Basic 7 · Computing · Computer Systems
Windows Desktop Features and File Management
In this topic you will explore the features of the latest Windows operating system, including the Start menu, taskbar, preview thumbnails and user accounts, and practise managing files and folders.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Identify and use the features of the Windows desktop, Start menu and taskbar
- Explain types of user accounts
- Create, rename, copy, move and delete files and folders
What you already know
- Parts of the computer and the desktop (Upper Primary)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Introduction to computing
- Sub-strand
- Computer Systems
- Indicator
- B7.1.1.2.1 – Discover the latest Windows Operating System (Start screen, Use of tiles, Taskbar buttons, Preview thumbnails) temporal peeking into a window on a taskbar
Introduction
When a computer starts, the first screen you see is the desktop. Like the top of a real desk, it holds the tools and files you use most often.
1. The Desktop
Desktop: The main screen that appears after the computer starts, showing the background, icons and taskbar.
The desktop contains a background picture (wallpaper), icons for programs, files and folders, and the Recycle Bin, which holds deleted files until it is emptied.
2. The Start Menu and Tiles
Clicking the Start button opens the Start menu. In Windows 10, the Start menu shows a list of apps and a group of coloured, resizable tiles. Some live tiles show changing information such as the weather or news. In Windows 11, the Start menu sits in the centre of the taskbar and shows pinned apps and recommended files instead of live tiles. You can pin your favourite apps to Start so that they open with one click.
3. The Taskbar
| Part | Use |
|---|---|
| Start button | opens the Start menu |
| search box | finds apps, files and settings |
| Task View button | shows all open windows and virtual desktops |
| taskbar buttons | show pinned and open programs |
| notification area | shows the clock, volume, network and battery |
| Show desktop button | at the far right; minimises all windows |
4. Preview Thumbnails and Peeking
When you move the mouse pointer over a program's button on the taskbar, a small picture of its open window appears. This is a preview thumbnail. If the program has several windows open, a thumbnail appears for each. Pointing at a thumbnail lets you peek at that full window temporarily, and clicking it opens the window. Pointing at the Show desktop button at the far right of the taskbar lets you peek at the desktop behind all open windows.
5. User Accounts
| Account | What the user can do |
|---|---|
| administrator | install programs, change settings and manage other accounts |
| standard user | use programs and change their own settings, but not settings that affect others |
| guest or child account | limited use; parents or administrators can set controls |
Each account should be protected with a strong password or PIN. In a school laboratory, learners normally use standard accounts so that important settings are not changed by mistake.
New words
- desktop
- The main screen after the computer starts.
- taskbar
- The bar, usually at the bottom, showing the Start button and open programs.
- preview thumbnail
- A small picture of an open window shown on the taskbar.
- administrator
- A user account with full control of the computer.
Summary
- The desktop shows the wallpaper, icons, Recycle Bin and taskbar.
- The Start menu, taskbar buttons and preview thumbnails help you open and switch between programs.
- Administrator accounts have full control; standard accounts have limited control.
Class activity: Desktop Tour
- Turn on the computer and identify the desktop, icons, Start button and taskbar.
- Open two programs and use the preview thumbnails to switch between them.
- Point at the Show desktop button and describe what happens.
You need: Desktop computer, Mouse, Printed Windows desktop screenshot
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The button that opens the Start menu is the…
- A. Start button
- B. Recycle Bin
- C. Task View
- D. clock
Show answer
Answer: Start buttonBottom of the screen.2. Which account can install programs and manage other accounts?
- A. Administrator
- B. Standard user
- C. Guest
- D. Child
Show answer
Answer: AdministratorFull control.3. Deleted files go to the Recycle Bin first.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueUntil it is emptied.4. A small picture of an open window on the taskbar is a preview ______.
Show answer
Answer: thumbnailSmall preview.5. Name four parts of the taskbar and the use of each.
