Owner's Manual

CHAPTER 2: Using Windows XP www.gateway.com
8
About the Windows desktop
Help and Support
For more information about the
Windows desktop, click Start, then click
Help and Support. Type the keyword
Windows desktop in the Search box,
then click the arrow.
After your notebook starts, the first screen you see is the Windows desktop. The
desktop is like the top of a real desk. Think of the desktop as your personalized
work space where you open programs and perform other tasks.
Your desktop may be different from this example, depending on how your
notebook is set up.
The desktop contains the taskbar, the Start button, and the Recycle Bin icon.
Desktop
elements
Description
The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of the notebook display containing the Start button
on the left and a clock on the right. Other buttons on the taskbar represent programs that
are running.
Click a program’s button on the taskbar to open the program’s window.
The Start button provides access to programs, files, help for Windows and other programs,
and computer tools and utilities.
Click the Start button, then open a file or program by clicking an item on the menu that
opens.
The Recycle Bin is where files, folders, and programs that you discarded are stored. You
must empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete them from your notebook. For
instructions on how to use the Recycle Bin, see “Deleting files and folders” on page 17.
The Windows Security Center icon may appear on the taskbar near the clock. The icon
changes appearance to notify you when the security settings on your notebook are set
below the recommended value or when updates are available. Double-click this icon to
open the Windows Security Center. For more information, see “Modifying security
settings” on page 129.