| The desktop is what you see when you first start your computer and Windows XP. The desktop provides access to all the programs and files on your computer (see Figure 1.1). Here's a quick overview of what you see: The desktop is the background area. Think of this area as your computer "desk." You can place handy tools on the desktop. tip  | You can change the appearance of the desktop by selecting a different set of colors or using a picture for the background. See Chapter 13, "Customizing Windows XP," for more information. |
The only icon that appears by default on the desktop is the Recycle Bin. You can place additional icons on the desktop so that you have fast access to commonly used programs and folders. For instance, suppose that you use Microsoft Word, a word processing program, often. You can add a program shortcut icon to the desktop so that you can quickly start the program from the desktop rather than a command. For more information on adding desktop icons, see Chapter 14, "Setting Up Programs." The Start button is located in the lower-left corner and is used to display the Start menu. You learn more about this button in the "Starting a Program" and "Starting a Recent Program" sections later in this chapter. The taskbar displays a button for any open window or program. For instance, if you are working in a Word document, you'll see a taskbar button for the program and document (see Figure 1.2). If you are viewing files in the My Documents folder, you see a button for that folder. The taskbar provides not only information about what's currently going on, but also offers a quick and simple way to switch between tasks. Figure 1.2. The taskbar gives you a view of what you are currently working on. 
The system tray includes status icons for current tasks. For instance, if you are printing, you see a printer icon. If you are connected to the Internet, you see a connection icon. For more on the system tray, see the section "Viewing the System Tray" later in this chapter.
Figure 1.1. The Windows XP desktop, by default, is uncluttered. 
Displaying the Start Menu The Start menu provides a list of common programs and folder windows as well as buttons. Like its name implies, the Start menu is where you start! You can start programs or open common folders, such as My Documents, from this menu. tip | You can turn off the "last used program" feature. Also, you can customize this list so that only your favorite programs appear, as opposed to the last ones used. See Chapter 14, "Setting Up Programs," for more information. |
To display the Start menu, click the Start button. The menu is then displayed (see Figure 1.3). From this menu, you can do any of the following: Start a program. At the top of the menu, you see the programs you use for the Internet and email. You can click the appropriate program icon to start the program. Beneath the Internet and email programs is a list of several programs that you have recently used. You can click any of these programs to start them. For other programs not listed on this menu, use the All Programs command. See "Starting a Program" later in this chapter. Access commonly used folders. On the right side of the Start menu, you see a list of folders. You can click any of these foldersMy Documents, My Pictures, My Music, My Computer, or My Network Placesto open that folder. Chapter 3 covers more on working with folders. tip | Rather than including desktop icons for folders (as in previous versions), Windows XP lists the folders here on the Start menu. If you prefer the desktop icons, you can add themsee Chapter 13. |
Select a command. In addition to programs and folders, Windows XP lists commands (such as Control Panel, Connect To, Help and Support, Search, and Run) on the Start menu. You learn more about the purposes of these commands in later chapters in this book. Turn off or log off the computer. Along the bottom of the Start menu, you see some buttons: Log Off and Turn Off Computer. When you are finished working with Windows, you can turn off your computer using the Turn Off Computer button. If someone else uses the computer, you can log off so that person can log on. To do so, use the Log Off button.
Figure 1.3. Clicking the Start button reveals various commands. 
Working with Desktop Icons You can include the icons you want, in the placement you want, on your desktop. This is like arranging your physical desk, putting the papers, pens, and other tools you need where you can find and easily access them. Likewise, you can add icons to your desktop for programs, files, folders, printers, and other hardware. Adding new icons, naming these icons, and deleting the icons are covered in Chapter 14. caution  | If your computer freezes or if you make changes to key system features, you might need to restart. Click Turn Off Computer and then select Restart. For more information on shutting down the computer and restarting, see Chapter 4, "Troubleshooting Common Problems." |
When you have icons on the desktop, you can move them around so that they are positioned as you please. The simplest way to arrange the icons is to drag an icon to a new location. Follow these steps: 1. | Position the mouse pointer over the icon.
| 2. | Press and hold down the left mouse button and drag the icon to the location you want. The combination of press, hold, and drag is commonly referred to as simply "drag." That is, drag means to press and hold the mouse button while you move the mouse on the desktop.
| 3. | When the icon is in the place you want, release the mouse button. The icon is moved to its new location.
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In addition to moving the icons yourself, you can have Windows automatically align and arrange the icons on the desktop. To do so, follow these steps: 1. | Right-click a blank area of the desktop.
tip | You can also use the shortcut menu to turn on or off desktop items, to add and then lock Web items, and to clean up the desktop using the Desktop Cleanup Wizard. You learn more about these features later in this book. |
| 2. | Click Arrange Icons By from the shortcut menu that appears and then select an order. You can arrange the icons by name, size, type, or modification date (see Figure 1.4).
Figure 1.4. From the desktop shortcut menu, you can select arrangements for the icons. 
Or
Select Auto Arrange. Windows XP then moves icons to the upper-left corner, spacing them equally down and then in a second column (to the right of the first column of icons) if needed.
Or
Select Align to Grid. When this command is checked, Windows XP keeps icons aligned to an underlying grid that spaces the icons automatically. To turn off this feature (if you want to place the icons closer together, for instance), uncheck the command.
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Viewing the Taskbar The taskbar, as mentioned, contains buttons for all open windows and programs. The current window appears in a darker color. Any inactive windows use a button with a slightly lighter color than the taskbar. For instance, in Figure 1.5, the My Computer button is the active window (where you are currently working), and the Recycle Bin window is in the background. Figure 1.5. You can use the taskbar to view and change between open windows. 
The taskbar, then, gives you an idea of what you have running and which program or window is active (where you can work). The taskbar also enables you to switch between these open windows. To display a particular program or window, click the button in the taskbar. For instance, to switch to the Recycle Bin window in Figure 1.5, click the button for Recycle Bin. That window then becomes the active window. tip | You can move the taskbar to another location and also change its appearance. See Chapter 13 for more information. |
Viewing the System Tray The system tray is part of the taskbar that displays the current time as well as status icons. For instance, Windows XP includes a notification icon for automatic updates. You might also see icons for hardware components, such as a scanner (see Figure 1.6). Figure 1.6. The system tray displays notification icons highlighting anything going on with your system. 
tip | You can hover the mouse pointer over the time to display the current date. |
Periodically, a notification message pops up from the system tray alerting you to events or suggesting actions. For instance, when a print job is successfully printed, you see a printer icon and then a message noting that the print job is complete. To close a message, click its close button. Windows XP also may prompt you to check for new updates or to try out certain features (especially MSN Messenger, which you can use to get and send Instant Messages). To access one of the highlighted features, click in the message. Furthermore, Windows XP can collapse the system tray to hide notification icons. To expand the area, click the left-pointing arrow next to the icons. The area will automatically return to the original view after a few seconds. You can also immediately hide the icons by clicking the now right-pointing icon. |
