2. The Start Menu and Taskbar
After you log on, Windows displays the desktop and its components (Figure 2.1 ). The
desktop sets the backdrop for your working environment and lets you organize the resources on your computer. The
Start menu is the central location that lists the most useful folders, programs, and commands. The
taskbar tells you what programs are running on your computer and lets you activate or close them.
Figure 2.1. Basic desktop elements. Your desktop may look a little different if you upgraded from a previous version of Windows or if your PC's manufacturer added icons and changed the desktop background.
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