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Microsoft Windows Desktop

Dell™ Technology Guide

  Overview

  Taskbar

  Desktop Icons and Shortcuts

  Shortcut Menus

  Changing the Desktop Appearance

  Start Button (Menu)

  Control Panel

Overview

The Microsoft^® Windows^® desktop is the display screen area that appears after the Windows operating system starts up. The components of the desktop include a background, icons, shortcuts, and a taskbar that is usually located at the bottom of the screen.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start  or ® Help and Support.

Taskbar

Overview

The Windows taskbar is usually located at the bottom of the desktop, although you can relocate it. The taskbar provides quick access to open minimized windows on the desktop, or to frequently-used programs, files, or utilities on your computer.

The basic sections of the taskbar are:

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start  or ® Help and Support.

Displaying the Taskbar

1. Right-click on an open area of the taskbar.
   
   
2. Click Properties to open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window.
   
   
3. On the Taskbar tab, select Keep the taskbar on top of other windows.
   
   

As you open applications and files, you may not be able to view your desktop.

To view the desktop by minimizing all open windows at once:

1. Position the cursor over an open area of the taskbar.
   
   
2. Right-click to display a shortcut menu.
   
   
3. Click Show the Desktop.
   
   

Customizing the Taskbar

1. Right-click on an open area of the taskbar.
   
   
2. Click Properties.The Taskbar and Start menu Properties window appears.
   
   
3. Customize the taskbar by checking the desired boxes on the Taskbar tab.
   
   

Displaying Hidden Icons From the Notification Area

The Notification area includes icons for quick program access. Click the arrow on the right side of the taskbar near the notification area to temporarily display the hidden icons. Click the required icon to display it again.

Adding Icons in the Notification Area

Customize the taskbar by choosing the icons it displays or hides.

1. Right-click on an open area of the taskbar.
   
   
2. Click Properties. The screen defaults to the Taskbar tab.
   
   
3. For computers running Windows Vista®, select the Notification Area tab.
   
   

For computers running Windows® XP, continue with the next step.

4. Click the Customize button in the Notification area.
   
   
5. Select an item, then choose its behavior.
   
   
6. Click OK.
   
   

Desktop Icons and Shortcuts

Icons displayed on the Windows desktop are links that provide quick access to programs, documents, and folders. Double-click icons to open a file or folder or to run a program.

Some icons are shortcuts and other icons are direct links.

• Icons for shortcuts — Identified by an arrow in the icon, shortcuts are links to programs, files, or folders. You can safely delete a shortcut without affecting the item it links to.
  
  
• Icons for programs and files — Icons for program files, documents, or folders do not include an arrow graphic.
  
  

HINT: For better performance of your computer, create shortcuts to files and folders rather than placing them on the desktop.

Deleting an Icon From the Desktop

1. Right-click the icon, and click Delete.
   
   
2. Click Yes.
   
   

HINT: If you delete an icon with an arrow, you are simply deleting the shortcut link. If you delete an icon without an arrow, you are deleting the file or folder, not just a link to the file.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start  or ® Help and Support.

Creating and Deleting Program Shortcuts on the Desktop

You can create a shortcut to a program, file, or folder by using: Windows Explorer or Desktop.

Using Windows Explorer:

1. Right-click the Start button, select Explore. Navigate to the folder or file to which you want to create a shortcut.
   
   
2. Right-click on the item, highlight Send to, and then click Desktop (create shortcut).
   
   

Using the desktop:

1. Right-click an open area of the desktop, highlight New, then click Shortcut.
   
   
2. In the Create Shortcut window, click Browse and navigate to the location of the item you want the shortcut to link to.
   
   
3. Highlight the file or folder, and click OK.
   
   
4. Click Next.
   
   
5. Name the shortcut, and then click Finish.
   
   

Shortcut Menus

Shortcut menus are available for many components of the Windows desktop, including files and folders. These menus provide quick access to the most common commands for an item.

To access the shortcut menus, position the cursor over the item and right-click (click the right mouse button or the right touch-pad button).

Changing the Desktop Appearance

You can personalize the appearance of your desktop by changing various components. Most of these components are accessible through the Display Properties window.

You can manage your computer's desktop theme, resolution, screen saver, icon size and appearance, and monitor settings from the Display Properties Menu screen. Use the tabs to select the items you want to adjust.

