When you successfully log on into the Windows operating system, you'll have a desktop similar like this. Don't worry if you can't see icons on the desktop. In Windows XP, you can customize your desktop which means you are free to put what icons on your desktop.

These are icons you'll see in Windows XP after it's been enabled. To enable icons in Windows XP, right-click mouse on the desktop and choose Properties. Click Desktop tab at the top and click Customize Desktop at the bottom of Properties pane. Click icons you want to be on the desktop, click Apply and then OK. These icons are the basic icons. The icons are a bit different if you are using a different version of Windows.

Your name will appear at the top of the Start menu.

These are icons you'll see on Windows XP desktop. The icon below is Internet Explorer icon. Internet Explorer is a default windows web browser. If you have an internet connection, click this icon to surf internet.

This is Outlook Express icon. It is located below Internet explorer when you open the Start menu. Use outlook express to read and send email messages.

Click All Programs to see other programs installed on your computer.

Click Log Off to exit from your current session. You can find this icon at the bottom of Start menu.

If you click Turn Off Computer, you'll see an option to stand by, turn off and restart computer. This icon is located beside Log Off icon in the Start menu.

Control Panel is a program that enables you to setup and configure windows, hardware and software.

Click Help and Support if you encounter any problem in windows.

Search program is a very useful program. Use Search to find folder or any kind of files in your computer.

On the right side at the bottom of the desktop, you'll find a notification area. You can check system activity and status alerts such as your network and email. There's also a digital clock

You can check your currently open documents in My Recent Documents. You can open all documents from the hard disk, but not from floppy or CD-ROM.

Point your mouse to the 'start' (bottom left) and click the left-click button on your mouse.

Now click start --> Programs --> Accessories --> Windows Explorer

You can explore your computer by using 'Windows Explorer' program. The icons My Music and My Pictures is called 'folder'. Use your mouse to point on a folder and double-click to open it.