What Is This? Windows Basics

7. Desktop Applications

A desktop application is a software program that performs a specific task.  These applications are loaded directly on to your computer.  This means that all of the functionality of the application is stored in your computer.  These applications may be pre-loaded into the computer before you purchase it, or you may purchase these applications and download them into your computer.  The Microsoft Office® program is an example of software that is often pre-installed.

Desktop applications appear in the tiled Start Menu section.  Find tiles for all the desktop applications by choosing the down arrow at the bottom of the screen.

On any version of Windows® you may also use the built-in Search tool located in your Charm Bar® or pop-up Start Menu.  Type the name of the program you are looking for and then click on the magnifying glass icon to start the search. 

It is becoming more common to use software that "lives" on the Internet, freeing your computer storage space for your own files and folders.  We will describe this type of application in the next units.