142 Getting to Know the Windows® XP Operating System
Lesson 1: Exploring the desktop
5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.4.0
Icons
An icon represents a folder, file, or program that can be
quickly activated by double-clicking the icon.
You can create a new desktop icon for any folder, file, or
program by dragging the element’s icon from its location in a
window to the desktop area.
TECHNICAL NOTE: If you delete a file from a diskette, it does not
go into the Recycle Bin. For more information on the Recycle Bin,
see Windows® online Help.
NOTE: If you place the cursor over an icon, a popup description of
the file contents appears.
Your desktop may contain other icons depending on your
configuration. See the Windows® XP online Help for more
specific information on each icon and how to use it.
Start button
You use the Start button to:
❖Start programs
❖Access operating system update information
❖Open recently accessed documents
❖Adjust system settings
❖Search for files
❖Access Windows® Help and Support
❖Run programs
❖Suspend system activity and turn off the computer
For more information on starting programs, see “Lesson 6:
Starting programs” on page 151.