Windows Vista^®

From the desktop:

1. Right-click an open area of the desktop.
   
   
2. Click Personalize, and the Personalize appearance and sounds window appears.
   
   
3. Review the available options and follow the instructions provided.
   
   

From the Start menu:

1. Click Start ® Control Panel® Appearance and Personalization.
   
   
2. Click Personalization. The Personalize appearance and sounds window appears.
   
   
3. Review the available options and follow the instructions provided.
   
   

Windows^® XP

From the desktop:

1. Right-click an open area of the desktop.
   
   
2. Click Properties.
   
   
3. Click Display. The Display Properties window appears.
   
   
4. Review the available options and follow the instructions provided.
   
   

From the Start menu:

1. Click Start ® Control Panel® Appearance and Themes.
   
   
2. The Appearance and Themes window appears.
   
   
3. Review the available options and follow the instructions provided.
   
   

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start  or ® Help and Support.

Setting up a Screen Saver

A screen saver is an animated graphic that appears after your computer is left inactive for a specified time. You can set the length of inactive time and select a personal graphic.

Windows Vista

1. Right-click an open area of the desktop.
   
   
2. Click Personalize. The Personalize appearance and sounds window appears.
   
   
3. Click Screen Saver to select a new screen saver.
   
   
4. Adjust the length of time for your computer to remain inactive before the screen saver appears.
   
   
5. Click OK.
   
   

NOTE: After the screen saver activates, you may need to log-in again to access your computer.

Windows XP

1. Right-click an open area of the desktop.
   
   
2. Click Properties. The Display Properties window appears.
   
   
3. Click the Screen Saver tab, and select a new screen saver.
   
   
4. Select the length of time for your computer to remain inactive before the screen saver appears.
   
   
5. Click OK.
   
   

NOTE: After the screen saver activates, you may need to log-in to access your computer.

Start Button (Menu)

Overview

The Start button opens the Start menu, which provides access to:

• Control Panel
  
  
• Programs
  
  
• Files
  
  
• Computer settings
  
  
• Tools that monitor your computer's performance
  
  
• Windows Help and Support
  
  

The programs available on the Start menu depend on the software installed in your computer.

You can use the Start menu to restart or shut down your computer. See Shutting Down Your Computer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Start button, see Start Button.

Customizing the Start Menu

Customize the Start menu through the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window.

1. Right-click an open area of the taskbar.
   
   
2. Select Properties. The Taskbar and Start menu Properties window appears.
   
   
3. Customize the Start menu by selecting the desired option on the Start menu tab.
   
   

HINT: You can add shortcuts to the Start menu by dragging an icon from a program, folder, or file onto the Start button.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start  or ® Help and Support.

Control Panel

The Control Panel contains programs and tools to help you maintain and customize your computer. Through the Control Panel, you can:

• Add and monitor hardware
  
  
• Add or remove programs
  
  
• Change hardware settings
  
  
• Set network and Internet preferences
  
  
• Customize the appearance of your desktop
  
  
• Set up printers and other devices
  
  
• Perform maintenance to enhance performance
  
  

HINT: A list of the items you can customize appears in the Control Panel screen. Hold your cursor over each item to display the pop-up text box that explains its function.

Accessing and Using the Control Panel

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the Windows desktop, see "Windows Basics" in Windows Help and Support: click Start  or ® Help and Support.

Customizing Your Computer Settings

1. Click Start or ® Control Panel.
   
   
2. Select a category. If you are not sure which category contains the necessary tool, hold your cursor over the category to display its pop-up text box.
   
   

Managing Your Computer Performance

The Control Panel provides tools for you to manage and improve your computer's performance. Use options provided to free up the space on your hard drive or rearrange items on your hard drive to make programs run faster, and so on to enhance the performance of your computer.

See Maintenance Tasks (Enhance Performance and Ensure Security) for related information.

Windows Vista

1. Click Start ® Control Panel® System and Maintenance® Performance Information and Tools.
   
   
2. Select one of the available options in the Task area to monitor your computer's performance and make changes to enhance performance.
   
   

Windows XP

1. Click Start ®Control Panel® Performance and Maintenance.
   
   
2. Select one of the options to evaluate system performance, view events, monitor the performance log, or perform computer management.
   
   

Use the Device Manager to manage devices that are installed in or attached to your computer.

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