Beginpc.com - Operating System

The Desktop and Start Button

If you haven't upgraded from a previous installation of Windows, your Windows 98 desktop should only have a few icons from which all tasks can be performed in easily. As a result, most of the desktop is a tidy and blank airier. Like the picture below:

The desktop is the main screen within Windows, this is because it is from here that you will do all you work, like launching programs, connecting to the Internet etc.

If you double click on any icon it will launch its major facility, this is useful when you want to start programs easily and quickly.

Single click on the start button to access and run all your programs, change settings and access help. The start button provides a link to nearly everything that is on your computer and you will use it often.

The taskbar at the bottom of the screen is where you can switch between the different programs you are using at any one time, just by simply clicking on the program you want you can maximise or minimise a program. This is shown below. I have three programs running at the same time, and by simply clicking on the appropriate program I can switch between the three at any time.

The start button is designed with the beginner in mind, as it allows you to select and start a program quickly with just a single mouse click. Other common tasks that you need to do using your computer are also available directly from the start button.

Accesses book marked web sites

Lets you open 1 of the 15 most recent documents you�ve been working on.

Lets you change computer settings

A sophisticated search facility

A complete on-line help system

Used to start a program or command

A safe way to switch off your computer