Windows User interface

Various parts of the interface are –
THE DESKTOP – It is what is shown after computer is started and Windows is loaded. It is screen area on which  icons are present. It also contains dialog boxes, and the mouse pointer.
Window – They are areas of screen with a border around them containing programs or files in use.
Icons – They are small graphic objects that represent specific programs to be used
Dialog box – Screen area in a window having messages or inputs information that is needed.
Mouse pointer – It shows where the mouse is currently pointing.

The Task Bar – It is a bar on bottom edge of desktop to launch and monitor running applications.

It includes from left to right Start menu button, Quick Launch bar, taskbar buttons, and notification area. Tasks on task bar will expand or contract depending upon number of tasks and if you move the mouse pointer to a task, task name is displayed. The various parts of taskbar are

• Quick launch toolbar – It contains shortcuts to applications. Windows provides default entries.
• Task Button area – Windows places a taskbar button of an application started by user.
• Notification area – Displays icons for program having no presence on the desktop. It has time and volume icon and shows printer icon, during printing. It is called system tray.
• The Start Button – It opens Start Menu, giving central launching point for application and tasks.

The Start Menu – It provides a customizable nested list of programs for the user to launch, as well as a list of most recently opened documents, a way to find files and get help, and access to the system settings. It also has My Documents, My Computer and My Network Places. It provides a much quicker and easier way to open programs and consolidates a list of programs into one place.

Component	Use
My Documents	Windows default linking to a folder for storing user documents.
Recent Documents	Sub menu listing files which were being worked upon recently.
My Pictures	Default sub folder in My Documents for storing picture.
My Music	Default sub folder in My Documents for storing music.
All Programs	It lists all user or system programs to choose for running.
Control Panel	It helps in changing the settings of many windows features.
Printers & Faxes	It is a link in control panel for configuring printer & fax.
Search	Used to search for a file or folder on a computer or on network.
Help & Support	Opens help facility, to review topics from a table of contents.
Run	Type the path and filename of a program, file, or folder to open.
Turn-Off Computer	Prepares your computer to be turned off or Log Off or Restart.

Arrowhead on right of menus opens a sub menu. Dots means a dialog box will ask for input.

Parts of a Window – It is a screen area containing user interface used to display the output of and may allow input to one or more processes. It usually has a rectangular shape that can overlap with the area of other windows and can be arranged on a desktop. They can be manipulated with a mouse cursor or even keyboard. They can be resized, moved, restored or closed. Windows usually include a menu-bar, toolbars, controls, icons and often a working area.

No.	Part	Use
1	Title Bar	It contains name of program or path and name of folder in the window and is also used to move window to some other location
2	Control Menu Icon	Opens control menu to move, size or close  window
3	Menu Bar	Contains the drop down menus that are available in the window
4	Toolbar	Contains tools related to the contents of the window.
5	Folder Icon	Represents a folder which can contain other folders or files
6	File Icon	Represents a folder which contain other folders or files
7	Horizontal Scroll Bar	Allows moving the contents of windows horizontally
8	Status Bar	Provides messages and information about what is displayed or selected in the window.
9	Sizing Handle	Allows sizing of the window in two dimensions
10	Vertical Scroll Bar	Allows moving the contents of the windows Vertically
11	Window Border	Separates window from desktop and is used to size the window
12	Close Button	Closes the window
13	Maximize Button	Increases the size of the window to fill the desktop
14	Minimize Button	Decreases size of the window to see other windows or desktop.

As shown in the figure below.

Using the Mouse – The mouse is used to move the pointer on the screen and to indicate a choice by pressing a button. There is also standard terminology for using the mouse as given below.

Mouse Action	Used For
Point On	To move mouse until tip of the pointer is on top of the object to select
Click On	To point on an object and release of the left mouse button once quickly
Right click On	To select & open object’s menu by press of right mouse button once
Double click On	To open or execute the object by press left mouse button twice quickly.
Drag and drop	To move an object with mouse by hold the left mouse button while moving and release the mouse button.

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