T. L. E.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING

9
Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 13
Desktop Icons

Writer: Ma. Gloria Lisette Gay R. Espinas

Editors/Reviewer: Maria O. Del Barrio
Jhoanna V. Navata
Glenda B. Mira (Technical)
 EXPECTATIONS

At the end of the learning period, the students should be able to:

A. describe a desktop window;

B. identify the icons on the desktop window; and
C. name the parts of the desktop window.

PRETEST

Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct word or group of words from the given
choices. Write the letter only.

1. You put things in the _____ that you no longer need or want.
a. Desktop c. Icon
b. GUI d. Recycle bin

2. The Start Menu and the clock are found on the _______.
a. Start menu c. Task bar
b. Control panel d. Title bar

3. The _____ is the background screen for all programs and contains commands
needed to access them.
a. Desktop c. Icon
b. GUI d. Recycle bin

4. An ______ is a small picture that links to a file or program.

a. Application c. Icon
b. Desktop d. Notification area

5. The ______ contains basic operations such as run, shut down and find.
a. Start Menu c. Control pane
b. Task bar d. Title bar
 RECAP
Can you remember the steps in saving a document? Supply the missing letters to
complete the word.

1. What is the name assigned to a file when it is saved?

__ I __ E __ A __ E

2. To save an existing document with a new file name, which command is

used?
S __ V __ - __ S

3. Which command is used to look for a saved document?

F __ L __ E __ __ O R __ R

LESSON

DESKTOP ICONS
The desktop window appears on the screen as the computer is turned-on and
loads the operating system. The desktop serves as a surface for your work that
covers the entire computer screen. It is the interface where programs or folders can
be accessed. You can also put things on the desktop, such as files and folders, and
arrange them however you want. Most computers are run by Windows as the
operating system.

The Windows desktop has three main elements: icons, start menu and task
bar.

1. Icons are small pictures that represent files, folders, programs, and other items.

File refers to a document saved on your hard drive. This can be a letter, photo,
audio clip, article, etc.
 Folder is also called a directory. This is use to organize files.

Icons are classified into five categories:

a. Folder Icons: When a folder icon is double clicked, a folder window is opened
displaying the contents of the folder.

b. Program Icons: When a Program icon is double clicked, the corresponding

program is loaded into the memory of the computer and the application starts
running in a Window.

c. Document Icons: When a document icon is double clicked, the document

itself is opened.

d. Shortcut Icons: Shortcut icons provide an alternate way to open programs,

documents, and folders

e. System Icons: System icons are mandatory programs or files that are located
on your desktop. User is not allowed to delete the system icon, since deleting
the system icon would mean deleting the actual program from the hard drive
of the computer. Examples of System Icons are: Recycle Bin, This PC, and
Network Neighborhood etc.
 ✔ Recycle Bin: Any deleted file or folder from the hard disk of the computer goes
to a separate folder called Recycle Bin. The files are not actually deleted, they
are stored in the bin can be restored whenever you need it.

✔ This PC: All the files and folders existing in the computer can be accessed
here. It also displays the system and hardware information by double clicking
the "This PC" icon.

✔ Network Neighbourhood: "Network Neighbourhood" icon displays windows

from other computers and resources, like printer, connected to the network.

2. Start Menu. In Microsoft Windows it is where files, folders and programs are
located. It can be accessed by clicking the (Windows Logo) at the bottom-left
corner of the desktop screen.

3. Task Bar. This offers shortcuts and icons for every running app. It provides
easy access to files, folders, open apps and windows on your taskbar (in thumbnail
views) on the task bar.

✔ Cortana icon and search box are found on the task bar for ease in searching.

✔ The Notification Area (also referred as “System Tray”) holds system icons—
like your Action Center and clock—and icons for various apps that run in the
background.
 ACTIVITIES

Activity I. Matching type. Match the icons in column A with the group of icons in
column B. Write the letters on the space provided.

COLUMN A COLUMN B

_____ 1. a. Folder icon

_____ 2. b. Program icon

_____ 3. c. Document icon

_____ 4. d. Shortcut icon

_____ 5. e. System icon

Activity II. Name the labeled parts of the Desktop window.

 WRAP-UP

What are icons you see on the desktop window?

______________________ ______________________ ______________________

______________________ ______________________ ______________________

VALUING

How will your knowledge in familiarizing the different icons in the desktop or even in
your gadgets be beneficial in your studies?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

POSTTEST

Directions: Read each statement carefully. Choose from the box the which is being
described by the statement. Write your answer on the space provided.

Desktop File Icon

Recycle Bin Shortcut icons Task bar

1. It is the background screen for all files, folders and programs and contains
commands needed to access them. ___________________
2. It contains all deleted files. ___________________
3. This refers to a document saved on your hard drive. ___________________
4. These are small pictures that represent files, folders, programs, and other
items. ___________________
5. This offers shortcuts and icons for every running app. ___________________
 KEY TO CORRECTION

5. Task bar 5. Desktop 5. E 5. A

4. Notification Area 4. Icon 4. C 4. C
3. File 3. Task bar 3. D 3. A
2. Recycle bin 2. Start Menu 2. A 2. C
1. Desktop 1. Icon 1. B 1. D
POST TEST ACTIVITY II ACTIVITY I PRETEST

References
Glenn, Walter. 2019. “How to Customize the Taskbar in Windows 10.” How. How-
To Geek. April 30, 2019. https://www.howtogeek.com/225568/how-to-
configure-and-customize-the-taskbar-in-windows-10/.

Mihajlov, M., 2020. Display My Computer Icon On Desktop In Windows 10 - How

To Digital Stuff. [online] How To Digital Stuff. Available at:
<https://www.howtodigitalstuff.com/display-my-computer-icon-on-desktop-
in-windows-10/> [Accessed 9 July 2020].

O’Reilly Online Learning. 2020. Windows 10: The Missing Manual. [online]
Available at: <https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/windows-10-
the/9781491948286/ch01.html> [Accessed 9 July 2020].

Sheetal. 1970. ( a) THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF WINDOWS DESKTOP, (b)Windows

Explorer & (c) Main Features of Word Pad. January 1, 1970.
http://mytrimblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/the-basic-elements-of-windows-
desktop.html.>[Accessed 9 July 2020].

Team, E., 2020. How To Change Desktop Icon Size In Windows & Show/Hide Icons
- Whatvwant. [online] Whatvwant. Available at:
<https://whatvwant.com/change-desktop-icon-size-show-hide/> [Accessed
9 July 2020].