Introduction to the Windows Vista GUI
* Lesson 4 - COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEMS 4.2 - INTRODUCTION
TO THE WINDOWS VISTA GUI [1] Introduction to the Windows
Vista GUI
Windows Vista provides a GUI that has a number of components to help you
interact with a computer. Components of the GUI include desktop, taskbar,
notification area, the Start button, and Sidebar.
This illustration describes the different components of Windows Vista GUI.
Scroll down to view more information.
1
The desktop is the screen area that you can see when you log on to
Windows Vista. When you open programs or folders, they appear on the
desktop. You can also store icons on the desktop for easy access to
programs, files, and folders. An icon is a small picture that represents a
program, a folder, or a file. The Recycle Bin icon is visible on the
desktop when you log on to Windows Vista. When you delete a file or a
folder, Windows Vista places the file or the folder temporarily in the
Recycle Bin. You can change the background picture or pattern, called
Wallpaper, on the desktop. Wallpaper is decorative and does not change how
Windows Vista functions.
2
The Windows Sidebar displays tools—also called gadgets—that provide
updated information about weather, time, or your appointments. The Sidebar
is visibly distinct when you point to it.
3
In Windows Vista, the Start button opens the Start menu. You can use the
commands on the Start menu to start a program, or to restart or shut down
the computer.
4
The taskbar is a rectangular bar that is usually located at the bottom
of the screen. You can use the taskbar to select a program running on your
computer. The taskbar displays the programs in the form of taskbar buttons.
The program displayed on the taskbar in the graphic is Word 2007.
5
The notification area displays the time, a volume icon, and icons of
some programs running on a computer. For example, the printer shortcut icon
appears after a document has been sent to the printer and disappears when
the printing is complete.
