Windows 8.1: Working with Desktop Applications

This training lesson instructs you on the different elements of the Windows 8 desktop in order for you to be able to use them more efficiently. The desktop consists of two main areas: the actual desktop itself, which is the main area of the screen you would see locations of folders, the recycle bin, and the like, and the taskbar, where you gain access to various programs on your computer. Understanding even these basics is a valuable step in better comprehending the Windows 8 interface.

Of course, once you identify the desktop and taskbar, you need to know what you can do with them. For example, you can search for files or programs you may have some difficulty locating on your own, you may want to make unique folders to house files, photographs, or other information, and you may want to permanently delete certain pieces of information from your system. All of these things can be done from the desktop, and this video shows you how.

Before going on the internet, before opening a word processing program, and before accessing multimedia on your computer, you have to interact with the desktop. It may seem like a basic concept, but it is highly important to your overall computer literacy. As Windows has evolved, you may feel hesitant to learn a new operating system, especially one with as significant of changes as Windows 8. However, learning a new system does not need to be difficult. Utilize the information presented here and take the first steps in mastering Windows 8.

   This course is in the Video On Demand format, to read about Video On Demand features click here.

Windows 8 users

• Navigate the Desktop
• Create Files and Folders
• Navigate the File Explorer
• Manage Folders with the File Explorer
• Manage the Recycle Bin
• Create Libraries
• Search for Files with the File Explorer
• Search for Files with the Start Screen
• Identify the Elements of a Desktop Window
• Work with Desktop Windows
• Work with Task Manager
• Create and Modify Files with Keyboard Commands

• Navigate the Windows desktop.
  • Recall the two ways to access the desktop in Windows 8.1.
  • Identify the benefits for customizing the notifications area.
  • Recall how to access the jump list feature.
• Create files and folders.
  • Identify the benefit of saving a file to your desktop.
  • Recall the functions of right clicking on a file or folder from the desktop.
  • Recall how to delete a file or folder from the desktop.
• Navigate the File Explorer.
  • Identify the different elements of File Explorer.
• Manage folders with the File Explorer.
  • Identify the functions available to manage folders.
• Manage the Recycle Bin.
  • Determine which files will be deleted permanently when the Recycle Bin reaches its limit.
  • Recall how to permanently delete files in the Recycle Bin.
• Create libraries.
  • Identify the benefit of creating libraries.
• Search for files with the File Explorer.
  • Recall where the search feature is located.
  • Identify filters to narrow your search of a file in File Explorer.
• Search for files with the Start Screen.
  • Identify the benefits of using the Start Screen to search for and locate files.
  • Recall the steps for indexing a new search criteria.
• Identify the elements of a desktop window.
  • Identify the common elements of a desktop window.
• Work with desktop windows.
  • Recall how to manipulate the size of a window.
  • Recall how to snap windows for multitasking capabilities.
• Work with Task Manager.
  • Identify what the Task Manager is used for.
• Create and modify files with keyboard commands.
  • Recall the various keyboard commands.

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