The Task Bar at the bottom of your desktop displays the Start menu and the Quick Launch Bar, which contains icons for the Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player and Show Desktop.
The box to the right is called the Notification Area and will have the clock and several other icons depending on what you have on your computer. Programs that are running will also be visible here. When you print, the printer icons will appear in the Notification Area. The availability of updates for your system will also show up here.
By right mouse clicking on the taskbar, you will bring up a dialog box, which will allow you to customize your task bar and start up menu by selecting Properties.
You can also set the date and time and arrange documents within different windows, by cascading or tiling when using various applications.
In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties box, check the general features you want to have displayed and where you would like to have them.
Under the Advanced Tab, customize the Start Menu by adding or removing programs. This will not delete them from your computer; it will only clear them from the Start menu.
There are several more features of the Windows operating system with which it helps to be familiar. They will guide you in finding things and organizing your files. To be comfortable using the computer it is essential that you become knowledgeable about how to maneuver through windows.
One of the most important features to learn about is the Start menu.