Desktop computer windows xp

See All - Shop by Form Factor. All Auction Buy It Now. View: Gallery View. Operating System Windows XP filter applied see all. Buying Format All Listings filter applied. Only 1 left! Compaq EVO D 2. Dell Optiplex Desktop Pentium D 3. Dell Optiplex GX 3. Gateway ED Dual Core 2. Results Pagination - Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. You May Also Like. Dell Computer Motherboards. HP Computer Motherboards. Is the Windows XP desktop available in different versions? Windows XP Professional 64 bit: Enhanced capacity to use greater amounts of RAM results in better performance in media streaming and resource-intensive operations.

Are there different installation and licensing options for Windows XP? What are the specifications for a Windows XP desktop? This type of system is popular because it's logical, fun, and easy to use. This operating system has multi-tasking capabilities, meaning it can run several applications at the same time.

Multi-tasking allows you to view this lesson on the Internet at the same time you practice using other applications with Windows XP. Microsoft has ended support for Windows XP. To learn more about what this means for you, check out our article How to survive the end of Windows XP support. Like previous versions of Windows, Windows XP uses a desktop for the standard interface. Think of the desktop as a workspace where you can access everything you need to operate your computer, such as system components, applications, and the Internet.

Your desktop's appearance may vary from the example shown below, especially if you bought a computer with XP preinstalled. When you click the Start button, the Start menu appears.

The Start menu is your gateway to the applications on your computer. The left side of the Start menu lists programs, while the right side allows access to common Windows folders My Documents, for example. It also provides access to Help and Support , Search , and Run. If you select All Programs , a pop-up menu appears. Pop-up menus like this are called cascading menus. If a cascading menu is available, a small black triangle appears next to the name of the application or function.

The Start menu remembers items you've recently opened and places each icon on the Start menu so you can easily open them the next time you open the Start menu. For example, if you recently opened Microsoft Word using Start All Programs Microsoft Word , the next time you open the Start menu simply click the Word icon on the left side of the Start menu.

The small pictures on the desktop are called icons. One type of icon is an object icon. These icons allow you to open files and programs on your computer. Shortcut icons allow you to open applications quickly. These icons appear on your desktop and with little arrows in the left corner. Desktop shortcuts are links to files and programs. You can add or delete shortcuts without affecting the programs on your computer. You'll learn about creating shortcuts in a later lesson.

The taskbar is the small blue bar you see at the bottom of your desktop. Click an icon to open a program. Click Show Desktop to quickly view your desktop without closing any programs or windows. The box on the right is called the Notification Area. Here, you'll find the clock and several other icons, depending on what you have installed on your computer.

Other icons appear in the Notification Area detailing the status of your activity. For example, when you're printing a document, a printer icon appears. Microsoft also uses the Notification Area to remind you when software updates are available for download.

When you open or minimize a window or program, a rectangular button appears on the taskbar that shows the name of the application. These buttons disappear when you close a window.

You can learn more about switching between windows in the Moving and Sizing Windows lesson. More than one person can use your computer. For example, many family members might use the same computer at home, while several coworkers may be able to access your computer on a computer network.

Windows XP allows everyone who uses your computer to have separate computer accounts. A computer account tracks each person's unique settings, documents, and email accounts. Windows XP even enables you to log off the computer so someone else can log in without having to restart the computer. When you've finished using Windows XP, be sure to turn off or shut down the computer correctly.

If you're experiencing computer problems or have installed something new, you can simply restart your computer.