The Desktop & Programmes
Desktop anatomy, opening programmes, the three window buttons, moving, resizing and multitasking.
⌨️ Start with your 10-minute typing warm-upBy the end, you will be able to:
- Identify the wallpaper, desktop icons, taskbar and system tray.
- Explain what a programme is and open one from a desktop icon or the Start search.
- Use Minimise, Maximise/Restore and Close, and move and resize a window.
- Run Paint and Notepad together, switch between them, and choose correctly in the "Save changes?" box.
What you need
No computer at home? Print the PDF and practise on paper.
Follow these steps in order
Tick each step when you finish it. Your ticks are saved on this device, so you can stop and come back later.
Learn the ideas ⏱️ 35 min
Read pages 1–4 of the workbook and try every small task. Type your answers straight into the boxes: they save by themselves.
Explore the 3D lab ⏱️ 15 min
Play with the 3D model below. The 🎯 missions tell you exactly what to do next. When you finish every mission, this step ticks itself.
Do the Lab Mission ⏱️ 25 min
Page 5 is the hands-on task. Do it on a real computer, step by step. You need: a computer with Paint and Notepad.
Check yourself ⏱️ 10 min
Answer the questions on page 6 without looking back, then check your answers below.
Finished? Check your answers
Check Your Thinking (Page 2) Paint (MS Paint). TuxPaint is also correct if the school has it. Any drawing programme from the table is fine.
Match the window button to its purpose
- [ − ] Minus: hides the window temporarily down into the taskbar.
- [ □ ] Single square: expands the window to fill the entire monitor.
- [ × ] Red X: shuts down the programme completely.
- Title bar drag: moves the window to a new spot on the screen.
Written review questions
- Minimising hides the window in the taskbar while the programme is still open and the work is safe. Closing shuts the programme down completely, and it asks you to save first if there is unsaved work.
- The bottom-right corner, in the system tray.
- Cancel.
Rate yourself and save your work ⏱️ 5 min
Tick how confident you feel on the last page, then press 🖨 Print / Save as PDF in the workbook to keep a copy. On a shared computer, press Clear my answers when you have saved it.
🎉 Session 3 complete!
Brilliant work. Next up: Session 4: Files, Folders & File Explorer.
Go to Session 4 →🪟 Window Wrangler
Double-click icons to open programmes, then minimise, maximise, close and switch between windows on the taskbar. Follow the 🎯 missions on the right: they tell you what to do next.
Stuck? Try this
Most problems are one missed word. Look for the Panic Button or Help box in the workbook.
Refresh the page. On a very old computer it may not show 3D. The workbook still has everything you need.
Answers save on the computer you typed them on. Open the workbook on that same computer and browser.
Ask your mentor, a teacher or a friend. Show them the step number you are on.
Going somewhere without internet? Download this session's study pack (workbook, PDF and README). Last updated 30 October 2026.