THE WINDOWS DESKTOP AND FUNCTIONS

Click the start button to get the main menu.

CREATING A SHORTCUT ON THE DESKTOP

To create a shortcut on the Windows XP desktop from the start menu, do the following: Click the Start button Select All Programs Click Accessories Right-click Windows Explorer to open the short cut menu Click Desktop (to create short cut) And the shortcut now appears on the desktop!

CUSTOMIZING THE START MENU
You can customize the Start menu for easy access to your favorite programs. The left side of the Start menu is separated into two parts. The programs displayed above the separator line comprise the pinned items list; the programs below the separator line comprise the frequently used programs list. The programs on the pinned items list remain there and are always available. By default, Netscape and Netscape Mail are currently included, but

you can change these to a different browser and e-mail reader. You can also add more programs to this list. To display a program in the pinned items list: 1. On the Start menu, click All Programs, then Standard Software. 2. Right-click the selected program from the Standard Software list. Click Pin to Start menu. The program will appear on the Start menu. 3. You can remove a program from the pinned items list by right-clicking the program and then clicking Unpin from Start menu. To change your Internet browser and e-mail program: 1. Right-click the Start menu button, then select Properties. The Taskbar and Start Menu properties dialog box will appear. 2. Select the Start Menu tab. Select the Start menu radio button, then click the Customize button. The Customize Start Menu dialog box will appear. 3. Select the General tab. In the Show on Start menu box, select Internet: and Email:, then select the appropriate browser or reader from the pull-down menus. Click OK. NOTE: Changing your Internet and E-mail options in the Start menu does not change the behavior of the default browser.

To search for a file or folder:
1. Click Start, and then click Search. 2. In the Search Companion dialog box, click All files and folders. 3. Type part or all of the name of the file or folder, or type a word or phrase that is in the file. 4. In the Look in box, click the drive or drives, folder, or network location that you want to search. 5. Choose one of the following options: 1. Click When was it modified to look for files that were created or modified on or between specific dates. 2. Click What size is it to look for files that are specific size. 3. Click More advanced options to specify additional search criteria. 6. Click Search. Show hidden files and folders (XP) Views: 9,502 / Last Updated: September 21, 2002 Double Click on My Computer.Click on Tools > Folder Options... in the menus.

Click on the View tab. Select Show hidden files and folders under Hidden files and folders. Click the OK button. Note: If you are an advanced user you may want to remove the check from Hide protected operating system files.