Imagine the Windows Desktop is an electronic version of your real desk in your office, garage, or wherever you might keep a desk. The Start menu – usually in the lower left corner of your screen – is just like your desk drawers or a filing cabinet. If you like the top of your desk cluttered (with papers, pens, and books,) you might also like to keep many items and Shortcuts on your Windows Desktop.

Do you like to keep a notepad and pen on your desk, or do you keep them in a drawer? If you keep them out, you can do the same on your computer by creating a shortcut to the Notepad program on your Windows Desktop.

When would I use the desktop?

You can use the Windows Desktop to display shortcut icons to programs or documents that you access regularly. The shortcut acts as an easy and fast remote control for accessing items organized and stored in folders.

Examples of Desktop Features

My Computer: Double-click to display a window containing the contents of your computer. Access your disk drives in this window. You can also access the Control Panel and Printers folders.

Recycle Bin: Did you accidentally remove or delete some files? Do you need that draft document you deleted after all? The Recycle Bin is a temporary storage area for documents and programs previously deleted. Go to the Recycle Bin to "Restore" any of those files.

The Internet: Computers today are making it easier to access the Internet. If your computer is set up to work on the Internet, this button will get you there with a quick double-click. It will at least start your Internet browser of choice, even if it is not yet ready to go online.

Taskbar: This narrow strip is where you find the Start button and control buttons for any programs currently running. You might have trouble finding a window if you have more than one program or file open on the screen. Are you one of those people who like to work on many tasks at one time? The taskbar makes your life easier. Scan the buttons on the taskbar to find the program you want to work with next. Click that button to place that window on top of the pile. Too bad it is not that easy to find a file on your real desk!

How do I use the Desktop?

sUse the desktop as your working area. Add or remove items from the Desktop to suit your needs as they change. Create shortcuts to programs and files you use most often. Store other items in folders using My Computer or Windows Explorer.

Change the characteristics – referred to as Properties – of your Windows Desktop as you would furnish or decorate your office. Move items around to organize your working area. Change the color and pattern of the screen as you would paint your office. You can even display pictures on the desktop. Images can be downloaded from the Internet and imported from a scanner or digital camera. You can display a picture of your favorite pet or the X-ray image of your latest ski injury.

Organize or Modify Desktop Properties:

1.     Move the cursor to an empty area of the desktop where there is no program or file.

2.     RIGHT-click to display the Desktop pop-up menu

3.     Click an item on the pop-up menu

Arrange Icons:

1.     Right-click on the desktop to display the pop-up menu.

2.     Click "Arrange Icons" to display a sub-menu

3.     Click the ordering method you prefer.

4.     The Auto Arrange option automatically moves icons on your desktop whenever         necessary to assure that all icons are visible on the screen and in an orderly fashion.         This is an excellent feature for neat people, but it is very rigid. When there is a check         mark by Auto Arrange, Windows takes control! Move an icon out of place, and it will         be snapped back to where it belongs.

5.     Follow the same procedure to switch off Auto Arrange.

Line up Icons:

1.     Right-click on the desktop to display the pop-up menu.

2.     Click "Line up Icons

Customize the Background, Screen Saver, or General Desktop Appearance:

1.     Right-click on the desktop to display the pop-up menu.

2.     Click "Properties" to display the Display Properties window.

3.     Click the tabs at the top of the window to switch between Background, Screen         Saver, and Appearance.

4.     After clicking on different options, click "OK" or "Apply" at the bottom of the window.