to Provide access to

commands and optionscommands and options• Control ButtonsControl Buttons

– Controls size and look of Controls size and look of program window (Minimize, program window (Minimize, Maximize, and Restore)Maximize, and Restore)

• Status BarStatus Bar– Provides helpful messagesProvides helpful messages

• Quick Access ToolbarQuick Access Toolbar– Provides quick access to Provides quick access to

commonly used commandscommonly used commands• Scroll BarsScroll Bars

– Allows you to move other parts Allows you to move other parts of the file into the viewing areaof the file into the viewing area

• Working AreaWorking Area– Allows you to enter or change Allows you to enter or change

datadata• Resize HandleResize Handle

– Allows you to change the Allows you to change the window sizewindow size

• Zoom SliderZoom Slider– Allows you to zoom the Allows you to zoom the

working area in and out working area in and out

Title BarTabs

Working Area

Status Bar

Scroll Bars

Control Buttons

Resize Handle

RibbonQuick Access Toolbar

Mouse PointersMouse PointersTells you where the Tells you where the mouse is located as you mouse is located as you hover across the hover across the screen.screen.

Tells you when you’re Tells you when you’re hovering over a resizing hovering over a resizing handle or window handle or window border.border.

Appears in areas where Appears in areas where you can enter words or you can enter words or numbers.numbers.

Appears where there is Appears where there is a link you can click.a link you can click.

Tells you to wait as Tells you to wait as Windows catches up Windows catches up and finishes following and finishes following your instructions.your instructions.

Used for handwriting Used for handwriting recognition. When it recognition. When it appears, you can hand-appears, you can hand-type.type.

Lets you know when Lets you know when you’re hovering over an you’re hovering over an object that can be object that can be moved.moved.

Control ButtonsControl Buttons• MinimizeMinimize

– Moves program window off desktop to taskbar.Moves program window off desktop to taskbar.• MaximizeMaximize

– Program window will be enlarged to occupy Program window will be enlarged to occupy entire desktop entire desktop

• RestoreRestore– Returns a window to it’s previous size after Returns a window to it’s previous size after

being maximized being maximized • CloseClose

– Closes program window (exits program)Closes program window (exits program)

Control ButtonsControl Buttons

Restore MinimizeMaximizeClose