2.1. The Desktop
Like most modern
operating systems that use graphical user interfaces (such as
the Mac, Unix, and earlier
versions of Windows), Windows XP uses the metaphor of a
Desktop with windows and file folders
laid out on it. This Desktop metaphor is provided by a program
called
Windows Explorer
(explorer.exe). Windows XP runs this program
automatically every time you start Windows XP.[1]
[1] Occasionally, you may see the
icons on your
Desktop disappear and then reappear. This is caused by Windows
Explorer crashing, and Windows relaunching it
immediately thereafter. See
"Taskbar" in Chapter 3 for more information.
Figure 2-1 shows the main features of the Windows
XP Desktop. The callouts in the figure highlight some of the
special-purpose
icons
and buttons that may appear on the Desktop. Each of these is
described further in Chapter 3.
Figure 2-1. Windows XP Desktop features