Show answer
Answer: Start button: opens Start; search box: finds items; taskbar buttons: open programs; notification area: shows clock and status.Any four.6. Why should learners use standard accounts in a school laboratory?
Show answer
Answer: To prevent them from changing important settings or installing harmful programs by mistake.Protects the system.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Introduction to computing
- Sub-strand
- Computer Systems
- Indicator
- B7.1.1.2.2 – Practice file management techniques
Introduction
Imagine a classroom cupboard with books thrown in anyhow. Finding one book would take a long time. Computers can become just as untidy if files are not organised into folders.
1. Files and Folders
File: A collection of related data saved with a name, such as a document, picture or song.
Folder: A container used to store and organise files and other folders.
Each file has a name and an extension that shows its type, for example "Project.docx" (Word document), "Photo.jpg" (picture) and "Song.mp3" (audio). Folders inside other folders are called subfolders.
2. File Explorer
File Explorer is the Windows program for managing files. It shows drives such as Local Disk (C:) and USB drives, and folders such as Documents, Pictures, Downloads and Desktop. The address bar shows the path, such as C:\Users\Ama\Documents\JHS1, which tells you exactly where a file is stored.
3. Basic File Management Tasks
| Task | Steps |
|---|---|
| create a folder | right-click an empty area, choose New, then Folder, and type a name |
| rename | right-click the item, choose Rename (or press F2), type the new name and press Enter |
| copy | select the item, press Ctrl + C, go to the new location and press Ctrl + V |
| move | select the item, press Ctrl + X, go to the new location and press Ctrl + V |
| delete | select the item and press Delete; it goes to the Recycle Bin |
| restore | open the Recycle Bin, right-click the item and choose Restore |
| search | type the file name in the search box of File Explorer |
4. Copying to a Flash Drive
- Insert the flash drive into a USB port.
- Open File Explorer and find the file you want to copy.
- Right-click the file and choose Copy.
- Open the flash drive in the navigation pane.
- Right-click an empty area and choose Paste.
- Eject the flash drive safely before removing it.
5. Good File Management Habits
Give files and folders clear names, such as "Science Project Term 1" instead of "New Document". Organise folders by subject or topic. Delete files you no longer need and empty the Recycle Bin regularly. Save your work often and keep backups on a flash drive or cloud storage.
Common mistake: Copying makes a second copy and keeps the original; moving takes the original to the new place. Do not confuse the two.
New words
- file extension
- The letters after the dot in a file name that show its type.
- subfolder
- A folder inside another folder.
- path
- The address that shows where a file is stored.
- File Explorer
- The Windows program for managing files and folders.
Summary
- Files hold data; folders organise files.
- File Explorer is used to create, rename, copy, move, delete and restore files.
- Clear names, organised folders and backups are good file management habits.
Class activity: Organise My Files
- Create a folder named with your name and class.
- Inside it, create subfolders for three subjects and save a document in one.
- Copy the folder to a USB flash drive and eject it safely.
You need: Desktop computer, USB flash drive, Printed file-folder screenshot
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which shortcut copies a selected file?
- A. Ctrl + C
- B. Ctrl + V
- C. Ctrl + X
- D. Ctrl + Z
Show answer
Answer: Ctrl + CC for copy.2. "Report.docx" is a…
- A. Word document
- B. picture
- C. music file
- D. video
Show answer
Answer: Word document.docx extension.3. A folder can contain other folders.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSubfolders.4. The address that shows where a file is stored is its ______.
Show answer
Answer: pathLocation.5. Describe how to create and rename a folder.
Show answer
Answer: Right-click an empty area, choose New then Folder, type a name; to rename, right-click, choose Rename or press F2, type and press Enter.Steps.6. Explain the difference between copying and moving a file.
Show answer
Answer: Copying creates a duplicate and keeps the original; moving removes the file from the old place to the new one.Original kept or not.
Homework
- Draw a folder tree showing how you would organise files for all your subjects.