Section 1 - Introduction

Computers use the operating system to manage all the relate d tasks neede d to run the computer and its input and output devices. The Windows operating systems translate information into a graphical user interface (GUI) that is easier to understand. The GUI allows the user to input information by clicking icons or symbols rather than typing lines of code. One of the major components of the GUI on the Windows operating system is the desktop.

In this lesson you will be provided with general information about how operating systems work, and then you will learn about the desktop for the Windows XP Operating System (OS) and Windows Vista OS.