Another important icon that you should know about is the Recycle Bin. It has the same purpose that a real trash can does - you put things in it that you no longer need or want. Anytime you delete a file or folder, it goes into the Recycle Bin where it stays until the bin is emptied. Double-clicking on the icon will open a window that will show you what is stored in the Recycle Bin. Just like in real life, things sometimes get thrown away by accident and have to be rescued. The Recycle Bin lets you do the same thing. If you delete something you shouldn't have, you can find it in the Recycle Bin and restore it to its proper place. When the Recycle Bin is emptied, everything in it is permanently deleted. Never put anything in the Recycle Bin or empty the Recycle Bin without permission!

At the edge of the screen (usually the bottom edge), you will see a long, thin bar with a box labeled "Start" on one end and a clock on the other end. This is the taskbar - another graphic tool that helps you to access programs and files. You may see icons on the taskbar, too. These are called "Quick Launch" icons that allow one-click access to frequently used programs.

If you click on the "Start" button, a box called a menu will appear. The menu will contain several words. Some words will have arrows next to them that access other menus. Listed below are the basic Start-menu options:
Programs - accesses installed programs.
Favorites - accesses book-marked webpages.
Documents - accesses the most recently opened documents.
Settings - accesses system applications such as Control Panel, printers, taskbar and Start Menu options.
Find - searches for specific files or folders.
Help - offers helpful topics for computer use.
Run - user can input commands to run specific programs.
Log Off - allows a password-protected user to log off and another to log on.
Shut Down - shuts down or restarts the computer.

The Start Menu can be personalized by adding and removing programs, files and folders.

Many programs and applications run within windows or boxes that can be opened, minimized, resized and closed. At the top of each window, you will see a title bar that contains the title of the program or folder. To the right of the title bar are three square icons or buttons. The button on the far right has an "X" on it and closes the window (which also closes the program). The middle button will have one or two small boxes on it - this is the resize button. Resizing allows the user to make the window full-screen or smaller.

The button on the left has a small line on it - this is the minimize button. When a window is open, you will see a rectangular button on the taskbar that displays the windows title and maybe an icon. Minimizing the window clears it from the screen, but keeps the program running - all you will see of a minimized window is the button on the taskbar. A raised button indicates a minimized or inactive window, and a depressed button indicates an open or active window. Minimizing a window is helpful if the user is temporarily not using the program, but plans to return to it soon. To restore a minimized window, simply click on the button on the taskbar. Also, it is sometimes possible to have several windows open at once and lined up in a cascade, one in front of another. In this case, the active window will always be in the front.

Under the menu, you will often find a toolbar - a bar of icons or options that allow you to perform specific operations within the program.

In the Windows operating system, each window contains its own menu. Found just under the title bar, the menu contains several words that will access drop-down menus of options and actions. The menus vary from one program to another, but here are some basic examples:
File menu contains file items like new, open, close, and print.
Edit menu contains editing items like undo, cut, copy, paste and clear.
View menu contains items for changing how things appear on the screen.
Help menu contains items to access tutorials or helpful information.

In the main body of the window, you may find lists of folders or files or you may be given a workspace for typing, drawing or other activities. On the right side of the window, you may see a scroll bar. The scroll bar appears when the window contains more information than can fit on the screen. Moving the scroll bar up or down allows the user to see all of the information in the window.

Learning how to use the desktop is the first step in learning to use a Windows system. Hopefully, you can use this brief lesson as a starting point. Remember, though, that experience is the best teacher, so do some exploring on your own PC. Many systems include Tutorials that will teach you how to use your system step-by-step. You'll also find some very helpful information about the Windows desktop under the "Help" option of the Start Menu.

Now that you have a basic understanding of computer components and how they work, let's apply this knowledge to your own system. It is important to know your computer system's specifications so that you can purchase or download appropriate software programs.

When you are shopping for computer software - in a virtual store or a real one - it is important to check out the program's Minimum System Requirements before making a purchase. They will help you to determine whether or not the software is compatible with your computer system. System Requirements will be listed somewhere on the packaging of a software product or should be available on the product's webpage if you are shopping online. Check out the graphic to the right for a sample from a software package.

Requirement information will vary from product to product, but most requirements will tell you the following:
Operating System compatibility
Processor speed
RAM requirements
available Hard Disk Space needed for installation
CD-ROM or DVD speed

Monitor Display
Video Card
Sound Card
Peripherals - joystick, gamepad, etc.
Modem (for internet applications)
Support software

Remember that the information listed covers the minimum requirements. In other words, your system needs to have at least that much speed, memory, space, etc. in order to run the software properly. If your system specs are higher than the minimum requirement, then the software should run on your system. The only caution you should have here is that some programs written for older operating systems (particularly Windows 95) may not run on newer operating systems.