Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional in 10 Minutes

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Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional in 10 Minutes

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Recommended Book

Recommended Book 

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional in 10 Minutes

Learn More Buy

Understanding the Windows Desktop

After Windows 2000 starts, you will see various items on the screen, as shown in Figure 1.1. The items you see enable you to open applications, manage files, send and receive mail, and perform many other tasks throughout your work day. Depending on your installation, you may or may not see all of the items shown in the following figure.

Figure 1.1 Common components of the Windows 2000 Professional screen.

The components of the Windows screen include

• Desktop: This is the background on which all other elements appear. You can think of the Windows desktop like the top of your own traditional office desk. Just as you can move papers around, hide certain items in drawers, and add and remove things on your desk, you can manipulate items on your Windows desktop.
• Icons: Icons are pictures that represent programs (such as, Word for Windows, Excel, and so on), folders, files, printer information, and computer information. Most often, you use icons to open folders and files.
• My Computer: The My Computer icon represents the contents of your computer, including the hard drive, floppy and CD drives, applications, folders, files, and so on. Double-click an icon to open it and view its contents.
• My Documents: Shortcut to the folder containing documents created by you. This folder is the default location for saving files in most Windows programs.
• Internet Explorer: Program used to view Web pages and surf the Internet. This kind of program is called a Web browser.
• Recycle Bin: The Recycle Bin is a place in which deleted objects remain until you empty the trash. You can retrieve items—files, programs, pictures, and so on—from the Recycle Bin after you delete them. Once you empty the trash, however, you can no longer retrieve items from the bin.
• Connect to the Internet: A step-by-step guide to configuring your computer and connecting to the Internet.
• Start Button: The Start button displays a menu from which you can choose to open an application, open a document, customize Windows, find a file or folder, get help, or shut down the Windows 98 program.
• Taskbar: The taskbar contains the Start button, any open application or window buttons, and the time. You can click a taskbar button to open the window or application it represents. Use the Start button to open programs, documents, help, and so on.
• Show Desktop: Click to minimize all windows and view the Desktop.
• Launch Internet Explorer Browser: Starts the Internet Explorer program.
• Launch Outlook Express: Starts the Outlook Express program. The Outlook Express program works with Internet Explorer and allows you to send e-mail, participate in chat groups, and work in newsgroups over the Internet.
• Volume Control: Controls the volume of the computer's speakers.
• Status Area: Displays Volume Control (Optional) Date and Time, shows status of Printing when you are printing. Icons for programs that are active the entire time your computer is on, such as virus programs, will display here.
• Time/Date: Displays time and date when you hold the mouse over the time.
• My Network Places: This icon displays network connections and dialup connections available to your computer on a Microsoft or other type of network, such as NetWare.
• Folder: A folder contains files, programs, or other folders on your computer; for example, the Online Services folder contains programs that let you sign up for an online service like CompuServe. A folder is the same thing as a directory.
• Pointer: The pointer is an onscreen icon (usually an arrow) that represents your mouse, trackball, touchpad, or other selecting device. You use it to select items and choose commands. You move the pointer by moving the mouse or other device across your desk or mouse pad. You learn how to use the mouse in the next section.

You'll be surprised how quickly these terms and components will become second nature to you. Once you've mastered using the mouse, you'll find that navigating the Windows program is very easy.