Windows Desktop-7th Grade

• Windows  is  the  name  of  the  operating  system  used  in  most  PCs  and  was  created  by Microsoft.

• Without the operating system software, your computer cannot function.  The operating system software is switched on as soon as you turn on, or ‘boot up’.

• Windows allow a user to work with multiple programs or view multiple programs at once.

• Almost all windows will also allow you to minimize and maximize them, allowing you to hide and view a program temporarily.

“Booting” is the process of loading the operating system into a computer’s main memory from a disk. The operating system remains in main memory until you turn off the computer.

The Desktop

• Once your computer has finished booting up, the first thing you’ll see is the desktop.

• You can think of the desktop as the main workspace for your computer.

• It is the background for all programs and allows you to view and manage your files, open applications, access the Internet, and much more, contains the commands needed for accessing those programs.

• Desktops vary from one operating system (OS) to another, and even vary somewhat from version to version of a particular OS.

The Main Elements Found On the Desktop 

Icons – A picture or graphics symbol used to represent an application or folder.

Taskbar – This panel contains the Start Button, Task Buttons (open windows), and the system tray.

System Tray. This strip runs along the bottom of the screen, and displays icons for each running application. You can also pin an application’s      icon so that a shortcut to it remains in the taskbar even when the application isn’t running.

• The System Tray shows the time and the status of system components.

Start Button – The Start Button appears in the lower-left corner of the screen, and you click it to display the Start Menu.

How to Shut Down the Computer?

Happy Learning!
Miss Taylor