Learn about the Desktop Folder and Desktop Icons



Windows 7 Operating System Lesson # 4:

Accounts - Profiles - Program Shortcuts

Below we consider User Accounts, User Profiles, and how program shortcuts are set up on the Desktop and on the Programs Start Menu.

User Accounts allow any number of different individuals to use the same computer, so that each can configure it with their own preferences and restrictions. Even when Windows is set up for a single user it establishes several user accounts.

Multiple-user systems require users to identify themselves before accessing the functions for which they have been authorized. When an account is set up, the user is assigned a username (also called a screen name, handle, nickname), and an optional (but recommended) password. The process of identification is often referred to as log on, log in or authentication. Each user is assigned his or her own documents and settings. A separate folder is created for each user in the Users folder on the System drive, (usually C:\Users).

A User Profile in Microsoft Windows is a collection of the user's (username's) configuration and settings on that computer. User profiles are stored within the C:\Users\(username)\App Data folder.

• RIGHT click on Start, click on Open Windows Explorer.

• In the left Navigation Panel click on the triangle ([pic], or + on some versions of the OS) to the left of OS(C:).

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Users.

• In the drop-down click on Computer Group.

In the right (main) panel are the folders that hold the profile information and data for the selected user. Usually shown are App Data, Contacts, Desktop, Downloads, Favorites, My Documents, My Music, My Pictures and My Videos.

• Close all windows.

User Accounts and Profiles

To create a user account

• Click on Start.

• Click on Control Panel (set to Small icons view).

• Click User Accounts.

• Click Manage another account.

• If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

• Click Create a new account.

• In the New account name box type Test, the name you want to give the new account.

• Click on Standard user (for this lesson), and then click Create Account.

• Close all windows.

• Click on Start, click on the triangle ([pic]) next to Shut Down.

• Click on Log off.

• On the log in screen click on the Test account.

Only the Public Profile and System icons appear on the Test's Desktop. See the next section on how Desktop icons are managed.

• Restart the computer.

• Log in as Computer Group with the proper password.

• Click on Start, Control Panel (set to Small icons view).

• Click on User Accounts.

• Click on Manage another account.

• Click on Test and then click on Delete account.

• Enter the password, if prompted.

• Click on Delete files and then click on Delete account.

• Close all windows.

The Desktop Folder and Desktop Icons

The icons and shortcuts that appear on the Desktop are located in the folder C:\Users\(username)\Desktop. Each of the user-created User Accounts has its own subfolder called Desktop. Some accounts created by the System itself may have a Desktop folder also.

• RIGHT click on Start, click on Open Windows Explorer.

• In the left Navigation Panel click on the triangle ([pic], or + on some versions of the OS) to the left of OS(C:).

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Users.

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Computer Group.

• In the drop-down click on Desktop.

• On the Menu Bar click on View. If not already selected, click on Details.

Note that only some of the icons that show on the Computer Group Desktop appear in the Desktop Folder you just opened. Icons on the Computer Group's Desktop not shown in that folder are system icons in the Public Profile that are shown for every user.

Accessing the Username's Desktop

• Click on the – sign on the Explorer window to minimize it.

• Close all other windows.

• If a shortcut to Notepad had been accidentally left on the Desktop, delete it now.

We will place shortcuts on the Desktop using two ways.

(1) Click on Start, click on All Programs and click on Accessories.

• On the menu that appears, point to Notepad.

DO NOT LEFT DRAG!

• RIGHT drag Notepad to an empty space on the Desktop (not on top of a folder icon).

• Release the right button and click on Copy here. Note that the shortcut to Notepad is on the desktop.

• Restore the Explorer window by clicking on its Task Bar button.

• If Desktop in the User profile is not already selected, click on it and verify that the shortcut to Notepad shows in the RIGHT panel.

(2) In the Explorer window, use the middle scroll bar to find C:\Resource in the left panel and click on it. Note the file Pill.bmp in the right panel.

• Change the View setting to Details, if needed, but do not disturb the RIGHT panel.

• Using the middle scroll bar, scroll to C:\Users in the LEFT panel.

• If the detail entries in C:\Users are not already shown, click on the right-pointing triangle ([pic]) in front of Users.

• Click on the right-pointing triangle ([pic]) in front of Computer Group.

• Find but do not click on the Desktop icon.

In the next operation be careful - DO NOT LEFT DRAG!

Before you release the RIGHT button, be sure you selected the Desktop icon (it should turn light blue).

• RIGHT drag Pill.bmp from the right panel to the Desktop icon on the left.

• Release the RIGHT button.

• Click on Create shortcuts here.

• Close the Windows Explorer and note the icon on the Desktop.

• Delete the Pill.bmp and Notepad icons.

Note: At the end of Step 2, above, and whenever handling executable or other files with entries in the System's Registry: Be sure to only create shortcuts for them. Do not click on Move Here, Copy Here, or Paste. For applications or programs, this would affect the registration of the objects and this could confuse the operating system.

In general, on the Desktop you should only have system icons (My Computer, My Documents, Internet Explorer, My Network Places) or shortcuts to files and folders, but not the files or folders themselves. You can also use the Desktop for temporary storage, but you should use My Documents or special working folders for things you want to keep.

What you learned: You can place icons on the Desktop by dragging them there from Start Menu | Programs or by putting shortcuts into the Desktop folder of various profiles. The desktop can assume a different appearance for different users of the computer, depending on the contents of the Desktop folder of that user. The path is:

C:\Users\(Public or a “username” profile)\Desktop.

The Desktop folder (if one is present) of the Public profile holds shortcuts that appear on the desktops of other profiles.

The Programs Menu

• Click on Start, click on All Programs.

• If you find a shortcut to Eversoft or 1st Page 2000 (scroll, if needed), RIGHT click on it.

• Click on Delete. Click on Yes to confirm the deletion.

• RIGHT click on Start, click on Open Windows Explorer.

• In the left Navigation Panel click on the triangle ([pic], or + on some versions of the OS) to the left of OS(C:).

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Program Files.

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Eversoft.

• Click on 1st Page 2000.

• In the right panel find 1st Page 2000.exe and RIGHT click on it.

• In the drop down menu click on Copy.

• Move the center scroll bar down to find Users in the LEFT panel.

• Click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Users.

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Computer Group.

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of App Data.

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Roaming.

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Microsoft.

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Windows.

• In the drop-down click on the triangle ([pic]) to the left of Start Menu.

(not shown)

Explorer Window Address Bar (top of window)

• Click on Programs.

In the step below DO NOT USE Paste (see note on p. 4).

RIGHT click in the lower area (not on a folder) and click on Paste Shortcut.

Right Click Menu

Close the Windows Explorer window.

Find the shortcut listed in

Start Menu | All Programs | 1st Page.exe Shortcut.

Close all windows and turn the computer off.

What you learned: The entries in Start Menu | All Programs are shortcuts located in the folder

C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs.

You can place icons on the Start Menu | All Programs menu by putting shortcuts into that folder. Be sure that you only place shortcuts there and not the executable programs themselves.

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